Hawaii Trip 4-10 March

isdi on 17/01/2014 - 10:41

I bought 2 Jetstar Starter tickets for me and missus almost a year ago for $1200-ish return including everything. We are travelling to Honolulu from Melbourne on 4th March and coming back on 10th March to celebrate our 1st anniversary. So we will be arriving early morning on 4th and leaving first thing on the 10th (6 full days in total). I am planning just to spend our time in Oahu and stay at Waikiki area. We will hire a car for a day or two to explore north shore and surrounding area.

I am still trying to find accommodation. Thinking to stay in a quite nice hotel for 1 night or two and then spend the rest in cheaper one. After all the research here and there (hotelclub discount code, hotelclub VISA, hotelscombined, wego, ratestogo, airbnb, etc), on average I will spend around $200ish for a 3-3.5 star hotel and $350+ a night for 4-5 star hotel. Do you guys think it's quite reasonable or a bit pricey? Or I should be looking at somewhere else?

Thanks guys.

Travel

Comments

  • neil on 17/01/2014 - 11:19

    Seems about right. I would call the hotels directly to see if you can get a deal or check out their sites which often have deals. We stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian last time and they had some promotion which was stay 5 nights get 1 night free.

    Which hotel you thinking of staying at?

    It's a bit of a pain packing up, taking a taxi, checking in, unpacking and making sure to tip everyone in between. What do you want to get out of a 4.5 star hotel that you wouldn't with a lower starred hotel? I've stayed at lower ones and higher in Waikiki, don't think it's worth it as we were mostly out the whole day.

    FYI, most of the pools don't check if you are a hotel guest. Hilton Hawaiian probably has one of the bigger ones however you won't be able to get a towel without a pool card.

    Also keep in mind, a lot of hotels charge an additional resort fee. Usually around $25/day.

    • isdi on 17/01/2014 - 22:52

      That's actually true, the hassle of moving here and there and I completely forgot the tipping part, because not used to do that here. I might not considering changing hotels then.

      Originally I was thinking of Trump International, read a lot of good review but very pricey I think.

      Thanks for your info!

      • neil on 18/01/2014 - 01:44
        +1

        The Trump is very nice. My parents stayed there when I last visited. Fantastic unimpeded views, very modern and luxurious but the rooms definitely resemble a luxury apartment rather than a hotel. The pool is heated, located on the upper floor outside and you can see through the bottom/side (can't remember). Actually, now that I think about it the pool at the Hilton Hawaaian was not heated. Very cold. That was annoying.

        The Trump is right next to the bus stop which you catch to get to Ala Moana Mall and around the island. There is a BLT restaurant at the bottom of the building. Great steak/burgers etc.

  • kobrien456 on 17/01/2014 - 11:50

    Pacific Beach Hotel isn't bad. Right on the strip in Waikiki. Starts at US167 including breakfast for partial ocean view. Huge fish tank in the breakfast room.

    https://pacificbeachhotel.reztrip.com/rt/m/index?locale=en-u…

    • neil on 17/01/2014 - 12:00

      Plus taxes brings it to $206.58/night + resort fee of $25. Otel offers a better rate.

      If you believe in the star system, Pacific is 3 while Aston is 4 star and charges slightly cheaper. It is worth eating at the Pacific. A diver goes in and feeds the fish while you are eating. Fairly interesting.

  • kobrien456 on 17/01/2014 - 12:05

    http://www.astonwaikikibeach.com/special-offers/?c3=10995168…

    Neil. I agree. I'd forgotten about the Aston. We ate/ had a drink there and it looked better than the Pacific. I think it's right next door too, or very close at least.

  • kobrien456 on 17/01/2014 - 12:22

    Isdi, you are going to have a ball. Hawaii is one of my favourite places on earth. stop at the white prawn trucks on the North Shore. So yum. And go to Moose McGillicuddys for a meal and a dance upstairs after dinner. Great fun !

    http://m.moosemcgillycuddys.com/index.php?q=Waikiki-Hawaii.h…

    • isdi on 17/01/2014 - 22:56

      Is that the Giovanni's Shrimp Truck? It's in my list already. haha! looks really great from the photos. Thanks for that.

  • nerd1 on 17/01/2014 - 14:14
    +1

    wasn't there a post for airbnb just the other day? you can try there.

    • isdi on 17/01/2014 - 23:00

      Yes, I checked that too but considering stay at hotel as well if I get better value. Thanks.

  • Smulder on 17/01/2014 - 16:05
    +1

    I have been to Hawaii a number of times and love it!

    I have generally found that the ratings system for hotels in Hawaii (and the USA more generally) are a much truer refection of the quality of the hotel than in Australia.

    A 3 or 4 star rated hotel in America is usually of quite high quality compared with what you would expect in Australia. I have stayed in 4 star hotels in Australia that would struggle to get 2 starts in the USA.

    So saying that, you may find a 4 star hotel leaves you pleasantly surprised. I have stayed at the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel a number of times and quite like it, 4 starts for less than $200 a night… just as a suggestion.

    Plus don't forget 20% off all hotels at cheaptickets.com till Sunday :)

  • Steptoe on 17/01/2014 - 17:34
    +1

    I've stayed at Aston Wakiki Beachside. Got a good deal direct from their website. Handy location. It's next to the Circle Hotel.

    Snorkelling at Hanauma Bay. You can get return transport and gear hire for about $14. Can't recall entry cost. Phone Numbers in local street magazine.

    Diamond Head. Catch the $2 bus (return)

    Waikele Premium Outlets Bus $10 return from Waikiki

    Meal at The Cheesecake Factory. 2301 Kalakaua Ave

    Catch a trolley to/from Ala Moana Center.

    If you're looking to buy clothes, try Ross Dress-for-Less

    For Airport transfers, have used VIP. Sit up front and chat with the driver. Be nice as they earn a mere $8/hr

    • Steptoe on 17/01/2014 - 22:37

      Oh, and I forgot the $3.99 Bacon, Eggs and Pancakes for Breakfast in Kuhio Ave.

      • isdi on 17/01/2014 - 23:01

        This is definitely will be on my list. Thanks for that!!

      • neil on 18/01/2014 - 01:36

        LOL. I walked by that a bunch of times. Was it any good?

        • Steptoe on 26/01/2014 - 20:26

          Yes, went back a couple of times. Quick and Easy (& Cheap). Eggs are scrambled so they just keep churning them out.

          Most other items on the menu aren't nearly as cheap.

  • isdi on 23/01/2014 - 22:32

    What about the prepaid SIM Card? I will be using my Samsung Note 2 or S2 over there mostly for data (checking emails, gmaps, etc). I heard about https://www.anacondamobile.com which I am looking right now. Is there any other suggestion?

    • neil on 23/01/2014 - 22:44
      +1

      I usually go with T-Mobile or SimpleMobile (T-Mobile network).

      Many international travellers (lots of Aussies) go to

      Hoku Wireless
      2255 Kuhio Ave #109
      Honolulu, HI 96815

      Pretty much in the middle of Waikiki accross the street from the $3.95 breakfast. They'll sort you out with a sim, setup your phone, etc.

      List of prepaid with data providers

    • Steptoe on 26/01/2014 - 20:31

      If the data isn't that urgent, there is FREE WiFi in many places including Starbucks, McDonalds, etc. You can ring home with VIBER if you need to.

  • kobrien456 on 24/01/2014 - 11:38

    Don't forget to pick up all the free tourist magazines at the airport. Lots of really good specials on tourist attractions. Luaus are great fun too.

  • Orgazmo on 01/02/2014 - 09:42

    Watch out for: 'information booth's' and other helpful individuals. Most people are pretty friendly and helpful but sometimes you can get caught up with someone trying to sell time share etc. They are big on the free breakfasts too, although it's almost expected it will be some kind of sales pitch. Also a lot of tours and hire prices are advertised as the full price. For example, a car rental price may be advertised, but upon further investigation you'll find theres a mandatory insurance premium that's probably the same price as the rental fee.

  • petersumpters on 03/03/2014 - 19:30

    In a Hawaii vacation plans, you will find there are a incredibly large number of things to do within the Islands. Hawaii offers an amazingly diverse and eclectic range of activities, sights, beaches, and more to see & do during your trip.

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