Hawaii...Resort Fees...any tips?

Forums › Travel (planes, train, cruise) › Hawaii...Resort Fees...any tips?

Subway

45 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 4

#306080 26-Jun-2023 12:25

Hey team, have booked a short trip to Hawaii this October (Waikiki). Has been approx 10 years since I was last there and it seems like resort fees are insidious now.

Any suggestions on ways around this? have noticed a couple of hotels waive them if you book direct. Otherwise looking at an Airbnb (which has its own issues!).

Or recommendations appreciated! Am looking at circa $2500 for 6 nights...

Batman

Mad Scientist
30012 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6217

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3095043 26-Jun-2023 12:28

USA = city tax state tax federal tax + tips

Sorry not sure how you get around that.

Subway

45 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 4

#3095046 26-Jun-2023 12:38

Yeah i'm aware of all the usual taxes and tips, but resort fees are new to me. Seems to be a way for hotels to make up for lost revenue from online booking sites.

CYaBro

4708 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1182

ID Verified

Trusted

#3095074 26-Jun-2023 14:19

Subway:

Yeah i'm aware of all the usual taxes and tips, but resort fees are new to me. Seems to be a way for hotels to make up for lost revenue from online booking sites.

I always try to book direct.

Use those online booking sites to find somewhere we like then go directly to the accommodation provider's own site and book from there.
Have often been given free room upgrades when checking in doing it that way, as thanks for booking with them directly.

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

johno1234

3352 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2843

#3095075 26-Jun-2023 14:22

Subway:

Yeah i'm aware of all the usual taxes and tips, but resort fees are new to me. Seems to be a way for hotels to make up for lost revenue from online booking sites.

Unlike taxes, resort fees are entirely at the discretion of the hotel. Some don't charge. Some might allow you to opt out of the resort facilities - it doesn't cost anything to ask.

On our visit to Waikiki last year we stayed at the Halepuna which was outstanding in every way, and does not charge resort fees.

Hawaii has just got too expensive for me now. Next time I'm looking for a warm weather shopping, beach and golf vacation it is going to be somewhere in Asia, probably Vietnam.

Subway

45 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 4

#3095081 26-Jun-2023 14:27

johno1234:

Subway:

Yeah i'm aware of all the usual taxes and tips, but resort fees are new to me. Seems to be a way for hotels to make up for lost revenue from online booking sites.

Unlike taxes, resort fees are entirely at the discretion of the hotel. Some don't charge. Some might allow you to opt out of the resort facilities - it doesn't cost anything to ask.

On our visit to Waikiki last year we stayed at the Halepuna which was outstanding in every way, and does not charge resort fees.

Hawaii has just got too expensive for me now. Next time I'm looking for a warm weather shopping, beach and golf vacation it is going to be somewhere in Asia, probably Vietnam.

Halepuna has been recommended by a friend too, thats good to know.

Agree re Asia would love to go back to Vietnam or Thailand. Thai aren't flying Auckland to Bangkok anymore, and anywhere good in Vietnam we'd likely have to go through Sydney or Melbourne, then HCM or Hanoi to Hoi An etc so 20 plus hours. AirNZ were even quoting us circa $2k return to Bali etc. So flights aren't cheap (but cheap once you get there).

johno1234

3352 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2843

#3095113 26-Jun-2023 15:41

Yeah, and you can fly return to HNL with no stopovers for about $1300... so too bad the hotels are so expensive there. Don't get me started on the price of a steak and a cocktail.

Lenovo

Shop now for Lenovo laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

Subway

45 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 4

#3095116 26-Jun-2023 15:44

johno1234:

Yeah, and you can fly return to HNL with no stopovers for about $1300... so too bad the hotels are so expensive there. Don't get me started on the price of a steak and a cocktail.

We got a deal with Hawaiian Airlines: $1050 return each which I thought was reasonable. If only the Mrs was open to stopovers!

surfisup1000

5288 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2159

#3095123 26-Jun-2023 16:02

Subway:

Yeah i'm aware of all the usual taxes and tips, but resort fees are new to me. Seems to be a way for hotels to make up for lost revenue from online booking sites.

They've been around for a several decades at least. Possibly the thing that is changing is that maybe more hotels are considering themselves to be 'resorts'.