Oahu Hotel Guide

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Though the island of Oahu is not the biggest in the Hawaiian chain, it offers the widest variety of accommodations. You can stay in near-palatial surroundings where kings, heads of state, billionaires, and rock stars have spent the night, or in a quaint bed-and-breakfast on the North Shore where the rolling surf lulls you to sleep at night. You can opt for the bright lights and action of Waikiki, the quiet comforts of Kahala, or the rural calm of the windward side. Oahu has the perfect place for everyone.

But before you reach for the phone to reserve a place, consider when you will be traveling to Hawaii. Hawaii has two seasons -- high and low. The major high season is mid-December to March. At this time of year, rooms are always booked and rates are at the top end. The second high season is June to September, when rates are expensive, but bookings are somewhat easier. The low season, with fewer tourists, cheaper rates -- and sometimes, even "deals" on rooms -- is April to June and September to mid-December.

Be sure to factor in Hawaii's 11.42% hotel tax to all the listed rates to get a true picture of your bill. Don't forget to include parking, which, at Waikiki hotels, can quickly add up.

Types of Accomodations

Hotels -- In Hawaii, hotel can mean a wide range of options, from few or no on-site amenities to enough extras to call it a miniresort. Generally, a hotel offers daily maid service and has a restaurant, on-site laundry facilities, a swimming pool, and a sundries/convenience-type shop (rather than the shopping arcades most resorts have these days). Top hotels also have concierge and valet services, room service (although it may be limited), activities desks, business centers, an airport shuttle, a bar and/or lounge, and maybe a few more shops. The advantage of staying in a hotel is privacy and convenience. The disadvantage is generally noise: either thin walls between rooms or loud music from a lobby lounge late into the night.

Hotels are often a short walk from the beach instead of being beachfront (but some, like the Sheraton Moana Surfrider and the New Otani in Waikiki, are right on the sand). Because they come with fewer amenities than full-fledged resorts, hotels tend to be cheaper, but not always.

Nickel-&-Dime Charges at High-Priced Hotels

Several upscale resorts in Hawaii have begun a practice that we find distasteful and dishonest: charging a so-called "resort fee." This daily fee (from $12-$18 a day) is added on to your bill for such "complimentary" items as a daily newspaper, local phone calls, and use of the fitness facilities. Amenities that the resort has been happily providing its guests for years are now tacked on to your bill under the guise of a "fee." In most cases, you don't have an option to decline the resort fee -- in other words, this is a sneaky way to further increase the prices without telling you. We are very opposed to this practice and urge you to voice your complaints to the resort management. Otherwise, what'll be next -- a charge for using the tiny bars of soap or miniature shampoo bottles?

Resorts -- In Hawaii, a resort offers everything a hotel offers and more. What you get varies from property to property, of course, but expect facilities, services, and amenities such as direct beach access, with beach cabanas and chairs; pools (often more than one) and a Jacuzzi; a spa and fitness center; restaurants, bars, and lounges; a 24-hour front desk; concierge, valet, and bell services; room service (often around-the-clock); an activities desk; tennis and golf (some of the world's best courses are at Hawaiian resorts); ocean activities; a business center; kid's programs; and more.

The advantages of a resort are that you have everything you could possibly want in the way of services and things to do; the disadvantage is that the price generally reflects this. Don't be misled by a name -- just because a place is called "ABC Resort" doesn't mean it actually is a resort. Make sure you're getting what you pay for.

Condos -- The roominess and convenience of a condo -- which is usually a fully equipped, multiple-bedroom apartment -- makes it a great choice for families. Condominium properties in Hawaii are generally several apartments set in a single high-rise or a cluster of low-rise units. Condos generally have amenities such as limited maid service (ranging from daily to weekly; it may or may not be included in your rate, so be sure to ask), a swimming pool, laundry facilities (either in your unit or in a central location), and an on-site front desk or a live-in property manager. The advantages of a condo are privacy, space, and conveniences -- which usually include full kitchen facilities, a washer and dryer, a private phone, and more. The downsides are the standard lack of an on-site restaurant and the density of the units (versus the privacy of a single-unit vacation rental).

Condos vary in price according to size, location, and amenities. Many of them are on or near the beach, and they tend to be clustered in resort areas. While there are some very high-end condos, most tend to be quite affordable, especially if you're traveling in a group that's large enough to require more than one bedroom.

Bed-and-Breakfasts -- Hawaii has a wide range of places that call themselves B&Bs, everything from a traditional B&B -- several bedrooms (which may or may not share a bathroom) in a home, with breakfast served in the morning -- to what is essentially a vacation rental on an owner's property that comes with fixings to make your own breakfast. Make sure that the B&B you're thinking about booking matches your own mental picture. Would you prefer conversation around a big dining-room table as you eat a hearty breakfast, or just a muffin and juice to enjoy in your own private place? Laundry facilities and a private phone are not always available at B&Bs. If you have to share a bathroom, we've spelled it out in the listing; otherwise, you can assume that you will have a private bathroom.

The advantage of a traditional B&B is its individual style and congenial atmosphere. B&Bs are great places to meet other visitors to Hawaii, and the host is generally happy to act as your own private concierge, giving you tips on where to go and what to do. In addition, they're usually an affordable way to go (although fancier ones can run $150 or more a night). The disadvantages are lack of privacy, usually a set time for breakfast, few amenities, generally no maid service, and the fact that you'll have to share the quarters beyond your bedroom with others. In addition, B&B owners usually require a minimum stay of 2 or 3 nights, and it's often a drive to the beach.

B&B Etiquette

In Hawaii, it is traditional and customary to remove your shoes before entering anyone's home. The same is true for most bed-and-breakfast facilities. Most hosts post signs or will politely ask you to remove your shoes before entering the B&B. Not only does this keep the B&B clean, but also you'll be amazed how relaxed you feel walking around barefoot. If this custom is unappealing to you, a B&B may not be your best choice. Consider a condo or hotel, where no one will be particular about your shoes.

Hotels, resorts, condos, and vacation rentals generally allow smoking in the guest rooms (most also have nonsmoking rooms available), but the majority of bed-and-breakfast units forbid smoking in the rooms. If this matters to you, be sure to check the policy of your accommodation before you book.

Vacation Rentals -- Another great choice for families and for long-term stays, a "vacation rental" usually means that there's no one on the property where you're staying. The actual accommodation can range from an apartment in a condominium building to a two-room cottage on the beach to an entire fully equipped house. Generally, you can settle into vacation rentals and make yourself at home for a while. They have kitchen facilities (either a complete kitchen or just a kitchenette with microwave, refrigerator, burners, and coffeemaker), on-site laundry facilities, and a phone; some also come outfitted with such extras as a TV, VCR, and stereo. The advantages of a vacation rental are complete privacy, your own kitchen (which can save you money on meals), and lots of conveniences. The disadvantages are a lack of an on-site property manager and generally no maid service; often, a minimum stay is required (sometimes as much as a week). If you book a vacation rental, be sure you have a 24-hour contact so that when the toilet won't flush or you can't figure out how to turn on the air-conditioning, you have someone to call.

How to Get the Best Rates

Like the price of a car, accommodation rates can sometimes be bargained down, but it depends on the place. In general, each type of accommodation allows a different amount of latitude in bargaining on their rack (or published) rates.

The best bargaining can be had at hotels and resorts. Check the websites of hotels first -- you'd be surprised at the specials they run during slow periods. At review time, Island Colony Hotel ran an Internet special of $59 a night (vs. the rack rate which starts at $160) -- a 63% discount. It never hurts to ask politely for a discounted rate; there are also a host of special rates available for the military, seniors, members of the travel industry, families, corporate travelers, and long-term stays. Ask about package deals, where for the same price as a room, you can get a car rental or free breakfast. Hotels and resorts have packages for everyone: golfers, tennis players, families, honeymooners, and more. It's worth the extra few cents to make a local call to the hotel; sometimes the local reservations person knows about package deals that the 800 operators are unaware of. If all else fails, try to get the hotel or resort to upgrade you to a better room for the same price as a budget room, or waive the extra fees for children or parking. Persistence and asking politely can pay off.

The rates for a bed-and-breakfast are the hardest to bargain on. Sometimes you can be successful in bargaining down the minimum stay, or you might be able to negotiate a discount if you're staying a week or longer. Generally, however, a B&B owner has only a few rooms and has already priced the property at a competitive rate; expect to pay what's asked.

You have somewhat more leeway to negotiate on vacation rentals and condos. In addition to asking for a discount on a multi-night stay, ask if they can throw in a rental car to sweeten the deal; they often will.

Using a Booking Agency vs. Doing It Yourself

Sometimes you can save money by making the arrangements yourself -- not only can you bargain on the phone, but some accommodations might be willing to pass on a percentage of the commission they normally pay a travel agent or a booking agency.

However, if you don't have the time or money to call several places to make sure they offer the amenities you'd like and to bargain for a price you're comfortable with, then you might consider a booking agency. The time they spend on your behalf could well be worth any fees you have to pay.

The top reservations service in the state is Hawaii's Best Bed & Breakfasts, P.O. Box 563, Kamuela, HI 96743 (tel. 800/262-9912 or 808/985-7488; fax 808/967-8610; www.bestbnb.com). The service charges you $15 to book the first two locations and $5 for each additional location. They personally select the traditional homestays, cottages, and inns throughout the islands they represent, based on each one's hospitality, distinctive charm, and attention to detail. They also book vacation rentals, hotels, and resorts.

Another great statewide booking agent is Bed & Breakfast Hawaii, P.O. Box 449, Kapaa, HI 96746 (tel. 800/733-1632 or 808/822-7771; fax 808/822-2723; www.bandb-hawaii.com), offering a range of accommodations from vacation homes to B&Bs, starting at $65 a night.

For vacation rentals, contact Hawaii Beachfront Vacation Homes (tel. 808/247-3637 or 808/235-2644; www.hibeach.com). Hawaii Condo Exchange (tel. 800/442-0404; www.hawaiicondoexchange.com) acts as a consolidator for condo and vacation-rental properties.

Lounging on a Lanai

Don't go looking for a balcony in Oahu; you won't find one. Instead, islanders call them lanais. If you're into balcony lounging, be sure to request a lanai with an ocean view.