Tips on Accommodations

Maui offers a tremendous variety of accommodations, from ritzy resorts to simple bed-and-breakfasts. Read this section before booking a room to find out what each option typically has to offer. I've also included some tips on how to get the best rates.

What If Your Dream Hotel Becomes a Nightmare? -- To avoid any unpleasant surprises, find out when you make your reservation exactly what the accommodations are offering you: cost, minimum stay, included amenities. Ask if there's any penalty for leaving early. Discuss what the cancellation policy is if the accommodations fail to meet your expectations -- and get this policy in writing.

If you're not satisfied with your room, notify the front desk or booking agency immediately. Approach the management in a calm, reasonable manner, and suggest a solution (like moving to another unit). Be willing to compromise. Do not leave; if you do, you may not get your deposit back.

If all else fails, when you get home, write to any association the establishment may be a member of (such as the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau or a resort association). Describe your complaint and why the issue was not resolved to your satisfaction. And be sure to let us know if you have a problem with a place recommended in this guide!

Bargaining on Prices -- Rates can sometimes be bargained down, but it depends on the place. The best bargaining can be had at hotels and resorts. If business is slow and you book directly, some places may give you at least part of the commission they'd normally pay a travel agent. Most hotels and resorts also have local rates for islanders, which they may extend to visitors during slow periods. It never hurts to ask about discounted or local rates; a host of special rates are available for the military, seniors, members of the travel industry, families, corporate travelers, and long-term stays. Also ask about package deals, which might include a car rental or free breakfast for the same price as a room by itself. Hotels and resorts offer packages for everyone: golfers, tennis players, families, honeymooners, and more. I've found that 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 toll-free 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 parking fee or extra fees for children. Persistence and polite inquiries can pay off.

It's harder to bargain at bed-and-breakfasts. You may be able to negotiate down the minimum stay or get a discount if you're staying a week or longer. But generally 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 at vacation rentals and condos. In addition to asking for a discount on a multinight stay, also ask if they can throw in a rental car to sweeten the deal; believe it or not, they often will.

Using a Booking Agency vs. Doing it Yourself -- If you don't have the time to call several places yourself to make sure they offer the amenities you'd like, you might consider a booking agency.

A great statewide booking agent is Bed & Breakfast Hawaii (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; www.hibeach.com). Hawaii Condo Exchange (tel. 800/442-0404; www.hawaiicondoexchange.com) acts as a consolidator for condo and vacation-rental properties.

Types of Accommodations

Hotels -- In Hawaii the term hotel can indicate a wide range of options, from few or no on-site amenities to enough extras to qualify as a resort. Generally, a hotel offers daily maid service and has a restaurant, on-site laundry facilities, a pool, and a sundries/convenience-type shop (as opposed to the shopping arcades that most resorts have). Top hotels also provide activities desks, concierge service, business centers, a bar and/or lounge, and perhaps a few more shops. The advantages of staying in a hotel are privacy and convenience; the disadvantage is generally noise -- either thin walls between rooms or loud music from a lobby lounge late into the night.

Resorts -- In Hawaii a resort offers everything a hotel does -- and more. You can expect direct beach access, with beach cabanas and lounge chairs; pools and a Jacuzzi; a spa and fitness center; restaurants, bars, and lounges; a 24-hour front desk; concierge, valet, and bellhop services; room service (often round-the-clock); an activities desk; tennis and golf; ocean activities; a business center; kids' 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. And 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.

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. If this custom is unpleasant to you, a B&B may not be for you.

Vacation Rentals -- This is another great choice for families and for long-term stays. "Vacation rental" usually means that there will be no one on the property where you're staying. The actual accommodations can range from an apartment to an entire fully equipped house. Generally, vacation rentals allow you to settle in and make yourself at home for a while. They have kitchen facilities (at least a kitchenette), on-site laundry facilities, and phones; some also come 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 that you have a 24-hour contact to call if the toilet won't flush or you can't figure out how to turn on the air-conditioning.

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Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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				Frommer's Maui 2008 Author: Jeanette Foster Pub Date: September 04, 2007 Price: $18.99				Related Titles: Frommer's Hawaii 2008 Frommer's Hawaii 2009 Frommer's Hawaii with Kids, 2nd Edition