BrianD4

In order to resubmit a bid, you need to change the areas you are willing to stay in, or the star level. Since you are wanting a 3 star hotel (so you don't want to change that), your only option is to change the area you are willing to stay in. The key, as has been explained in the above links that I am sure you have read, is to choose areas that only have hotels rated below the star level you are bidding on. For example, the Diamond Head area only has 2 star hotels (according to Priceline's ratings). You can add the Diamond Head area to your search, you are able to bid again, but since there are no 3 star hotels in the Diamond Head area you know the search will still be effectively limited to the areas you want (Waikiki Beach, Central, and Marina). The Honolulu Airport area and Waianae areas also only have up to 2 star hotels, so you add each of them one at a time if your bids are rejected. If all that fails, I would add North Shore and Ihilani (one at a time) since they only have resort hotels, and you have zero chance of winning a bid in those areas for the prices you are talking about. (And if you would "win" a hotel in those areas at the prices you are suggesting, I would consider that a dream come true).

Oh, and the Princess Kiulani and the Kuhio are both nice hotels. I have stayed at many of the hotels in Waikiki, and are familiar with many of the others.

As I think I mentioned before, your best choices are the Waikiki area (beach, central, marina), or the Diamond Head area. I think you are going to have a tough time getting a $50 hotel at any star level. I would try $60 or so for 3 star hotels in one specific area (Waikiki Central, for example), and be prepared to add/change zones and star levels. Also as I have mentioned above, you are going to have a hard time finding the above price to "include parking". I also posted above that you can book the rental car now, and keep watching to see if rates go down. You can always cancel the reservation if you get a better deal on Priceline/etc. Many of your questions have been answered several times.

I have stayed at the Sheraton Waikiki several times, and once was upgraded to an ocean-view room. It is a very nice hotel.

You have to realize that the total population of Oahu is under 900,000 people. Most of that population is centered in/around Honolulu, and certainly most of the jobs are. There is only one main interstate highway (the H-1) and a couple of shorter interstates (the H-2 and the H-3). I think you would make a mistake if you stayed anywhere other than the Waikiki area for your first visit. I guarantee you that many attractions are within walking distance or a very short bus ride (10 blocks or so). Waikiki Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium, Diamond Head monument, Magic Island, Ala Moana Shopping Center, etc are all close at hand. Yes, you can stay somewhere more isolated where there is less "congestion", but once you start to go somewhere you will run into that congestion. Traffic is bad in the mornings and early afternoon/evening, but if you are from the NYC area it will be nothing to you. The rest of the time, the traffic isn't too bad. Remember, the island isn't that big. Waikiki as a base of operations is the best choice. You can head east in the morning towards the windward side of the island and enjoy the sights there, or head west towards Pearl Harbor and up to the North Shore. Or you can start heading east and make a circle around the island and end up where you started. I recommend highly that you buy the book "Oahu Revealed". I am sure Amazon has it. Oh, and the Kalihi Valley isn't that remote.

I feel completely safe in Waikiki. I wouldnt' consider that an issue. Your comments about "not worrying about traffic, parking, congestion" demonstrates a lack of understanding of Oahu. Where is this house you are referring to?

Hawaii is not known as a cheap vacation destination. If you like dorm-type sleeping arrangements with limited (or no) privacy, a hostel is for you. Waikiki has nothing in common with NYC. Yes, many things to do are outside of Waikiki, but all are a bus ride away. You need to decide what you want to do. As for "27 a night" slum rooms, I don't know where you found them, but personally I would sleep on the beach before I did that.

Two days ago I tried several permutations to get a 4 star near-beach hotel for prices up to $120 and never succeeded, but today I was lucky and got this one. I am happy with the hotel.

If you are just looking for a hotel and it doesn't matter to you if the hotel has any services, try the Waikiki Sunset. It is a condo-type hotel about 3 blocks from the beach. The units are one bedroom condos with a kitchen and fold out bed in the living room.

I also would not stay at a hostel, especially the ones near Waikiki. Not a chance. You aren't going to find a 3 star REPUTABLE hotel for $50. I was extremely lucky to find a 3 star for $75 for a couple of days (of course, add in $20 for parking and valet fees and you are over $100 per day if you have a car). Although going to another island would be nice, I guarantee you that you can't even begin to see all that Oahu has to offer in the time you are going to be there. If beaches aren't your thing, you are much better off to stay on Oahu.

There are two Marriott resorts at Ko Olina, the Ihilani and the Ko Olina Beach Club. They are both primarily time shares. Turtle Bay is not close to Ko Olina. It is at the North Shore.

I have been to Oahu many times, and I wanted to point out a few things. One, I don't know of any hotels that offer free parking. It isn't cheap, either. Count on spending $15-$20 per night at most hotels for parking. Two, the best options for "cheaper" hotel rates are "Waikiki Central" or "Marina Area". These hotels aren't right on the beach, but they are "ok" if you aren't expecting luxury. The Doubletree Hotel on Ala Moana Blvd is a common "3 star" pick on Priceline in the Marina Area, and I was able to book some nights here for $75 over the Christmas holiday. Valet parking only, and a 10 minutes or so walk to Waikiki Beach. Three, most of the hotels in Waikiki are older, and the star ratings are typically generous in Hawaii. I have stayed at "3 star" hotels in Oahu that I wouldn't recommend if things like dirty carpets and peeling paint bother you. Public transportation is very good on Oahu, and you can take a bus to pretty much anywhere you want to go. The drawback is all the stops in between where you are leaving from and where you want to go to. Car rentals can be cheap. I always book my car rental on Travelocity or some other site to make sure I have a reservation, and periodically check the travel sites to see if prices have dropped. Then, once it gets close to my departure time, I will go to Priceline and try for an even better deal. Most times I get one. I wait until very close to my departure time to use Priceline because I dont' want to lock in a price too early. The fluctuation in price is amazing over there. I would strongly encourage you to save one day for a drive around the island of Oahu. It is a stunning drive, and can easily be accomplished in less than a day (with plenty of stops along the way). I would also encourage you to save a morning for a hike up Diamond Head crater for a wonderful view. As for going to another island, you can catch 5 a.m. flights to most islands with return flights the same day late in the evening. The flights are probably around $150 round trip right now. Be aware that driving times are very long on the other islands because 2 lane roads are the rule. No 4 lane highways anywhere but on Oahu. You need to pick a particular destination, because you wont' have much time to drive around and explore. The day will be gone before you know it. The good thing is, if you miss your flight back to Oahu there will be another one in 30 minutes or so. Oh, there is no way I would plan on visiting a neighbor island the same day I am leaving to return home. Way too much risk.