Priceline Hotel: 3.5* Maui (Kaanapali - Lahaina) The Royal Lahaina Resort

[Ryanrgreene]

Hello all,

I have been using your PRICELINE link and bidding unsuccessfully for a few weeks on any 4* or Resorts on priceline for Maui.I have already bid my preferred max which is around $160.00/night (With Tax and Resort Fee it puts it closer to 200.00). My bidding has usually been in the afternoon and am not sure if that impacts the chance of a successful bid.

I have used and been unsuccessful with multiple rebidding strategies including the following;

Name Your Own Price Offer History (most recent offer on top)

check-in check-out areas selected minimum star level bid

01/12/2012 01/20/2012 Ka'anapali - Lahaina, Kahului, Kihei, Wailea - Makena

$162

check-in check-out areas selected minimum star level bid

01/12/2012 01/20/2012 Ka'anapali - Lahaina, Kahului, Wailea - Makena, Kihei

$157

check-in check-out areas selected minimum star level bid

01/12/2012 01/20/2012 Kihei, Ka'anapali - Lahaina, Wailea - Makena

$152

I would be happy with the Westin or Sheraton in Ka'anapali, but would prefer the Marriot resort in Wailea or Hyatt in Ka'anapali. For this price range do I need to drop down to a 3.5 or 3 star?

Any other pointers that you can give? Thanks.

[thereuare]

I'm not sure if it would help, but is SPLITTING YOUR PRICELINE BID an option?

Thanks for using the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board.

[Ryanrgreene]

So with several weeks of going to PRICELINE link on this site, and going up to my Max of $180, I decided to drop a star level to 3.5* and lower my bid to $150/night.

With these options I successfully bid the Royal Lahaina for 1/12-1/20/2012 for the $150/night.

I think that I maybe should have kept my bid a little lower, and have concerns with some of the reviews on trip advisor and HOTWIRE. I like the location but I am skeptical that this "resort" is really 3.5 stars. I hope that I can negotiate my way into the Tower facilities and stay out of the cottages that appear to have more complaints and issues. Also, a little concerned with the reviews of the staff, but we will make it work (Spend as much time outside the resort on the beach and exploring anyway).

If anyone has any tips on how to get the best room possible I would be open for any suggestions. Does it make sense to check in earlier or later for better rooms? Is there any advantage calling ahead to see what the hotel can do? Does PRICELINE remediate or anything if the customer has a bad experience?

I have never had any issues with PRICELINE before, so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Thanks for all the great info on the site, I will definitely be back!

[Ryanrgreene]

So with several weeks of going to PRICELINE link on this site, and going up to my Max of $180, I decided to drop a star level to 3.5* and lower my bid to $150/night.

With these options I successfully bid the Royal Lahaina for 1/12-1/20/2012 for the $150/night.

I think that I maybe should have kept my bid a little lower, and have concerns with some of the reviews on trip advisor and HOTWIRE. I like the location but I am skeptical that this "resort" is really 3.5 stars. I hope that I can negotiate my way into the Tower facilities and stay out of the cottages that appear to have more complaints and issues. Also, a little concerned with the reviews of the staff, but we will make it work (Spend as much time outside the resort on the beach and exploring anyway).

If anyone has any tips on how to get the best room possible I would be open for any suggestions. Does it make sense to check in earlier or later for better rooms? Is there any advantage calling ahead to see what the hotel can do? Does Priceline remediate or anything if the customer has a bad experience?

I have never had any issues with priceline before, so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Thanks for all the great info on the site, I will definitely be back!

[chrispee]

I enjoyed a stay at the Royal Lahaina a couple of years ago, and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with the hotel. It's tastefully done, and it enjoys a good location on the beach. I agree that it could probably be had for cheaper than $150, but at least you didn't overpay based on their web specials right now. You are correct that the tower is definitely a nicer place to be. FWIW I used the $20 trick here and was upgraded to a partial ocean view in the tower, so you might want to try that. Enjoy your stay!

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success... but sorry to hear you're a bit concerned about the results.

Room assignments are often a crapshoot, but i've often found that arriving after official check-out time but a little before official check-in... this is when the most number of rooms are vacation, hopefully have been cleaned, and the fewest number of others how have already tried to check-in.

You can call the hotel and request a room in the Tower section of the building. If you're told that the room will be assigned at check-in or that they can't make any requests, if worth it, you can inquire as to how much a guaranteed upgrade would cost.

Thank you for sharing your win and using the PRICELINE links on the board to begin your bidding.

Enjoy your stay.

[AaronJB]

Congrats on your success. :)

Definitely a nice deal for this property. I'd call or write in advance and politely inquire what room options are available. PRICELINE reservations guarantee a basic/non-upgraded room, but you can see what they say. A "high floor" room *may* not be an upgrade, but may have a better view of the surrounding area, and could be something to ask for.

Thank you for sharing your win and please use the site's PRICELINE or HOTWIRE links to start your purchases and searches.

Enjoy your stay.