Priceline Hotel: 3* Kauai (Kapaa-Lihue-Koloa) Aloha Beach Resort Kauai

[onedayatatime]

On first try, booked 3* Aloha Beach Resort Kauai for $70 with Priceline. They told me retail for the same room would have been $115/night.

We needed an inexpensive hotel to spend the day at since we had an early check-out at the other 3* ResortQuest we had spent the week at and late evening flight (rack rate the front desk gave me for staying the day at the ResortQuest would have been over $340). I thought we'd be able to get the same hotel or would have to drop a star rating but since it was just for the day, we weren't worried about where we'd be -- we just wanted it to be relatively cheap.

As a matter of interest, while the Aloha Beach Resort is o.k., it in no way compares to the ResortQuest. The Aloha Beach Resort has the same star rating but was a huge step down from the 3* ResortQuest. Something isn't right with the star ratings because these two hotels are definitely not in the same class.

While the Aloha is still nice, it seems to be a bit run-down and out-dated (the rooms need some major upgrades). The grounds and landscaping are more lush though and the location is ideal for families as it is on the Lydgate Beach which is a perfect beginner spot for snorkelling.

Had we not spent the other 7 nights at the ResortQuest, we wouldn't have been disappointed in the Aloha as it is still a nice hotel, was clean, had plenty of amenities and friendly staff.

[thereuare]

Thanks for the report and the addition to the Priceline Hotel List.

Sounds like, overall, you had a very nice trip!

[onedayatatime]

Another note to add: Expedia has the Aloha as a 2* and the ResortQuest Kauai Makaiwa as a 3.5*. I would completely agree with Expedia's star rating for these two hotels. Anyone know why Priceline would have them both down as 3*? :)

Not complaining -- we only spent 7 hours there and it wasn't a bad hotel at all ... just a comment on the difference between places and star ratings for each. I'll complete the Priceline hotel survey when it comes and maybe they'll take a closer look at it. :)

It was a wonderful trip and a super deal all around. Hopefully we won't take another 10 years to go back!

[thereuare]

It's an industry-wide problem... ratings are subjective and each site has their own system for rating properties.

In addition to their being no standardization, rooms at the same hotel can differ greatly.... some are renovated, others are not, some are smaller/larger than others, noisy/quiet, view/no view, etc, etc.