Priceline Hotel: Help with Oahu Waikiki beach

[Jackboot]

Thanks for the great forum. I'm happy to place bids using the PRICELINE referral link.

I'd like to get a room in the Waikiki beach area from Jan 3 - Jan 7. I'm open to other nearby areas (city central, marina) but I'd prefer the beach.

A couple questions that I hope someone can help with specific to this zone.

1. There will be 3 guests (myself, mother, sister) so we need at least 2 beds. I don't mind sharing with my sister but the bed would have to be large enough (i.e., larger than a double). What's the deal with getting a room with enough sleeping area for more than 2 non-romantic people?

2. This might be a dumb question, but what is the difference between a "resort" and "4-star"? Which one is considered nicer?

Thanks in advance!

[AaronJB]

1. PRICELINE only guarantees 1 bed; while HOTWIRE guarantees the amount of bedding for the amount of people. However, Hotwire doesn't designate what that bedding is (could be 1 bed + 1 couch). If you need 2 beds specifically, it's best to book conventionally.

2. I would say it depends on the specific hotel; there are some great resorts and not so great 4*'s and vice versa. I wouldn't say one is an across-the-board improvement over the other.

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What would be your budget per night?

[Jackboot]

Thanks a tonne for the reply, AaronJB.

My budget maxes at $150/night. Not enough to book a hotel conventionally I don't think.

[AaronJB]

There's not too many hotwire options available - this appears to be a mildly busy time period. I'm not terribly familiar with the area, but I do see a suite at the ResortQuest Waikiki Sunset for $137.15 (35% off) on Expedia. Use the coupon code FAN50 on Expedia for $50 off the final total. The room is listed as 570 square feet, and also includes a kitchen (which would be good for leftovers.)

[thereuare]

2. This might be a dumb question, but what is the difference between a "resort" and "4-star"? Which one is considered nicer?

While everyone has different tastes and there are variations within the same star category, buy definition, Resort properties are rated higher than 4* properties in the PRICELINE hierarchy.

HOTWIRE doesn't use "Resort" as a star category, but rather as an amenity icon so all star levels have the potential to also be designated resort, and currently defines a resort as:

Resorts offer a complete destination experience. Facilities generally include a spa or fitness center, one or more swimming pools, and superior dining options. Depending on location, recreational activities may include water sports, golf, tennis or skiing. Coastal resorts usually boast ocean views or beachfront access. Note: A resort fee may be charged.

If HOTWIRE offerings aren't within your budget you basically have to make a decision to:

-wait it out

-take a chance for triple occupancy on PRICELINE (alhtough note that you could be charged extra upon check-in)

-lower your star rating to a level where triple occupancy via HOTWIRE is within your budget (or find another option which can guarantee you two beds)

If you do book elsewhere than PRICELINE or HOTWIRE, please check our support page where we have links to most hotel direct and online agencies.

Let us know your thoughts and how you'd like to proceed.

[Jackboot]

Thanks again for all the help.

So to clarify - if I do a search on Hotwire and specify 3 adults - I am guaranteed bedding for 3 adults at no extra charge? I assume that this could mean that they provide a rollaway - which is fine - so long as it does not cost extra.

I phoned the Sheraton Waikiki beach (which is listed as a 'resort' for priceline) and asked about rooms that will sleep 3 adults and they said that a rollaway was an extra $75 per night. I'm glad I checked this out before winning a bid on priceline!

If I decide to look beyond hotwire & priceline to book a room, is Expedia the best option? After looking at the suite mentioned by AaronJB (thanks again for the help) it does not specify how it will sleep 3 adults or if there will be an extra charge. Again, can I assume that if they are to provide a rollaway that it will be at no extra charge on Expedia since I specified 3 adults?

[thereuare]

So to clarify - if I do a search on Hotwire and specify 3 adults - I am guaranteed bedding for 3 adults at no extra charge? I assume that this could mean that they provide a rollaway - which is fine - so long as it does not cost extra.

There should be no additional charge as long as you include the 3adults on your search. Sometimes (rarely) you do get a hotel/front desk clerk which doesn't know how to input more than double occupancy into the system correctly and may insist that HOTWIRE only books for double occupancy (this isn't true) and might try to charge, but this should be quickly resolved with a call to HOTWIRE should you encounter any problems.

If you go to Expedia and look at the bottom of the room type listing for the ResortQuest Waikiki Sunset, it states:

Prices are per room/unit with 5 guests. Prices do not include: taxes, service fees, and extra guest charges.

So i would assume there would be no additional charge (but can't speak from experience) However, do note, that even though searching for 3adults, some hotels show the above message but with 2 (instead of 5)... in these instances i think the hotel would be within their right/terms to charge additional for triple occupancy. (i mention this incase you decide to choose a different hotel thru Expedia)

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases. (or Expedia)

[AaronJB]

When I was doing this search last night on Expedia and searching for 3, I saw some remarkable extra person fees at some properties - I thought EP Fees in NYC and Chicago were bad! - one of the reasons I recommended this was that no EP Fees - I'm guessing because of the 5 max - were listed (as well as the extra space of the suite.)

On the hotel's website, it states that the standard 1BR suite has:

BEDROOM HAS EITHER ONE KING - ONE QUEEN - OR TWO TWIN BEDS

SEPARATE LIVING AREA HAS A QUEEN SOFA SLEEPER

I don't see any extra person fees when trying to book through the ResortQuest Waikiki Sunset website, either, so I'm guessing no EP fees.

Plus, you can use the FAN50 coupon - I entered when searching last night and it worked - for $50 off the final total on Expedia.