Month: November 2017

Deciding whether to book a condo or a hotel for your Hawaiian vacation will depend on your personal preferences.  There are many differences you may want to take into consideration when planning your trip.  In many instances, both will have additional resort fees and parking fees, so make sure you look things over carefully before making a reservation.  The following are some of the pros and cons of each.

CONDOS

• Condos are typically less expensive
• Condos have a lot of the conveniences of home…including small appliances, dishes, silverware, cups, etc.
• Condos have kitchens so you don’t have to eat all your meals out…unless you want to of course!  You can also keep drinks, food, and snacks on hand.
• Condos are larger…more room for you and/or your family
• Many condos have a washer and dryer in each individual unit
• Condos are typically less flashy, meaning the grounds and pool area are more basic
• Condos generally do not have room service

HOTELS

• Hotels are typically more expensive
• Hotel rooms generally just have the bedroom / bathrooms areas
• Hotel rooms are smaller
• Hotels are typically more flashy, meaning the grounds and pool area(s) are more lush, tropical, and have pool side services
• Hotels include many amenities, such as housekeeping, gym, restaurants/bars, and spa
• Hotels have room service

Both options are good, so give us a call and we will help you plan which option is best for you.

When booking a hotel or condo reservation in Hawaii, make sure you understand the category of room you are booking.  Misconception of what type of view/room is one of the biggest problems when booking online.  No matter where you are from, Hawaii is a long way to travel to find out when you get there that you booked something you don’t want. The online agency is always going to display the cheapest, least desirable room…and it’s not the cheapest because they want to give you a good deal. It may be the cheapest because it has a view into the alley, doesn’t have a balcony (or lanai as we say in Hawaii), or possibly even has no windows – like the inside cabin of a ship.  Using our knowledge and expertise in the Hawaiian Islands, Blue Hawaii Vacations will help you avoid these mishaps when planning your trip.  We’ve listed a guide below to help you with the different room views and types of rooms in Hawaii…

ROOM VIEWS

Standard Room:  No promise of any special view or location, the least desirable views and rooms; also called moderate rooms.  Most likely an alley or parking lot view.

Garden View Room:  Should be a better location, views of property without seeing the ocean.

Mountain View Room: Typically views of Mountains in the distance.

Partial Ocean View Room:  Major obstructions between room and water; however, you should be able to see some ocean view from the lanai (balcony).

Ocean View Room:  Should have good ocean views from the lanai.  These units are usually located on the side of the resort and your ocean view will depend on which side of the resort your room is located.  Also, many resorts that are not located oceanfront and are located across the street may be quite a distance away and will call their rooms ocean view, even at a distance.

Oceanfront Rooms:  Should have great ocean views, and they should face directly oceanfront with a minimum of obstructions.  You should  have an ocean view even inside of the unit.

ROOM TYPES

Room:  This is a typical hotel room.

Suite:  Larger room and may have a separate sitting area and bedroom.

Studio:  Like an efficiency apartment, everything is in one room and most have a small kitchen.

1 Bedroom:  Generally most have a separate bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and living room.

2 Bedroom:  Generally most have a 2 separate bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, and living room.  Waikiki is an exception, many of the 2 bedrooms only have 1 bathroom.

RESORT LOCATIONS

Oceanfront Resort:  These resorts are located on the ocean, but not necessarily on a beach.

Beachfront Resort:  These resorts are located directly on a beach.  You should always ask if their beach is swimmable – many beautiful beaches in Hawaii are not.  Always check with the front desk or someone local.  Please be safe.