Hawaii - Best hotel for rewards night in HNL

Hello all. We're planning our honeymoon in HNL for October. The plan now is to fly in late Sat night via AS, and get a nice hotel room for the night, somewhat near to the airport. After that we'll be renting a place on VRBO for the rest of the trip.

I have several airline CC's, and am due for another round of 2-3 cards in a couple weeks. Basing only on bonus points awarded at approval or minimal spend, which is going to be the best bang for my buck in regards to hotels in HNL?

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I'd already planned on getting the SPG AMEX soon, but perhaps Priority Club?

I think you'll get more feedback on the HI forum. Moving now. Best of luck.

What island(s) are you going to? Do you have normal travel patterns (whether for work, leisure, etc.) that involve staying in hotels?

I was personally quite happy with SPG's Free Resort Nights promo last year for my stay in Hawaii, but obviously, no 2nd quarter promotions have been announced yet.

I wish you luck - and congratulations.

I had been banking Hilton points for a long time to use for a week in HNL this fall - for our 40th, and my wife's first time there.

But when it got time to book an award room the reality hit me that I don't have anything over the minimum status with Hilton and an award room could be on the ground floor overlooking the janitor closet!

I have Platinum status with Priority Club but in most cases they don't do anything for you when you're on an award stay.

So - I ended up paying for a top story, end balcony room at the Hale Koa (military hotel) to guarantee the one time we go there we'll have a nice view we can enjoy all week.

The best hotel upgrade I've received is when I booked two award rooms (both on the same night) at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. I had sent a request a few days prior, politely requesting that my friends and I be put in the same building, if possible. They ended up giving me a corner oceanfront room, with two balconies, on the 7th floor of the Rainbow building. My friends were put in a room two down from me, also with a very nice view of the Pacific. It was Friday night and we watched the fireworks from our balcony.

I was a Hilton silver, which is the lowest level you can be. I had gotten it for free when I signed up for an AMEX Hilton Platinum. I'm certain to this day that it was my modest request, and the fact that I greeted the desk clerk with a smile, that sealed our deal. I'm sure she's used to seeing "DYKWIA" requests all day. The clerk who checked our bags gave us two free breakfast coupons, too.

The best hotel upgrade I've received is when I booked two award rooms (both on the same night) at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. I had sent a request a few days prior, politely requesting that my friends and I be put in the same building, if possible. They ended up giving me a corner oceanfront room, with two balconies, on the 7th floor of the Rainbow building. My friends were put in a room two down from me, also with a very nice view of the Pacific. It was Friday night and we watched the fireworks from our balcony.

I was a Hilton silver, which is the lowest level you can be. I had gotten it for free when I signed up for an AMEX Hilton Platinum. I'm certain to this day that it was my modest request, and the fact that I greeted the desk clerk with a smile, that sealed our deal. I'm sure she's used to seeing "DYKWIA" requests all day. The clerk who checked our bags gave us two free breakfast coupons, too.

I'm glad that worked out so well for you! Hopefully that happens more often than not. I just wasn't going to take the chance on the one time we go there.

If I read your post correctly, you are only looking for a hotel room for one night near the airport. Not sure I would waste any points on that... I would just get a cheap room on Priceline/Hotwire... if it is truly just for the night.

Personally, I would not want to stay at the airport area for even one night if in Hawaii. I would spend the points for a place in Waikiki Beach. Granted... unless you have top status... probably wont be the greatest room.

If I read your post correctly, you are only looking for a hotel room for one night near the airport. Not sure I would waste any points on that... I would just get a cheap room on Priceline/Hotwire... if it is truly just for the night.

Personally, I would not want to stay at the airport area for even one night if in Hawaii. I would spend the points for a place in Waikiki Beach. Granted... unless you have top status... probably wont be the greatest room.

That is correct. We will have a condo reserved for the rest of our trip, but will be arriving HNL around 9:00pm. Near the airport isn't a requirement, but I don't want to travel halfway around the island. Our final destination is North Shore Oahu.

I do a bit of work travel, but mostly flying now as I have an away apartment, hotel stays are far between. If it was just me, I'd book whatever is cheap as it's just a bed. Have to remember this is our Honeymoon and I have to keep the new Mrs. happy, so looking for a nicer place to stay the night in.

Thanks for your help thus far

Have to remember this is our Honeymoon and I have to keep the new Mrs. happy, so looking for a nicer place to stay the night in.

Also keep in mind that you don't want something so nice that it sets your VRBO bar too high.

Also keep in mind that you don't want something so nice that it sets your VRBO bar too high.

I'm not too worried about that. I'm the traveler in our relationship, she doesn't travel at all for work, and rarely, except yearly Mexico vacations.

Honestly, something along the lines of a newer remodel Holiday Inn express would be plenty. Was just hoping someone knew of a great deal points stay.

I'm not too worried about that. I'm the traveler in our relationship, she doesn't travel at all for work, and rarely, except yearly Mexico vacations.

Honestly, something along the lines of a newer remodel Holiday Inn express would be plenty. Was just hoping someone knew of a great deal points stay.

There is a Hyatt Place and a Courtyard Marriott that are mid-category redemptions. No personal experience with them, but from 9pm to noon I wouldn't expect too much of an issue.

the airport hotels kinda suck..there is a best western..but i would take a trip into waikik and use your points somewhere in waikiki...not sure what the best value is..all depends on which points you want to use....i'm sure you can get a one way airport shuttle for around 12-15$...but i could be wrong...

the airport hotels kinda suck..there is a best western..

Context is everything.

No, the two main airport hotels -- the Best Western and the Ohana -- will not be confused with a high-end Waikiki hotel. But they -- particularly the Ohana since its remodel -- are nicer than a number of mid/low range Waikiki hotels. It would be just fine for a place to crash after a long flight. The rooms are small but clean.

There is also something to be said for the utter convenience and the shuttle.

....i'm sure you can get a one way airport shuttle for around 12-15$...but i could be wrong...

This would not be a good way to start a honeymoon, on a crowded shared-ride bus where your hotel might be stop number 15.

Regarding the Priceline/Hotwire suggestion, while normally I'd say this is a good idea for any airport that has quite a variety of properties, it's not a good idea at HNL, imo -- I learned my lesson when getting a Hotwire bid for the Pacific Marina Hotel. One of the most hideous hotel rooms (not to mention scary at night) I've had. This was not, repeat, not be a good way to start a honeymoon either....

This would not be a good way to start a honeymoon, on a crowded shared-ride bus where your hotel might be stop number 15.



well its the OP's decision to hang at an airport hotel on the start of his honeymoon instead of taking a quick ride to waikiki and stay at a nicer hotel...

they can also cab it..but i'm sure that will cost more...

well its the OP's decision to hang at an airport hotel on the start of his honeymoon instead of taking a quick ride to waikiki and stay at a nicer hotel...

they can also cab it..but i'm sure that will cost more...

Wow, jump to conclusions much? :) I'm not set on an airport hotel, what I mainly meant by that statement was that I didn't want to ride/drive for 30-45 minutes just to stay the night. We're open to anything within reasonable distances.

Wow, jump to conclusions much? :) I'm not set on an airport hotel, what I mainly meant by that statement was that I didn't want to ride/drive for 30-45 minutes just to stay the night. We're open to anything within reasonable distances.

I understand, especially if you're traveling from the East Coast. But there's something that you might not have considered in your equation, and that's the awkward period between check-out and check-in.

For instance, let's say the hotel you choose has check-out at 11am. Your VRBO condo's check-in is 3pm. What are you going to do with yourselves, and your luggage, in that gap? If you rent a car, you can just throw your luggage in the car and drive around. But what if you didn't plan on renting a car?

Well, some hotels and condo complexes, especially the nicer ones, allow guests to stow their luggage for a few hours before check-in or after check-out. They also allow guests to access their pools and showers before check-in and after check-out. Hilton Hawaiian Village is one of these hotels. That is definitely a service that I'd pay the extra $$ for. Wouldn't you rather order poolside lunch at a swanky hotel on your first full day, rather than walking around Waikiki, homeless, dragging your luggage? :)

P.S. The same dilemma usually arises on your final day, because so many of the flights are red-eyes. If check-out at your condo is at 11am, what are you going to do until your flight leaves at 7:30pm? If the VRBO owner would allow you to stay til, say, 3pm, that'd be ideal. But it's something you should try and negotiate ahead of time. Or you can rent a car, let's say a convertible, on that last day, with pick-up near your condo and drop-off at the airport. It'll be expensive, but it's the difference between a great last day and a crappy one sitting at the airport for 7 hours because you're homeless. (Stick with me. You'll have tons of fun, even though I'll blow your budget.)

Well, I just saw that your destination is the North Shore. For some reason, I thought it was a condo in Waikiki. So I assume you're renting a car.

At 9pm, traffic will be very light, so if you opt to stay in Waikiki, your commute won't be long, 15-20 minutes, IIRC. However you will be exhausted, and I agree that there's no sense wasting money on a swanky hotel that you won't be able to enjoy. So I'd go for either of the chain hotels mentioned earlier.

I still stand by my suggestion to rent a convertible, though. :)

Well, I just saw that your destination is the North Shore. For some reason, I thought it was a condo in Waikiki. So I assume you're renting a car.

At 9pm, traffic will be very light, so if you opt to stay in Waikiki, your commute won't be long, 15-20 minutes, IIRC. However you will be exhausted, and I agree that there's no sense wasting money on a swanky hotel that you won't be able to enjoy. So I'd go for either of the chain hotels mentioned earlier.

I still stand by my suggestion to rent a convertible, though. :)

Thanks, simple honest advise, I like it! I guess that will lead me into my next thread. Does HNL charge exorbitant fees to rent cars at the airport vs in town?

Thanks, simple honest advise, I like it! I guess that will lead me into my next thread. Does HNL charge exorbitant fees to rent cars at the airport vs in town?

Check this out for a similar ongoing discussion...

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hawaii/1321462-affordable-rental-car-hnl-kids.html

Thanks, simple honest advise, I like it! I guess that will lead me into my next thread. Does HNL charge exorbitant fees to rent cars at the airport vs in town?

The exorbitant fees (state and local taxes) cannot be avoided no matter where you rent. They often add 100% to the cost of the rental. However, in my experience, I've found that as gas prices go up, car rental prices tend to go down.

I usually book a car as soon as I know my travel dates, and then I check often to see if I can find a lower rate.

I have the best luck with car rentals in Hawaii using Costco's discount code, combined with the best coupon I can find. Costco has some good coupons, as well as Entertainment. If you don't already, I'd advise signing up for rental cars' loyalty programs, such as National's Emerald Aisle, which has in the past offered $40 off weekly rentals.

Of course, there are independent car rental places that you can try, though I tend to go with a big name just in case I have a problem and want to change out the car.