should I switch hotels or not?
 

I have my first ever trip in March to Honolulu. We booked the first 3 nights at the Holiday Inn, because we had some priority club points to pay for them & we need to save money on hotels to afford the rest of the trip. I had to book the next three nights at the Sheraton Princess because the Holiday Inn was sold out. The Holiday Inn is now available for about $15 less than what I have the Sheraton booked for. From what I can tell, the Sheraton is a better hotel & a better location. How much better is it? Is it worth the troubles of switching hotels in the middle of my trip? I will have a rental car for the entire trip if that makes a difference. Any opinions will be appreciated.

The Sheraton Princess all the way!!!!^ ^ ^

The Holiday Inn isn't that great of a hotel to begin with, and it's located near the Zoo at the end of Waikiki. The Sheraton is a great hotel with a wonderful location. I suggest you stay there for your entire trip and enjoy yourself.:cool:

Thanks. I would stay there for the entire trip, but I can't give up the 3 free nights. That is $600 extra that I can spend on other things.

The Sheraton is a much nicer hotel, don't switch to the Holiday Inn unless... you want to save the 45 dollars (not worth it IMHO) or if you don't want to have to switch hotels in the middle of the stay (personaly I'd switch), or if you can get the other nights on points also and save the cash (then I might think about staying the entire time at the Holiday Inn). I do like the Kuhio part of Waikiki; however I would switch if I was in your shoes.

Are you speaking of the Princess Kaiulani? That is not a great hotel by any stretch. Quality wise, it's probably on par with the Holiday Inn, just its location is closer to the center of Waikiki - but not even close to the beach. It's used as a tourist class hotel for Japanese tour groups.

If the OP would like to post the specific travel dates, perhaps better accomodations could be found. Priceline could deliver a resort or 4* property on the beach for about 150/night while Hotwire would be about 40 or so more per night.

If the overall hotel quality and location are more important than the room/view, you might consider the Annex wing at the Sheraton Waikiki - no view, but cheap rates and you're right on the beach in a deluxe hotel with all the amenities.

The dates are March 13-16. I love priceline, but I am going to have 4 in my room & I know that priceline doesn't guarantee type of room. I would hate to get stuck in a room with only 1 bed & no pull out couches.

Maybe Priority Club "Any Hotel, Anywhere" redemption?
 

Here's a possibility. How about using Priority Club points for this reward. Just go to the Priority Club page. Click on Redemptions & look for the "Any hotel, Anywhere" American Express offers. Looks like a good option!


Enjoy Hawaii!

Travel safe :cool:

If room view is not an issue, why not give the Sheraton Waikiki a call and see what they can do for you with Annex rooms - at least you will be right on the beach in a nice hotel with adjacent parking and other amenities. They might be the same price or even cheaper than the Princess K with a somewhat better quality room and you're 2 minutes from the beachside restaurant, pool and the beach itself.

Holiday Inn Location
 

The only Holiday Inn on Waikiki I know of is on Ala Moana Blvd. It is a crummy location. If money is that tight, call Outrigger,etc. for a hotel on Kohio. The price should be right and location much better.

Most Outriggers are now "OHANA"
 

I was stuck in a Time Warp". Most Outriggers are now branded Ohana, such as Malia, East, West, etc. The Aston's are now Resort Quest. Both chains accept Entertainment and have 800 numbers. You should find good prices.

Ohana's aren't cheap and the discounts I've seen are terrible. There are better options. Ohana also owns the Best Western at the airport and the Honolulu Airport Hotel. The way they are working their discounts (for TA's) is terrible.

Personally I like Resort Quest, the Beach Towers while expensive is very nice. Of course I do prefer a condo type room with a full kitchen over a hotel room (Beach towers has washer and dryer in each room as well). Their Monarch and Banyan are lower cost condo's with full kitchens, the Banyan more for kids (jungle gym and other activities for kids) and I would call it lower end, while Monarch is decent. All three are in Kuhio part of Waikiki.

I agree - the Princess Kaiulani is pretty crowded and grim - had to go to the doctor there & couldn't wait to get out. It is across the street from the beach, though. But, I haven't seen the HI, so...

The Princess Kaiulani is an older property that Matson Steamship built in the 1950s. It probably had it's heyday around the time that Jack Lord was smirking for the cameras from it's rooftop. But if you're traveling on a budget in Waikiki, you can do worse. Much worse.

Actually, Jack was at the (now Radisson) Ilikai Hotel.

Now that ksucats is totally confused...... Hotel opinions are really in the eye of the beholder and the choices are overwhelming. I ask myself how much time am I actually in the room, what are my priorties and what do I actually need from the hotel. If money is the issue you may consider staying in one place and use the "moving time" to enjoy paradise. Holiday Inn and the Sheraton are not exactly apple to apple comparisions so if you can get the Sheraton for about the same money I'd move. It took me a few trips and a few hotel choices to narrow it down to what fit me. I would suggest spend a little time driving by or checking out some of the other hotels in the area in the event you come back you will be better prepared. Good luck and enjoy your trip to paradise.



2007 YTD EUA's 11/11