LIH Prem

check out the diagram on the rez page

http://www.royalhawaiianbeachservice...-reservations/

cawhite

I see it as an incentive to visit some of the other beautiful beaches on Oahu.

sent

And I have now taken it as a signal to cancel my reservation and book the Sheraton Waikiki next door for our upcoming stay next week. When I started looking for hotels last November, I looked up Honolulu on spg.com and found my choices were "Sheraton, Sheraton, Westin, Luxury Collection." Seemed like an easy choice as we like LC properties and have yet to find one that has disappointed us. For months I didn't think about this reservation because it's an LC, what could go wrong? But now this beach discussion really got me thinking about this upcoming stay. If it hadn't been posted on FT, I wouldn't have even known. Lots of the Sheraton Waikiki reviews state "Loved the adults-only pool." I think the pool is something we will enjoy as well. While there, I'll walk over to the Royal Hawaiian and see what it's all about, but as of now, we'll save it for another trip.

alanslegal

Just remember there are pro's and con's for each resort so you need to work out what's best for you. The SW might have that infinity pool which is great but it can be packed too, also the hotel is very big and can get extremely busy around the pool and common areas. The RH on the other hand, can feel very tranquil and has a 'user pays $40' beachfront area though.

FederalFlyer

Has anyone stayed here since the new SPG perks went into effect? In particular, I'm wondering how they are handling the breakfast amenity for Plats. Thanks.

JFKSFOLAX_friend

Yeah, this sucks. This was my #1 go to place in Oahu. As a matter of principle, I won't stay here again until the fee is reversed.

For the most part, I am a firm believer that the purchase of a beach front hotel room should include a beach chair. So, let me get this straight. There is a resort fee AND a charge for a beach chair? LOL

What is the cost of the resort fee and the beach chair fee?

sent

That's the problem. I've never been so I have no idea what will be best for us until I see the places and then make a decision. I'm always cautious and prefer to book a cheaper place, check the area out, and try something fancier next time. My husband, on the other hand, has already started the "Sheraton sucks" sulking around the apartment even though he's never been to Hawaii either.

HNLbasedFlyer

The resort charge is $26.18 per room per night. The beachfront chairs and umbrella is $40 for 2 people per day. You can do the pool chairs for free.

HNLbasedFlyer

Decided to check out Waikiki today and stopped by the Royal Hawaiian.

The good news. The Waikiki beach repleshinment project is done - and the beach is much more wider than before. It is a big difference. More room to put down your towel. Good surf today.

The bad news. Yep, the beachfront chairs are reserved and you must pay for them. They changed a sign at the Mai Tai bar where you go to the beach and noted all chairs are reservation only. It was overcast today - so it might not be a good sample day - but, so far it looks like an epic fail. Maybe 25% of the chairs were reserved, perhaps less. Looks like they've added even more chairs but at $40 for 2 chairs per day, it looks like people are passing on that option with the resort fee and an average room rate of $400 night. The bartenders at the Mai Tai bar aren't happy since the chairs are empty and the pool is on the other side of the property where chairs are free.

Besides your own personal chair and towel -I don't think there are anymore free beachfront chair hotel options.

alanslegal

That's an interesting point that I never thought about. When we stayed at the RH and used those free beach chairs, we used to head to the bar every so often and buy drinks and food ie spend money and leave tips for the staff. Now that I won't stay at the RH for this 'pay $40' beach chair reservation I guess its tough for the bar staff there who now miss out on some extra tipping money, maybe its too early to judge but FWIW we easily spent more than the $40 they now want to charge for chairs.

LovetoTravel83

It would be better if they change the policy to a minimum charge of 40 USD at the bar or food.

I have always enjoyed staying by the pool or by the beach at different resorts and always ordered food and drinks.

sent

Well look what I found while digging around on budget.com:

http://www.budget.com/budgetWeb/imag...ahuCoupons.pdf

A coupon, valued at $40, for a free 1 hour umbrella set rental at The Royal Hawaiian with your Budget car reservation! You don't even have to stay there. Did the hotel always use "Waikiki Beach Services" to maintain the beach chairs, or is this a newly outsourced service and thus the new fee?

JFKSFOLAX_friend

Superb sleuthing.

sent

Not sure about why the rolleyes. I was surprised that after all the discussion here about the beach chairs, there would be a coupon offsetting the very fee we've been lamenting about.

JFKSFOLAX_friend

The rolleyes wasn't for you. Why would I rolleyes you right after giving you a compliment?

The rolleyes was for the fact that the property is now selling an amenity that used to be for the sole (complimentary) use of hotel guests.