Hawaii is the majority, if not all, of people’s definition of paradise.
With its tropical climate, blue seas, verdant forest, and active volcanoes, Hawaii has a lot to offer both local and foreign tourists. Aside from its natural beauty, the Hawaiian culture is also one that attracts people.
With all of these factors combined, no wonder Hawaii is such a popular destination for a lot of travelers.
But although Hawaii maybe the United States’ only island state, there are still plenty of decisions that you need to make regarding your accommodation options. Thus, it can be challenging to decide on where you want to stay.
To help you figure out your accommodations, here are eight tips that will help you choose where to stay during your trip to Hawaii:
Do Your Research
Before you book any accommodation, you first need to do your research.
Since Hawaii is an island, it can be challenging to be selective with your accommodations, especially if you’re planning to go cheap. If you plan on backpacking and choose to stay in hostels, you will have limited choices. So make sure that you find one to your liking before booking your place.
According to Maid Sailors Maid Service NYC, you have to check reviews so you can see general cleanliness, staff friendliness, and the amenities available in the accommodation.
When it comes to variety, you will have a lot more to choose from if you decide to stay in Oahu.
Check the Location
When you’re choosing your accommodations for Hawaii, chances are you want to have that oceanfront view. However, with a limited budget, that cannot be easy to manage.
If you’re planning on booking a hotel that has an oceanfront view, make sure that you check the location of your hotel and your room first. Aside from that, ensure that your chosen location will be most convenient to you based on your itinerary.
If you don’t mind not having an oceanfront view, you can look for other sites that are cheaper but are still near the beach. That way, you can still enjoy water activities whenever you like.
Book Accommodation Early
You might be able to get away with booking a flight to other locations without reserving accommodation, but this is not the case if you plan on going to Hawaii.
There are limited room options in Hawaii, usually around winter, when it’s the peak season. So if you want to be able to go to Hawaii, make sure that you book your hotel early.
No matter where you’re going, booking your hotel room soon will give you a lot more options. Aside from that, you will also get lower prices if you book way in advance.
So even if there aren’t limited options available, it’s still a good travel practice to book your accommodations early.
Beware of Peak Season
Before you schedule your trip, make sure that you check whether or not its peak season in Hawaii.
Since Hawaii is already a small place and the beaches are limited, you want to make the most out of your trip. If it’s too crowded, you won’t be able to enjoy the island because of the many tourists around you.
For Hawaii, the peak season usually happens during the winter season (from December to January) because people want to get away from the cold weather. If you don’t want to struggle to find accommodations in Hawaii, make sure that you avoid the peak season.
It will also be a lot cheaper to stay in Hawaii when it’s their offseason.
Compare Resort and Amenity Fees
When you’re booking your hotel in Hawaii, you’re likely in it for their resort and other amenities. Therefore, when you’re looking into and comparing your hotel choices, make sure that you also look into your chosen hotel’s resort and amenity fees. Otherwise, you might find yourself blindsided by additional costs that the hotel will charge you.
When you’re comparing rates, check whether the total bill includes the resort and amenity fees. That way, you have the right budget.
The resort or amenity fees come in different names. Depending on the hotel, they can have different names like “convenience fee,” “utility fee,” and so many more. Therefore, check whether or not these are in your expected total hotel bill.
Hotels usually charge guests resort and amenity fees daily. So expect the price range for these fees to be around $10 to $50 a night.
Consider the Parking Options
Another inconvenience to the fact that Hawaii is an island state is that the parking options everywhere are limited.
It can be challenging to find available and affordable parking spaces. Therefore, you should consider whether you need to rent a car for your trip to Hawaii. Even if your hotel has valet parking, it can mean an additional fee of around $35 a day for valet parking.
If you still want to rent a car, make sure you look into affordable garages near your accommodation or look into hotels that offer cheaper valet parking.
Know the Room/View Categories
The view in your room affects the booking price. If you want that oceanfront view, expect that it will be expensive.
However, if you’re on a tight budget, you can let go of that oceanfront view. After all, you will still have access to the beach even if you don’t get to see it from your room.
Consider Your Accommodation Options
The simplest way to decide where to stay in Hawaii would be to decide first which resort area you plan on staying in. You can then narrow down your search and consider more specific accommodation options available to you.
You can book Airbnbs, hotel rooms, hostels, condos, or villas, depending on how many you’re traveling with, your itinerary, and so on.
Consider your accommodation options based on these factors so you can find the best fit and enjoy your trip to Hawaii. Finding accommodation in Hawaii is a challenge. Its popularity, coupled with its size, is why it’s challenging to find a place to stay in the Aloha State. With the tips listed above, though, you’ll be better equipped to handle and navigate booking your accommodations while in Hawaii. You’ll be able to find a place to stay in no time.