Hawaii Hotels Empty: Deals?

Hawaii is the one of the most visited U.S. states. Its natural beauty is unmatched. With a perfect climate for tourism, it’s on virtually every destination list for travelers. Despite this, Hawaiian hotels have been hit hard by the current economic crunch. Their hotel occupancy has hit an eight-year low. According to the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, December was met with a double-digit drop, which led to an overall rating in the low sixties.
oahu-hawaii-beach.jpg Oahu, Hawaii © Shayan

With the current economic situation, travelers need to make tough decisions about their next port of call. The sudden drop in occupancies will likely lead to a number of deals. Waikiki Beachside Hotel has a “First night at $79, 1/2 off the 2nd night” sale for visitors to the Aloha State. Travelers making the trip have several activities to consider including swimming with dolphins at Sea Life Park, surfing, visiting the Honolulu zoo, and biking or trekking the beautiful natural wonders of Hawaii’s islands. Be sure to arrange for a Lei greeting on arrival.

If that’s still out of your budget, consider a more affordable paradise: Bay Islands, Honduras or a pay as you wish hotel.
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gennaro-salamone-photo.jpgGennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Feel free to contact him with questions, comments, or inquiries with reference to contributing a travel article or photograph for publication.

 

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22 Comments

  1. Beautiful photograph. That alone makes me want to visit. That’s a pretty good hotel deal for Hawaii. It’s crazy how much the economy is effecting travel and everything else. Hopefully people will take advantage of the deals and go spend some cash to get in flowing again.

  2. I think this is to do with recession, hotels are empty because people need to secure their job first and then only think of a vacation.

  3. NIce for those of us in the Eastern of Asian. Only about 7 hour flight. Nice hotel for the cost.

  4. I really don’t like this whole recession business 🙁 It’s always sad to hear about people losing jobs and taking no vacations, which in turn affects those toiling in the travel industry who could lose their jobs if there’s no business…it’s an ugly cycle.

  5. I was talking to a travel agent friend of mine and she mentioned that she had package deals to Hawaii for 4 days including airfare (from LA) at $300 per person I about fell out of my chair. Later that same week, I saw on orbitz flights from LA to Hawaii for $320 per person. It just blows my mind, I understand the reasoning behind it, but it still blows my mind.

    Great deals are out there these days, take advantage of them.

  6. wow looks like it’s time for me to take a vacation!!

  7. @Liz

    Thanks. Definately need to get that cash flow going again.

    @Make Money

    You’re correct.

    @Ryan

    Those do sound like amazing deals. Especially for Hawaii, which can be costly. Now is a great time to go.

    @Taris Janitens

    Me too 🙂

  8. I’ve seen quite a few deals for Hawaii too. Especially from the West Coast. You can argue that’s it the most beautiful state in the U.S.

  9. Hey, Hawaii, huh?
    Never been there and it’s been like a distant dream to me.
    Thanks for sharing this info – might be this time i can make my dream come true 😉

  10. @Tim

    And I bet you’d have a good chance of winning that argument.

    @Alik Levin

    It’s definately an ideal time with the prices dropping. Hope you get there.

  11. Well, I don’t know how the economics of running a hotel goes, but I always considered them to be overpriced. Too high of a profit margin. If the recession forces to hotel industry to become more efficient, then I’m all for it.

    Hawaii looks nice though, and this might be one of the best times to go. Too bad I’m going to California this summer. 🙁

  12. @Trey

    California is a really nice spot too. Lots to see and do. Nice weather. Have you picked an area of the state to visit?

  13. Wow ! A nice hotel at rates that I paid for a one star a couple years ago! I want to go back to Oahu!

  14. @Traveling Wedding

    That hotel is definately an upgrade from a one star. That drop in demand has opened the door to some value in the hotel market.

  15. I’ve actually taken my family to Hawaii for a vacation a couple of years ago and I must say it was the best vacation ever. The next vacation will most likely include Hawaii somewhere along the way, probably on the way back so we can rest an recuperate.

    We stayed in one of the Hotels on Waikiki, and did a fair bit of touring. The people were all so friendly and the only problem I had was that some of them couldn’t understand my accent. I have an accent? Come on will ya, their the ones with the accent and I managed OK. 😀

  16. @Sire

    It’s one of the few places that I never hear travelers tell horror stories about. Usually most places have a least a few people who dislike it, but Hawaii is never one of them.

    I learned that I speak pretty quickly while traveling. A lot of people speak English around the world..just not at the speed of a New Yorker.

  17. Ah, the power of the ‘subscribe to comment’ plugin. Man I love it, especially when I want to keep track of a particular post. I remember when I was having trouble with a particular tour guide not understanding one particular word, even after repeating it several times. he finally got it when I put an American accent on it. The accent was probably a poor effort but it worked. The word was plant. 😀

  18. Great Photos! When it comes to Hawaii is to send my mother to her dream destination. She always wanted to move to Hawaii and someday I will send her. Great Post!!!!

  19. @Alexander

    Thank you. That would be a great gesture to send your mom for a Hawaiian visit.