Hawaii Hotels and Hawaii Vacation Rentals

Hawaii accommodations: Where to stay?

Hawaii accommodation options range from affordable to moderately-priced to luxurious, so there is something for everyone, you just need to know where to look. This page will give you an idea where to find the accommodation that suits you best.

Hawaii Hotels

Many Hawaii travelers decide to stay at a hotel. If that's your plan, you can browse Hawaii hotels and compare rates on different travel sites at once and find the best deal.

Here are some pros and cons for staying at a hotel:

Pros:

  • Most of the hotels in Hawaii are located in popular areas, such as Waikiki (on Oahu), Kaanapali, Kihei, Wailea (on Maui), Poipu, Princeville (on Kauai) and Hilo and Kailua-Kona (on the Big Island of Hawaii), so you will be close to beaches, shops, restaurants, activities and evening entertainment.
  • Booking a hotel room in a major tourist area is also good for those who don't plan to rent a car, since restaurants and shops are within easy reach of many hotels.
  • Depending on the hotel class, hotels come with all kinds of guest services and amenities, such as concierge service, daily maid service, on-site bars and restaurants, pools, fitness center, etc.

Cons:

  • At the moment of your hotel booking, you can't see the exact hotel room you will be staying at.
  • Hotel rooms are sometimes more expensive than condo rentals booked directly from the owner.
  • Depending on the location, season and popularity of the hotel, it can be crowded and noisy.
  • Not all hotel accommodations come with kitchens and cooking facilities.
  • Guests are expected to tip for guest services, such as housekeeping, room service, etc.

Hawaii Vacation Rentals

Hawaii vacation rentals can either be a condo, cottage, bungalow, townhouse or villa. If you plan to stay at a vacation rental, you will find that there is a good selection of vacation rentals on all Hawaiian islands. This website provides you with links to one of the largest collections of Hawaii vacation rentals offered directly by the owners.


Here are some pros and cons for staying at a vacation rental:

Pros:

  • There are vacation rentals all over Hawaii, including in remote areas where there are no hotels.
  • Before you book a vacation rental, you can browse and compare rentals, see images, videos and often times also read reviews from people who have previously stayed there.
  • Often times you can enjoy more privacy in a vacation rental compared to a hotel room.
  • Vacation rentals are generally furnished with all amenities you need to be comfortable and to feel like home - fully-equipped kitchen, TV, DVD player, private parking, etc. Many vacation rentals have private pools as well.
  • Vacation rentals are sometimes larger than a hotel room.
  • You save money on guest service tipping.

Cons:

  • No guest service
  • Some vacation rentals are far from shops, entertainment, activities and restaurants.
  • It is recommended to rent a car if you plan to stay at a vacation rental that is not located in a tourist area. Many vacation rentals are in areas where there is no or limited public transportation, especially if you are staying on a Hawaiian island other than Oahu.
  • You pay a cleaning fee on top of the cost for accommodation.