As reliably as the seasons change, bookings to Hawaii always taper in the fall. Drifting between the busy summer and winter holidays, during that stretch when the temperatures cool just slightly, the crowds disappear and wholesalers and hotels add value to build business. For clients who can travel during those months, fall is the perfect time for a Hawaii vacation.
“The 2015 fall shoulder season is shaping up to be a terrific opportunity for visitors to take advantage of discounts on airfare, hotel rooms and travel packages,” said Jay Talwar, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau. “With increased lift, including Virgin America’s inaugural flights from San Francisco to Oahu, beginning Nov. 2, and Maui, beginning Dec. 3, we’re expecting more competitive pricing.”
Wholesaler Discounts and Deals
Wholesalers are going all out to boost fall vacation bookings to Hawaii.
“We’re anticipating great airfares and hotel deals this fall,” said Levi Sanchez, travel agency engagement manager for Blue Sky Tours. “Clients are now realizing that by booking fall travel, they can enjoy significant savings over peak seasons.”
Among Blue Sky’s fall values is a five-night Royal Lahaina Resort package with oceanview accommodations, daily breakfast, luau admission, a sunset dinner cruise and a rental car, from $948 per person. A comparable package from Blue Sky at Royal Kona Resort starts at $780 per person.
MLT Vacations has been seeing an uptick in luxury Hawaii getaways through its Delta Vacations brand, and it’s tapping into that trend this fall.
“For our fall 2015 Hawaii sales campaign, we’ve included several upscale properties,” said John Caldwell, president of MLT Vacations. “A good example is Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows on Hawaii Island, where we offer one free night when staying four nights or longer, plus breakfast, a room category upgrade and up to $300 in resort credit.”
Pleasant Holidays’ Hawaii Vacation Sale is providing a $100 savings on each air-inclusive fall booking. It’s also running many exclusive offers through the end of 2015. Clients heading to the Moana Surfrider, a Westin Resort & Spa, for example, save more than $800 per day and get daily breakfast and mai tais, as well as a 15 percent savings on spa treatments.
Classic Vacations’ fall promotion, Takeoff to Hawaii, saves clients hundreds of dollars in air credits. At Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa, its five-night package, from $1,349 per person, reaps $350 in air credit, $100 in Classic credit and daily breakfast.
Fall Incentives From Hotels and Resorts
Hawaii hotels are rolling out their own value-added initiatives for fall 2015. Here’s a look at a few of the deals available in the coming months.
- Aqua Hospitality: At Aqua Kauai Beach Resort, clients get a free rental car when booking a lagoon or oceanview room, starting at $159 per night. At Aqua’s Park Shore Waikiki, the Surf & Turf package comes with a surfing or stand-up paddleboard lesson and a bike/hike tour, from $219 per night.
- Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa: During Mahalo Season, which runs from mid-August to late December, clients save 25 percent on four-night stays and 30 percent on stays of five nights or more.
- Hilton Hotels in Hawaii: Clients get 10,000 Hilton HHonors points per night on suite bookings at Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort and Hilton Waikoloa Village, from $310 per night.
- Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa: The Sunshine on Sale deal comes with daily breakfast and the fourth night free, starting at $240 per night.
- Kaanapali Beach Hotel: The Best of the Beach package includes breakfast on two mornings, a daily rental car, lunch and dinner for two, a keepsake cooler bag, souvenir beach towels and snorkel gear or chaise lounge rentals, from $1,287 for four nights.
- Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort: The Wellness with a Twist deal provides a healthful snack basket, a bottle of champagne and a private beach yoga session or in-room massage for one person, as well as a 10 percent spa discount for the second guest, nightly from $299.
- Prince Resorts Hawaii: The Fall Into Winter promotion at Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel and Mauna Kea Beach Hotel gives clients the fourth night free, daily breakfast and a resort credit of at least $300. Rates begin at $319 per night.
- Starwood Hotels and Resorts: The Ocean Promotion saves guests up to 30 percent and includes daily breakfast, nightly from $199. With Starwood’s Suite Life in Hawaii, clients opting for a suite get extra amenities unique to their resort of choice, starting from $399.
- Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa: The Paradise Plus package comes with either daily breakfast or a rental car, nightly from $244.
