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Budget Travel

Big deals open up Hawaii's Oahu and Big Island

By ARTHUR FROMMER

Sunday, November 16, 2003

Waikiki is arguably the most famous and most photographed beach in the world.

From "Hawaii Five-0" to "Baywatch" to cans of macadamia nuts, who hasn't seen the string of skinny high-rises along the perfect white sand, with the dramatically jagged Diamond Head Crater standing stoically at one end?

Yes, it's the epicenter of packaged American beach vacations, but with the cool breezes, flawless wave breaks and gracious inhabitants, who could ask for more?

Don't expect jungles and grass huts -- the island of Oahu and Honolulu city hold almost 75% of Hawaii's population, with all the urban complications that go along with it. But with great museums, night life and restaurants, and a fascinating mix of East and West, it's one of the premier cities in the United States.

You'll want to act now to take advantage of the very last deals of 2003, since hotel-room rates traditionally increase in Hawaii after the New Year. (For good measure, we stuck in some Big Island hotel deals, too.)

One package special comes from United Vacations -- (888) 328- 6877, www.unitedvacations.com -- in conjunction with Starwood Hotels and Resorts.

For $1,069 per person, based on double occupancy, you get round- trip air fare on United from San Francisco, Los Angeles or Denver (other cities available for a surcharge), seven nights at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani on Waikiki Beach, an Alamo rental car for a week, a $20 gift certificate to the Hilo Hattie store, a welcome orientation breakfast and a fresh flower lei greeting (what would a trip to Hawaii be without that?).

The deal is only good for travel until Dec. 13.

Golf till you drop Another Oahu deal is at the Hawaii Prince, the only hotel in Waikiki with its own golf course.

With magnificent views of the picturesque Waianae Mountains, the Hawaii Prince Golf Club's 270 acres offer 27 holes of championship play on courses designed by golf legends Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay. Until Dec. 23, you can golf your brains out with unlimited tee times (with cart) and three nights' oceanfront marina room for $549 per person, based on double occupancy. That's great, considering that double rooms usually go for $310 a night alone.

This deal is available through Apple Vacations (www.applevacations.com), but you need to book through a travel agent.

Ohana nights

Ohana is a hotel brand well-known to Hawaii tourists; the clean and convenient chain (similar to Holiday Inn) is found on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island.

Until the end of the year, its SimpleSaver program offers promotional rates from $69 to $119 per night, depending on the hotel and room grade, and that price includes a scratch-and-win card for instant prizes.

If you stay five nights on Oahu, you get a free catamaran cruise leaving from Waikiki Beach thrown in as well (a $30 value). Call (800) 462-6262 or surf to www.ohanahotels.com.

Big Island bargains

If you just can't handle the city life of Waikiki, go to the rural Big Island. It's nearly twice the size of all the other islands combined, and for the most part empty. It's best known as the home of the wild, lava-filled Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. In Hilo, the main town on the tropical eastern coast of the Big Island (and the rainiest town in the U.S.), there's the largest hotel on that side of the island: the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel -- (800) 367-5004, www.castleresorts.com -- with a view of the bay and the elegant breakwater wall for tsunamis (tidal waves). From now until Jan. 5, it's offering "superior" rooms for $86 (normally they're $140).

If you prefer, as many tourists do, the sunnier west coast of the island, make your home in the main town of Kailua-Kona at the 452- room Royal Kona Resort, (800) 222-5642, www.royalkona.com). It was once a Hilton, and you can't mistake the hotel's distinct ski-jump profile and its groovy '70s ambience. Try its 2003 Hawaii-Bound Package for $129 per couple per night, which gives you a garden-view room, a full American breakfast and even an economy rental car. It's good for any night until the end of the year. So move quickly to get to Hawaii before 2004 and higher prices roll along.

King Features Syndicate

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