Friday, March 23, 2012

Is Easter Week Peak season?

We are planning a trip to Maui next spring, 2010. I need to pick dates soon as we are hoping to use airmiles for our flights.



Is there a significant difference in hotel/condo rates during Easter week? Is it similar to Christmas?



Our options are early March or over Easter week as the kids are out of school. Is this generally a busy time?



Also, when is the best time to book hotels? We would like to stay in Kaanapali, either the Sheraton or Westin. Will the current rack rate come down?



Thanks for you help!



Is Easter Week Peak season?


While Christmas is definitely peak season, with rates reflective - Spring is very popular for a couple of reasons. Whale season and the Easter holiday brings families. Not wo mention those who simply want to escape the cold weather.



Booking hotels: if you know exactly which property you wish to stay at, my advice would be to make your reservation direct. Sign up for any membership that they offer, that would allow for discounts as well as updates on special rates. Sheraton and Westin are Starwood properties, so a Starwood membership for example, takes only a couple of minutes and can save you some money. Then if the rate goes down prior to your trip you can contact the hotel and have the rate changed. Very few travelers pay the actual %26#39;rack rate%26#39;.



Condo%26#39;s will book up, so if you want to rent a condo for your time frame then I would advise doing so. Many people do make their travle plans a year in advance.



Is Easter Week Peak season?


Thank you for your reply, What rate should we expect at these properties during spring? Currently the lowest with the Sheraton is $435. I was hoping for under $300. Is that realistic?




At the present time there really is no reason for them to offer discounts for next year. I have found that closer to the travel dates will result in specials being offered, dependent upon the industry and travelers in general.



I can only go on past rates, as well as current ones - at which point I think you are being realistic. Bear in mind that there will be an additional daily fee for resort amenities/parking. The location is excellent.



If you were to go ahead and sign up for Starwood membership then you can expect them to send you updates and offers. They come up frequently, but for the dates you plan it is too early for those. I would not expect to see any specials for that time fram until at least the end of the year or after firs of next.




Oh boy - sorry for all the typos (I really do know how to spell).



We have some TA members who are great fans of Starwood and the properties you are considering, hopefully they will pipe in and offer their advice.




Check CAA rates at the Westin and the Sheraton. They are fairly consistent and generally a good deal. If you don%26#39;t have CAA (which would save you $$$) - join Starwood. It%26#39;s free. Members get discounts and often a free night. You will not see alot of bargains for hotels now ... so ... here%26#39;s what you do: Book the room you want at the hotel you want. Then watch for better rates, and if you find one, book it - and cancel your old reservation. It%26#39;s a common practice.





We far prefer the Sheraton. It is quieter, a great location and very spacious. Rooms are large. Easy walk to Whaler%26#39;s Village. The Westin - you have to be careful to get the tower with the larger rooms, as most of their rooms are very small and oddly-shaped. It%26#39;s hard to imagine more than 2 people, and that%26#39;s a squeeze. The Westin is noisy because the pools are stacked insider the U-shape of the buildings. It%26#39;s next door to Whaler%26#39;s Village, which adds to the noise. It does have a separate adult pool, and the kids love the slides and stuff. It will be crowded with kids.





The pool at the Sheraton is very long, kind of like a wide winding river. It has a kids end, but the whole pool is available to everyone. The Sheraton is on a great stretch of beach.

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