I just noticed on the Four Seasons Manele bay website that some of the rooms are going up $60 a night for next year...that%26#39;s US. Wow....glad it wasn%26#39;t this year.
Also, we booked the B %26amp; B package, the breakfast is for two only, we have a 12 year old daughter coming with us....I wonder what they will charge for her....she eats like a bird!!!
rates for 2010Interesting, occupancy running at 30 % so they raise rates? Bet they will run specials like stay 4 get 1 night free or free breakfast to help overcome the rate increase.
Not sure what they will charge your daughter but add it to your trip report when you return if you will, I am sure others will want to know for future trips.
I would tell you to have fun but I don%26#39;t think I need to..:)
rates for 2010Actually, I was just looking at the website, and it looks like rates went up $100 per night effective immediately. $595 a night for a garden view on the free night and breakfast package. Man am I happy that I already made my reservation!
Well, FS have been raising the rates about $100/night per year since they took over about 3 years ago. Here are the standard rates for the 5 lowest price room categories, the first for 2009 and the second for 2010. As you can see one category doesn%26#39;t change at all and one goes up $150/night. The big price increases is why we stayed in December 2008 instead of January 2009 this winter.
Oceanfront Room 945.00 1,095.00
Ocean-View Room 845.00 895.00
Partial Ocean-View Room 645.00 695.00
Garden Ocean Room 545.00 545.00
Garden-View Room 445.00 495.00
If I were you luvmaui, I would ask if your daughter would also get breakfast included. It couldn%26#39;t hurt to ask.
This really is cost prohibitive for them in all areas. You%26#39;d think if they would come down to ~$300/night for Garden View Rooms (at a starting point), they could bump up occupancy - which would fill the restaurants %26amp; help other island businesses as well. It sure makes the alternatives like vacation home rentals look more appealing, considering you can rent a whole house for a week between $1200-$1400!
I can see your point NatureCat but I am not sure that increasing the occupancy rate is what they want. If they can maintain a profit at a lower occupancy rate by increasing the daily rate then going forward they won%26#39;t have folks say ';well a few years ago this $600 room was only $300'; Also as far as I know (and this is just my perception) Four Seasons don%26#39;t want to be known as ';bargain'; resorts, part of the draw is the fact they are high end.
I am sure we will see all sorts of adjustments as the economy continues to struggle.
Right, I see that viewpoint too. I guess I have to ask the Four Seasons...';how%26#39;s that working for ya?'; To be at 30% occupancy during the peak season is pretty shabby. I understand this is a reflection of the overall economy right now. But, rumors are that the FS may not be able to keep both resorts up %26amp; running long term if their occupancy does not improve. Plus, their bread %26amp; butter is corporate; high occupancy at low rates. Seems like they need a creative financial plan to me!
well it works for Rolex and Gucci...... they keep prices artificaly high for the alure of value and being exclusive.
There are no doubt a fair number of people who consider staying at a Four Seasons to be ';status';. Just like having a Rolex or Cartier.
Then there are the prople who really do have deep pockets and excess wealth and like to be in the company of others of like kind....and cost is no object....its their country club away from home.
I know wealthy friends who remark....'; Oh, I can ONLY stay at Four Seasons';
I have been to a lot of high end hotels world wide...Four Seasons is pretty good...but its not that good. Beauty is in in the mind of the beholder... and if your paying almost $1000 a night with tax... your not going to go and tell people it was not good...that would make you look sort of foolish for having spent such a large sum. You will respond, ';oh it was fabulous....devine.. you cant beleive it';
As others have pointed out Four Seasons has created an image of a hangout for the '; accomplished, astute, world travler and beautiful people in general'; Setting the prices high assures that for the most part you have got to be in a high economic bracket to even stay.
Ask yourself why does the Four Seasons charge not 40 to 50% more than other comprable hotels...but in most cases 75% to 100% more than Fairmont or Mauna Kea?
Its, as Charles Darwin put it, natural selection. The hotel wants people who dont bat an eye at $22 hamburgers and $28 sanwitches and $7 beers. (Which is the same burger you can get for $9.50 at a top restauraunt)
The very last thing they want is penny pinching budget families... or travlers.
One poster here wrote that the porper tip for a valet at the Four Seasons was $20.00...... if that gives you an idea of the thinking of patrons at the Four seasons... and their view of whats expensive or not.....
Got to get back to my breakfast greul... on wed I splurge and put raisins in it.
No it would send the wrong message to its well established list of clients...and honed image.
Well Dan makes some very good points. I am sure it is a business balancing act of where to set their room rates, etc.
However, I did an interesting comparison. I recently checked the Mauna Kea website when they announced the reopening, and noted that I was not as impressed with the improvements as I thought I would be. So here is a comparison of prices and what you get at the Mauna Kea vs Manele Bay:
Mauna Kea Manele Bay
Mtn View 400sqft $450 Garden View 576sqft $445
shower/tub combo, single Separate shower and tub,
sink double sinks
Ocean view 400sqft $710 Ocean View 576sqft $845
shower/tub combo, single Separate shower and tub,
sink double sinks
Deluxe OV 615 sqft $850 Oceanfront 592sqft $945
separate shower and tub, Separate shower and tub,
double sinks double sinks
So there is actually not as big of difference in prices between a FS resort, and the next step down. In fact I think is some ways you get more for your money at the FS. I know we are talking different islands, but there is nothing to compare to on Lana%26#39;i, and the FS Hualalai on the BI is another step above the FS Manele Bay.
Boy, that didn%26#39;t reproduce well. Let me try again:
Mauna Kea:
Mtn View 400sqft $450, shower/tub combo, single sink
Ocean view 400sqft $710, shower/tub combo, single sink
Deluxe OV 615 sqft $850, separate shower and tub,
double sinks
Manele Bay:
Garden View 576sqft $445, Separate shower and tub,
double sinks
Ocean View 576sqft $845, shower/tub combo, Separate shower and tub, double sinks
Oceanfront 592sqft $945, Separate shower and tub,
double sinks
Yes, I will include it in my trip report...re: buffet breakfast. You are right DRV, wouldn%26#39;t hurt to ask if they can include my daughter in the B%26amp;B.
Still counting the days!
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