09-21-2016, 07:40 PM
Thought I'd try an experiment. I tried booking the cheapest room at both the Naniloa and the Hilo Hawaiin for three nights, check-in Feb 6, check-out Feb 9th, i.e., a three-night stay choosing the cheapest rooms. These are weekdays, Monday through Wednesday night.
I used AAA rates for the Naniloa. The total cost was $448 including taxes.
The Hilo Hawaiian offered a challenge. The cheapest rate was $142 per night which would have ended up with a total charge, including taxes, roughly the same as the Naniloa. However, while going through the booking process, it soon became clear I had to be an airline employee to get that rate. That wasn't mentioned when looking at the rates and only became obvious once I clicked on the $142 rate I chose.
So I tried the Kamaaina rate. That cost $10 more per night and a total cost of $515, i.e., roughly $65 more than the Naniloa.
Although the Hilo Hawaiian rooms are just fine and clean, they are quite basic and don't have amenities I'd expect at a cheap Holiday Inn hotel on the mainland (no microwave for instance, and maid service ending at 2 pm). The bar where the only draft beer is Coors Light is also a bit of a turn-off.
I stay at Hilton brand hotels often and although they're not always wonderful, the standards are decent. I've stayed at a DoubleTree once and it was very nice.
I think I know where my business will go if the Naniloa renovation turns out well.
ETA: The Hilo Hawaiian doesn't offer "free" wifi, it's about $10 per day although other options are available for longer stays. The Naniloa is saying wifi will be "free".
I used AAA rates for the Naniloa. The total cost was $448 including taxes.
The Hilo Hawaiian offered a challenge. The cheapest rate was $142 per night which would have ended up with a total charge, including taxes, roughly the same as the Naniloa. However, while going through the booking process, it soon became clear I had to be an airline employee to get that rate. That wasn't mentioned when looking at the rates and only became obvious once I clicked on the $142 rate I chose.
So I tried the Kamaaina rate. That cost $10 more per night and a total cost of $515, i.e., roughly $65 more than the Naniloa.
Although the Hilo Hawaiian rooms are just fine and clean, they are quite basic and don't have amenities I'd expect at a cheap Holiday Inn hotel on the mainland (no microwave for instance, and maid service ending at 2 pm). The bar where the only draft beer is Coors Light is also a bit of a turn-off.
I stay at Hilton brand hotels often and although they're not always wonderful, the standards are decent. I've stayed at a DoubleTree once and it was very nice.
I think I know where my business will go if the Naniloa renovation turns out well.
ETA: The Hilo Hawaiian doesn't offer "free" wifi, it's about $10 per day although other options are available for longer stays. The Naniloa is saying wifi will be "free".