Peter Greenberg: Hawaii Package Travel

By: Peter Greenberg | Source: AARP.org | 2008-11-24

We were just informed by our son that he is getting married on New Year's Eve in Hawaii. We have been told by everyone that it’s too late [to make travel arrangements] and that reservations need to be made a year in advance for Christmastime travel to Hawaii.

We are trying to find a studio or a one-bedroom condo in Kona, rental car, and airfare altogether in a package deal. The area where our son is staying is near the "White Sands Beach" area, so it would be convenient if we could find something close. Can you possibly help out in any way? Thank you.

P.S. If we HAVE to stay in a hotel we will, but we really don't want to. Travel dates are Dec. 19–Jan. 3 or 4 from Seattle.
-Gary, Spanaway, Wash.

If you're looking for a package deal that includes all those features, it's unlikely you'll find it online. Airfare and car rental? Sure. Airfare, hotel, and car rental? You can find that, too. But airfare, private apartment, and car rental is basically not an option. If you want this set up for you, this is the perfect opportunity to consult a travel specialist (a.k.a., a travel agent) who focuses on Hawaii.

The key for you seems to be location of your accommodations. If you're opposed to staying at a hotel, one option you should check out is VRBO - Vacation Rentals by Owner. Here, you'll be able to search for condos and apartments in Kailua-Kona, and you can even sort by individual neighborhoods, which should be very helpful for you. A quick search on the site revealed dozens of options in the area that might work for you. Of course, you'll need to contact them to find out which places are available.

Also, you should wait a bit longer to book your airfare. Farecast.com, which predicts airfares, says there is a very strong chance that fares will drop on the Honolulu–Seattle route. Keep an eye on Farecast and pounce whenever you find a good fare.