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Manele Bay still a bargain for a Four Seasons in Hawai`i

Edina, Minnesota
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for Lanai
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32 reviews
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Manele Bay still a bargain for a Four Seasons in Hawai`i
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As I do my research on trying to find a way to get back to Hawai`i after not getting there for the last two winters, I have learned that Manele Bay is still a relative Bargain. With the loss of non-stop flights from MSP to HNL, it is virtually inpossible to get to Lana`i in one day without starting at 5 am. Even Lana`i may not be worth an 18 hour travel day. So I started to look into a return trip to the Big Island, since there are non-stop flights from the west coast which would reduce the total travel time to about 12 hours. We have stayed at the FS Hualalai in the past and still consider it the best resort in all of Hawai`i. Well they must realize that since the least expensive room rate I can find there for this winter is $1030/night. There currently are not any of the every 4th or 5th night free promotions at Hualalai. In contrast, Manele Bay has every 4th night free and I found rates as low as $423/night there if one stays for multiples of 4 nights.

That comparison certainly makes me think twice about staying at FS Hualalai, just to make the traveling easier. Maybe it will be Grand Cayman this winter. It is about a 5 hour non-stop flight and the I have found rooms at the Ritz Carlton for as low as $729. Well its $300 less than Hualalai.

Hawaii
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33 reviews
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1. Re: Manele Bay still a bargain for a Four Seasons in Hawai`i
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You're definitely right about that. I really want to stay at Hualalai just once, but it is so expensive. I think we checked and they don't offer kama'aina discounts either. They are quite proud of that resort! Too bad you and MrsV can't find a way back to Lana'i this coming winter. I'm sure you'll have a great time in Cayman too. Five hours non-stop seems like a snap compared to the other hassle.

Elk Rapids, Michigan
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55 reviews
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2. Re: Manele Bay still a bargain for a Four Seasons in Hawai`i
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Bummer they did away with the direct on Delta to HNL on the A330. They still have a one stop MSP - HNL that is about 10 hours but it is on a 757. Got a feeling we are both spoiled by the A330 comfort level.

Looking at a fall 2014 return myself and will probably bite the bullet again and fly down to ATL to catch the direct flight. Last time we managed a 777 repositioning flight DTW to ATL so had full lie flat seats down!

Edited: 10 years ago
Decatur, Georgia
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678 posts
144 reviews
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3. Re: Manele Bay still a bargain for a Four Seasons in Hawai`i
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I love the 4S Big Island property and agree their winter pricing is quite high. I have used the AMEX Platinum Travel program which includes breakfast, a meal credit and an automatic room upgrade (if available) and have booked garden view rooms.

Edina, Minnesota
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for Lanai
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4,257 posts
32 reviews
66 helpful votes
4. Re: Manele Bay still a bargain for a Four Seasons in Hawai`i
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I am envious Waupaca Traveler. We have a Four Seasons Preferred Partner travel agent who gets us the same deals that AMEX does, but again it is over $1000/night for the cheapest room.

Bill, the 1 stop 757 gets into HNL at about 6:30 pm, so we cannot catch a flight to Lana`i until the next day. There is a connecting flight with a change of planes in Salt Lake, but the connecting time is only about 40 minutes. I don't feel comforable with that coming from snowy MSP. So the last option to get to HNL in time is via ATL, but then it is an 18 hour travel day starting at "stupid o'clock".

NatureCat, we too are very sad that we can't make it back to Lana`i. We miss it so much.

Elk Rapids, Michigan
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11,350 posts
55 reviews
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5. Re: Manele Bay still a bargain for a Four Seasons in Hawai`i
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Good point Dr. V if you want to go directly to Lanai. We always spend the first few days at the Hale Koa in Honolulu so not an issue with us.

Maybe when (if) Hawaiian gets their Ohana planes going they will have a later flight, will have to wait and see.

Edina, Minnesota
Destination Expert
for Lanai
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4,257 posts
32 reviews
66 helpful votes
6. Re: Manele Bay still a bargain for a Four Seasons in Hawai`i
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Bill, I am still waiting for Hawaiian to start non-stop flights from MSP to HNL. Our airport commission is working hard to lure them here.

Elk Rapids, Michigan
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11,350 posts
55 reviews
130 helpful votes
7. Re: Manele Bay still a bargain for a Four Seasons in Hawai`i
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I gave up on the DTW to HNL they had for a short time. The MSP-HNL works since it is mostly all west but we can live with the DTW-ATL-HNL I guess.

8. Re: Manele Bay still a bargain for a Four Seasons in Hawai`i

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