Travel agents not responding to for Hawaii trip

[Anonymous]

Husband and I have decided to try and spend 2-3 weeks in Hawaii in January. We are late to the game and finding rentals/airbnb very hard to find. Since we can't find any decent condo rentals, we'd like to switch to resorts, and I'd like to get some advice from a travel agent. I've contacted 2 and not even a response. We're looking at 4+ star properties and will likely island hop. I'm happy to pay a flat fee and book my own. Do travel agents not do this anymore?

[Anonymous]

Probably because they are all booked

[Anonymous]

You’re not “late to the game”. It’s already over. Plan for next year.

[Anonymous]

It's a dying industry and now you can see why.

We've used this place for trips abroad, but it's fairly high end so may not be what you're looking for:
https://thesuitesojourn.com/

They are generally quick to respond though.

[Anonymous]

It is easy to DIY. Go look at Trip Advisor it's got a real mix but ask for recommendations and state your price range for resorts.
On the Big Island, look at Fairmont Orchid, Auberge Mauna Lani, Westin Hapuna. Mauna Kea and Rosewood may be full. In lower price range, Waikoloa Marriott.
You need a car but not 4wd.
We have gone to Kohala Coast for 3 weeks in January for over 20 years.

[Anonymous]

When did you send the first inquiry? Between Wed and Sunday of the past week?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Husband and I have decided to try and spend 2-3 weeks in Hawaii in January. We are late to the game and finding rentals/airbnb very hard to find. Since we can't find any decent condo rentals, we'd like to switch to resorts, and I'd like to get some advice from a travel agent. I've contacted 2 and not even a response. We're looking at 4+ star properties and will likely island hop. I'm happy to pay a flat fee and book my own. Do travel agents not do this anymore?

1) Thanksgiving is a significant holiday. When did you contact them?
2) You can't find airbnb availability because it is all booked. The resorts are not going to be any different -- they are booked as well. Is there still space? Perhaps, as hotels do hold rooms back -- but those rooms are going to be given out on a VIP basis. Meaning to VIP TAs, and the TAs are only going to give it to VIP clients they have been working with for years who use them many times per year. And it is going to cost $$$$.
3) The fact that you say "4+ star properties" for a very last last minute trip to Hawaii at high season tells me that you are not the ideal TA client; you likely think you have a large budget when it is actually a tiny budget given the context (context being: very late to the game, expecting a TA to find you something in Hawaii in January).

[Anonymous]

Fairmont Orchid hasc2 week availability in January. So does Westin Hapuna. I didn't check all the ones Insuggested but OP might if that island appeals.
Kohala doesn't attract the mobs Oahu and Maui do.

[Anonymous]

I think you DIY this at this stage of the game—go to the major hotel chains and search their availability for the weeks in question, then go from there. There are plenty of blog posts on spending a few weeks in Hawaii with ísland and itinerary suggestions.

If you are hoping for insider rates or discounts from a TA the other posters are correct, that ship has sailed.

If you are a COSTCO member their travel site might have some last minute packages available.

My guess is that the travel agents are not responding bc your inquiries were written in a way that either made it sound like your budget was unrealistic given the high season or that you were going to be tough clients.

[Anonymous]

Just book yourself.

[Anonymous]

Book yourself

Resorts

Fairmonts are good. Love the Fairmont Orchard.
Great beach.

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort, and the Mauna Lani, Auberge Collection on the Big Island all great hotels.

The Westin is my least favorite room of this group but beach is lovely.

Oahu I would do an Outrigger they aren't 4 star but the one on Waikki is a great location.

Hiltons in Hawaii are dumps. Over crowded disneylands.

[Anonymous]

+1 absolutely not the Hilton Waikiloa.

[Anonymous]

You really don’t need a TA for this - just check availability on Google for highly starred resorts where you want to stay and then from there read reviews and book on chosen hotels website.

[Anonymous]

Assuming you are in DMV.
Nonstop IAD to HNL. Either spend a couple of nights Waikiki in ocean view club room at Hyatt Regency or connect to KOA. No car in Waikiki, car on Big Island.

Stay at Fairmont Orchid. Sometime during the stay do a one or two night overnight in Volcano or Hilo. We like Volcano House and hike a lot. Double book just bring overnight bag.

[Anonymous]

OP what did you decide to do? Do it yourself really is possible. Use Trip Advisor forums for ideas. But book planes, hotels, car directly not through third party.