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Hawaii Resort Fees Can Be Avoided (see Hawaii Luxury Hotels With No Resort Fee), but if you do stay at a Hawaii resort that charges a resort fee, at least maximize the value. Here are 5 perks you may not even realize are included at some of the Hawaii luxury hotels we reserve for clients:
1. Complimentary Self Parking
Valet parking isn't usually included in resort fees, but the Fairmont Orchid on the Big Island and the Fairmont Kea Lani on Maui includes self parking for one vehicle in their resort fees, currently $35 + tax per day at the Fairmont Orchid and $48 + tax per day at the Fairmont Kea Lani. Guests reserved on the Fairmont Gold level at the Fairmont Orchid even includes valet parking for one vehicle per room.
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2. 45 Minute Pacific Dream Photography Photo Shoot
This is one of the more unique benefits we've seen: the Andaz Maui at Wailea, Fairmont Kea Lani, Montage Kapalua Bay, Fairmont Orchid, and a handful of other Hawaii and California resorts offer a complimentary 45 minute photo shoot with Pacific Dream Photography. You're under no obligation to purchase any of the photos, which you view the next day, but many guests do find at least one of the professionally done shots worth purchasing, and better than what they could obtain themselves. At time of writing, Pacific Dream charged ~$80 for one digital negative or a package of 20 for $600.
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3. Outrigger Canoe Excursion, Guided Kayak Tour
The Andaz Maui at Wailea offers a daily outrigger canoe excursion (reserve in advance) and guided kayak tour as amenities that are included with the resort's $48 + tax daily resort fee. Just keep in mind that the Four Seasons Maui at Wailea also offers complimentary outrigger canoe excursions, and doesn't charge a resort fee.
The Fairmont Kea Lani also offers a canoe experience to guests who reserve in advance; note that a $65 fee applies for a no show or cancellation within the 24 hours prior.
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4. Learn to Hula, Play the Ukulele, and Hawaiian Words
All the major Hawaii luxury resorts offer Hawaiian cultural activities, although there's a fee for some of them. That said, the resort fee at the Andaz Maui covers the resort's weekly hula lesson and ukulele lesson, and at the Fairmont Orchid, complimentary Hawaiiana activities include an 8am petroglyph hike on Wednesdays, learning Hawaiian language basics on at 2pm on Wednesdays, ti leaf lei making at 1pm on Fridays, coconut frond weaving at 1pm on Saturdays, and possibly others–check with the Concierge in case of day/time changes.
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5. Borrow a GoPro
The Andaz Maui offers limited numbers of GoPro cameras for guests to borrow; we recommend bringing your own SD card for your photos, since the one that comes with the camera must be returned daily.
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What are your favorite benefits to maximize the value of Hawaii resort fees? Or do you prefer staying at one of the Hawaii Four Seasons resorts, which don't charge resort fees?
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