Hawaii Lodging Tax

[Tamaradarann]

But that isn't correct. For the period of the stay, you are using the local roads, shopping at the local stores, using public transport, and (hopefully not) using 9-1-1. TANSTAAFL.

If Hawaii had rolled the tax into the property tax, nobody would be complaining. (Nobody would be noticing.) Separating it out was bad PR. I consider it a PR issue, not a voting rights issue. I volunteered for taxation without representation when I bought a Hawaiian timeshare, eyes open and fully aware.

Yes, it is bad PR for timeshare owners and exchangers. However, good PR for the residents of Hawaii who are the voters.

The thinking is probably the same with the resort fees. The resort fees for non-owners of a resort or resort system who exchange in is another example of taxing those who don't pay maintenance and can't vote. The owners who have to pay the maintenance love it.

Also, in the related hotel world where ownership or membership is not a issue but selling the nightly reservations is, the resort fee is a way to advertise a low nightly rate, then get the rate that they want in the resort fee back door.

 

[brp]

Thanks everyone for the great responses.

We just returned and ended up being charged about $10/day tax on all of the reservations, which was fine.

CiCi


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We just got back yesterday from a stay in Maui for a Westin timehare deal. I was surprised that the occupancy tax was only $1.25/night. Maybe this is country/island-based?

They did have a $30/day resort fee, but I doubt that they'd hide any taxes in there, preferring to keep that all for themselves.

Cheers.

 

[dioxide45]

We just got back yesterday from a stay in Maui for a Westin timehare deal. I was surprised that the occupancy tax was only $1.25/night. Maybe this is country/island-based?

They did have a $30/day resort fee, but I doubt that they'd hide any taxes in there, preferring to keep that all for themselves.

Cheers.

Were you staying on a SPG points stay, paying cash or Explorer Package

 

[brp]

Were you staying on a SPG points stay, paying cash or Explorer Package

It was a reduced cash rate based on having to spend 90 minutes with the sales folks . But it was a prepaid pure cash rate.

Cheers.

 

[dioxide45]

It was a reduced cash rate based on having to spend 90 minutes with the sales folks . But it was a prepaid pure cash rate.

Cheers.

The rate also varies by unit size. Also, the taxes are calculated differently for cash bases stays vs timeshare based stays.

 

[Tamaradarann]

The rate also varies by unit size. Also, the taxes are calculated differently for cash bases stays vs timeshare based stays.

They may not even use the size of the units for cash based stays. It may be based on the cost of the accommodations. Therefore, the amount was so low.

That $30/night resort fee is even more than the $25/night I will be paying next April. It is excessive and the costs for the stuff that you really want, ie. Internet Service, is must lower so they are ripping us all off with it.

 

[brp]

That $30/night resort fee is even more than the $25/night I will be paying next April. It is excessive and the costs for the stuff that you really want, ie. Internet Service, is must lower so they are ripping us all off with it.

Well, sure. But the overall rate was so much lower than the regular rate that I was fine paying it. Also, the fact that it normally includes parking makes it less unreasonable, IMO.

Cheers.

 

[dioxide45]

They may not even use the size of the units for cash based stays. It may be based on the cost of the accommodations. Therefore, the amount was so low.

Correct, the occupancy tax paid for timeshare stays is a calculation based on the MF cost for the unit. For cash stays, it is a percentage of the cash rate.

 

[Tamaradarann]

Well, sure. But the overall rate was so much lower than the regular rate that I was fine paying it. Also, the fact that it normally includes parking makes it less unreasonable, IMO.

Cheers.

The parking is free at the resorts that we have stayed at ie. Orlando Resorts, Misner Place in Weston Florida, Smugglers Notch in Vermont, Woodstone at Massanutten Virginia, and New Hampshire Resorts or we don't need a car ie. Honolulu, Miami South Beach, San Diego Gas Lamp District, San Francisco, New Orleans French Quarter, Las Vegas Center Strip so free parking is no big give away for us, it is always free.

However, my point is that the timeshare resorts rather than raising the maintenance fees are keeping owners happy by instituting RESORT FEES. Hotels rather than advertising a higher nightly room rate are instituting RESORT FEES. Westin gave you a very good rate, but then to make some money they charged and slipped in a $30/night RESORT FEE. They love it, but that is not how I like to conduct business.

 

[frank808]

That tax at grand islander for 2br resort view is $12.91 a day. That is about 2/3 what it costs for a 2br at mko which is about $16.71
Tat is based upon maintenance fee costs for the unit.

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[brp]

The parking is free at the resorts that we have stayed at ie. Orlando Resorts, Misner Place in Weston Florida, Smugglers Notch in Vermont, Woodstone at Massanutten Virginia, and New Hampshire Resorts or we don't need a car ie. Honolulu, Miami South Beach, San Diego Gas Lamp District, San Francisco, New Orleans French Quarter, Las Vegas Center Strip so free parking is no big give away for us, it is always free.

Agree with all of the above as these are among places we visit frequently (although a trip to New Orleans for Jazz Fest finds a car to be very valuable). Hawai'i and, in particularly, Maui, is different. Car is pretty much necessary and parking is typically not free. Things

However, my point is that the timeshare resorts rather than raising the maintenance fees are keeping owners happy by instituting RESORT FEES. Hotels rather than advertising a higher nightly room rate are instituting RESORT FEES. Westin gave you a very good rate, but then to make some money they charged and slipped in a $30/night RESORT FEE. They love it, but that is not how I like to conduct business.[/QUOTE]

While we were on a timeshare trip we stayed at a regular Westin hotel. Not a timeshare at all. This hotel had a resort fee.

I very much dislike resort fees (I was contacted and a lead plaintiff on a class action lawsuit). All I'm saying is that it was fully disclosed and the overall rate was still very good- considerably less than any similar-quality place without a parking fee, so I was willing to suck it up.

Cheers.