Sept slow season?

[FlyKaesan]

Around Hawaii:
Is September the slowest season and does thing pick up during October?
I thought Sept - Jan would be slow season except holidays and Christmas time.

 

[Lawlar]

Slow Season

I believe that you are correct that September - December is the slow season.

The snow-birds head for Hawaii during Jan/March. Also, Whale season is between December-May.

Summer and holidays are the busiest of times.

 

[jlee2070]

check the following II Travel Index for Hawaii...

 

[FlyKaesan]

I saw that grid too in the II book but it was so easy getting week 39 and 40 exchanges but week 41 is not getting through.
Since that is the first week of Oct, I thought something is going on in Hawaii or maybe it was busy season, which is not.
Actually I had Marriott 2 br which I let go since the dates weren't exactly what I wanted. I am beginning to regret my decision.

 

[falmouth3]

We were in Maui during Labor Day week 2 years ago. The Tuesday after Labor Day, the place seemed to clear out. It was amazing.

This year we were visiting the Big Island the first week in June. The restaurants were empty and we asked if it was slow season. We were told yes. So, somehow, we managed to select both vacation weeks during slow season. Not that I minded.

 

[lprstn]

Its not slow in Oct @ the Big Island (kona) as they are having the Iron Man Tri-atholon there. They say its packed around that time.

 

[jlr10]

September is slower than summer. But later September sees more people because of people coming in for the Ironman. Once the Ironman is over travel drops down until Thanksgiving. Then it is slower until just before Christmas then picks up for the holidays and whale season. This per the concierge at the Royal Waikoloan (now the Marriott Waikaloa) She stated that they closed down an entire wing of the hotel after the ironman from October until late December. This was pre-Marriott so I don't know if they do that now, but it is a good indication of the slower time.

Our first trip to Hawaii was in 1995. It was the first two weeks of October. We ran smack into the Ironman on the Big Island (not knowing it was during that time,) and then traveled on to Kauai and Oahu. The convention I went to was in excess of 11, 000 people attending. In traveling through the islands during that period it was funny to hear the locals trying to figureout why there were so many people there during the off season. So I would say October is definately a good time to travel to the islands.

 

[LAX Mom]

Around Hawaii:
Is September the slowest season and does thing pick up during October?
I thought Sept - Jan would be slow season except holidays and Christmas time.

The problem might be that you are trying to exchange into extremely popular resorts. Even though it might be a slow season in Hawaii, I doubt the Westins & Marriotts have many vacant rooms at any time of the year. They run pretty close to 100% occupancy.

About a month ago there were many Hawaii weeks deposited by Westin (and also Marriott?) for this Sept. & Oct.. I know when I booked an exchange, II showed availability for Fri, Sat & Sun check-ins. I also had to decide if I wanted WKORV or WKORV-N. Then a few days later the new Napili tower at the Maui Marriott was available for the same week. I've never seen so many Westin & Marriott weeks available in Hawaii at the same time!

Unfortunately these deposits have pretty much been taken at this point. Unless there is another bulk bank for Oct. 08, you'll have to hope for a cancellation.

Good luck with your search!

 

[DeniseM]

Actually I had Marriott 2 br which I let go since the dates weren't exactly what I wanted. I am beginning to regret my decision.

You are really hurting your chances by holding out for exact dates at this late date. I would find a close match and then plan to spend a night or 2 in a hotel.