Recently, Brian Cohen of The Gate broke the news of a nefarious new fee being charged at certain Hyatt properties. Because of this new fee, I suggest you avoid these Hyatt properties in Hawaii, though not all of them are that bad compared to other properties’ resort fees.
At first, Brian wrote about a $79 non-refundable damage waiver fee being charged by the Mauna Lani Point – a Hyatt Destination Residence. The point of this fee is to cover up to $1,500 in damages caused by the guest. However, guests cannot opt out of the fee and must self-report damages before check-out — failure to self-report damage results in additional charges after check-out. However, upon closer review, he found that things were far worse than originally thought. It wasn’t just one property charging this insipid damage waiver fee. Many of Hyatt’s Destination Residences in Hawaii charge it.
Now, initially, these fees make you want to avoid these Hyatt properties in Hawaii. But, if you do a little math, you may find that some of these fees aren’t so bad after all and may even make sense to pay in some instances.
Avoid These Hyatt Properties in Hawaii
At the affected properties, the damage waiver fee charged is either $79, $99, or $149. And that’s a flat fee that covers your entire length of stay. Those properties include:
- Hawaii Island
- Mauna Lani Luxury Vacation Villas, a Destination by Hyatt Residence ($149)
- Mauna Lani Point, a Destination by Hyatt Residence ($79)
- The Islands at Mauna Lani, a Destination by Hyatt Residence ($79)
- Kauai
- Kauai Luxury Vacation Villas, a Destination by Hyatt Residence ($149)
- The Lodge at Kukui’ula ($149)
- Maui
- Ho’olei Residences, a Destination by Hyatt Residence ($149)
- Puunoa Beach Estates, a Destination by Hyatt Residence ($149)
- Wailea Beach Villas, a Destination by Hyatt Residence ($149)
- Kaanapali Alii, a Destination by Hyatt Residence ($99)
- Makena Surf, a Destination by Hyatt Residence ($79)
- Wailea Ekahi Village, a Destination by Hyatt Residence ($79)
- Wailea Elua Village, a Destination by Hyatt Residence ($79)
- Wailea Ekolu Village, a Destination by Hyatt Residence ($79)
- Wailea Grand Champions Villas, a Destination by Hyatt Residence ($79)
- Wailea Point, a Destination by Hyatt Residence ($79)
Initially, I thought no big deal. If you spread the damage waiver fee across three nights (the minimum at, say, the Ka’anapali Ali’i), it’s about $38/night, which is slightly less than the $40/night resort fee the Hyatt Regency Maui charges. But no, that’s not the only fee you have to pay. The Ka’anapali Ali’i also charges a guest services fee amounting to about $59/night. That’s an insane $97/night in fees!
Those fees help to boost the overall cost of a three-night stay at the Ka’anapali Ali’i to $2,881.49, which is barely $4 cheaper than three-nights at the Hyatt Regency Maui during the same time period. Sure, you get a one-bedroom suite with full kitchen at the Ali’i, but the Hyatt Regency is a full-service property. At these prices, I think I’d prefer the Hyatt Regency. And, you know what? It’s the same story on the otherside of the island too. Only, the Wailea Villas charge a resort fee instead of a guest service fee.
Of course, you may think I’m nuts by saying to avoid these Hyatt properties in Hawaii, especially when, at least in this case, you can get more room for the money. But, hey, if that’s your jam, then that’s fine. All I’m saying is to do your homework before booking.
Avoid These Hyatt Properties in Hawaii, Final Thoughts
These new fees are the devil – especially when properties are already charging resort fees. Personally, I’d strait-up boycott them just on the principle. But, again, this all comes down to personal preference. But, still, $90+/night in fees. That’s absurd! These things are getting out of hand and, in my experience, it’s often Hyatts pulling things like this.
What do you guys thinks?