Hawaii Hotels: What’s the difference between Single Occupancy vs Double Occupancy?

When booking Hawaii hotels as part of an all-inclusive Hawaii travel package, we are frequently asked to explain the difference between single and double occupancy.  If you are booking just a Hawaii hotel, this rarely makes a difference, but it does factor into the equation when you book a Hawaii travel package, such as our All-Inclusive Hawaii Vacation Packages. Although it can seem confusing at first, once you understand the difference between double and single hotel occupancy, it’s fairly straightforward.

Hawaii Hotels: Double Occupancy

This is the easiest to explain. Double occupancy means that there are two adults sharing one hotel room. Most of our clients travel in a pair, whether they are couples, friends or family, so our Hawaii packages are based on double occupancy. Our rates are listed as “per adult, based on double hotel occupancy”. The rates are calculated based on two adults sharing one room, so only 50% of the total cost of the hotel is in each adult’s package price. Therefore, when a couple books, between the two of them, 100% of the cost of the hotel is covered.

Hawaii Hotels: Single Occupancy

This is where it gets a little more complicated to understand. When booking a Hawaii travel package, many times there is a “single occupancy hotel charge” if there will only be one adult in a room. For instance, since our all-inclusive package rates are based on double occupancy, only 50% of the cost of the hotel room is included in each adult’s package price. So, if only one adult is staying in a room, they will have a single hotel occupancy charge. This charge covers the other half of the cost of the hotel room. It is tempting to feel like you’re being penalized for traveling alone, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth! It’s simply covering the other half of the hotel room cost*.

Hawaii Hotels: Triple Occupancy & Quad Occupancy

If there are three (triple) or four (quad) adults sharing a hotel room, you will receive a discount. Hawaii hotels charge an additional person fee for more than two adults in a room. If you book an all-inclusive package you receive a discount rather than a charge.

Maximum Occupancy

“Maximum occupancy” refers to the number of people allowed in a hotel room by law. Fire marshals determine hotel room’s occupancy limits. This ensures there is ample space to allow for evacuation in an emergency.

Teens & Children

Most Hawaii hotels and resorts don’t charge for guests under 17. For example, if two adults are in a room and they bring their child, there won’t be an additional charge. That’s also why our child & teen package rates are much less than our adult rates. However, if there is one adult and one child per room, our packages would still require a single occupancy charge. This is because our rates are based on two paying adults per room.

Hopefully this helps explain Hawaii hotel occupancies, and the purpose of single occupancy fees and triple and quad discounts. If you still have questions, please don’t hesitate to ask us! We will gladly assist you until all our rates are crystal-clear.

*Rental car rates are also split in half between our adult package rates. If your package includes a rental car, and you’re traveling alone, the single occupancy fee also includes half the cost of the car.