Reservations for Bellows AFB, HI

Author Message   Kenneth Wilson Member Username: Nokaoi27 Post Number: 46 Registered: 01-2008 Posted From: 98.232.87.0 Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 02:44 am:    I always use the "local" number and rarely have hit a busy signal more than 2 or 3 tries. The tollfree number has always been busy....busy....busy.   Brenda LaDell Intermediate Member Username: Blladell Post Number: 137 Registered: 09-2007 Posted From: 70.174.45.135 Posted on Thursday, June 17, 2010 - 06:53 pm:    started calling this Am at 0800 Hi time on the 800 number...30 min of instant redial and could not get through... called on commercial number and was thu instantly. I now have a remolded front ocean view 2 BR cabin reserved for 5 days in May @ $85/night. nothing available for more than 2 nights prior to May...they will continue with the upgrading of the cabins...   Brenda LaDell Intermediate Member Username: Blladell Post Number: 136 Registered: 09-2007 Posted From: 70.174.19.22 Posted on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 - 10:08 pm:    thanks.. will just keep trying.. even with speed redial... no luck.... wish we could email.... I will keep trying...   William Standage Senior Member Username: Charlie13 Post Number: 1139 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 24.17.234.184 Posted on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 - 05:38 pm:    I've found that when calling from the mainland using the toll free number, I seem to never reach a live body who could help me with a reservation. However, for some reason that I can't explain, if I called the commercial local number (my dime), I usually connected to a real person. As Hazegrey said, aim to be the first in the phone que at 8am Hawaiian time. Good luck.   Carole G Advanced Member Username: Greengal Post Number: 291 Registered: 01-2010 Posted From: 68.205.151.181 Posted on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 - 12:24 pm:    Do they have an email that you could send a message? Are you calling the commercial number? Persistance usually pays off.   Brenda LaDell Intermediate Member Username: Blladell Post Number: 135 Registered: 09-2007 Posted From: 70.174.19.22 Posted on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 - 12:21 pm:    I have been calling them everyday for about 5 days now... even at 8am HI time... circuits are always busy. I want to make a reservation for Jan or Feb... Any suggestions out there???   Samuel K. Ono Member Username: Patono Post Number: 35 Registered: 05-2008 Posted From: 67.49.146.95 Posted on Monday, June 14, 2010 - 12:12 am:    Aloha , Sam & I drove out to Bellows on Friday June 11, 2010. We saw that they seem to be renovation some of the cabins... Looked good. The place was packed with families. Lots of them. We had a holiday on Friday, so many seemed to be taking advantage of a long weekend! We will try to also book a cabin at a later date, not summer. Aloha Sam & Pat   Jim Smuckatelli Member Username: Gittist Post Number: 16 Registered: 05-2008 Posted From: 67.142.162.28 Posted on Saturday, June 12, 2010 - 12:03 pm:    Taken from the FAQ at www.bellowsafs.com... •How far in advance can I make reservations? Reservations are taken up to one year (365 days) prior to desired date of occupancy for all authorized users except during summer season from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day. During summer season, priority is given to Active Duty Air Force Military personnel who may make reservations 90 days prior to the desired date of occupancy. All other Active Duty Military may make reservations up to 75 days prior to desired date of occupancy. All other authorized users; Military retirees, Reservists, National Guardsmen and Current DoD civilian employees may make reservations up to 60 days prior to desired date of occupancy.   FHYL Senior Member Username: Fhyl Post Number: 405 Registered: 11-2008 Posted From: 68.68.130.56 Posted on Monday, June 07, 2010 - 07:15 pm:    Ditto on Hazegray's post. Bias? It's priority to those who "are" serving. ......... Found by Googling...for a bit of insight: Bellows Air Force Station, on Waimanalo Bay just outside Honolulu, is Hawaii's other military resort. The station's amenities mainly focus on its beachfront location, with outdoor activities such as kayaking, surfing and snorkeling available. If you want to participate in one of these activities but are inexperienced, lessons are available. Bellows has no actual hotel, only cabins, but they're very reasonably priced at about half to two-thirds of the cost of Hale Koa. Members can make reservations up to a year in advance except in the summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day) season. During the summer season, active-duty Air Force members can make reservations up to 90 days in advance, while other active-duty members can make them as early as 75 days ahead. All other authorized users have to wait until the 60 days ahead of the desired date. The cabins are fairly spacious, with two bedrooms, a bath, a living room and a kitchen for cooking meals, which will be necessary unless you're willing to drive out, as Bellows has no restaurants on the station. Bellows Air Force Station 220 Tinker Road Waimanalo, HI 96795 (800) 437-2607 or (808) 259-8080 bellowsafs.com end quote.   Hazegray Member Username: Hazegray Post Number: 17 Registered: 02-2007 Posted From: 64.12.116.208 Posted on Monday, June 07, 2010 - 01:27 am:    Bellows AFS Cabins are available - just takes patience. (And be the first caller at 8 AM Hawaii time!!) I'm retired and reserved a cabin with no problem. The people on the phones were very nice and helpful. Aloha   Phil Doubleman Senior Member Username: Phil Post Number: 1618 Registered: 08-2005 Posted From: 68.35.26.65 Posted on Sunday, June 06, 2010 - 06:00 pm:    I venture to say that it is biased against folks who don't live there. And, as it shold be, especially biased toward active duty. And they won't hesitate to tell you so.   John D. Moderator Username: John_d Post Number: 4620 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 95.208.80.143 Posted on Sunday, June 06, 2010 - 04:40 pm:    LeRoy, How is it biased against retirees?   LeRoy L. Sullivan - Roy The Club Doctor Intermediate Member Username: Rangerroy Post Number: 60 Registered: 09-2006 Posted From: 67.209.15.248 Posted on Sunday, June 06, 2010 - 02:50 pm:    As a CAT VI I understand that I should be able to make cabin reservations 90 days out. The big question is HOW? We have stayed there twice but each time they seem to change the rules and procedures. Telephone is always busy. Can't sign up on sight for a future date. Can't get on a waiting list. It seems to b e a closely guarded secret with a bias againt retirees. Has anyone broken the code?