30 days to plan Hawaii trip
 

Greetings -- Newbie on this site and wish I had found it 2 months ago when I learned I had been awarded a trip to Hawaii. Given my origination being from east coast, I will plan some extra days to take advantage of this destination.

Dates: May 28-June 1 : arrive -- need to make plans; June 1 -8th is award trip on Oahu, Mandarin Oriental property; June 8-11th need to make plans.

Here are my questions:
Finding it VERY hard to find accomodations that are available w/ 30 day notice. Plan is to arrive into HNL, spend one night -- start a 3 day island hop trip to either Maui or Kuaii. What are the recommendations for affordable accomodations for 2 adult travelers not planning on spending much time in hotel? Are you familiar with Maui Seaside Hotel in Kahalui ($106/night). It's a 2 star AAA property, but was hoping for centrally located property. Wanting to spend $$ on activities, food and transporation.

Am I making a big mistake to stay in Kahalui? I'm not into crowded scenes, and will be driving to most activities: Hana, Ho'okipa, Paia, Haleakala, etc..

What recommendations can you provide for both Maui and Kuaii? Really stuck and don't want to arrive without some sense of a game plan.

Thanks to all who can help!

If you are spending June 1 through 8 at Mandarin Oriental in Waikiki/Honolulu, then I would fly straight on through to either Maui or Kauai on May 28, flying back to HNL on June 1. I wouldn't stay at Maui Seaside in Kahalui, rather I would stay in Kihei at a lower-priced hotel, still on the beach or across the road from the beach, for an *I'm really in Hawaii* feeling! The same in Kauai........ I'd want to stay near the water, even if I didn't want to stay in an elaborate resort. I will come back with some hotel ideas for you, as I need to refresh my memories on a few of the more moderate ones. I'm so happy for you that you will be staying at the Mandarin Oriental..... my sister & BIL stayed there, and LOVED it!

Thank you so much. I've been trying to measure the balance reserving funds for activities and wanting clean, fun accomodations. Some thoughts would be to see Paia, Ho'okipa -- then on the road to Hana. Definately Haleakala, some snorkling diving/Moolokini(?).. and that about wraps up the 3 days.
Appreciate any guidance on lodging. Goal is to keep under $200/night if possible. King bed preferred (Basketbal husband.. and yes, 6'11"!)

Also, any advice on renting a Jeep Wrangler? Will they confirm the actual vehicle type, not car class??

Thanks again... Mahalo!

Interested, you might want to check *tripadvisor.com*......... type *maui seaside hotel* into the search, and read the reviews that come up below! Not good at all, sorry to say. But I wouldn't want to stay in Kahalui anyway, to me that would not be like *being in Hawaii.*

I agree, don't stay in Kahului, you won't feel very Hawaiian at all. I agree with the Kihei idea, there's tons of condos either on the beach or across the road that can be had for well under $200. We stayed at the Kihei Surfside condo, which is basically in wonderful Wailea in a quiet area, which was $125/nt last July. I wrote a trip report about it and all the other stuff we did here: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34436140

I booked through CRH Maui, you can find them online. Read my trip report and see if it sounds like something you'd like (it was awesome, right on the shore, huge ocean view from every unit in the building and very clean) and give CRH (or another condo agency, I just thought they were really helpful and nice) a call to see if any units are available, or find out which condos ARE available and then look up those places online to see what they look like and what the reviews are. That may actually be a good way to go--easier to see what's available first rather than liking something and finding out it's sold out.

The book Maui Revealed has fantastic aerial photos and good reviews as well, but those photos really help in making a decision.

Let me know if you have any questions!

love
roxy

You don't want to stay at the Maui Seaside. It's across the street from the mall, in a commercial area. They offer kama`aina rates, so you'll be staying with all the visiting aunties from the neighbor islands. But since all of the places you mentioned are on the north shore and upcountry, you might be better off staying in Pa`ia or somewhere else along the north shore or even upcountry. There are some fabulous cottages for rent. You can find a studio for $75 - 100 in Pa`ia or Ha`iku, and that will put you right at Ho`okipa and on the way to Haleakala and Hana. Before we moved here we would often come and stay in Pa`ia and never even venture to the other side. And if you only have a few days you don't want to spend them driving from the other side of the island every day. There are great restaurants and beaches on the north shore, and you'll be out of the regular touristy places.


You can try http://www.maui.cc/index.html

We personally loved staying at this place
http://www.maui.cc/PaiaBay.html

Also, check with Ho`okipa Haven. They have last minute specials and are very helpful in locating a rental within your budget on a short notice.
http://www.hookipa.com/


You can also check with:
http://www.windsurfari.com/wind/wnd_beach2.html

http://www.koolauvacations.com/

Also, I forgot to mention that all of those companies have more rentals than just those showing on their webpage, and don't let the "7 day minimum" scare you off. If you call them or email them and tell them your dates and budget they will search their database, and many owners waive that 7 day minimum the closer you book to the date. Three nights rental income is better than none!

Interested, I was just *googling* some of the realtors renting condos in Kihei/Wailea area. You will be able to get a room or 1BR condo with one of them for around $100 to $150 night, sometimes less (Mana Kai Maui, Sugar Beach). Their location is excellent. I wouldn't worry about not being centrally located. The huge majority of tourists stay either Southern Maui (Kihei-Wailea) or west (Kaanapali-Lahaina) and drive to all the interesting sites. You can't go wrong in either area! The Hana Kai Maui is right on the Kihei-Wailea line; you cannot beat that location/beach. Also the Kihei Surfside is an excellent location! Really, pretty much wherever you stay on Maui, you will have a wonderful time!:-) Now we have to think about Kauai, don't we?

You may want to look into Priceline for your hotel stay also. Check out biddingfortravel.com for info on previous winning bids and there is a bid assistance form to help you with your stay located in the Hotel FAQ. I noticed others have had successful bids for the 3* Royal Lahaina (on the beach) at 95/nt. Good location. If you're willing to go higher you should be able to get a resort on the beach for around $145. Likewise good deals for Kauai.

Thank you all so much. I am overwhelmed by the readiness of good and balanced information.

Will definately focus on the Kihei area.

Yes, now focusing on June 8-11 in Kauai. Are the inter-island flights predictable enough to stay through the 11th to catch a 1pm HNL outbound flight? (Any recommendations on provider?) Or, do we leave Kauai on June 10th -- thus, only 2 nights in Kauai. Was pleased to see comment above about not being scared off by 7 night minimums... had kept me looking elsewhere.

Sorry for the blast of questions -- I'm getting a crash course on Hawaii with this unexpected opportunity. I'm so psyched and can't wait to bring stories back from the adventure.

Interested, the interisland flights are totally reliable........ these are major airline carriers (Aloha & Hawaiian), either one is excellent, just fly the one that has the most convenient flights for you. No, you don't need to come back from Kauai a day early. You can connect right through Honolulu, smooth as silk, both to and from Maui, and then to Kauai and back. I have some Kauai recommendations for you later but must run out for awhile now. Will catch you later!

Interested, one other thing about your Maui plans..... Since you are going to Kauai AFTER a week in Honolulu, I would not do the road to Hana on Maui. You will see incomparable greenery and lushness on Kauai (which is what you'll be looking for on the road to Hana.) Since you only have three days on Maui, and there's so many wonderful other sights there, (and the road to Hana is one looooooooooooooooooong, tiring day..... which would occur within your first days there, when you're still jet-lagged), I would concentrate on Maui's other wonders! JMHO.....

Thanks All! I'm taking all these advice points into consideration and am having a more focused plan approach.

Keep the ideas coming!!! Thanks -- and I'll share the outcome.

Condo source: http://royalhawaii.com
Also vrbo.com

On Kauai have stayed at Islander on The Beach, good central location & good value. Kauai Coast Resort next door gets great reviews too.
Good hunting :)

Hi all,
Getting ready to book the Maui portion of our trip. Used the vrbo.com site and found a great place in the Kauhale Makai condo complex. Any experience with that property? It almost sounds too good to be true.

I cannot comment on the condos themselves, but the beach there is not swimmable, and it is right there that seaweed often washes up on the shore and it can get kind of stinky.

Interested, I don't mean to rain on your parade, but I would be very leary of renting one of the cheapest condos (I checked it out in the Maui Edition of Paradise Guides) on a beach known for stinky seaweed and coral. This condo may be fine, but I've heard horror stories from people who rented from owners without knowing anything about a place. I wouldn't be comfortable doing it, but maybe you are braver than me! It would be a shame to arrive in Maui to a shoddy condo on a stinky beach..... Maybe others disagree with me but I just think you're taking a big chance, not knowing anyone who's stayed in this place or anything about it.

Agreed. Thanks for the heads up... not interested in staying in the cheapest (and by the sounds of it stinkiest!!) place -- Will keep looking. Stay tuned....

It's not always stinky. I just drove past there about an hour ago and it was fine. Actually, it is fine most of the time. It's just that at times that area is known to have seaweed on the beach and it can smell a bit ripe. Depends on the conditions. And, unfortunately conditions at Waipu'ilani (where Willage by the Sea is) are very good for seaweed. it was kind of bad this past winter and the city bought some kind of digging machine keep the beach clear. I'm not sure if the seaweed has just subsided, or if th digger is doiung its job.

Still looking -- noticed the post from bonniebroad re: Hana Kai Maui. It was mentioned that it is on the Kihei/Wailea border -- did you mean to say "Mana" Kai Maui??

Yes, I did! Interested, that was a misspelling! That is a wonderful location! I have another one for you to look at. *www.maui.net/~pounder* That place has a wonderful reputation if you were interested, and could get in. Not on water, but supposed to be great.

Interested, Mana Kai Maui's website is *manakai.com*..... looks like you could get a deluxe bedroom there now for $106. You cannot beach that location and beach, and they have a wonderful restaurant there. You can walk down the beach to the Wailea Resort and all that's there. That would be my choice.... for price, location, etc. if I didn't want to break the bank.

OK -- here is what I have found:

Sugar Beach Resort, Ocean front (floors 2-6), $150/night plus tax. What do you think?

Interested, I would go for it. I had a friend who was a travel writer, and who stayed at Sugar Beach every year! I think you could be quite happy there. An oceanfront for $150 there should be quite nice. Good luck!

Interested, I want to add here that when you rent a condo, sight unseen, at an older resort, you could always arrive and find things you aren't happy with. Now that probably will not happen but...... Just be prepared, if that happens, to insist that they move you to a better one that you are happy with. (We once rented a cottage at Emerald Isle, NC, which was an absolute dump.......had looked great in the rental book. It had fleas hopping in the windows, stained dirty sheets, dog tinkle on the bedding, ghastly! BUT the next day, the rental office put us in a great, oceanfront one!) Sugar Beach is an older, moderately priced resort that I've heard mostly nice things about so hopefully you'll get a good one. Best of luck!!!

Interested, don't know if you have made your Kauai plans yet, but if you can get them to waive the 7-day minimum at Grantham Resorts *grantham-resorts.com*...... they have a special on the Waikomo Stream Condos for $85.00 night for a 1-bedroom, right in the Poipu Resort! Kauai is less expensive than Maui for a comparable condo, I think, and Nancy Grantham is known for her great deals and excellent service. I don't think you could beat that area of Kauai for your three days there, or these condos.

What about a bed & breakfast? We stayed at a great one near Kaneohe Bay on Oahu. Can't remember the name of the "company" but I found it by searching B&B's on the web. It was called the Maria room -- was a studio attached to a house, and the retired couple who live there are so nice. Their breakfasts were great too. Feels like being at home.

Quick update: My eyes are purple bloodshot from reading, reading, reading on the net.... scouring great information and really digesting what I see on theis message board. Thank you so much for help -- I promise to repay in kind.

A bit of a twist on my last arrangements -- and I believe I am on the right track! I completely forgot about my Marriott points -- been collecting them for years now -- and confirmed 3 nights at the Kauai Marriott and Beach club, Ocean view King/non-smoking for the 2-5th night in Hawaii. I had enough points to cover all needed, less $130 out of pocket upgrades. Yahoo... what better deal is possible? I started to think about what we really want to accomplish and starting in Maui stopped making a lot of sense. As I noted in my first post, I did not know I was heading to Hawaii.. wasn't on my immediate radar (or budget plan for year), so this has been a crash course in research and fiscal responsibility. I want to enjoy this trip -- but not break the bank.

We will now spend our first night in HNL -- which is fine. I'm travelling with my 7' husband from east coast -- we'll be wiped out by 5pm arrival time. My thought is find a nice clean hotel with a good bed and a decent restaurant nearby and get on Hawaii time the first night. Fly to Kauai 2nd morning and spend 3 day/3 nights before returning to HNL for corporate incentive trip at Mandarin Oriental.

I am now going to start the Maui accomodations again -- but with a very different approach. I was so surprised by the quality variations in the beach hotels/condos/resorts that I was researching ... it became overwhelming. Now, I plan on focusing on boutique stops in Maui -- like the Kula Lodge, snorkel/dive trip to Molokini.. Scrapping Road to Hana drive since we will have had a good infusion of that experience while in Kauai.. *thanks bonniebroad* -- great advice!!

I feel much better about our upcoming trip. So stressful in the planning stages... clearly I'm a novice.

Stay tuned for more updates and questions!!

Interested, on my first trip to Hawaii, 20 years ago, we stayed our first night at the Ala Moana Hotel right there near the airport, then went on to Kauai the next day. You might want to check it out....... a nice hotel, not too expensive.....

Have not been to Maui, but researching for a trip next year. I'm including a link that a co-worker sent me regarding his stay this past March. He said it was really nice. It was him and his entire family. He paid $85 a night and said it was literally across the street from the beach.

http://www.bellomaui.com/koaresort.htm

Hope this helps. And remember, there's more to Oahu than Waikiki. I went in October 03 and thoroughly enjoyed it using information from this site.

Enjoy your trip.