Although no one has seemed to say this specifically, do you get the idea that most of us are saying it is only "worth it" if you get a balcony or terrace?

Yes, and that's just what I booked!

Yes, Yes, Yes... great place for morning coffee, early evening glass of wine... remember enjoying my first morning on the balcony at the Hyatt in Kauai...up very early due to east coast body clock...sat and enjoyed the peace and beauty of the sea with a cup of coffee. Also sat there a few days later to write postcards to my friend's children at home. Oceanfront balconies are truly wonderful and feel very luxurious.

I agree totally with starrsville who said:

"yes - if you are going to spend a lot of time in the hotel/ resort

no - if you are going to be out and about sight-seeing a lot and not in the room very much"

We travel to the Caribbean at least twice per year, and no longer get the oceanfront/beachfront rooms because we are out and about as soon as the sun comes up, and rarely ever in our room.

I disagree with those who said people who can afford it always get them. That's not always the case. We spent 15+ years getting oceanfront rooms, and while we are fortunate to be able to afford it, we choose not to get them any longer.

We have found that there's a lot of fun to be had by picking a beautiful oceanfront spot on the resort property and having a bottle of wine and a cheese plate delivered to us, or taking a picnic basket to a deserted beach and spending the day. Or getting in the rental car and hitting a local spot for breakfast, or sitting in a beach bar listening to live reggae and watching the sun set.

It's a personal choice, but there is no "always" answer for anyone. Sometimes your tastes and what you do and want on your vacation change a lot over the years.

No, because the waves are too noisy and I can't sleep at night with all that racket.

How much time will you spend in the room? A third of your day (8 hrs) or more?

Is it worth it to you to be able to look out your window, even ONCE, and have an ocean view?

That's a very subjective question. I really enjoy a nice hotel room with a pleasant view if I can get it. I like a bit of down time on any trip. My husband, on the other hand, would be in the room LITERALY just to sleep and bathe if he had his way. (On a Disneyworld trip, we'd stumble back at 10 pm from 13 hours in the parks and he'd say "okay kids, put on your suits, let's go to the pool!") All lovely amenities and views are totally wasted on him.