I'm with Anikany and others, on that it can be done reasonable. I've never paid over $150.- a night in the islands (usually under $100.-). B & B's are great, and some are very private with more of an apartment type unit (breakfast fixins, not formal breakfast with a group). And reasonable meals are easy to find.

we used to think hawaii was expensive until we went to tahiti!! we loved it but made this last trip to hawaii seem like a bargain!

I'm still dreaming about an over water bungalow in Tahiti one day:)

We always spend more in London and NYC than Hawaii. As a family on the go we don't tend to savor leisurely breakfasts or lunches in Hawaii. We love to pick up fresh fruit, snacks and water before a long day at the beach or hiking.
I've never paid $500 a night or more for a hotel (those prices are for business trips or reward nights only! :) )

Hawaii caters to most budgets just getting there is expensive from the East coast and the airfares are the sticker shock for us... but once we're there that's forgotten! :)

hahahaha...Similar... I thought Kauai was expensive until we did Italy in Sept.
The Euro vs the Kauaiian Puka exchange rate was killah'.

Kal?

And that exchange rate is...? How much would a package of your rooster jerky cost in euros? I'm going to Italy in April, I could try selling some.

-pila

fivestar- Yes I think I get what I pay for but I mean it in a more positive way than you do :-)

I hate large resorts. I stay at nice normal local Hawaiian style hotels. There are several hotels I know of with nice rooms including a kitchen, free coffee and juice in the morning, a pool and $100 or less per night, right in Waikiki. I am guessing you would not care for these places, but I love them. They are clean, safe, simple, welcoming, and "islandy".

I just don't like to go out to fancy restaurants often. I'd rather eat from the ABC stores, grab sushi, plate lunches, food to-go, bakeries, the grocery store. I mix up pitchers of rum punch cheap in my hotel room to drink by the pool.

I do enjoy a couple splurges for nice sunset beachfront cocktails or dinners.

I don't do high-priced tours or formalized activities. Not so much because of the money, but I wouldn't have fun doing them.

I visit museums or historical sites, do walking tours, when something like that is available. Take public transportation to get around, don't rent a car.

I'm not saying my way is superior, only that is why I don't have sticker shock from Hawaii as you asked about originally.

I am never surprised at my Hawaii expenses. They seem quite normal to me...

:((

If you want a budget vacation, go to Tulsa. Me, I'll go to Hawaii and not worry about the money. I figure that if I can't take it with me when I die then I might as will leave it in Hawaii.
((D))8-)

Travelinwifey,

You hit the nail on the head with every post. Thank you for the link to Luxury Link. I will keep a watch out.

Kal,

You sound like a funny man.

wtm003,

I understand your confusion. I have read some horror stories of people who booked budget rooms and had serious service issues. I have read about broken AC unit's, moldy bathrooms and kamakazi cockroaches that the hotel wouldn't/didn't fix. I have experienced some issues at one time or another, but management quickly rectifies the situation. I just feel that for the prices we have been paying that we shouldn't have to rectify anything. I am happy for the people who are happy just to be in Hawaii and don't mind what thier accomodations are. I see a lot of people justifying thier lower end accomodations by saying "your not in your room much anyway". What a silly thing to say. I am one of those people that would mind if I had mold, broken AC and tattered sheets. I just want to find a happy medium. I am now going to be a lot smarter about what I spend
while in paradise. I am about what my immediate surroundings are. I think the Ali'i will perfectly suit my needs. It seems that all the smart people stay in condo's these days with the prices for hotels in Hawaii skyrocketing.

You mean "funny" ha ha or "funny"....oh nevermind...

Remember, if you can't do the time-don't do the crime.

I-|I-|I-|

pila

Paradise does not dome cheap, but don't worry, be happy, tomorrow is another day! Aloha!!

Yes, most hotels in Hawaii only fix the regular roaches. The surgery is really too expensive to waste it on the kamikaze ones, who by their nature eliminate themselves.

<<I have read about broken AC unit's, moldy bathrooms and kamakazi cockroaches that the hotel wouldn't/didn't fix.>>

Well... I can only say my $100 rooms do not have any of these problems. It's about thoroughly researching so you know what to expect, not necessarily about how much you pay.

Also for Fivestar I do agree, I would never use the excuse "you don't spend much time in the room" for staying in an inferior place... because I do. And I like to feel comfortable and at-home. Again though, money does not necessarily buy that.

so fivestar, are you actually venting, or trying to say that you stay in expensive resorts, or are you taking another jab at Hawaii? I guess I'm biased because of your other posts about yourself and Hawaii.

If you stay at five star resorts, and pay $500/night for a hotel room, I hardly see the point of complaining about expenses here on the forum.

It is your own choices that are making it expensive. Don't blame Hawaii.

I have the opposite reaction...when I go somewhere other than Hawai'i I am usually thinking "if I were in Hawai'i right now I wouldn't be spending any more money and would be enjoying it more."

I have to say that I try to keep lodging in the $100-150 per night range, and meals under $20 (per person, per meal)--in any location.

Suze makes great points. Hawaii is there for all budgets. Pick your place and budget, then enjoy.