Is it really necessary to spend the extra $300 a week for a place on the water when everyday you'll be close to the ocean one way or another.

$300US is really around $500 Cdn so this is a big question for me. Times 1 week in Kauai and one week on the BI and that's a thousand dollars!!! I can think of a few things I'd rather spend that money on...but will I really miss sitting on the lanai watching/hearing the surf?

Thanks, Betty

BettyinToronto:

I can understand your dilemma because hotels do charge hefty premiums for ocean views or ocean fronts.
Like so many other travel matters, it boils down to personal preferences. I've found that to have a lanai close to the ocean provides a special experience (doesn't work if hotel is set back from the shore and you can't hear the surf). First of all, the sound of the ocean is very relaxing, especially after the long plane flight. Second, if your hotel provides room service then having a breakfast at dawn is a real treat(you'll be up early because of the time difference.) Sunsets can also be pretty spectacular in Hawaii.

None of this is essential, of course. But if you don't go there often, the extra bucks are well spent if you make a memorable vacation even more memorable.

Betty, it's probably a question only you can answer, but I'd suggest you opt for the place on the water in at least one of the places you stay. I go to Hawaii every year and would not stay somewhere that wasn't on the water, but that's my preference. Many people stay inland and make the short trip to the beach/ocean every day. The advantages to being by the water are 1) the sounds and smells of the ocean, falling asleep to that soothing sound of the waves, 2) the view you can enjoy without leaving the house/condo 3)eliminating the need to pack up everything you need for a day at the beach, 4) a bathrooom and shower within easy reach of the sand and sea, 5)waking up and enjoying the sunrise with a cup of coffee and your toes in the sand.

Move to the water on your final night in Hawaii. You'll really enjoy it, and it will be an extra-special night compared to the rest of the trip.

I can be really cheap, and I'll be springing for "on the water", not just "ocean view", for the reasons given above. I really want to be right next to the ocean. Ten years ago, I wouldn't have been so adamant, but now I'm better off financially, and I don't live near a beach anymore.

It all depends on your preferences and financial situation. I like joesorce's idea of one night on the water, just for the experience.

As the above posters have already said, "it's your call" IMO I want to be on the ocean. I will pay more for that priviledge because it's a priority. My memories are all I have when returning home and I treasure my memories of the sounds and smell, and sights of our room "on the water".

yeah you miss out but I do go the route inland often in the interest of money. I would never tell anyone that they don't get what you pay for when you are not on the beach. Waking up and looking at the morning light on the water in your jammies? Does not get any better than that!!!

Just keep in mind if you are right on the beach to stay clear of public access paths, parking. Sometimes there are night crowds on any beach. You only need one bon fire with teens keeping you up at night or single drive by during the day and seeing a surfing living out of his car to understand what I mean. It is not everywhere but it happens so play it save and ask about public; parking, beach access. If you are in Haena or near Anini also ask about public camping something else that you want to avoid.

Would never say you are not missing out by not going beachfront. Just have to ask yourself what else the cost of beachfront cuts you out of.

I say "Yes" to a hotel on the water, "No" to an ocean view room. It is nice to be able to head to the beach with nothing but a book and some sunscreen-and be able to head up to the room for a quick break from the sun. Also, to take a late night stroll on the beach right before bed. BUT, for me, to pay $100-300 extra for a ocean view out of your room is a waste. How much time are you really going to spend in your room gazing out at the water? You're on vacation--you'd rather be IN the water! I've had an ocean view room a couple of times on business, and sure...it's nice to walk out on the balcony and take a look, but I've had "garden view" rooms every time I've stayed in a tropical location on my own dime and have not felt like it made any difference to the quality of my trip.

Like the other posters said, it's personal preferance, but I'd rather spend my $100/night on a nice meal, a snorkeling cruise, a nice souvenier, or an extra night.

Betty, for what it's worth, my home is oceanfront and when I travel to other ocean destinations, I always book oceanfront.

The way I make decisions like this are to ask myself will it matter in a day, a week, a month or a year (financially) if I spend this money. Then if I decide it won't break me in a day, a week, a month or a year, then I go for it!

I think it all depends on one thing:
Condo or hotel?

If you rent a condo in Hawaii, where you'll be making meals some of the time and eating them out on the lanai, you definitely want oceanfront. That way you'll have the glorious views as you mix your rum drinks and eat your breakfast/lunch/dinner, and you can easily run up to your room from the beach if you want a drink, book, etc.

If you're staying in a hotel and will be having all (or at least most) of your meals in restaurants, it will be easier to live without an oceanfront room (although the view would still be nice). Since you'll be eating out, you can choose a great oceanfront bar/restaurant for cocktails and dinner every night, and watch the sunsets.

I definetley agree to stay ocean front especially if you go during whale season in Maui, we went last year in March and it was sooo worth it to sit and watch whales right from our condo, sunsets are awesome too! It was so awesome we are doing it again in two weeks, ocean front all the way.

Betty, depending on which hotel you choose, a virtuoso travel agent can often get you an upgrade to ocean view at select hotels in Hawaii without the added fee. My agent has always been able to get us at least a one category upgrade every stay for the last several years. www.virtuoso.com, I would select a los angeles agent that specializes in Hawaii bookings. Have a wonderful trip!

Get the standard room and upgrade when you check in. i did that this summer and the upgrade through the hotel was waaaay less than booking a partial ocean view room through the agency. in fact, it was the hotel's suggestion when i called for info before booking with a agency.

There is no need to be on the water. Check www.biddingfortravel.com and then bid on Priceline. I got a hotel across the street from the beach for $50 a night on Oahu. It was fine. I spent my money on other things -- good food, loud clothes and music.

You may not plan on being in your room that much because you are on vacation, but, on one of my first trips to Hawaii I came down with some kind of virus with a fever, so I had to stay in the room. If I hadn't had a view of the ocean I would have gone stir crazy! I stayed in the room for about three days, but at least I had a condo where I could sit on the couch and hear the waves and watch the ocean.
You don't want to plan around getting sick, I know, but think about it.

This is so simple.
You go to Hawaii for one thing:

The ocean.

See it, hear it, smell it,
as close, as often, as humanly possible. We are sort of drawn to
it, connected in a spiritual way.

Got it?

You will remember it when you are in
the old folks home. Your friends will get bored of you drifting off- telling about it. You will dream during long winters, of that time in Hawaii, with the ocean.

Thank you to everyone for your helpful advice. I think I agree with Spike and will only do the oceanfront condo on one island - Kauai, since this first week is our 10th anniversary. We can go inland on the 2nd week on BI.

I also asgree with Tansy that since it's a condo, we will be doing our breakfasts and some dinners there and it will be nice to sit on the lanai while cooking and eating.

Great ideas! Thanks!
Betty in freezing Toronto

Given all this great info, does anyone have any specific recommendations for an ocean-front condo/house to rent? I would really love to be able to sit on the lanai with my morning coffee with an unobstructed (and close-up!) view of Hanalei Bay. If it's on a swimmable beach, even better. Thanks.

Sorry this is so long I am just a long winded girl!!!

JMartin not sure what you mean, Hanalei Bay is Swim able beach. If you are talking about Princeville at a distance I Know that Hideaways, Queen's Bath (not really a beach) and the beach to the left of the Sheraton is swim able. Just remember it is a hike to get there. Plenty of people don't mind that but not everyone wants to be more than half a block from the beach so I thought I would mention.

Here is what I have learned about condos in Hawaii. You pretty much get what you see in the photos. Personally I never go for the cheapest or the most expensive condo. Cheapest? I worry about surprises, Most expensive? I just can't afford. If you are using an agency than you want to come on here and ask people what their experience have been. Also see if anyone has rented here. Do an archive search on this forum and come up with even more ideas. If it is private I ask a list of questions.

1) What type of curtain shields the morning sun. Can I expect curtains or blinds on all windows? I once stayed in condo that did not have bedroom curtains. They hand beautiful but thin fly away curtains that only covered 2-4 windows. The owner told me later they did not like to block the August hot 7AM sun!!! I have not this experience again though as I always make sure that the curtains are substantial.

2) If there is no air-conditioning how many windows are louvered (SP)(able to open). There is a stupid trend of large solid glass windows in many rentals I have seen on Kauai. This is ok but I prefer windows that open.

3) look in the photo does the house look like a home or a sparsely furnished place at the beach? Large open spaces can some times hint at other qualities of the house.

I rented a place in Kailua (same as mentioned abover) on Oahu that was a beautiful home (European Appliances, sweeping views, spacious deck bla bla bla) but I did not pay attention to the sparseness. We got there and they did not provide enough blankets, their was unfinished wash in both the washer and the dryer and they had not swept. OOH and I remember we had to empty the fridge of very old condiments. Yet they left a lengthy list of how we should clean even though we paid a cleaning fee!!!

4) Call and talk with the owner or agent. You meet people that are honest and people that are salezy (made up word here, I mean self serving and dishonest). Most are honest and helpful and you can hear that in how work with you. Just don't disregard any abruptness or lack of information. I did that with Kailua house.

5) Remember that smart agents and homeowners want your business as well as the business that your word of mouth will provide after a successful stay. Plenty of agencies are VERY upfront about the drawbacks of any property they send you too. Hanalei North Shore Properties is very good about this in my experience.

6) My point in writing this long essay on renting on Kauai is that it is not very hard at all to find a great place on Kauai all by yourself. It is so rare on this forum that anyone comes on here and disparages the condo they had. I have been going every summer for about 6-8 years. I have found that 90% of the time you get exactly what you see and were promised.