Songdoc

I can't believe I'm doing this ... but I've just booked three weeks in Kauai! I'll be leaving in THREE days!!!

I can't afford to live there -- with the kind of view I'd want, so my compromise is to visit two or three times a year.

I adore the condos at Sealodge (in Princeville). For me, those breathtaking views are the highlight among highlights. I can sit on the lanai and watch that view for hours -- and be in total bliss.

When browsing some of the VRBO and private websites I noticed that many of the units were vacant. Some of the listings stated "call for last-minute and extended stay rates." So I did. I couldn't believe how low the prices were slashed. I was offered an ocean front 2 bedroom condo -- for $85/night! (That's less than half the going rate -- which I always thought was reasonable!)

Those who know Sealodge know that it's perched on a bluff and many of the units have spectacular ocean views -- but IMO the primo views are of the Anini reef. These units usually cost the highest price and are the hardest to find available. Well, I got one for $85/night -- and they waived the cleaning fee.

Without my even asking, several of the property owners offered to match or beat the others' rates -- but no one could beat that view. If I were willing to go for one of the ocean front views without the reef view, I can't imagine how low the price would have been. I guess it's better to earn $75 or $85 a night for twenty nights than to have the unit sit empty.

Getting the FF flights I wanted turned into the usual nightmare and because the condo was so inexpensive, I decided to book what I wanted and pay for it. I chose convenient flights (on AA from Nashville) for a total of $666 on Priceline. (Of course, I couldn't get these flights at anywhere near that price on the AA website.)

Part of the key was my flexibility. I had to go and depart a day later than I'd have preferred in order to save hundreds of dollars on the flights. And I got a car for $16/day.

I know that few people have the luxury of going at the last minute (I'm a writer and will spend hours on end on the lanai, looking at that view -- tapping away on my laptop.) And I'm guessing that many people wouldn't want to be away on the days leading up to the holidays. But I wanted to share the info -- just in case anyone's considering it.

I want to add that while I'm thrilled for my own good fortune, I feel sad for the property owners -- and for the countless others who depend on the tourist industry to make their living. I'm not sure if December is always a slow month; if the frightening news about the economy is the issue; or if it's a bit of both.

I think we should all take advantage of these great deals -- um, er ... to help the economy ;-)

iamq

"I think we should all take advantage of these great deals -- um, er ... to help the economy."

How nice for you to be in a position to do so. Have a great time.

gyppielou

Show off!

Safe journey and watch out for the winter surf and muddy trails. And killer roosters, and rabid geckos, and walking trees that become stalking trees, and.....

Oh the hellhole is a veddy scary place.....

ohanaman1

Same sort of thing happened with us on the Big Island. We are there mid Dec and ended up with an incredible new condo in Waikoloa for 115/night with no cleaning fee. We usually do hotels but this was too good to pass up and with our kids getting bigger it kind of makes sense to do the condo thing.Aloha and I hope the view inspires you!

sarah825

Here are a couple of tips if you want to fly inter-island. (1) On the Hawaiian Air web site (hawaiianair.com)you can earn 20,000 HA miles if you get their credit card for $50. Two people get 40,000 miles and flights are an average of 7,500 miles so that gives you 5 flights for a total cost of $100. Get a friend who is not going to Hawaii to apply and they can transfer their miles to you. (2) You can also get a roundtrip ticket on HA for 10,000 Continental or American Air miles. We did this and did a day trip to the Big Island. Sarah

lvk

This Sunday's L.A. Times travel section ran an article about great meal deals on Kauai:
http://travel.latimes.com/articles/l...ai30-2008nov30

Having traveled there so many times, you probably know about these places --but as this thread is about deals on Kauai, I just wanted to throw this out there.

Have a great time!

Songdoc

Thanks so much for the additional suggestions. Re: the restaurants, I'd add Neide's. Love the Brazilian pancake stuffed with fresh vegs and cheese!!!

FYI, because of construction, I've been moved to a 2-bedroom ocean-front condo with that same killer view ... for $85/nt.

Got the rental car through Priceline at $14/day (and cancelled the other reservation). Now, all I have to do is fly all day tomorrow

FainaAgain

Have a safe flight! Isn't it the main rule of traveling: if you see a good deal, grab it, if you see a clean toilet, use it?

Kal

Crap....Monico's made the list.
Now I'll never be able to get in.

But...a few under the radar "Kal Faves" are still under the radar.


Faina-

Maggi

Songdoc, that's an awesome deal! Wish I could be on that lanai right now - it's 37 degrees here in Michigan. What website do you use to book? I can find a website that only lists two units, a one bedroom and a two bedroom. How do other owners contact you as you mentioned? I'm very interested in doing this in the future. Thanks for any help you can give.
Maggi

Songdoc

I went through VRBO and sent emails to the owners or managers of all the available units that I was interested in.

I'm sitting on the lanai as I type this ... overlooking the exquisite ocean with the Anini reef as the perfect backdrop. It's 82 degrees with a gentle breeze.

I do want to reiterate that I believe I only got this great deal because it was at the last minute -- and for three weeks.

Good luck!

gyppielou

So your plan is to torment us with your good fortune from you oh so very beautiful ocean lanai?

Next you'll be telling me to save money you had a lunch snack of ono salad on saltine crackers from Hanalei fish market........at the beach we don't talk about under the light house!

Or you'll be showing off about how you got the most beautiful flowers at the farmers market to make your condo feel like home......

Or you'll be visiting Na "Aina Kai Botanical Gardens and feeling oh so local.........

Or feeling local on a night out with Surf Jones at Tahiti Nui.......

Or getting your hair cut by the town barber and welcome wagon......

The least you can do, is give silly tourists the stinkeye and ocean safety tip while you wile away the days.......


enjoy