Hotel Help, Please!
 

Hi - I am trying to plan my very first trip to Hawaii for my husband and I, and I'm having a hard time deciding on hotels for Maui and Kauai. We are both in our early 30's, no kids yet, we like peace, quiet, quality, no glam or glitz, but definitely sophisticated. We want all of that, but unfortunately our budget is not huge for this trip - we are looking to spend less than 300/ngt. We do not like the super large resorts, and I'm open to b and bs, but we don't want to feel super isolated either. We like to dine out so we don't want to be too super far off the beaten path (10-15 mins drive is okay). I feel like most of the hotels are either super big or very small b and b's, there isn't much in the small inn range which looks really nice. I'm not sure how I feel about the condos...some of the pictures look cheesy!

In Maui I have my eye on the Olinda Inn which is a small b and b in the mountains which gets great reviews. In Kauai I've narrowed it down to Kauai Country Inn, which also looks lovely. Both inns get great reviews and my only hesitation is that neither is on the beach. I think I'm okay with this b/c we know we can easily get there, and we don't have a ton to spend, but do you Hawaii experts out there think we're missing a real experience by not staying directly on the beach? If so, is there an option in either place which would meet our needs?

THANK YOU!

I wouldn't recommend a place away from the beach for your first trip to Hawaii. It's really all about the beach. You can find better rates for hotels if you look a little harder. Try the Maui Prince Hotel. Very low key, on a superb beach.

And a "cheesy" condo with a great view on the beach is better than a long drive.

I can't afford to stay "directly" on a beach, but I would want to be walking distance to one (not have to get in the car every time).

What time of year will you be there?

I'm thinking of www.kauaivilla.com and also P'uu P'oa (google for links) in Princeville. They are both set up on the cliff for fabulous views, and you can hike down to Hideaways or Puu Poa Beach in the summer months for some of the best snorkeling on the island (winter swells are too big).

I love staying in a villa or condo... I really enjoy the quiet and the privacy. I'll never go back to resort travel.

Happy planning. ((R))

jenny19:
Here on the northshore of Kaua`i, there are many options -- cottages, condos, houses and hotels. Princeville offers some great oceanfront condos -- Pali Ke Kua and Pu`u Poa are just stroll away from the Princeville Hotel:
http://www.wizardpub.com/kauai/krpalikekua.html
http://www.wizardpub.com/kauai/krpuupoa.html

Sealodge is rustic -- with more great views:
http://www.wizardpub.com/kauai/krsealodge.html

And you can walk to beaches from any of these properties.

Hanalei offers oodles of vacation rental properties. For owner-rentals, see vrbo.com -- but I recommend using a licensed rental company:
http://www.800hawaii.com/
http://www.napaliprop.com
http://www.balihai.com/
Any Hanalei rental will be within walking distance of the beach -- and town.

As for the inns you've mentioned, do you really want to be 20-30 minutes from the nearest beach (that's Olinda Inn; less for Kaua`i Country).

The Olinda area is beautiful and a part of Maui that not everyone explores. We love it up there! But, for a 1st visit, I think you'd be happier closer to the water. I'm not familiar enough with the Kihei area to know specific resorts, but I know it's less expensive to stay there than in the Kaanapali area. Also might be cheaper in Kahana area (north of Kaanapali) but is seems to rain more there. If you do decide to stay closer to the ocean, take a drive upcountry to Makawao and Olinda and Kula...gorgeous!
Karen

I think you can stay nearer the ocean without breaking your budget. Have you tried condos on vrbo.com. The Napili area has some great condos that aren't glitzy, but certainly nice that you could get for less than the $300/night you quoted. Also, look at condos in the Mahana. I think if you do a little research, you'll find just what you are looking for within your budget. Try reading tripadvisor.com reviews and posts also. A wealth of information to be had. Good luck.

Check out Hooilo House on Maui - beautiful ocean and mountain views, truly great service, within your budget, and very close to great beaches and restaurants. I have pictures of this place (and it's views) all over my office wall - absolutely loved it!

We always get a condo on the beach when in Hawaii and have never paid over $300/night. A good thing to do might be to get a travel agent to help. They have "ins" where you can get a car-condo package which is quite reasonable. And they don't charge you for the service.

We always get a condo on the beach when in Hawaii and have never paid over $300/night. A good thing to do might be to get a travel agent to help. They have "ins" where you can get a car-condo package which is quite reasonable. And they don't charge you for the service.

It is nice to be able to make picnics, not to have to eat breakfast out, to have snacks on hand, and especially to have room to spread out, even if it a studio apartment. They often come with DVD players and DVD's to put in them. The "guest book" is always fun to read.

Jenny, why don't you surf right onto www.suiteparadise.com and see what your dollars can buy in terms of a nice condo on the South Shore of Kauai. Most of the stuff is surprisingly affordable.

Anna Roz

If you're looking for a hotel in Maui that is nice, but not a huge resort, the Maui Coast Hotel in Kihei would be worth looking into.
Condos are a great option as well. I love Kihei and would recommend Kamaole Sands. Very nice complex, mai tai's by the pool on Wednesday's and right across the street from a very nice beach.

I agree that a lot of the places look "cheesy", it's the pastel fabric on the couches, etc. I recommend anything in the Poipu Kai resort on Kauai. We stayed at a condo booked through Suite Paradise (which you can google) for 2 nights and then were joined by my parents and switched to a house in the same area.
My husband and I are both 30, my brother and his fiance are 24 and 28, and my parents are early 50's and there was something for everyone.
The resort is on the beach, but "Garden View" was less expensive than ocean view, and NONE of them are right on the ocean - but a 5 minute walk to the ocean. Great restaurants within 5 minutes drive (15 min walk), Keiko's and the Beach Broiler - also Duke's at the Marriot, which is right next door.
We paid $1800 a week for a 3 bedroom house, so you should be good. (although, that was February - so rates are a little lower)

Aloha, Jenny- My husband and I would frequent Kauai as it truly is a tropical magical place, our taste is similar to what you describe in your search. For us, the kind of accomodations that fit our criteria didn't exist...thus the inspiration for The Palmwood, a luxury boutique inn of which my husband and I are fortunate to have established this year. take a look.....
http://web.mac.com/eddihenry

I hate condos too. In your price range I'd recommend the Maui Prince, and the Kauai Marriott.

Looks like you got some good responses - but putting the name of the destination in your thread title (eg:"Hawaii Hotel Help") would help a lot .... please keep that in mind for future posts. There are probably people who would have had answers for you who did not bother looking into this vaguely titled "Hotel Help, Please!" thread.

I second the recommendation for the Maui Prince Hotel, which is on a beach, and it is a 10 or 15 minute drive to Kihei area which has lots of restaurants. It seems to meet the criteria you mentioned. We enjoyed it.

Hi Jenny19: I just returned from a 2 1/2 week visit to Hawaii (my 15th trip). On Kauai, I would recommend staying at the Kiahuna Plantation condos on Poipu Beach. The property is lovely and the condos too. There are a variety of choices, but I believe you would be happy with a garden view or partial ocean view at that property. It sits directly on Poipu Beach, so you would have wonderful beach access. I recommend booking through Outrigger (go to Outrigger.com and drill down to their Kihanua Plantation section for price quotes). Outrigger manages many of the condos in this property and they are a GREAT company. On Kauai, the best weather is always on the south shore (Poipu Beach). While the Princeville area is beautiful, you typically get more rain there. The small town of Koloa is located there and they have a good grocery store in town so you can stock your condo and have some meals "at home". There are also good restaurants in the area with a variety of price ranges. Whatever you end up arranging, have a wonderful trip !!

Looks like Jenny19 is LOST.