We are planning our honeymoon in Hawaii (9 nights) and everyone says how expensive everything (meals, drinks) is but nobody can give me a concrete number....how much can I expect to budget for dinner and drinks per day for the two of us ? is $200 per day for dinner and drinks too little ?

to add to the previous post, we are staying for 6 nights in the Ritz Carlton on Maui and 3 nights in the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Oahu...not necessarily eating at the Ritz every night since we have a car on Maui

Are you stayng on the Club Level at the Ritz? That can save you a lot of money, provided you do most of your eating and drinking there. You'll still need to buy dinner (unless you want to have canapes, which doesn't seem very filling to me).

not staying at the club level but but they told us breakfast is included at the Ritz

Pete,

We eat big breakfasts, then just snack during the day BECAUSE we've eaten such a big breakfast, then have a really nice dinner at A Pacific Cafe or Roy's, for example. We'll have one or two drinks, maybe dessert, and we spend more like $100 - $125 day for food and drinks. Hope this helps...........

Thanks alot Lani..being from NYC I`m very used to spending 100-150 for dinner for the two of us with maybe a drink and a bottle of wine and dessert so at least I wont be in for a shock...

Pete,

Forgot to mention that we stayed at The Hilton Hawaiian Village about 16 years ago - in the Tapa Tower, and hung out in the Tapa Bar every sunset! We loved it, and, at that time, didn't have a single complaint! Room immaculate, service excellent, loved our mountain-city lights views (gorgeous at night!) From what I hear, it's only improved since then. The only reason I didn't stay there last time was because I love Sans Souci Beach in front of the New Otani, and I love the views from their Waikiki View Jr. Suites, so I stay there now. But the beach in front of HHV is wonderful, too. I think you'll love it.

Thanks for coming back on to "talk" to those of us who've made suggestions or given information. I appreciate it. Any other questions, please post!

Aloha, Lani

the only other thing is the more I read the more I wonder whether or not it would be worth going to the Four Seasons in Wailea instead of Ritz Carlton...I`m hearing the weather is not so good in Kapalua ?

Pete, you didn't say when you are going. The weather in Kapalua can be a cooler especially in the winter but if you're going in summer, it will be great.
$125 a day will cover meals in nice restaurant.
Aloha

Well we are planning to go the first 2 weeks in September...I heard it is very windy there and the water can be very rough....

I just posted but I guess it got lost! I was wondering when you were going but just read you're going in Sept. We went in mid-August 99 and stayed at the Hyatt. We went to visit the Ritz and IMO, I think its one of the most beautiful resorts there!!! It probably would be the ideal place, if not for the location. While we were there in Aug, it was definitely more windy and more rain up in the Kapulau area. I've heard Wailea is usually the sunniest and dry part of the island. But I'm not sure how the weather is in Sept.

Also, definitely load up on breakfast! We had breakfast buffet at the Swan Court at the Hyatt and it was awesome! Also to save $$, buy drinks/snacks at Safeway to snack on. Buy the guava juice, they're great!

Pete,

In September, I would prefer Kapalua and the Ritz, even though my favorite place in the world is Renaissance Hotel at Wailea! Why? Because it can be hot and humid as the devil in Wailea in September (Everyone tells me Four Seasons itself is out of this world, and I have no doubt it is!)

If heat and humidity (90's and maybe no breeze at all - I was in Wailea in Oct. once, and it was like that!) bother you or your fiancee, then I would definitely stick with Kapalua, and it's breezes and occasional showers! My husband and I don't even come in out of the rain in Hawaii, usually! It doesn't feel the same as rain on the mainland. (Okay, so we're a little nuts!) Anyway, just my opinion!

Aloha, Lani

A P.S. to my above post - The Kapalua Bay Hotel, right next door, has one of the world's nicest beaches, protected and wonderful, year round! Just go over there if your own beachfront is not to your liking that day!