Hello.
My fiancee and I have defiantly decided to somehow manage a hawaiian honeymoon despite my being laid off and the lack of planning time our wedding date (18july03) demands. I need advice on VALUE grade (less than $150/night?) accomodations on Kauai, preferrably in the Hanalei Bay/Princeville area. Cleanliness and comfort are our only real concerns (though closeness to the ocean would be nice). We plan on spending our time in Maui at the Ritz... she insists we can find some unreasonably cheap deal, and has her heart set on it. Any opinions? Warnings? Offers?
our (slightly flexible) dates: Maui 20july03 till 25july03; Kauai 26july03 till 01aug03.
Thanks, Adam

I think Gloria's vacation rentals in Kauai have some places under $150 a night. I have never stayed in any of them though and they are in the Poipu area, but it might be worth checking out...

http://www.gloriasvacationrentals.com/

I know it's not in Hanalei or Princeville but Wailua Bay Condos are right on the ocean and they usually rent for $100 per night. One of the best deals around. Clean and close to both north and south.

We hmooned in K in 95. Rented a beach bungaloo from a friend. Didn't tell us it wasn't air-conditioned. Cheap, but in the end, expensive. The lesson, is not, not to do it, but rather, know the right questions to ask. Know what you wannt and what you'll settle for. Look in your local Sunday paper for travel deals. Or Dare to go on a time-share tour vacation. You'll spend 4-5 hours being bothered by a salesperson, but get huge discounts, just don't buy anything from him. If you're really daring, go on ebay, buy a cheap time share (under a grand, preferably gold crown, red week), pay your maint fees (pick for 1 under 400), exchange for a hawaiian vacation, sell the week on ebay. Viola, ends up being about 50 bones a night at a reasonable place. Just have to work hard at it.

you can stay at the Hyatt Regency in Maui for $150/night if you go thru priceline.com. Go to biddingfortravel.com to get bidding strategies. In Kauai, you can buy an entertainment card and get the Radisson for under $150.

Contact Ellie at Koloa Landing Cottages near Poipu Beach on Kauai: www.koloa-landing.com. I'm not sure why the other poster thought you absolutely needed air-conditioning - ceiling fans are sufficient. The Koloa Landing Cottages are clean and convenient. While not on the beach, the cottages are within a couple of minutes of some great beaches. You will definitely need to rent a vehicle on Kauai no matter where you stay.

You can stay at the Radisson Kauai for $150 per night ocean view with the entertainment card. Go to www.entertainment.com. Buy one of the books (either Hawaii, or one for your hometown). With the card, you'll get 50% off the rack rates. It is in Lihue, though, but that is a good place to drive either north or south.

In Maui, I don't know much about the Ritz, except I have heard that it is windy.

My husband and I just honeymooned in Kauai and Maui this past summer, and were also on a budget. We took this route: We stayed two places in Kauai and two places in Maui (we went for 2 weeks). We stayed at a very luxurious place (Secret Beach Hideaway) for 3 nights in Kauai, and then moved to the Radisson, which is nice but not luxurious, for 4 nights. While at the Secret Beach, we tried to really just relax at our fancy place, except for some snorkeling and dinner at the Princeville. Then, we planned all of our activities while at our budget hotel, the Radisson. We went on tours, helicopter rides, etc. So it didn't matter because we weren't there that much (and it was nice enough when we were there, anyway). In Maui, we did the opposite. We started at the Renaissance, which is a luxury hotel in its own right, but you can get 50% off rack rates with the entertainment card (so $225 for full ocean view, less for lesser views). After 3 nights, we moved to the Kea Lani, which is super luxurious. So, that way, we started and ended in luxury, where we just unwound, and in the middle, stayed at nice places, a little less luxurious, and planned our activities for those days. Wailea is the nicest part of Maui, so you might want to think about staying at the Renaissance for $225 on down to probably 180 or so. It was nice, and well worth it.

Other suggestions:
-Tell them at the TIME you book that it is your honeymoon, and you might get upgraded (NOT when you arrive).
-The entertainment book also has good rental car coupons for all the different companies. We tried every single company and every coupon option, until we found the best rate. We did NOT book a convertible. THEN, in both places, we asked how much it would be to upgrade to a convertible, and it was very cheap (much cheaper than it had been when we were looking online or calling, because they had extra convertibles laying around that they wanted to rent). On both islands, someone else who did not already have reservations for a car asked about renting a convertible and they quoted them twice our rate. So, my advice: book a cheap car, but definitely BOOK a car, and use a coupon to do so. THEN, ask for a convertible when you get there and just pay the little extra. It's risky, but it worked for us-- and it's WORTH it!

By the way, here is a virtual tour of the Radisson:

http://www.photowebusa.com/kauai/

If I were to choose one hotel in the islands on which to splurge for my honeymoon (which I did 14 years ago) it would NOT be the Ritz Maui.
Too much risk for windy/cool/misty/rainy weather. Who wants to go all the way to Hawaii and then get stuck with sweater weather or have to drive down the island to find a sunny beach?
Plus the beach at the Ritz is a big negative, and not close by the rooms.
The pool has a permanent windguard, if that gives you a clue.

My husband and I just returned from Maui following an INCREDIBLE honeymoon stay at the Ritz Carlton Kapalua. It was our first trip to Maui and it was fabulous!!! Contrary to the previous post, we had sunny, hot 85 degree weather during the entire stay in Kapalua where the Ritz is. Is was somewhat windy but it not severe (we were still able to read etc by the pools and beach)and the tradewinds do provide respite from the hot weather. The Ritz was incredible-the beaches were beautiful, the pool area is gorgeous-three tier with private cabanas etc(very nice for relaxing with a maitai) and the hotel itself is first class. The service is fabulous-friendly and attentive. The rooms are HUGE with big lanais and huge marble bathrooms. I don't know if were just lucky, but the weather was just as about perfect as Hawaii can get.We are planning to stay at the Ritz every year.Happy honeymoon to you!!!

Air-conditioning is a must during certain conditions. I lived in Ethiopia for a couple years, so normally wouldn't have a problem with no airconditioning. We were apparently in a dead-spot, with little air movement. Mosquitoes didn't help.
Besides, who wants to spend their honeymoon (or any other time you go to laid back Hawaii) trying to control the temperature of the room?

Adam, My girlfriend and I are going to both islands as well in Feb. The best deals i could find were by doing a google.com search for maui/kauai vacation rentals. We got a place on Kauai for @$1000.00 tan inc on Kauai for the week one block from the beach in Hanalei. http://www.poi.net/~kevdev/ Another great site is www.vrbo.com. there are plenty of deals available on both islands. Use a BJ's Sam's Club for your car rental. Getting a condo is the way to go to on food, etc. Have a blast! When are you going?

going 20july to 1aug... cannot wait. have found and confirmed condo on kauai. Now hoping 1. to get some outrageous discount for other week on maui, perhaps at the Renaissance; 2. to find a cheap rental car; and, oh yeah, 3. to get a reasonable score on the gmat. too bad planning a honeymoon doesnt count as study.
thanks for all the advice, y'all.

Been to Kauai 7 times. Love Princeville area. Hanalei Bay Resort is our favorite. Get condo with view of Bali Hai and Hanelei Bay. On our most recent research, ERA Pacific Realty handles the most condos by owner (cheaper than going thru front dest at HBR). Been there and love it, feel free to email me with more questions.

adam, try priceline for the car. i got a compact for $17/day on maui and $15/day on kauai PLUS taxes which came out to @ $153 a week. good luck on the gmats.