We've booked Kauai and Maui for our honeymoon mid-February. (First Hawaii trip!!!)

We are on Kauai for 5 nights and plan to rent a car. Anyone know of nice cottages or condo rentals?

Our Maui stay is for 6 nights - a regular hotel would suffice here. We'd like to stay on the beach with beach/entertainment/shopping/etc nearby since we won't have a car (well, maybe for a day or two).

Is it true there is a windy side on Maui?

Our lodging budget is about $130/night for each island.

I should also note we'd like to be near swimmable beaches.

For Maui, would suggest you get a car. We stayed at a B&B in south Kihei during the most expensive time of year (Christmas-New Year's) for $80 per night including tax--Kai's B&B. Although not on the beach, it was a short drive to good snorkeling, grocery stores, dining, shopping etc. Since continental breakfast and snacks are included, and there is a kitchenette you can eat out just once a day which would also cut down your costs. With your savings (at least $50 per day out of your budget)--you can more than afford the rental car and gas.
80 Welakahao Road
Kihei, HI 96753
Local: 808-874-6431
1-800-905-8424 x24
www.mauibb.com

The Kaanapali area is great for what you want. You could try priceline.com and I have seen people get Sheraton for $140.00 per night. Sheraton has a good beach, good snorkeling and is close to shopping and restaurants. Before you bid you might want to check out www.biddingfortravel.com

lacontessa,

Which room did you stay in at that B&B and what did you think of it overall? Was it recently? Their rates are great but I wonder for the price how clean it really is.

Thanks!

Room was very clean. We stayed in the pineapple room which has a balcony overlooking the fruit trees in the back. The weird thing about B&B on Maui is that they are apparently prohibited from COOKING breakfast but can serve breakfast, so, Kai's gave us 2 huge muffins, fresh fruit and snacks (e.g, 2 bags of trailmix) each day in a basket outside out door from 7-9 p.m. each evening (which worked out great so we didn't worry about getting up early).

Forgot to mention that we just got back on Saturday, so yes recently. We would go back in a heartbeat--we did visit a couple of the large expensive resorts but can't imagine staying in them. Would rather spend the $ on a budget car, kayak/snorkel trip, Warren and Annabell's, and a few special meals (e.g., brunch at the Maui Prince, and lunch Mama's fish house). Also, Kai's offered access to their new washer and dryer, beach towels, plus TV and phone in room. Plenty of closet space too.