Maui and Kauai Recommendations
 

Hi- I am trying to plan our honeymoon to Maui and Kauai in July 2001. Our travel agent has booked 5 nights at the Marriott Maui (Deluxe Ocean View) and 5 nights at the Hyatt Kauai (Garden View). Also included is a compact car and interisland flights for $3298 per person. My fiance and I have never been to Hawaii and were not sure if these were good picks. We are not sure if that price is reasonable or if we could do better with the hotel choices for the money we are paying. Any thoughts would be very helpful. Also, any recommendations for a Luau in Maui would be great! Thanks!

Jehan: <BR> <BR>I think the price you are being quoted is too high, about $500 per person too much! Where are you flying from? Are you flying first class? <BR> <BR>If it is from the continential U.S. and not first class, then I would continue to look. Perhaps check a larger travel agency like Liberty, Gogo or one of the airlines. Any of them should offer you a better rate. <BR> <BR>I've visited Hawaii four times from New York - two trips were comparable to yours (Four Seasons on Maui, Princeville on Kauai, 5 nights each)- and both cost about $5500 total for the two of us for airfare, hotel and cars. We used Liberty each time. <BR> <BR>I think you should check around a bit more. You will probably find a better rate for these hotels, or be able to upgrade hotels or rooms for this price. <BR> <BR>Good luck.

I agree with the above post. Assuming you are flying coach from continental U.S the price sounds too high. We have also done comparable trips on our own from Denver and have never spent more than $3,000 a person including all meals. Keep looking around. Good luck. Have stayed at both hotels - they are excellent choices for a first time visit.

We are staying at the Four Seasons Maui for 7 nights and the Hyatt on Kauai for 6 nights and paying less than that for hotel, air from Chicago, inter-island air and a convertible. Where are you from? Do you have an invoice from the travel agent? That'll show you how much your're spending on each portion (hotel, car, air...). If you're coming from the east coast, your price may not be so high considering your ocean view room. I would suggest looking around a bit and possibly seeing if you can nix the ocean view to save money. Also, don't forget that the Hyatt offers 6th night free, so if you have the vacation days you should take advantage. <BR> <BR>Post or email me if you have any more questions. <BR> <BR>Kristy

By the way, we're honeymooning in July 2001 as well. <BR> <BR>Kristy

I agree with Kristy; without knowing what the individual costs are (how much for Maui, how much for Kauai, for airfare, etc.) it is difficult to say whether this is a good price. Oceanview rates can be outrageously expensive.

Whatever you do, have a fantastic time. My husband and I just returned from Kauai and we had a fabulous time! We stayed at the Embassy Resort and loved every minute. Make sure you eat at Gaylords!

I don't know why people insist on booking through a travel agent when they can get better pricing and deals on-line themselves. It may take some planning and research, but it will save you money. Remember, agents commission money is built into the price of your trip!

That's not necessarily true. I checked prices online and with a few agents and found the same or better prices with the agents. I also like the comfort in knowing that they are there, in an office where I can reach them where I have heard many horror stories from people who booked online. I would definitely recommend checking online prices, but they will not necessarily be better than through an agent. It really depends on how flexible you are with hotels and flights. For a honeymoon you are usually not as flexible as you would be with a regular vacation and many times you have to pay a higher price for that. Nothing beats a good and honest travel agent (and no slams about "there are no honest agents" as generalizing against a whole group is very immature, besides my agent is a family friend). <BR> <BR>Kristy <BR>PS I am not a travel agent.

It has been awhile since we have done Hawaii but we have always planned it on our own. It has always worked out cheaper. If you have about an hour you can do a little bit of research yourself. First call the airline you are flying with directly and ask about the cost, then the 800 number directly to the hotels and make sure you do not accept the first rate they give you as usually they have a whole selection of rates(oceanview rates are always the most horrendous) then call the 800 to Avis, Budget or whatever and get that rate. Make sure you ask for any discounts available. Add it all up and you will have the answer. Good luck!

Oh, and ask the Marriott if they have entertainment rates as this could cut the cost down by 50%. They used to have it. By the way, calling the hotel directly often gets you a different rate than calling the 800 number. I would do both.

Don't bother with a luau. Seriously. Yeah, it's a novelty. We thought it might be fun, but it is really not worth it. It's just an outdoor buffet, typically with lame entertainment (although the native dancers are usually interesting). But at $50-$60 per, it's just not worth it. Have a nice meal at Mama's Fish House or Haileamaile (?sp) General Store instead. <BR> <BR>Maybe someone could recommend an "authentic" luau that is worthwhile. We went to the one at the Renaissance in Wailea (supposedly a decent one according to Fodors or Frommers). We hated it. If you do go, remember not to take too much poi. Another novelty, but not all that tasty. <BR> <BR>FWIW, the Renaissance Wailea (Maui) is a pretty nice resort. Not the most opulent in Wailea, but we got a reasonable rate thru a package with American Airlines vacations (we learned the wholesale rate for an ocean view was $269 per night). You can also get free 6th nights during most of the year. <BR> <BR>Congrats, and have a great time!

just gt back from Maui and visited the renovated Maui Marriott. It is very plain in comparison to the other hotels. Check out the Sheraton Maui. If rates are comparable go to the Sheraton. It's got a very pretty beach right at the black rock. It, too, has recently been renovated.

Try www.pleasantholidays.com They also have 1-800 numbers that you can book via phone.

I stayed at the Hyatt in Kuaui and I found it to be a stunning hotel with incredible service. i felt like a welcome guest there, and the grounds just took my breath away. <BR> <BR>i don't know about the hotel in Maui...nor the prices you were quoted. I think the Hyatt averages $300 a night and up...but I'm sure there are ways to get cheaper rooms. <BR> <BR>Look into some of the airline packages...united has decent vacations to Hawaii that you can price out and purchase online. <BR> <BR>Happy honeymoon hunting!

We stayed at the Marriott in Kauai one year ago. I loved it!! The whole pool set up was great, good restaurants, great places to walk. I am VERY picky about these resorts. We had a garden view room and it was fine.

Don't know you "home" airport; however, a number of airlines are running Hawaii air fare sales right now. <BR>I suggest you sign up at the following website pronto: <BR> <BR>http://www.smarterliving.com <BR> <BR>Then, read, read, read, from these wonderful, helpful posts here and do some comparison shopping of recommended hotels and condos. <BR>Renting a condo is a wonderful way to save precious money as you can eat at least breakfast in and even pack lunches. Treat yourself to dinners out or even eat that at the condo. You get lots more space in a condo over a hotel as well. <BR>There's a number of websites for renting condos; one of them is (and I'm looking at it to plan a vacation myself): <BR> <BR>http://www.vrbo.com <BR> <BR>You can find many others by using any good search engine: <BR> <BR>www.google.com <BR>www.metacrawler.com <BR> <BR>and using search phrases: <BR> <BR>maui condo rental (then substitute Kauai for another search) <BR> <BR>Good luck and congratulations to you both!