Me, the wife, nanny and 2 young kids are going to Maui in September. Does anyone have any ideas on the most reasonable way to do this? Two hotel rooms or a condo? Would it be cheaper to tale a 7 day cruise around the islands? We would like to be on the beach -- not across the road from a beach.

3 br condo at Kaanapali Alii would be my FIRST choice. But it ain't cheap, but if you can afford to bring a nanny, it should fit your budget. The Whaler(almost next door) would be my second condo choice(a little cheaper). Good Luck !!

You can afford a Nanny in Maui, you don't need any help.

Just because you have a nanny doesn't not mean you are rich. I have a nanny and we are barely struggling to make ends meet. I looked into childcare while pregnant and the prices astounded me. Some places where I live were wanting $2500/month for 1 child at daycare!!!!!!! We actually found it cheaper to hir e grad student who lives with us in a spare bedroom. She watches my daughter during the day and attends class at night. Because she doesn't have rent, grocery, or utility costs (very excessive) she accepts a lot less for pay (less than half the cost of daycare!) Anyway if we travel during her school breaks, she has traveled with us 2 times. We pay her airfare and hotel but do not give her a salary for that time period (the time in an exotic location is her pay)

Don't be so quick to think that people who can afford a nanny are rich. In our case, having the nanny is cheaper, we pay her less than half the costs and she is free to eat from our fridge.

As to the real question, a condo is definitely cheaper as you can fix some meals at home (we do breakfast and snacks in) we eat out for dinner and sometimes lunch. The aforementioned Whaler would be my choice as well especially because of its proximity to lots of things to do in the area (you won't have to drive everywhere)

may I suggest you go to www.vrbo.com...(condos being rented by private owner - lot cheaper) and you may be able to negotiate with the price as well (we did)with children you will be happy to have the kitchen I am sure....lots of luck

Personally, I never cared much for the Nanny. I mean sure, Drescher's got a great bod and all, but that laugh! I guess it's like Frank Sinatra once said on SNL: Put a bag over her head and do your business!

Just wanted to address the cruise option..would definitely NOT go that route (and I love cruises)-there is simply too much to see on each island and 1 or 2 days on each is really not taking advantage. I'm planning a trip to Kauai and have been to Big Island, Maui & Oahu and I feel a full week on each is just right. Some like splitting the week between two islands, too. Whatever you decide, enjoy!

I agree with searching vrbo.com
You might also try vacationspot.com
And finally, regarding your desire to be 'on the beach' and not across the street, check out
http://www.wizardpub.com/main/home.html

This web site will show aerial photos of several condo locations so you can see for yourself if they are really on the water or not!
Happy hunting!

Ally,

personally I'd rather stay in a place beside the water rather than on the water, but that's just me.

I would look at a condo in the Wailea area. There are great beaches, food and shopping all close to one another. A condo allows you to eat in or at elast feed the nanny and baby in--restaurants are very expensive in hawaii.

Kapalua. I agree that if you've got a nanny, you may as well keep on shelling out the cash and stay on the best part of the island:

www.kapaluamaui.com

Thanks for the support, anon. Its actually an au pair, not a nanny (essentially the same thing). You do not have to be wealthy to have one, and you are employing someone and putting money back into the economy by having one. Thanks, everyone for all of the good advice. The best so far is the direct owner renting website. Keep it coming. I want to get the most value possible. The prices for Maui seem to be outrageous to me. I hope its worth it.

P.S. - I will never write that one of the people going is a nanny again. It has created more of a distraction than necessary.

Marriott has covnerted some of the room on Maui & kauai to timeshares. They will book some of them like hotel rooms. We are doing that in July. We got a 1300 sq. ft. 2 bedroom oceanfront villa for $419/night with breakfast for two on Maui. A lot less expensive than two rooms. It has a living area, 2 1/2 baths, and a small kitchen area with a microwave & small fridge, and can sleep 6. With 2 small kids, this might be a nice option. The only thing it lacks is daily maid service. They do one mid-week tidy. But at $100/night less than two rooms, I don't mind making the bed myself. You also get access to all the amenities of the resort, which you might not get by renting a condo.

As you would expect, it's not easy to get one of these. I kept checking back at marriott.com for a couple of months before one opened up.