When can you start booking a hotel in Maui or Kauai for next summer? I would like the best selection so am eager to find out when they start booking. Thanks!

I would call the individual hotels I had an interest in and ask. I seem to remember not being able to book so far ahead, but maybe that was on the E. Card, or on a travel site. I don't think the travel sites like Expedia will let you book a year ahead.

I'm not sure about hotels, but the vacation rental agency we are using to book houses on the north shore and Poipu for our trip to Kauai next summer has a one year advance policy, as do most it seems. I am getting antsy to make our reservations too.

Iamq, I think when it comes to beach cottages, homes, condos, it is common practice/preferred to book way ahead (year or more) if they can, but I think hotels don't usually do that, at least in my experience.

Ashley24, I was just able to get a rate quote online for the Hyatt in Kauai for a May 2005 arrival and departure. May 2005 was the earliest I could get online. Happy planning!

Isn't it the same as airlines? 330 days?

I have found it much easier and saved money booking directly online. If you are interested in a condo, you will save alot booking directly thru the owner I have researched Maui for months and have decided that the Whaler is the perfect location on Maui, we've rented from the owner and are saving alot of $$. GLuckood

Nancy, how did you get comfortable enough to rent from someone without seeing their condo first (in person?), if that is the vase. I know The Whaler is supposed to be a class-condo! Did you get lots of good references? I have had bad experiences with places on the Carolina Coast, and have a horror of flying all the way to Hawaii, they've got my pre-payment and the place is not what it's supposed to be. The worst thing my sister has found, in her rented condo in Kihei, was filthy carpet and dirty bedclothes on the bed, and the whole place needed a good cleaning, which the office did rectify immediately! Seems the maid had entertained her boyfriend there!;-) I'm just not brave, I guess!

Starwood's website informed me that you can make a reservation 550 days in advance. On Four Seasons site the latest I could reserve for now was March 2005.

1amq, good to know about Sheraton......... I'm in their Starwood points program, and really like their hotels!

I booked my resorts for my June 2004 trip eight months in advance. About two months ago, three months before the trip, I began seeing much better deals than the ones I got. Sometimes I think it pays to wait - unless the resorts are so popular they might totally book up! In the case of the Grand Wailea on Maui that might have been the case, so I won't complain.