I've been reading the trip reports and looking at the gorgeous pix and I'm sold -- I want to go to Hawaii (probably Kauai and Maui)! So . . . I went to a major Internet auction site where one can bid on rooms per night or per week. The properties include Hanalei Bay Resorts and Aloha Resorts.

Most of time these go for ridiculously low prices -- sometimes as low as $1.00 a night (if no one else is bidding). They add "taxes and service charges" that range from $32/night to $195 per week.

Some of these properties look fantastic and the rates are a fraction of what they would be elsewhere. In some cases, surcharges are added for premium properties, but the rates still are often as low as $70 - $80 per night.

So, what's the catch? Are these timeshares where guests are subjected to pitches? Are you allocated the worst rooms? Or is this just a great deal?

Also, I'm thinking about going in late April but I'm flexible. In terms of the weather and crowds, is there a "best" time to visit Hawaii?

Thanks for your help -- and for sharing those great pictures and reports!

Don't know about these sites, but some of the junk mail I get has fine print requiring you to book air or some other major component thru them or a specified "travel agent" - and this is at an inflated price.

Gail, thanks for your response. But I don't think that's the deal for this. The only "fine print" is the "tax and service" charges that are typically $195/week.

I would be very, very careful.
I can tell you right now, there's no such thing as a nice hotel room in Kauai or Maui for $l95. a week.
I could almost guarantee you this is a scam of some sort. Buyer Beware.

I don't know about scams, but we are going in mid April because our kids are on spring break. If you don't want the airfares too high, don't pick Easter week (the week before or after). Unless you have kids and are tied in to the spring break, I would choose late April or first week of May.

I've been cautious, and only gone to places that don't require airline or major travel. Got two waht I resumed to be "excess inventory" time shares this summer, both of which turned out to be fabulous, and exactly as advertised, at indeed ridiculously low prices.

Neither one required sales presentations (although I'm sure they may have been chomping at the bit and calling to get my time and attention -- two hang ups on my condo phone during my last stay and no one else had the number).

Both properties were exactly as described and exactly like what the neighbors who paid four to five times as much had. When they said washer and dryer, they were top of the line; Hilton Head property threw in two bikes, and I think had I golfed, that would have been green-fee fee-less (cart rental not included).

In addition to the $195 basic charge, there is a $15 service fee, plus whatever your bid is. Caution: Unlike eBay, there are two bid boxes. Only the bottom one is a proxy bid where the system bids to your maximum. The top box enters your bid at $75 even if the underbidder is at $2.

Works best if you are flexible and can plan with only a few weeks notice. I'd be certain that airfare was available AND affordable before locking into a distant hotel/timeshare rental winning bid.

B/

Have stayed at HBR which gets mixed reviews here, and given the opportunity, they will encourage you to attend a timeshare presentation-which by the way was more pleasant than the one we attended on Maui , in exchange for discounts on activities and restaurants.