Attention ladies going to Hawaii- Help!

Ok, this is my fourth post about this, but I have no freaking clue how to plan my Hawaii trip. I'm talking to two travel agents- one from Liberty, the other from AAA. My FH wants to go to Oahu because it's a city, I want to go to Kaui because it's gorgeous. We both want to stay at Hyatt's. And, I know that I can not miss Maui.

Here's AAA's deal:

Oahu: 3 nights, hyatt- Oceanfront
Kaui: 4 nights, hyatt- Oceanfront
Maui: 5 night- hyatt- Oceanfront

7,399- no air

Liberty:

Oahu: 4 nights (fourth night free), hyatt- oceanview
Kaui: 6 nights (sixth night free), hyatt- mountainview
Maui: 6 night (sixth night free)- hyatt- oceanview

$7300- no air

I want to pay much less for both and see three islands. This is so crazy, I have no idea how to decide.


Thanks

Re: Attention ladies going to Hawaii- Help!

You may want to try the Vendor Board I was going crazy with Hawaii also being that we are also paying for the wedding we booked with the Sheraton in Maui 5nts and Kaui 3nts for 5400 w/Air

Re: Attention ladies going to Hawaii- Help!

Does that just include lodging or car rentals and inter-island flights as well?

Re: Attention ladies going to Hawaii- Help!

If you don't want to spend that much then change your room at the place or change your hotels

I am staying
Oahu-2 nites
Kaui- 4 nites
Maui- 6 nites
at the sheratons with airfare car, breakfast includes for $ 5300

Re: Attention ladies going to Hawaii- Help!

maybe it's just me... but that seems like too much money for just hotel stays. There's not some sort of package deal you can find that includes airfare and interisland air?

Re: Attention ladies going to Hawaii- Help!

we just did Liberty with 10 nights just on Kuaui at the Marriot and it was unbelievable!!! in 10 nights and 11 days we still didnt see and do everything!! i would say do the second package with Liberty that gets you 6 nights in Kuaui b/c its phenomenal!! Maybe you can save money by choosing a different hotel like the Marriott on Kuaui - we stayed at the one called Kuaui Lagoons and it was so beautiful!! largest pool on the island and it was les than the hyatt, i didnt go see the hyatt though so i cant compare it but we loved it! HTH Marriot also gives the 5th and 10th night free.

whatever you do you will have an amazing time and it is definetly worth it to spend the extra money JMO

also Liberty's package saves money b/c it includes air which was about $800 each approximately i think and your getting more days it looks like.

Re: Attention ladies going to Hawaii- Help!

I agree you may want to look into getting less expensive rooms. IMO unless it has a balcony, if it is going to save you alot of $ looking at a garden v. the ocean, then go with the garden. Sometimes, once you get there and tell them you are on your HM, they will upgrade you if they have the rooms available.

I think you may have to weigh if it's more important to go to Hawaii or stay at those hotels in those rooms.

We opted to get the less expensive rooms...Four Seasons - Maui and The Hyatt- Kauai, for 5 nights each. They told us that because we will be honeymooning, they will try to put us into a better room if they have. The Total cost without air (we are using frequent flyers) was $3,600. This includes balconies.

Also, I would try to call the hotels directly, which is what we did.

Good luck!

Message edited 3/1/2006 9:48:54 AM.

Re: Attention ladies going to Hawaii- Help!

you should definitely have airfare and car rentals included in those quotes!!! FILs just got back last night from 10 days in Hawaii....they saw all but one island and while i don't know the exact cost, i'm sure it was less than your quotes AND it included car rental and flights. of course, they went off season and i didn't bother to see when you are going (oops)....but still, for that price, you should get airfare and car rentals. i would find another travel agency. i wish i could recall which one they used, but at the moment, i do not. (and they stayed at top notch resorts...it was kind of a delayed 25th anniversary present to themselves)

Re: Attention ladies going to Hawaii- Help!

i would recommend going with the liberty deal, and maybe doing less nights. also, my TA from liberty said not to waste the $ for oceanview in oahu b/c it's a city and you don't need it. i am also going to all 3 islands and staying at the hyatts for 12 nights. good luck!!

Re: Attention ladies going to Hawaii- Help!

This is just hearsay, but I've heard from a past bride who used Liberty and did this and from my Liberty agent too that if they put in that you are honeymooners, most hotels will upgrade your rooms when you get there. It's kind of taking a chance, but it's a good way to save money, so we opted to get standard rooms - garden view or whatever they called it. We're going to the big island and Maui, one week each, and hotels, air, and inter-island flights was a little over 8K if I remember correctly, and we're staying at the Four Seasons on the big island and Sheraton on Maui.

By the way, I've heard the Hyatt on Kauai is supposed to be amazing! So, whatever you do, I'm sure you'll have a great time.

Message edited 2/28/2006 9:26:24 PM.

Re: Attention ladies going to Hawaii- Help!

your quotes are WAY too high. I'm staying at the Hyatts -- 9 nights total and so excited! I say splurge and go for the better hotels..its your HM after all. But I also agree with other girls that a top of the line room probably is not neccessary...especially considering the possibility of upgrades. I'd go back and ask for rates at the same hotels for the mountain view rooms. I'm sure the price will drop signifigantly.

And if not, call Liberty in Oceanside -- that's where I got my rates from (FM me if you want details.)

Good luck!!!

Re: Attention ladies going to Hawaii- Help!

Wow, all of your advice is really helpful. I'm definitely going to downgrade the room. What was I thinking? $7,000- . I've got student loans to pay. I'll take the cheaper rooms, and maybe I'll contact Liberty Travel in Oceanside.

Re: Attention ladies going to Hawaii- Help!

Can you do a day less time at each island to make it cheaper?

Re: Attention ladies going to Hawaii- Help!

I used to work for a wholesale travel company that specialized in packages to Hawaii - plus, I booked Hawaii for our honeymoon through Liberty Travel.

The Hyatt in Oahu is not on the ocean - it's about a block away. An oceanview room is on a higher floor in the hotel. You're best bet is to get a cheaper room at this hotel and maybe cutting down the nights in Oahu.

The Hyatt Kauai and Hyatt Maui resorts are gorgeous! You may be eligible for an upgrade based upon availability at check-in. The travel agent should tell you if this special is available at the time you're planning on going.

The Island Hopper package and the package with with free nights are different. Ask the agent to price it both ways for you. Maybe try 3 nights in Oahu, 5 nights in Maui and 5 nights in Kauai doing the Island Hopper package.

They didn't include air in this price? You'll also need transfers in Oahu, a car in both Maui and Kauai, plus 2 inter-island flights.

I have lots of info on Hawaii if you need help!

Re: Attention ladies going to Hawaii- Help!

I would recommend skipping Oahu. My fiance' and I went to Hawaii last year and wanted to go to Oahu because it was a city. Well, there really is not much to do there and we were quite bored. Plus, it is overloaded with families, kids, etc. Not a place I would want to spend my honeymoon. Just a thought!! Definitely go for Maui!!!!

Re: Attention ladies going to Hawaii- Help!

I am doing 7 nights in Mauia and 4 nights in Kauai w/taxes and dailey fees it came to $3300 (no air). Hotels I booked myself. Mauai: I am staying 5 nights at the Sherton (5th night free partial ocean room), 2 nights at Mama's Fish House. Kauai: 5 nights at the Shereton (5th night free). I got such a great deal b/c I became a sherwood prefered guset member (40% off room s and 5 th night free)

Re: Attention ladies going to Hawaii- Help!

Hi,
My mother is a travel agent, you should really give her a call. She ALWAYS finds amazing deals for me (and of course, for others)-
She always knows the best/least expensive times to travel, and how to get the most out of your money.

I don't think it hurts to give her a call. Tell her you met me on this website. She'll know what you're talking about.

Her name is Nancy, phone number is (toll free) 888-579-3082 or nancy@cruisechick.com. In case you're wondering, she also books cruises, if you're interested.

Good luck to you!
Jennifer

Re: Attention ladies going to Hawaii- Help!

We are booking private condos (1 bedroom, oceanfront in Mauia and Big Island for 150 a night!!!!! They are beautiful and there are tons of them, just do a little searching on the internet. IMO these hotels are ridiculously over priced. FM me if you are interested and I will get the websites from my FI....these places get great reviews on trip advisor.com also

the one in Maui is called
the Valley Isle Resort Condos
Good Luck