Originally Posted by
svenskaflicka
Oh, hindsight. We have thought the same thing soooo many times. I bet we have dropped at least $100,000+ while on the islands. We have been there fifteen times since 2000. When we first started going, we used to pay $247 at the Westin Maui or Royal Hawaiian for our room per night and they would always give us a great upgrade. Now, there are no more great deals and on average we spend $500-600 per night. We no longer go to the Westin or Royal Hawaiian. It's sad because a vacation should be what you want it to be. You shouldn't have to settle for a dumpy room because the prices are so high.
We have always said we will retire on the islands, but with pricing the way it is, I don't know if that dream will ever come through for us. I get so angry, but in reality I am so sad because there is no place like Hawaii in the world. I love those islands like no other place I have ever been to.
(rant over)
We also don't like paying large prices for hotel rooms in hawaii - so we bought timeshares! Westin in Maui and KoOlina on Oahu, beautiful new 2 BR condos with gorgeous grounds. Much less cost and work than buying and maintaining a vacation house. let Westin and marriott take care of maintenance, etc No problems, just enjoy larger, more comfortable also cheaper than a hotel room. initial cost was from $25000 to $40000 for the four we have, again far less than a 2nd home, yearly maintenance fees cover the time there and again far less than property taxes for a vacation home (at least in Jersey where shore houses run about a million and taxes around $10000/yr and then you can still really have good weather around 2 months/yr)