Saturday, September 13, 2014

Kauai: Luxury for Less, Part II

“You own here?” a fellow guest sitting next to us at the Marriott Waiohai Ocean Villas beach bar asked.

“No, we rented a week,” The Scout answered, adding, “I think we got a deal. . .two-bedroom, two bath unit for $109 a night.”

“You bet you did!,” he exclaimed, “I am paying $495 a night!”

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Beach at Marriott Waiohai - Kauai
And so began our second week of Luxury-for-Less on the Hawaiian island of Kauai.

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Our condo was the one far right top floor, with its deck nestled between two palm trees and overlooking this fabulous lagoon.

In Part I of our Kauai Luxury-for-Less series, I told you about our plush digs at the Westin and its steal-of-a-deal price in Princeville. This Marriott Vacation Club (these are also timeshare condos) is on the sunnier south side of the island at Poipu.

PicMonkey Collage
Top left clockwise: Living room, guest bedroom, guest bath, master and bath, kitchen
The two-bedroom, two-bath unit with fully furnished kitchen, a table to seat eight and full living room had been available for rent from an owner for $109 a night – the only additional cost was a $50 booking fee and nightly room tax which brought the price up to $116 a night.  Wi-fi, athletic facilities and pool use – all included; no extra charges.

PicMonkey Collage
Our deck, and gardens between buildings
Admittedly, we had a garden view but with gardens like this, it wasn’t tough to sit on our deck (a table with seating for four and a lounge chair) and then walk the garden path to the beach.

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Sunset from the Marriott's Honu Beach Bar - Poipu, Kauai
If You Go:

Map picture

Kauai is the oldest of the Hawaiian islands and is considered the chain’s Garden Island (translated that means it does get rain, however, the showers came and went quickly during our two-week stay).

KauiSm2014 056A number of airlines fly directly from the U.S. west coast to its airport, Lihue.  Inter island flights connect in Honolulu (but they can add a couple hundred dollars more to the cost of the trip).

Another money-saving tip:  There are a number of U.S. ‘big box’ stores on the island, including Costco (where food and beverages prices were definitely less and the selection greater than at local markets.)

Finding The Deal:

The Scout booked this rental through ResortRentals.com which he found when searching the site, SellMyTimeshareNow.com

Our stay was the first week of September and a quick check for September rates for a 2-bedroom, 2-bath, island view at the Waiohai:

Marriott:  $412 a night
Expedia:  $412 a night
Our rate, $116 (including tax) compared most favorably!

As always, we thank you for the time you spent with us. Hope our tips come in handy on your future travels. If you’ve got some tips for ‘deals’ do let us know in the comments below or shoot us an email.  Hope to see you back again later this week~ when we'll take you to "Pigi Heaven"! Happy travels~

25 comments:

  1. We're Marriott owners as well as former residents of Kauai. This property routinely receives high marks within the Marriott community, and timeshare trades are rarely available. Your deal was a steal. Even kama'aina rates for locals won't come close to what you paid. Congrats! (And glad you made it to the North Shore per your previous post - best part of the island if we do say so!)

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    1. Oh Betsy, we must be 'ohana' then if you own Marriott as well! Where do you own? Are we neighbors in KoOlina? We also had watched trades into the Waiohai and hadn't ever seen any come up so glad we had a chance to experience it. . .and at an affordable rate! Do keep in touch~

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  2. What a great deal, the only problem are expensive flights to Kauai lately even on the interisland flights between the islands.

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    1. Tell us about those flights, Noel! Our plan had been to stay 'cheaply' on Kauai and hop a flight to Honolulu for the Husky game. Nuts! Those flights were $200+ per person, plus the cost of the game and Honolulu costs. . .we watched from a Kauai sports bar at a fraction of the cost!

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  3. It's hard to find a decent hotel anywhere for that price these days, well done!

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    1. Thanks! We did feel like we'd had a prize-winning find!!

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  4. Well done again, Joel. What an absolutely beautiful place to stay and with such great amenities. I started looking at resortrentals and wish I had 7 days to spare now to take advantage of some fabulous deals. Thanks again for the tips though! Love Kauai on our one day cruise stop and would love to go back.

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    1. Glad you found some temptations and deals as well. Hopefully we will find a deal and destination sometime and actually get to meet in person Mary! Thanks for the visit and comment - glad you liked the tip.

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  5. That must be a wonderful vacation in Hawai. It must be Hawaian prices as here in Europe the prices are not that high. Maybe in high summer season a bit towards those prices but that is not common at all.
    Have a nice week

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    1. Hello Riet and thanks so much for your visit and taking time to comment! Yes, it was just the end of high season but Hawaiian accommodation prices have gone off the charts in the last few years (after the crisis of 2008) and sometimes make travel there simply cost prohibitive. Would love to see you as a regular here so please come back again!

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  6. The holiday is so much more enjoyable when you know you've had a steal with the cost of accommodation!
    Well done for discovering and thanks for sharing your tips :)

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    1. Yes, it is always fun to think about what you have saved (and can spend on other travels. . . ;-) ). Hopefully others will benefit from our finds as well!

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  7. Looks like a great way to snatch a good deal!

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    1. It certainly worked for this trip, Irene!! Thanks for stopping by today. . .

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  8. Great deal! I'll have to check this out for my upcoming trip.

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    1. Good luck! Hope you find a deal as well and thanks for the visit!

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  9. What a wonderful place to utterly relax and feel spoiled. :-) You find the most beautiful places!

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    1. That 'ol "Scout" does a good job, doesn't he? Thanks - as always - for the visit!

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  10. Gorgeous, both the interiors and exteriors, the beach and surrounding landscape. I was going to say, 'Lucy you!', but it isn't luck, it's savvy search tactics! Enjoy!

    Hugs,
    Poppy
    P.S. Just got back from a four day getaway in Bali. Have you been there?

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    1. Four days in Bali!!!?? That is simply fabulous! Can hardly wait to read about it. . .as no, we've not been there. Came close one year but never quite put the plan into action. Thanks so much for your visit today, Poppy. I'll be over to your blog soon!

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  11. You got a good deal. The place looks great. I'll remember that site.

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  12. We spent a week on Kauai several years ago and still remember the island as one of the most beautiful places we've been to. The only way the experience could be improved is to get a luxury place at a budget price which is what you did - fabulous!

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  13. That is an incredible deal for such a beautiful 2 bedroom and 2 bathroom place in Kauai. There are deals to be had if you are willing to do your research. There is so much we can do with that extra money when we're traveling. Congratulations on scoring a fantastic deal!

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  14. You did well with that deal, thanks for sharing your story!

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  15. Such a deal, Jackie! Kauai's on my must-see list ~

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