Posts Tagged ‘Maui Vacation’

I recently read an article in the NY Times that was talking about the economy and recession. Apparently, Whole Foods has a new ad campaign that uses the above logo “Sticker Shock…but in a good Way”. I thought this to be very interesting and applicable to my condos on Maui, as well. Normally, sticker shock means that something is incredibly expensive. Now, in this recession, it can mean the opposite.

I have lowered the prices of my gorgeous ocean front condos so significantly, that people are asking me, “What is wrong with them?” My answer is that nothing is wrong and that everything is right about them. As an owner of two condos in Maui, I speak to guests on a daily basis and listen to the stories of their lives. Many people out of work or retired, find themselves with their stock portfolios down 40% or more. There are others who are unfortunate victims of Bernie-Madoff-like-schemes. Suddenly, people find themselves in positions they never believed they would be in. You may ask, “What does this have to do with your condos in Hawaii?” My answer is that, because of the state of the economy and the troubling stories I hear every day, I have so significantly lowered the prices of our oceanfront condos, that they are often far less expensive than staying in a Howard Johnsons! I realize what is going on around us and have adjusted my prices so that people can still go on an affordable vacation or celebration. Because my condos have well stocked kitchens, many visitors are beginning to use them to bring down the cost of eating. In addition, there are great airfares from the West coast that make these trips possible. Many guests are also using their frequent flier miles to get to Maui. There are now direct flights into Maui, which also makes the trip less taxing. So, in reality, “Sticker Shock”, as it applies to my condos means that you are getting MORE FOR LESS! I think that may be part of the GOOD that has come out of this mess. So, if you can manage to cash in that big jar of coins you’ve been throwing nickels and quarters into every night, you may be surprised, as I was, that I had $421. This was like getting free money, as I didn’t really realize I had it! So, if you REALLY need a break or are STRESSED out to the max, you may want to think about visiting one of my oceanfront condos at a time when our prices have NEVER been lower. Get creative. Cash in your miles. If you are from the East coast, fly to the West coast and then take advantage of one of the many special airfares that are being offered. Use that loose change to do some grocery shopping and eat breakfast and lunch on our sunny lanai overlooking the shimmering turquoise blue South Pacific.If you don’t feel like cooking your own dinner, there are many places on Maui where you can get a great deal and don’t have to break the bank while doing it.The chain restaurant, Maui Tacos, offers delicious quality tacos that are incredibly inexpensive. Both of my condos have outdoor grills in the common areas where you can grill up a great piece of fish and meet some interesting people at the same time.  Another idea, that I have used in the past to save money, is to have drinks and appetizers on the lanai, while watching the fiery orange sun set into the water. Then, we can go out for dinner and share a main course, because most restaurants offer way too much food to begin with. If you are still hungry, split a desert or go out to Cold Stone Creamery and share an ice cream cone. In some ways, it becomes a challenge to see how LITTLE you can spend and still have a wonderful vacation. 

     So, I’ve given you all my hints to maximize your fun and minimize the cost. The silver lining in all this doom and gloom is that instead of looking at the glass as half empty, you may want to think of the glass as being half full. There has truly never been a better time to go to Hawaii. I like Target’s ad campaign that says, “Expect more, pay less”! It says it all. We really like getting those emails from returning guests who tell us how much they loved their accommodations and what a bargain our condo was, as it sits right on the edge of the beautiful South Pacific!

     So, what are you waiting for?. Call us at 203-783-9094 with any questions or book online, right NOW. It has never been a better time. As the Walmart ad says, “Save money. Live better”!

 Susan Kimmelman, owner of Nohonani 204 and The Whaler 661

I know, you probably are thinking, has she lost her marbles completely??? I’ve been wondering that myself. Every day I read the NY Times and The Wall Street Journal, looking for something positive to say about the economic crisis and looking for an answer as to how soon this will be over? I also watch NBC news and have been struck by Brian William’s segment on “random acts of kindness”. In case you have not tuned in, it is a hopeful piece of journalism about what people are doing during this time, as millions lose jobs and see their income disappear in 401K plans. One segment I found particularly moving was about an individual who drove people to their appointments (even for job interviews) mostly because they didn’t have a car or were too worried about paying for the gas. I know, by now you are wondering what does this have to do with Maui? Well, here is my answer.

The recession has forced us to think about our rates and how we are going to keep paying our mortgages. Consequently, we have considerably lowered our rates to reflect the recession we are now in. I own two oceanfront condos in Maui, Nohonani 204 and The Whaler 661. Both have breathtaking views of the South Pacific and wonderful sandy beaches. At this point, I’m sure you are asking “How can I possibly afford this?” Well, this is the good news about the recession. We are now offering gorgeous condos on the bluest of oceans at a rate less than a Howard Johnsons or an Embassy Suite. We are doing this for two reasons. #1 is that we want to keep our condos full #2 is that we want people to have the opportunity to stay at our condos at an unbelievable rate, so that something good comes out of this whole mess we all find ourselves in. Maui does not have to be expensive. Condos that in the good times go for $225 a night are now being offered as low as $125 a night. If you are savvy, check out the air fares from the West coast. There are some unbelievable deals. Or, like many of us, you may have saved up enough miles to get to Maui with 40,000 points. Use these miles and then take advantage of the lowest rates we have ever offered and do a little cooking (or really heating) in our well stocked kitchen. Many of our clients tell us they eat breakfast in the condo, go on the beach or go snorkeling and come back to the condo for lunch and a little snooze. Cocktails on the lanai at sunset are prettier than any restaurant view you will ever find. Look out to Molokai and Lanai and save the money by having a few hour d’oeuvres and drinks before dinner and watch the big ball of yellow disappear. You may even catch that green flash if you are lucky when the sun sets. If dinner is out, there are some alternatives to expensive restaurants. There are even early bird specials (many restaurants offer them or half- priced pupus at the bar) later in the evening. We often share an entrée and dessert and find that the portions are quite large, so that in addition to a much less expensive meal, we also have not gained 5 pounds by the end of our vacation. Leilani’s on the beach is great for people watching and serves a cobb salad that is enormous (enough for two people) and a to die for hula pie that is big enough for a party of four. Another favorite of ours is Maui Tacos. There is one at the Lahaina Square Shopping Center and another at Napili Plaza. Although the ambiance is nothing to write home about, the fresh succulent fish tacos and the meat tacos are really great and very inexpensive. There is also the Penne Pasta Café on Dickenson Street in Lahaina that offers pasta and pizza that are simple and tasty.

     So, what I am getting at is that this may actually be a GREAT time to visit Hawaii. The rates are fantastic, your miles are just accumulating (use them before the airlines decide they can’t afford to offer them anymore), and with a little ingenuity you can take advantage of these two wonderful condos and improve your mental health at the same time. Many guests say they feel refreshed after a visit to Maui. Even a four of five night stay seems to really change your perspective on life and the world. So, if things are tough at home (as they are for many of us), a dose of Maui is just what the doctor ordered. Get a little sun on your body, chill out for a week or so and you will find when you return that you are more refreshed and have a better outlook on life! So, is the recession good for us? No, but you can make it work in your favor and enjoy a vacation that you might otherwise not be able to afford. I like to think there is a silver lining in every cloud or in this case, in the bright, big beautiful SUN!

Please visit us at our condos on Maui …

As the owner of Nohonani 204 and The Whaler 661, I have had a few calls regarding our low pricing.” What’s the catch?”, asks a few of our potential clients, suspecting perhaps a not so nice condo. My answer has been that there is NO catch, we are simply responding to the economy and the world we are presently living in. We are now offering our oceanfront condominiums at a minimum of 25% off, so that we can give our guests the opportunity to go on that much wanted and needed Hawaiian vacation in these turbulent economic times. These condos rival the Ritz Carlton in Kapalua for views and spaciousness. Both condos are oceanfront buildings and in most cases have better views and more space, at a fraction of the price of its well known neighbor, The Ritz Carlton. Since I have worked as an interior designer for 19 years in NYC, I was able to bring a certain upscale look to both condos, while not breaking the bank. All furniture was hand selected by me personally. There are no “packages” of furnishings that are so often found in Hawaiian condos. At The Whaler 661, I have incorporated some wonderful photography, by the well known photographer Kim Taylor Reese. You can find his work in many galleries on the various islands. At Nohonani 204, I decorated with some interesting crafts by island artists that give a personal feel and put you in that “tropical mood” as soon as you enter.

     My personal philosophy, after having this business for the past 9 years, is to offer our clients a beautiful condo with lovely furnishings, unique and interesting art or hand crafted accessories at an affordable price. I have owned several condos on all four major islands, Kauai, The Big Island, Oahu and Maui. I have found that if we give our clients a little more than they expect, along with fantastic views and locations, then these clients will refer us to their family and friends, especially if we keep our prices low. So, if there is a catch, it is that a great price plus great location plus clean and personalized condo equals Success!

A happy clientele that continue to visit and refer us to their friends and families enables us to keep our prices low and our condos full. That’s our Secret!!

Construction at The Whaler is now down to a minimum. Our clients in Unit 661 report that the pool is gorgeous, with special night lighting that really heightens the feeling of romance in the air! Unit 661, besides being also very romantic, is still very peaceful and quiet, as it faces towards Whaler’s Village, away from any construction noise. The rates being offered are very recession friendly and we have had clients call to double check our very low rates because they seem too good to be true! They are as they appear on the internet, as we are trying to give everyone who has been battered by this economy an inexpensive vacation in Paradise!

Be a Kid again...

Don't be fooled by 'peek-a-bo' views... be directly on the water with us

Maui has been rated the Best Island in the World for over a dozen years now, this once little known slice of Paradise is attracting new visitors every year- giving it its longevity as a ‘Perfect Vacation Spot’. But ‘Where do I stay?’ you may be asking yourself…

I have a gem to tell you about, an amazing oceanfront condo nested right above the waves on the sleepier North side of Ka’anapali beach, voted #1 Beach in America a few years back. Maui Kai 301 is a spectacular oceanfront and beachfront location. It has location, location, location… but it also has luxury… drench your senses amidst views so close to the water, you may sometimes think you were on a cruise ship! But the ammenities… sapphire granite countertops throughout, top quality king size ‘Sleep Number’ bed adjusts firmness individually per side, custom made shower spacious enough for two  with special accents of turtle inlays and river rock from Bali, gorgeous fine art giclee prints throughout and everything you need for a great vacation- including a well stocked kitchen with things you hate to buy on vacation like saran wrap, paper towels and spices… but we also provide FUN for a day at the beach! Including provided boogie boards, snorkel equipment, beach chairs, umbrella, cooler and even blue ice to keep your things cold without the mess!

Are you a ‘first timer’?  The question you are likely wondering is ’Where t0 stay?’ Each area of Maui is very distinct and tends to attract its ‘own kind’ of visitor. The North Shore attracts the surfing crowd, due to the famous Ho’okipa Beach, known as the best windsurfing spot in the world. The East Side of Hana attracts the more adventurous- those whom wish to explore the huge tropical rainforest and aren’t disappointed with a daily rainshower or two. Upcountry is known for its paniolo or cowboy heritage, and the South side is known for its residential feel… but ahhh, the West Side.

The West Side is made for the vacationer! This exciting location has world class restaurants, a rich history, and holds the title of one of America’s sunniest towns with over 350 days of sun a year… but truly, what makes the West Side so great, is it is the home of one of  Maui’s most famous beaches- ahhh…  Ka’anapali! In days of old, this three miles of white sandy beach was the vacation playground of the Royal class, the ali’i. This lengthy crown of dusty white sand nestles crystal turquoise waters that are ideal for swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing. One of Hawaii’s best snorkel spots is located right here at Black Rock, a large outcropping of cooled lava splits this 3 mile beach about in half. South Ka’anapali Beach is a manicured golf course and resort complex with big name hotels such as the Marriot and the Sherton. It boasts the famous Whaler’s Village shopping center with its outdoor shopping and beachfront dining. The North side of Ka’anapali Beach is the more ‘sleepy side’ with many individually owned condo resorts offering great oceanfront and beachfront locations without the hustle and bustle of the bigger name resorts.

So if you are thinking about where to stay in Maui, think Oceanfront, think Beachfront, think West Side… Think  Maui Kai 301! See this gorgeous unit in full 360 virtual tours so you can see for yourself, how incredible the location and ammenties are in this gem of a Maui vacation rental.