Posts Tagged ‘vacation rental’

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 …

Book unit 1638, or 1640 at the Ilikai Hotel from now through Mid April and get 40% off our normal rate. Click either link above for more details. Book now to reserve either one of these recently renovated condos! Beat the recession in style.

Mahalo.

In the Beginning

On your next Hawaii vacation, you could be deep sea fishing in Hawaii and be big-game fishing in some of the most beautiful sea on the planet. But it wasn’t always so. Big game fishing wasn’t really possible until after boats were built with motors.

It was in the late 1800’s, when a marine biologist and early conservationist named Dr. Charles Holder published literature on deep sea fishing that the idea took off. Dr. Holder’s books and articles were celebrated for their exciting stories and scientific accuracy, and as a result, the good doctor virtually invented the sport.

Thanks to Dr. Holder, we can all indulge. There are few things that blend excitement and relaxation like deep sea fishing in Hawaii. With many of the big game fishing destinations around the world, you are subject to a one-and-a-half to two-hour boat ride before finally arriving at fertile fishing grounds.

Deep sea fishing in Hawaii allows you to hook the one that always gets away within minutes of leaving the harbor.

Why Hawaii?

Because the Hawaiian Islands were formed by volcanic activity, fishing boats can find deep blue water, thousands of feet deep, only a short distance from shore.

Steep drop offs and deep marine canyons are the perfect grounds for deep sea fishing in Hawaii. It is there where you can hunt the same predator fish prized by the big game fishermen: Spearfish, Blue Marlin, Striped Marlin, Swordfish, Yellow Fin Tuna, Wahoo, and Big Eye tuna.

Big Game

Hawaii is famous for Yellow Fin Tuna, also commonly known as Ahi. Nabbing one of them is considered to be fishing at its finest.

Ahi, pound for pound, are some of the toughest fish in the sea. They swim fast and furious, with an excellent recovery rate. They blend deep dives with long, super fast runs. It is exactly this sort of sport that makes deep sea fishing in Hawaii a large cut above the competition.

A general rule of thumb: the deeper the water, the bigger the fish. Even so, monster fish have been caught just slightly off the coast, so you’ll never quite know what to expect when deep sea fishing in Hawaii.

The world is covered in water, but it isn’t all created equal. The benefit of deep sea fishing in Hawaii is that you can spend more time fishing and less time bobbing along in the boat before finally reaching prime time fishing grounds.

Why Rent Beach Vacation Rentals?

Quality Hawaii beach vacation rentals are easy to find and a no-brainer to book if you want to have the best holiday of your life. Throwing your money away on a rinky-dink hotel room doesn’t make a bit of sense when luxury is within your reach. For the same price as a hotel room (and sometimes even less) you can book a small house that will give your family all the room you need.

Most often, if a family of five wants a comfortable stay, they need to book two hotel rooms. The alternative is using a foldout cot and spending the entire vacation tripping over one another as you run to call dibs on the lone tiny bathroom.

Beach vacation rentals change all that. They provide a family with the room to spread out. They also include kitchens that allow the family to be less reliant on expensive meals at island restaurants. You can unload your bags, then head to the grocery store and stock that fridge with all your favorites for your vacation adventure.

How to Book Beach Vacation Rentals

Booking beach vacation rentals is actually easy. Listings for beach vacation rentals can be easily found online. If you prefer to book your beach rental the old fashioned way, you can also find them in phone books or through your local Realtor.

The best way to find the best beach vacation rentals, however, is by word of mouth. If someone you know happens to tell you about a great stay they had at one of the world’s beautiful beach vacation rentals, ask for the details!

What was the area like? How about the sights, the sounds, the home itself? Ask if you can have the number so you can call and find out more. Another terrific way to find one of the nicer beach vacation rentals is through professional services that specialize in the search.

Questions to Ask When Researching a Beach Vacation Rental

Once you’ve found your rental, you will want to call and ask a few questions.

• When do I have to check out?
• Do I provide my own linens?
• What toiletries and cleaning supplies does the owner provide in the rental?
• Is there a security deposit?
• Is there housekeeping and it is optional?
• Is there parking?
• Does the rental include the usual household appliances?

Also, don’t forget to ask for directions to the unit as well as to points of interest and basic necessities located nearby. Be sure you know where to find the local grocery store, gas station, and hospital (just in case).

Beach vacation rentals are practical, convenient, and fun. Book your beach vacation rental today and begin your dream vacation the right way.

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.