Posts Tagged ‘vacations’

Over 30% off Waikiki Condo!

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009

 

  

Aloha Friend!
Please take a look at the spring savings for unit 2021 at the Ilikai Hotel.  Rent my condo now, through June 14, 09,  and you can stay in Hawaii for just $69.00, a night. A great savings from  my regular rate of $100 per night.  

 Come to beautiful Hawaii and relax on the beach that is just steps away from your condo.  Within walking distance, along a walkway with exciting city activity and beautiful Hawaiian foliage, or along the boardwalk on the beach (maybe barefoot in the sand and surf) you can be in famous Wakiki beach for enjoyable shopping and dining.  My condo sleeps 2 and has many amenities such, as access to a pool and lagoon, air conditioning, a fully equipped kitchen, new cabinets and leather sofa, along with laundry services on the same floor.  

Have a wonderful day and Mahalo,

Rhodora

 

Sticker Shock, But In A Good Way!

Tuesday, April 14th, 2009

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

Waikiki Oceanfront Rental

Saturday, April 4th, 2009

Aloha and show me the savings !!! Rent our condo now through the end

of April for 40% off the regular rates ($96 per night). Steps to Wakiki beach, shopping, and dining. Beautiful ocean views from the

lanai can be seen in  the videos of our unit. Tax time is here, so

why not come forget Uncle Sam and relax in the trade winds of Hawaii. The unit sleeps up to four people and is newly

remodeled. Have a wonderful day …….

Mahalo 

Mark

Something Positive About The Recession….Is There Really???

Friday, March 20th, 2009

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 …

For a Wonderful Beach Vacation, Rentals Are the Way to Go

Monday, February 2nd, 2009

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.