Maui Budget Vacation

So you want to save money and visit Maui? There are many ways to be a savvy traveler, and still live in the lap of luxury. Or if you are looking to ruff it in the wilderness, Maui has that as well. It all depends on you! In this section we explore the many options that Maui has to offer the discerning traveler.

One of the best ways to save money is to plan ahead of time. Use your computer and the internet to find the best rates online. Usually the best place to start is one of the big travel sites like Expedia or Orbitz. Search different weeks until you find the cheapest rate. You would be surprised at how much variation there is! For example when we search for a hotel room in one month, we get the Westin Maui at $409.00 a night for a standard room. Then we search 3 weeks later, and it is at $149.00 for the same exact room.

Once you find the best time to stay in Maui continue to dig for the best deal. Our experience has shown that the more places you search the better off you will be. Search every major travel site for that date range. Try Priceline for same date range as well. When you use priceline try cutting the retail price down by about 40%. We have successfully stayed at the Sheraton in Kaanapali for less than $100 a night!

When you book, if you want an ocean view room but don’t' like the prices don’t' book an ocean front or ocean view room. They cost too much from the retail sites. Once you get to the hotel for your stay ask to be upgraded, and let them know you are willing to pay a "small" upgrade fee. Most hotels will appreciate this extra revenue, and will upgrade you for as little as $20 a night extra. Be persistent and you will be surprised at the results you can obtain.
Once you have your room, it is now time to look for airline reservations. Hawaiian air usually has outstanding rates if you book ahead of time. You can sometimes get round trip airfare for as little as $400 per person to Maui.

To save even more money it is important to book your activities ahead of time. Always ask for discounts, and be sure to shop around. Prices are very volatile, and Maui is extremely competitive on prices.

Another great way to save some money is to rent a condo instead of a hotel room. Condo's are abundant, and prices are usually around the same as a hotel room. Where you can really save money is in meals. Maui has a Costco, Wal-Mart, and plenty of grocery stores. Cooking your own breakfast, lunch and Dinner can save big bucks every day. That doesn't mean you can't go out, but you don't have to go out for every meal.