Luxury on a Hawaiian budget vacation: 7 tips

For many travelers, Hawaii is the ultimate dream destination. Only about five hours from the U.S. mainland, the islands are beautiful, easy to navigate, and there’s no passport required.

In addition, Hawaii hotels have great specials during the current recession. But here’s several tips to make a Hawaiian vacation extra luxurious, even on a budget.

1. Consider staying at a “sister” property to a deluxe hotel. For example, guests at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani in Waikiki have access, for a fee, to the Sheraton Waikiki’s fancy fitness center. At the Waikiki Parc hotel, sister property to the deluxe Halekulani, guests have spa and restaurant signing privileges at the Halekuliani.

Even better are some of the neighbor island condominium-hotel arrangements. Guests at Kapalua Villas, which are huge townhomes adjacent to the Ritz-Carlton Kapulua, have access to the Ritz pools, and the resort shuttle. Condos at Mauna Lani Terrace and at the Fairways at Mauna Lani have access to some facilities including the spas at the five-star Mauna Lani Bay hotel and the Fairmont Orchid. (Note, these arrangements can change, so best to confirm when making reservations.)

2. Unless you really like spending time in your room, consider the least expensive room at a top resort. You can’t see the ocean when it’s dark anyway. And it’s easy to go outside on the hotel grounds to watch those sunsets.

3. For a luxurious and less expensive happy hour, bring goodies from home. If you are checking luggage anyway, you can bring carefully wrapped wine and liquor. And while a nice bottle of wine might cost more than you would normally spend at home, it will almost certainly be cheaper than a couple drinks in a hotel bar.

You can also bring your favorite nonperishable snack treats, whether it’s smoked oysters or special crackers or nuts. Or buy things at Hawaiian supermarkets, but be warned that prices are generally much higher than on the mainland. (Although if you like sushi, the poke tuna available at most Hawaiian markets is unusual and especially good.)

Note, there are laws in Hawaii about drinking on the beach and in public, but I have never known anyone to have a problem with this. Hawaiian friends tell me the laws are seldom enforced if people are on good behavior. Though discretion doesn’t hurt.

4. While waiting for luggage, grab those free magazines that are ubiquitous in baggage claim areas. Many of them include coupons that are actually usuable for things you were planning to do anyway, or for restaurants you were already planning to try.

5. If you’re planning on some days of serious sightseeing, and some days of just relaxing by the pool, consider switching hotels mid-vacation. This only works if you don’t find packing or unpacking a nightmare. But I have had clients stay a few days in an inexpensive property and do all their all-day driving excursions first, and then spend the last few vacation days at a five star resort.

6. It really does help to book through a travel agent with good contacts in Hawaii. Even within a room category, there can be wide variations. Partial ocean view can mean a sliver of water visible from the balcony, or a much nicer water view from the room. Most hotels are much more likely to give better rooms to clients of favored agencies and tour operators.

Sometimes too, a hotel will unofficially upgrade clients of preferred agencies to a nicer room category altogether, and/or provide a nice free amenity. And if there’s a room problem, an agent or tour operator has a much better chance than a solo traveler of getting it fixed.

7. Finally, don’t forget little treats. Some of the best things about Hawaii are incredibly inexpensive. Two of my favorites – Maui style potato chips, and shave ice.