Maui inJune 2007

We are thinking about 10 days (June 24 to July 5th 2007) at Outrigger Napili Shores: me, hubby, 14 year old and 12 year old) First family trip to the islands.

I have read some TA posts today that some peolple going in June have ALREADY booked rooms, cars, luau, etc. I am geting a little nervous beacuase I do not know where to begin. Do I get a package or do everything seperately? Do I go to AAA and let them do everything or do I try to do it all myself? I would love help for this ';Maui newbie.'; Mahalo in advance!

Maui inJune 2007

Aloha!

if you do not know a lot about Hawaii, it might be a good idea to get several quotes from agents who are experts on the islands. They can put together a package that includes air, car, hotel/condo so that everything is done for you!

Bryan Brown

BBrown9825@aol.com

Maui inJune 2007

You can do this yourself! Once you know where you want to stay, check out the condos by owner on a website like vrbo.com. You can get your own rental car, too. (We got our best car deal by going through Costco%26#39;s travel department.) You can book your own air, too. (If you have any travel ';miles';, see if you can use them to Hawaii. LOTS of lines fly from CA to Hawaii!)

Our first trip to Maui was through a travel agent. We hated the island, largely because we hated the lodgings. That was 25 years ago. Now you can see exactly what condo you%26#39;ll be using by renting from the condo owner. It%26#39;s a new world!

The only times we use an agent these days is for travel to countries we haven%26#39;t visited before. Hawaii is a State -- as easy to visit as any mainland state.

Since you have ten days and it%26#39;s your first trip, I would suggest spending a few days in the touristy part-Kaanapali-try the Westin or the Hyatt which have the full resort feel with the waterslides( which your kids will love) and pool side service and spa (for you and hubby). After a few days of being spoiled, take yourself to a condo in South Kehei or Wailea. The beaches and weather in South Maui cannot be beat. And there are really affordable options for condos down that way. Cooking in one or two meals a day and making your own Mai Tais for sunset are great for saving a few bucks. Eating and drinking are pricy in Hawaii.

If you are only going to do one luau do the Old Lahaina Luau-it%26#39;s the best by far and it does book up way in advance, but you can do it on line. If there is something you really want to do, book it in advance because June is busy.

VRBO is a great way to get the condo, Costco has good deals on hotel/car/air packages. I think the best way to do it is to figure which area you want to visit (Napili, Kaanapali, Kehei, Kapalua or Wailea) and then narrow it down to where you can stay by price and availability. Take what deal you can find on your own and then see what an agent has to offer. We%26#39;ve only used an agent once (Aloha Destinations) and at that time they were able to get us a better deal.

Don%26#39;t stess too hard about it-no matter where you stay you will have a blast-it%26#39;s Maui!

There are lots of different answers to your questions. What type of family travelers you are and how much time do you want to spend researching mean alot. You can save some (but not alot) of money booking yourself.

Where you stay on Maui is more important if you hang out at your hotel/condo alot. A nice comfortable place to stay is always nice but we really just sleep there and do day trips to beaches, trails, tourist traps, whatever. In 5 week or more long trips we have not been to every beach or activity on Maui. If you just hang out one place to relax the place can be more important.

If you have time you can learn alot on this web-site, take it all in but remember everyone is not the same (even in your own family).

For what it%26#39;s worth southern Kaanapali south of Black Rock (high $) and southern Kehei (lower $) are good %26#39;centers%26#39; of/for activity. 10 days is a good trip length on Maui though. A week is to short, after 2 it gets long (especially for the kids).

Aloha!

book yourself, you%26#39;ll save money. The only activities that I know of that book up way in advance are The Old Lahaina Luau and the zipline. Otherwise everything else you can decide on when you get there. Watch out for the timeshare sales people!

HI all

I booked in December with Costco For July 07 at the Sheridian.I saved over $1000.00 comapred to my local travel agent and all and i mean all of the on line(expedia,orbitz) travel companies.Same air fare (direct flight out of SFO) rental car the whole enchalidia babay.

mpinsp-book through Costco-They have never let me down and i have always beat everyone else for the best package.

Beach side at the sheridian in july 07

mex25

When we first went to Hawaii ten years ago I booked our airfare through Costco and then did our condo on my own. Since then I have learned a lot of little tricks and I think I spend less and less each trip.

I would compare airfares seperately first, then find where you want to stay and I recommend a condo for your family. Try VRBO for rentals by owner. It%26#39;s a better way to go because you are not paying property management fees and you know exactly what you are getting and then find your car.

I can recommend the following complexes that we have stayed at

South Maui

Sugar Beach Resort

Wailea Ekahi Village

Hale Pau Hana

Wailea Elua Village

All the above are on great swimming beaches and are fabulous for families. The Wailea complexes are a little more pricey. Sugar Beach Resort has a great remodeled oceanfront pool and is excellent for families who want to stay oceanfront but don%26#39;t want to break the bank. Also try mauiownercondos.com and Alii Resorts.

The Mahana

The Whaler

The Mahana has fabulous views and every unit is oceanfront but it%26#39;s not the best beach for swimming, walk to the south a bit for much better. The Whaler is more expensive but on a great spot right in the heart of Kaanapali. A little busier atmosphere.

HI addicted

Were not the condo types as i%26#39;ve have seveal freinds who love em.i cook and clean enough at home.I usually stay at the westin In Puerta vallarata or moon palace in cancun.Stll find costco cant be beat on the resort level.I have looked at VBRO but wify still likes hanging out poolside-although youre not going to do much of that in maui -a lot more to seeand do.

mex25

stayed at the Four seasons in wailea in 94-all expenses paid -a sales contest winner.

mex25