How To Plan An Affordable Hawaiian Honeymoon
The Ultimate Hawaii Honeymoon Planning Guide for Couples on a Budget
Our top Honeymoon Expert Renee Meyer, founder of Unforgettable Honeymoons shares her advice for how to plan an affordable honeymoon to Hawaii in the write up below. Read her advice and recommendations in Travel + Leisure’s How to Plan the Perfect Honeymoon Article here!
Since the Pandemic, Hawaii has become increasing expensive and sadly out of budget for many honeymoon couples who dreamed of a Hawaiian honeymoon. We had been assisting many couples who were dreaming of a Hawaii Honeymoon before the pandemic who were forced to have to wait until afterward to book, only to find out the Maui Resort, or Island Hopping Honeymoon they dream of taking had doubled in price. In addition, the cost for dining out and going on day trips in the Hawaiian islands has increased as well.
Below some Tips and expert advice for Planning an Affordable Hawaiian Honeymoon:
- Hold off on your purchase airline tickets without checking on availability of hotels and land costs. Honeymooners need to certain a Hawaii Honeymoon will fit into their budget before purchasing air tickets. Often we are advised air tickets have been already secured, once couples hear that the resort they hoped to book is much higher than expected, we step in to rework the itinerary.
- Consider switching from Maui to Oahu, Kauai or the Big Island: Maui is right now the highest end pricing due to supply and demand. if an island hop is a dream trip, combine Oahu with Maui, it will be less than a combination with Kauai or the Big Island.
- Be as flexible as possible on dates: Most hotels in Hawaii have changed to dynamic pricing, which is based on their occupancy levels not the season of travel, the price might be quite a bit lower for traveling a few days or week later. Not all couples opt to take their honeymoon right after the wedding. Consider keeping your dates open.
- Look for resorts offering a free night and breakfast plan: it is always nice to have at least one meal included if possible. Hyatt hotels are known for a free night and breakfast plan offer called Sunshine on Sale. (Hyatt Maui Honeymoon)
- Consider a moderate Condominium for part or all of your stay and visit some luxury hotels! There are some moderately priced condos, which are units with kitchens throughout the islands, these are usually more economical vs traditional resorts. My advice is make it your base for sightseeing, save the money, but then visit luxury resorts Like the Ritz, Andaz, Fairmont and walk around the grounds , enjoy a beverage at the bar, walk their beach ( all beaches are public) and have lunch or a snack while you are there, its fun to explore luxury hotels, and it gives you that feel of luxury without having to spend the money. ( and maybe later you may end up booking one of these resorts!) best to do off site parking to save money on parking fees. You can visit a lot of hotels along kaanapali beach and park in the Whaler village garage.
Consider Booking Club Level Rooms- Many hotels have floors with exclusive lounges that offer complimentary snacks, drinks and meals
- For couples who want more control over their on-island expenditures, opt for hotels that offer club-level lounges that include light dining, snacks, and beverages as well as concierge services.
- The extra cost can be well worth it, for example, the Ritz Carlton resort Kapalua in Maui has one of the most exceptional club lounge experiences, if couples book a “club level” room or suite, they will enjoy access to their lounge which includes a full continental breakfast, all day dry snacks ( nuts/dried fruit/granola/Chips) , Heavy evening appetizers and pupus, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. This is ideal for couples who desire an all-inclusive type experience which is more typical of the Caribbean.
- For a more moderately priced club option– The Waikiki Prince Hotel’s club experience which is probably one of the best values on Oahu, offers snacks, appetizers, as well as complimentary beer and wine during the early evening. This is a great option for couples on a budget heading to the Waikiki beach area.
Look for Hotels and Resorts that do not have “resort fees” or have a long list of activities and extra’s with their resort fee you’ll enjoy
- The Kahala Resort and Spa in Oahu, which has a unique dolphin lagoon, does not have a resort fee, one of the few that do not, in fact they have a long list of free extra added values when you are a guest at their beautiful hotel. check out one of our favorites, Honeymoon at the Kahala Resort in Oahu
Think about taking your Hawaiian honeymoon during some off weeks that could change pricing entirely
- Consider Slow Periods of travel for Hawaii ( yes they exist!) We always found that the time between the end of Thanksgiving weekend and the start of Christmas season ( Dec 17 or so) was the slowest time for traveling, many of us are getting ready for the holidays, and have already traveled over Thanksgiving or getting ready to travel for the Christmas/ New Years time frame. Consider traveling between November 30th and December 17th for the best rates, you need to complete travel before the 17th , often the first 10 days of December are the best.
- For Peak Season – avoid Holiday travel dates but there are a couple of pockets of slow weeks: ( Jan through the beginning of April) the slowest week of travel is ordinarily the last week of January. We have been able to book lower room /package rates for this time period, all other weeks are higher, the highest being March 15-28th and February 10-17th. Holiday travel is always higher, avoid holiday travel. the first 2 weeks of April will be lower in price vs the last 2 weeks of March.
Check out Unforgettable Honeymoons Theme page: Affordable Hawaiian Honeymoons for their latest specials and deals for Hawaii