I’m going to be honest- I’m a hotel and resort kind of person.  When I go on vacation, I want great pools with towels and lounge chairs available.  I want someone to come and take my order for drinks and food at the pool.  I want fresh towels in my room.  I don’t want to cook or clean up after myself so I’m going to stay at a resort!

So if you’re like me and you want that resort experience during your honeymoon to Hawaii, we have a bunch of tips on how to have your resort but still save money!

Top money saving hacks for your Hawaii honeymoon!

FOOD – These are our favorite ways to save money on food in Hawaii.

  • PACK these 2 really easy things with you!  
    • An insulated cooler bag
    • Zip lock bags

We like to do impromptu picnics on the beach or while we are exploring so we fill an insulated cooler bag with ice (stored in the freezer size zip lock bags) which are readily available in your hotel and fill the cooler bags with water bottles, drinks and food.  We’ll go into the local supermarkets or even the ABC stores to get snacks and fruit or sandwiches while we’re exploring or out for the day.

  • Eat where the locals eat.

Of course you can have a few splurge meals but if you want something less expensive, avoid the touristy restaurants and eat where the locals do.  We don’t ask the concierge of the hotel for recommendations, we ask the bell hops or the valets!  If we are staying in Wailea, we’ll head into Kehei for dinner.  If we are staying in Ka’anapali, we’ll head a bit north of the hotel zone for some restaurants (some are in strip malls) where you’ll find less tourists and more locals.  Check out the Napili Plaza and along Lower Honopiilani Road.

  • Head to the grocery store

In addition to having snacks and ready to eat meals, many have wine and beer.  How nice to have an adult beverage on your lanai as the sun sets!

Transportation

  • Only rent a car for as long as you need it.  

Car rental pricing is crazy high and in certain destinations, you may not need a car.  Waikiki is one of those places.  Parking is scarce and there a lots of ways to get around (ride share, cabs, The Bus) that will save a ton of money- just on parking.  If you want to explore for a day or so, rent a car just for those days.

  • Consider Ride Share or a taxi from the airport to your Waikiki hotel 

Shared shuttle transfers from Honolulu airport have been unreliable in 2021, so many of our clients will take private transfers to their hotel.  A $100 a pop, it’s pretty pricey.  Both Uber and Lyft are allowed to pick up and drop off passengers at the Honolulu airport and Uber pricing starts around $25 to take you to Waikiki.

Explore on your own vs. taking an excursion

In Maui, Kauai and the Big Island, most of our clients will have a rental car during their stay and we give them tons of info on what there is to see and do on their own.  You could take a tour of the Road to Hana, if you want but you can also drive it on your own.  The only cost is the gas you’ll use, food you may buy and the entrance fee, if you are entering Haleakala National Park

Know when to travel for the best pricing

So many of our honeymooners want to travel right after the wedding and that’s great BUT it may not be the best time for the best pricing.

Winter months are pricey, just because so many people want to get out of the cold.  Summer months- really popular times for families and teachers.  Easter/spring break and between Christmas and New Years is insanely priced.

IF you have some flexibility, travel in April (after Easter) and May.  OR wait until the fall and travel in September, October, November (not around Thanksgiving) or early December.  Many of the resorts will offer a 5th night free promotion or extra amenities during that time of year.

My Vacation Lady is a top rated honeymoon specialist as well as a Hawaii Destination Specialist.  We can assist with planning your dream honeymoon to the Hawaiian islands and keep you updated on the ever changing covid protocols.  We’ll help guide you toward which islands are the best for you, which activities you should pre-book and which you can do on your own.

Let us help you plan your dream honeymoon!

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