by Marilyn De Angelis Pennell

Created on: February 08, 2009   Last Updated: February 18, 2009

Can You Find An Affordable Hotel on Maui?

Yes, but you have to do some homework. The island of Maui in the Hawaiian islands is a prime tourist destination. In general, the top hotels, which are located in the three major tourist destinations on the island, are quite pricey, averaging $300.00 to more than $400.00 per night. However, there are good deals to be found if you look for them and know a few tips about negotiating a hotel room in Hawaii.

How to Cut Costs at the Prime Tourists Areas on Maui

The top tourist areas on Maui are Waliea, located in South Maui; Ka'anapali in West/Upper West Maui and Kapalua, in upper West Maui. These three top tourist spots boast great beaches (watch out for the waves), swimming pools and other amenities at the top priced hotels. But, there are ways to enjoy the fun while getting the price down, at any hotel on Maui.

First, take a local with you and ask for the local rate. Most hotels offer what is called the "Kama'aina rate" (Hawaii residents), which is what the locals pay when they book a hotel on the islands. Your local friend must stay with you and he or she must produce a valid ID that states that he/she is a resident of Hawaii.

I recently booked a room at the well appointed Marriott Hotel in Wailiea at almost a quarter of the going rate since I was accompanied by a friend who lives on Maui. Another tip that works for cutting costs at Marriot Hotels on Hawaii is to use the Marriott Rewards "point program" which is similar to frequent flier miles. I have managed to bring the costs down considerably by getting one or two free nights at Marriott hotels on Maui with my saved points and when I stay and pay at a Marriott on Maui, I am banking points for a future free night or two.

Get Away From Tourist Spots

Another way to find an affordable hotel on Maui is to get away from the main tourist areas. A good compromise is to stay in the Kihei area of Maui. Located next to the upscale Wailiea area. Kihei has three public beaches located next to one another: Kama'ole Beach Park 1, 2, 3. KIhei can be a few degrees hotter than other parts of Maui, especially in the summer and it also attracts a younger crowd.

Kihei in South Maui is Fun and Affordable

Kihei has many eateries and other attractions. But the best selling point is the fact that the Kihei area hotels are less expensive than those in Wailea, Kannapali and Kapalua. In addition to hotels. Kihei also has many condos that can be rented by the week or month. The best way to get a good

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