78 people want to...

Vacation in Hawaii


 

How to vacation in Hawaii by vparham

"I finally said enough with the excuses, logged onto orbitz.com, found an awesome price on tickets for two and purchased them."

How I did it: We saved money, stopped making excuses and allowed ourselves to enjoy some of the benefits we earned.

One of the awesome benefits of being retired military is that lodging in Hawaii can be dirt cheap when you compare to the rates of top chain hotels. 

During our vacation in Hawaii, my husband and I decided to do some hotel hopping, we stayed at the Navy Lodge in Honolulu (exceptionally nice) we had a room with a full kitchen and waterside view for only $86 a night.  We also stayed at the Hale Koa Military Resort, this resort sits next to the Hilton Hawaii Village on Waikiki, again excellent rate $108 per night compared to $425 and up at other hotels in the same location. 

For under $1800 we purchased r/t tickets, rented a car, stayed at 3 hotels, ate breakfast / lunch and dinner, purchased souvenirs.  Our total stay was 4 days and 3 nights.  Due to plane difficulty, Northwest Airlines paid for us to stay at the Marriott Waikiki, they also paid for transportation to and from the airport, dinner and breakfast so let's make it 5 days and 4 nights :).

Lessons & tips: For military families, plan for your trip to Hawaii because it is expensive but more importantly, take full advantage of your military benefits, you've earned them and you should allow yourself to enjoy them.  The best times to vacation in Hawaii is between September and December (rates tend to be a little cheaper).

We rented a car not knowing that the island had a full line of transportation options for tourists. 

Unless you're visiting the island with a family, save your money on the rental and use the public transportation options available.

Resources: http://www.halekoa.com/ -  Military Resort
http://www.orbitz.com - cheap air fares
http://www.cheaptickets.com - cheap air fares
https://www.navy-lodge.com/ - Navy Lodging
http://dodlodging.net/ - Military Lodge for all Branches
http://www.ihop.com/ - they have an IHOP
http://www.redlobster.com - Red Lobster
http://www.pukadog.com/ - Hawaiian Style Hot Dog


1 person found this helpful
 

Jan 01, 07:32PM PST | 0 comments


People doing this:

  • Columbus
    1 entry
  • Fort Collins
    1 entry
  • Ontario
    		•
  • San Clemente
    		•
  • Yucaipa
    		•

    • → See all people

    People doing this are also doing these things:

    Entries

    twoltman

    Oahu and Maui visited 11 months ago

    I’ve had so much fun in Hawaii (still have to visit the Big Island and Kauai). We borrowed a condo just a block up from the Royal Hawaiian in Waikiki. It was the middle of December (my secret time to go to the islands). My best memory was walking down the street in my swim trunks, coffee in hand for a morning swim and hearing “Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer” being played on some steel drums and thinking to myself, “It’s 80 degrees, I’m going swimming, what are they playing Christmas songs for?”, then comming ot the realization that Christmas was just a week away! Paradise.

    Maui I was just at for Memorial day weekend last year. Some friends rented a big house on the hillside looking out towards Lanai and got married in the backyard there. I didn’t want to leave I loved Maui so much. I would’ve punched my Grandmother in the face to be able to spend all my time in that very place.

    Next up will be the Big Island, so I can visit the telescopes there (hopefully) and maybe a helicopter tour of the volcanoes!

    Jul 29, 2008, 10:36AM PDT | 0 comments


    AngelsDust

    Untitled 16 months ago

    FUN!

    Feb 25, 2008, 02:20PM PST | 0 comments


    peteyddotcom

    Untitled 20 months ago

    We rented a house on the beach through hawaii-beachhomes.com. Just the best!

    Nov 05, 2007, 12:45PM PST | 0 comments


    Alexis001

    !! 2 years ago

    So much fun! Been twice.

    Jul 05, 2007, 10:21PM PDT | 0 comments


    A Girl in the Curl is making some tough decisions

    Last vacation I took 2 years ago

    my boss told us all to use up our vacations (should have been a warning!)

    Came back and got laid off. Hah…and no three weeks vacation paid out…smart man.

    We went to Kauai and stayed at the Dharma center, which was WHACKY. Tashi, the lama in residence was funny and totally not what I was expecting, but we had fun.

    I’d like to go back, but maybe a different island this time.

    Mar 29, 2007, 08:02PM PDT | 1 cheer | 1 comment


    M0RRIGHAN is wondering how the year went so fast!

    Ooooh Closer Closer 2 years ago

    Now that my husband will be working for an airline, the chances are greater that we will be able to go to Hawaii. It’s still not something that I can grasp, as we still need to get our finances in better shape, but wow it’s “do-able”!

    I know that I can make this happen with a little planning and some saving.

    Mar 28, 2007, 06:30PM PDT | 2 cheers | 0 comments


    alphawoman

    All set for July 2 years ago

    Flights booked, condo booked. Going with 15 or so others for a big family vacation. It’s going to be paradise.

    Mar 17, 2007, 10:51AM PDT | 1 cheer | 2 comments


    rockwilder is a self-knowing creative romantic.

    Hawaii is Paradise! 2 years ago

    If you ever get the chance to visit Hawaii…GO! You could take a cruise around the islands, or visit the Orchid Gardens. Hawaii is luscious and full of nature’s beauty. I enjoyed taking lots of pictures there. Loved the sunets over the ocean.

    Nov 19, 2006, 10:59PM PST | 1 cheer | 0 comments


    Squirrel Hunter is not feeling it today...

    It beautiful there. 3 years ago

    I’d like to do this again!

    Mar 07, 2006, 03:57PM PST | 4 cheers | 2 comments



    People who once wanted to do this are now doing these things:

    People have suggested "Vacation in Hawaii" is really the same as:

     

    I want to:

    The world wants to...

    travel the world learn how to beat box lose some weight stay single learn english make a pinhole camera get a tatto lose 50 pounds fast stop being jealous Mike wants to identify 100 things that make me happy (besides money) learn to walk on my hands learn to play the harmonica see Paris love someone Caroline wants to Clean out my closet. get in shape passion get people to read my blog Be an extra in a movie identify my 100 favourite songs (in no order) Get over my first love get famous go to photography school learn to bartend study hard do another vipassana retreat duccia wants to exercise regularly take responsibility
    43 Things Login