What it's like to stay at the cheapest motel on Kauai

[DaveNV]

Oh, I have stayed in much worse as well.....................when I was much younger. At this point in my life I am all about creature comfort.

I think we all are. I'm only saying this place "could" be an option, if you really needed it.

Dave

 

[Luanne]

I think we all are. I'm only saying this place "could" be an option, if you really needed it.

Dave

When we have had a gap night we've known far enough ahead that I had plenty of options. Maybe if it was last minute and this was all there was I'd take it.

 

[Chrispee]

I thought the link might end up being our Kauai super-dive of choice; the Kauai Palms.
We have limited flights from Vancouver to LIH so a couple of times we’ve had to arrive the night prior to our timeshare exchange.

Nowadays I’ll just try to rent a couple of nights elsewhere though.

 

[DeniseM]

I didn't expect this thread to stir up such a hornets nest! You know, it's OK to look at someone else's life style and say, "That's not for me, but it's interesting to learn about." I always wondered about these discount places and it was good to learn that some are clean and safe. YMMV

 

[DaveNV]

When we have had a gap night we've known far enough ahead that I had plenty of options. Maybe if it was last minute and this was all there was I'd take it.

That's what I'm referring to. Nobody would plan a trip to Kauai and say, "Oh, look! We can stay there!"

Dave

 

[b2bailey]

Many years ago I needed to make a brief trip to San Antonio.
I booked a low cost room.
After the ride in a filthy elevator, I called my husband and said:
Remind me to NEVER again book a 2 star hotel.
So, I liked that the Tip Top was considered very clean.
That would be enough for me to say "it will be okay for one night."

 

[pedro47]

Sometimes we all forget where we come from. We have been blessed to be able to Vacation in much better accommodations .

 

[Ken555]

I didn't expect this thread to stir up such a hornets nest! You know, it's OK to look at someone else's life style and say, "That's not for me, but it's interesting to learn about." I always wondered about these discount places and it was good to learn that some are clean and safe. YMMV

In my view, the concept of a discount goes beyond just the reduction in price; it is inherently relative, especially in the context of a resort location. A discount can be influenced by various factors, such as the overall experience, the quality of services provided, and the unique offerings of the destination. For instance, this hotel may offer a lower price point, but if the amenities are subpar, the perceived value diminishes. Conversely, a slightly higher price tag could come with improved service, exclusive experiences, and beautiful surroundings, making it feel like a worthwhile investment. Therefore, when considering discounts in such settings, it's essential to take into account the broader context and the holistic experience that accompanies the monetary value.

 

[ScoopKona]

That's what I'm referring to. Nobody would plan a trip to Kauai and say, "Oh, look! We can stay there!"

For a lot of people, that's the only way they could make it happen. I see such people hitchhiking often. If I have room, I'll give them a lift (and hope they bathed recently.)

We have a similar place near us. The Pineapple Park Hostel. Costs like $140 a night for a private room. And for people who are OK with hostel dorms, $50. We stayed there two nights to sign paperwork to buy our farm. It was fine. The people who stay at these sorts of places are just sleeping there. They're not lounging at the property. They're outside, enjoying the great outdoors the rest of the day. I've been traveling this way my entire life. It's why I've been to more than 70 countries. For a great many of the places I've been, these inexpensive Hawaii hotels would be a serious, serious upgrade.

These people are seeing more of Hawaii than the tourists staying in Waikoloa Beach. Those resorts are a theme park for people who don't actually want anything to do with Hawaii -- other than the weather. Anyone who goes there is going there in part because they only want to see other tourists and resort employees. They're also going there in part because they don't have to think about anything at all. Everything is right there. They don't have to leave. (And frankly, I'm all in favor of that. Keeps them all together out from underfoot. There's basically nothing between them and the airport. Just scrubland and goats.) It's essentially a cruise ship that never goes anywhere.

We spent our two days staying there knocking on all our future neighbor's doors. Since the farm is shaped like a giant flag on a pole, we have about 20 neighbors. Can't actually see any of them. But they're around.

 

[pedro47]

Sometimes it’s good to do your homework in advance and check out TripAdvisor, TUGReviews, Facebook and others Hotels & Resorts reviews before your booked that hotel or resort… IMHO

 

[artringwald]

We stayed there once, for an afternoon. We had a late red-eye and we both needed a nap after we had to checkout of the timeshare. I thought it was fine. Cinder block walls in the room, but everything was clean. DW swore she'd never stay there again. The reason - the checkin desk is the cashier for the restaurant. Everyone in the restaurant saw us checkin and checkout. They grinned at us like they didn't know we were an old married couple and just needed a good nap.

 

[PigsDad]

We stayed there once, for an afternoon. We had a late red-eye and we both needed a nap after we had to checkout of the timeshare. I thought it was fine. Cinder block walls in the room, but everything was clean. DW swore she'd never stay there again. The reason - the checkin desk is the cashier for the restaurant. Everyone in the restaurant saw us checkin and checkout. They grinned at us like they didn't know we were an old married couple and just needed a good nap.

Way to give your wife a reputation around the island!


Kurt

 

[artringwald]

Way to give your wife a reputation around the island!


Kurt

What about my reputation?

 

[amycurl]

I think I would have taken Joan Jett’s attitude if I’d been your wife in that situation….


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[artringwald]

I think I would have taken Joan Jett’s attitude if I’d been your wife in that situation….


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Now that's a name l haven't heard in a long time.

 

[pedro47]

I think I would have taken Joan Jett’s attitude if I’d been your wife in that situation….


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That would have been my wife attitude after staying in a timeshare resort.

 

[Shoejack]

I have been a commission road salesman for years, or was. Since lodging came out of my pocket I would have stayed in a place like that, with the prices in Washington and Oregon. The closest I had was staying on San Juan Island in Washington. There weren't many hotels and those that were there were tough on my budget. But for a few years a company set up a place with portable units that oil line workers used in Alaska. There was room for a single bed, a small TV and a motorhome sized bathroom. But it was within my budget. After a few years it was gone and I made the trip for sales leaving Anacortes at 6am, to San Juan, then to Orcas, then the last ferry back to Anacortes. It was a long day.

As someone who has lived and worked on Orcas Island since 1996, it sure is hard to find affordable overnight places to stay. Back in 2009, we started (yes, it is all our fault) the first Airbnb in the San Juans. We rented a room or two in our home for $70/night during the fall/winter/spring and then the whole house was available for rent for up to 9 people during the summer. When renting a room, we were more interested in meeting new people than making big money. It was a lot of fun getting to know folks from all over the world and this set up lasted from 2009-2016. Now, we both work off-island and reserve our home exclusively for ourselves and our grown kids. So, glad we purchased this house when we did (during the real estate crash), since the house is now worth triple what we paid for it. Retirement goals are to be home on Orcas and access timeshares for the times when we are traveling.

 

[trippka]

You can usually get Marriott's Kauai Beach Club for less than $200/night on Redweek. Isn't likely to work if you are between 1 week resort stays or just wanting to add a night for better airfare. However, there you are right on the ocean, have the largest pool in Kauai, have the golf course next to you and so many other amenities. If I were in my 20s again (and didn't already have a bunch of nights) I would definitely go there instead of the cheapo motel. If you just want to add a place for the kids while you use your Marriott, it is a great option as well. Easily cheaper than booking a 2 br.

 

[trippka]

Oh, I have stayed in much worse as well.....................when I was much younger. At this point in my life I am all about creature comfort.

As an oil field worker, I have stayed in much worse recently.

 

[Luanne]

As an oil field worker, I have stayed in much worse recently.

Retired here, not working. So I can usually pick and choose locations and where I stay.

 

[JAbbott]

We stayed there one night when I screwed up and had to find a night between timeshare weeks. I just showed my wife the pic in the article. Her lips curled and she said ewww, no.!

 

[pedro47]

We stayed there one night when I screwed up and had to find a night between timeshare weeks. I just showed my wife the pic in the article. Her lips curled and she said ewww, no.!

LOL.

 

[FunnyFarm]

We have stayed at Kauai Inn when we needed one or two nights to fill in. I believe they are as cheap but pleasant enough to enjoy.
Short walk down the road to the canoe club launch. Muffins and fruit for breakfast.

Also used Banyon Harbor for cheap nights in between. Kitchens. Nice view from the pool and BBQs available.

 

[Tacoma]

This is why my family is happy that I got into timeshares. It is very hard for me to pay a lot for hotel rooms, I usually book pretty much the cheapest thing out there that looks safe. They still haven't forgiven me for a room on our trip through New York state when the car broke down on our way to the Manhatten Club. I was thrilled as it was only a mile or so from the Toyota dealership I got the car fixed at. There's only one place I refused to stay in San Diego one time. It definitely did not feel safe and I swear it looked like a bullet hole in one of the windows. That's when I learned the difference between corporate hotels and ones that are franchised. I even go so far on road trips to search which areas have cheaper hotel rooms. Last summer I knew to stop north of Salt Lake City for the night since closer in the prices went way up. To me a room for a night or two is just a place to crash.

 

[echino]

If you need a night before/after/between timeshare stays, rent abound points and book a room at Kauai Beach Club, they cost between 75 and 375 points per night depending on time, or $50 - $300 per night using going rate for rental points. Most nights around $125. Take 30% off that if you are Chairman. A lot better room than this motel, for less.