Kihei Maui is a Great Place to Be
Kihei Maui has a lot to offer from great soft white sand beaches, palm trees, clear blue skies to all the ocean activities you can imagine.
Accommodation options have just as much variety. There are higher end ocean front condos and more affordable vacation condos which families love for the true Hawaiian ambience – typically a 2-story buildings surrounded in a tropical garden setting. You will pay a little extra for ocean front or ocean view condos, but in Kihei there is a condo for everybody and every family. Its also always nice to find a condo with a pool for those days when you just feel like lounging around.
If you feel like adventuring out there are a plethora of things to do in Kihei like strolling the beaches, swimming in the ocean, enjoying snorkeling, surfing, board paddling, boogie boarding, or just relaxing to catch a tan.
(View of Kalama Beach Park taken from kitemaniac.com)
There are also plenty of public Beach Parks in Kihei, like Kalama Beach Park and Waipuilani Park. Kalama Beach Park offers excellent picnicking facilities such as picnic tables, BBQ grills, showers and a great playground for little kids. South Kihei has paved trails along the ocean for biking and jogging and North Kihei has a Farmer’s Market open daily featuring fresh tropical fruits, tasty apple bananas, juicy strawberry papayas or sweet delicious mangos.
Beyond the farmers market, Kihei has many restaurant choices from fine dining to fast food. Kihei offers a restaurant for everybody’s taste buds and budget. And don’t forget about the weather. Its perfect. Always nice and sunny year round, with warm, gentle Hawaiian trade winds allowing you to turn off the air condition.
To enjoy what Kihei has to offer, let VacationRoost help you find the perfect vacation rental by visiting www.vacationroost.com or calling 1-888-33-ROOST.
Before I got the opport
unity to really spend time in and around Cabo San Lucas, I had a hard time wrapping my head around the lay of the land. How far is San José from downtown Cabo? Which vacation homes are located on swimmable beaches? Where are said beaches, in relation to downtown? What’s the difference between homes on the “Pacific side” vs. homes on the “Marina side?” What the heck is the “Corridor?” Sound familiar? Well, I’m happy to say I finally mastered Cabo’s layout and am here to share my newly-acquired knowledge. And, yes, it is all that it’s cracked up to be (just in case you were wondering)!
Okay, so let’s get started. When you fly into Cabo, you fly into Los Cabos International airport, which is about 20 minutes inland from the coast. You have two choices once you enter into the heart of San José: you can continue straight through the roundabout into oldtown San José, or turn right onto the coastal highway to make your way up the coast to Cabo San Lucas. If you choose the former you will enter into San José‘s Hotel Row (beautiful hotels and condos that line the SWIMMABLE beach in SJ). This area has a more authentic “Mexican” feel than downtown Cabo, so if you’re looking for that experience, you should stay on Hotel Row (ex. Costa Azul Resort or Las Mananitas condominium) or at least make a day trip from Cabo to check it out. If you choose to go straight ahead into Cabo you will pass through the area between San José and downtown Cabo: the “Corridor.” You won’t see many homes because they are hidden on either side of the highway, however, this is where most of the SWIMMABLE beaches are located. You can stay along the Corridor and be anywhere from 10-30 minutes from downtown Cabo. Beaches are the Corridor‘s main attraction and is a great area for those looking for quiet and privacy.
Continuing past the Corridor is downtown Cabo. Downtown is not very large, about a 20 min walk from end to end, but it’s full of shopping, bars, restaurants, and hotels (Pueblo Bonito Rose & Pueblo Bonito Blanco and the 5 star Hacienda Cabo condominiums are just behind the beach and great for a central location). Medano beach is the place to be if you are looking for water sports, day drinking or maybe interested in the singles scene. Also, if you are staying in downtown Cabo, Medano is really your only option for a SWIMMABLE beach. In addition, it has the best vantage point for viewing The Arches – unless you take a boat out to see them, which I highly recommend!
Now, if you continue along the waterfront (Bay of Cabo San Lucas), you will enter the Marina. This is where the fishing boats, charters and boat slips are located. There are also several restaurants ranging from Ruth’s Chris to local fare. Most gringos dine here at night and have a few drinks before hitting the clubs (i.e. Giggling Marlin, El Squid Roe – all located just behind the Marina, downtown). The food is good and all restaurants have outdoor seating. Two blocks inland from the Marina is Pedregal; a gated hill community comprised mostly of homes owned by the local gringo population. The homes on the lower side of the hill are only a couple of blocks from downtown, making it convenient to walk into town.
Now, here’s where it can get confusing: Pedregal is a hill with homes located on all sides. It is split up into two areas the “Pacific side” or “Marina side.” If your vacation home is on the west side of the hill, you are on the Pacific side; if your home is on the east side, you are on the Marina side. Homes on the Pacific side have expansive views of the ocean and tend to have light later in the day. Anything facing the Marina or the east has views of the Sea of Cortez. The Pacific Ocean is not swimmable in this area. Should you stay in Pedregal, it’s easiest to catch cabs to and from town unless you choose to rent a car for day excursions. There are a few hotels on the Pacific side, such as Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach, Pueblo Bonito Pacifica and the Monte Cristo Estates. They are located just behind Pedregal and offer beautiful beach access (though not swimmable). This location is perfect for weddings, large groups or couples that wish to spend most days by the pool, enjoying one another’s company. The hotels are all full-service and the villas have private pools and kitchens, so the need to leave the premises is minimal. From here, you are about a 15 minute drive to downtown.
So, that pretty much sums it up, from San José to Cabo, the ins and outs. I hope that this was helpful!
- Noelle M
Maui’s Many Beaches
When people think of Hawaii they think tropical beach paradise, and that it is. In addition it is made up of an amazingly diverse ecology that includes remote canyons, coral reefs, desert-like terrain, lush valleys, snow-capped mountains, rainforests, active and dormant volcanoes as well as countless waterfalls.
Wherever you go, there are plenty of activities to explore and choose from such as snorkeling, diving, sightseeing, dining, biking, hiking, surfing, swimming, windsurfing, shopping, golf and more. The types of activities and attractions vary from island to island. You’ll soon learn that while all of the Hawaiian Islands were born from Madame Pele, each is quite different from the others and each has its own unique charm.
Maui is an easy favorite. There are over 120 miles of coastline and over 30 miles of the best beaches of any of the islands. West Maui’s signature beach Kaanapali Beach is famous for its white sand and was named one of “America’s Best Beach” in 2003. Besides the sand, Maui’s beaches offer some of the best snorkeling especially in Puu Kekaa, aka Black Rock in the northernmost section of the island, as well as great family picnicking at parks like D.T. Fleming Beach Park is in Kapalua – also named one of the best beaches in 2006.
(Image found at http://www.mauiinformationguide.com/best-beaches.php)
The Southern areas of Maui are perfect for family fun with easy parking, lifeguards and excellent swimming at places like Kamaole Park in Kihei. Anothe great family beach is Makena Beach State Park Beach, which is one of the largest beaches on Maui. Wailea Beach is an ideal area too that has equipment rentals and a paved area to beach walk past wonderful hotels, shops and restaurants.
To experience these great beaches let VacationRoost help you find the perfect vacation home for your next trip to paradise. Many of our rental properties sleep up to 14 people and range from charming villas overlooking the ocean to large vacation homes with pools, hot tubs, and much more including access to these numerous and wonderful beaches. Visit www.vacationroost.com or call 1-888-33-ROOST.
Six Tips: How to Enjoy America’s TRUE Paradise “The Hawaiian Islands” Right Here on Earth
1) Just Hang Loose: From the time the airplane touches down on the Hawaiian runway, Slow Down, Relax, Sip a cool delicious tropical drink (my personal favorite being the Mai Tai) and get rid of the everyday tension we are unfortunately accustomed to in the Mainland.
2) Smile: You will be boosted with happiness, and find the local people smiling back making your interactions open, relaxed (there’s that word again) and filled with lots of fun and possibilities.
3) Relax, Swim and Enjoy the Beaches: Hawaii has stunningly beautiful beaches. Sit, lookout at beautiful sand stretching from the shore to the ocean. Admire the ocean’s shades of azure blue. Listen to the waves lapping on to the shore, while the palm fronds rustle in the breeze. There’s nothing more relaxing (ah, once again that word appears).
4) Take time to learn about the wonderful Hawaiian Culture and the Beautiful Hawaiian People: If you look closely at the Hawaiian people you can see and feel the incredible ethnic diversity. Walk down any street in Hawaii and be welcomed with friendliness, respect, love, and with the “Aloha Spirit.” Aloha is what makes Hawaii so unique and you will find the “Aloha Spirit” everywhere you go. No other destination in the world has or offers the TRUE Spirit of Aloha.
5) Get out and SEE Hawaii and all the Beauty the Islands have to offer: Go beyond the typical tourist experience, whether it’s a volcano tour to see active lava flow, or a trek along the coastline, there’s something fun and unique about each Island. Explore the islands and experience local culture and history with an insider’s perspective from a true native tour guide.
6) Enjoy all the Hawaiian Cuisine: Restaurants in Hawaii serve a local cuisine based on seafood taken from the southern waters, and tropical fruits such as pineapple, papaya, and mango. A Hawaii plate lunch is a must with a hearty sampling of home style Island cooking. It is also one of Hawaii’s real bargains: a filling, hot meal for $5 to $8.
The Hawaiian Islands America’s TRUE Paradise, right here on Earth offers something no other place on the planet can, the Hawaiian people, their culture and history. Discover the Hawaiian Islands Today!!!
Professionally-Managed Matters
VacationRoost is proud to provide an inventory of over 150,000 professionally managed properties for YOU the consumer! By offering our customers the widest selection of Professionally-Managed vacation rentals, we make available features that “Rent By Owner” (“RBO”) vacation rentals cannot, including:
1) Real time pricing and availability online
2) Payment Options – the ability to book online with a credit card
3) Customer Service – the ability to speak with one of our Destination Experts who is familiar with the properties
4) A comfortable check-in process with on-site management
5) Confidence that properties will be professionally cleaned and maintained
6) Flexibility – on-site management to help our guests enjoy their vacations and handle any issues that may arise
These perks are just a handful of reasons why we are commited to our Property Management suppliers. It’s a partnership – we help them market and book their inventory, and they insure our guests receive top quality vacation homes and services when they arrive. It is the strength of these partnerships that assures our guests the type of experience we are selling at VacationRoost: to stay at a place that’s ‘just right’ for your needs.
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Living Like a Local
A resort town is a funny place where the worlds of the tourist and the local tend to be separate, but parallel. On a typical Friday a tourist and a local will go out for dinner, drinks, and dancing. The difference, however, is where these two parties ultimately end up.
I myself live in a resort town and actively avoid tourist spots. When I travel and switch into tourist mode I yearn to hang out where the locals do. Don’t get me wrong there is always a time and place for taking a picture in front of the ever popular tourist gimmick or buying a t-shirt to immortalize your trip, but the local experience tends to outweigh the trappings of the tourist experience especially when it comes to value for the price.
People choose vacation rentals for the exact same reason people seek out local hangouts: value for the price. Value for vacation rentals comes from privacy, space, and amenities. Another perk is the ability to “live like a local.” Vacation rentals afford you the opportunity to be part of a neighborhood and area that doesn’t always come with the price tag of staying in a hotel. Maybe there is a coffee shop down the street from your rental where local business meetings happen or a grocery store whose deli can give a New York delicatessen a run for its money? Searching out these types of hangouts gives your vacation dimension, and more importantly they tend to be cheaper than tourist equivalents.
So next time you book your lodging remember that vacation rentals provide you with a long list of benefits including the cultural and cost-effective advantages of living like a local.
If you would like to experience ALL the benefits of vacation rentals, let VacationRoost help you find the perfect vacation home for your next trip. Visit www.vacationroost.com or call 1-888-33-ROOST.
Best Time to Book
Right NOW is the absolute best time to make plans and to confirm your next vacation.
Many of our lodging partners are offering incredible reduced rates and added values. If you book NOW you can save lots of money while ensuring an exceptional and memorable vacation. But hurry, plan and book NOW, as some of the deals are only offered for a short time and you want to take full advantage of the deals while they’re still being offered.
Use http://www.vacationroost.com/ or call (888) 337-6678 to speak to one of our Destination Experts, who’ll be able to suggest the very best value for your vacation dollar. Understanding your needs and finding the absolute very best value to meet your needs is why we have been in business for over a decade.
We look forward to Exceeding your Expectations!!!
Top Seven Reasons Travelers Love Vacation Rentals
Here at VacationRoost, we hear all the time how much our clients love vacation rentals. Our files of feedback overflow with happy customers who rave about the many benefits the special home or condo brought to make their vacation perfect. Recently, Ypartnership and the Harrison Group conducted a study, “Group Portrait of American Travelers,” that chronicled the top seven reasons why travelers chose vacation rentals for their vacations; the results were very similar to what we hear from our customers. Here are the top seven in reverse countdown order ala David Letterman.
Number 7: Family Togetherness – 68% of the travelers in the study said they choose vacation rentals for the experience itself — growing closer by enjoying quality time together underneath one roof. For many, it’s the atmosphere that sets vacation rentals apart.
Number 6: Extra Rooms – 70% of travelers find multiple bedrooms to be a top vacation rental motivator. Some three-bedroom properties sleep up to eight guests, making them perfect for large families or groups.
Number 5: Amenities – 85% of travelers cited special amenities as a unique benefit of vacation homes. Things like game rooms, pool tables, swimming pools, fireplaces, hot tubs and movie rooms all create an atmosphere of excitement upon arrival and provide places to unwind in privacy with loved ones — something you don’t get with hotels.
Number 4: More Space Overall – Unlike a cramped hotel room, vacation homes are what they sound like: homes! That means they have more space for you and your family and friends to enjoy. Vacation rentals typically provide between 1,000 to 4,000 square feet for travelers to enjoy. 86% of travelers cited this as the reason they chose vacation rentals.
Number 3: Full Kitchen Facilities – Have you ever taken a family of five to breakfast at a fancy hotel and gulped when the bill came? (Hmmm… how much would cereal have cost at home??) Nearly 90% of travelers value the benefit of having a private kitchen at their disposal during their vacations. Whether it is the ability to provide economical meals and snacks throughout the day, or prepare a big meal to bring the group together in the evening, having you own kitchen is one of the biggest benefits of a vacation home versus a hotel.
Number 2: Privacy – 89% of travelers cited privacy as a key benefit of vacation rentals. Private homes and condos have the spaces and amenities that you desire, and most importantly, that you can enjoy with privacy. Have you ever tried to slip into the hotel hot tub with ten other guests that you don’t know already in there? Compare that with the luxury of your own hot tub, watching movies or eating breakfast in your pajamas, having plenty of space for the kids to run and scream without bothering anyone else. Yes, privacy is a huge benefit of vacation rentals.
Drum roll please Paul… and the Number 1 benefit of Vacation Rentals is…. Value For the Price – Over 90% of travelers rate value as the main reason that they’ll select vacation rentals on their trips. They often provide significant cost savings versus other lodging options like multiple hotel rooms, and also offer inherent values that are unmatched with other vacation options.
There you have it. There are hundreds of reasons to love vacation rentals, but these are the top seven. Tell us what your favorite reasons are!
If you would like to experience all of the benefits of vacation rentals, let VacationRoost help you find the perfect vacation home for your next trip. Visit www.vacationroost.com or call 1-888-33-ROOST.
The Gift that Keeps on Giving
A new bike, a Barbie dream house, a My Little Pony, a new CD — all things I asked Santa to bring me for Christmas as a child. As an adult, I recall getting some of them. Don’t know on which Christmas they came or what ended up happening to them. The things that stick out the most in my mind are the holiday trips skiing with my family. At a young age my parents put me on skis and the tradition started. Every holiday we tried to go skiing. I know I always sent Santa a list, and I know he always found me. I can’t tell you what he brought me, but I can tell you what I do remember.
I remember the long car rides from Texas to Colorado where mom and dad would tell us all about the “good ol’ days.” I remember a cold snowy day in Vail where my dad bought me strawberry ice cream in a cone and we ate it as the flakes came down. Steamboat — seeing the Olympic team trials while bundled up in a then fashionable neon ski suit, Crested Butte — walking around town shopping for Bev Doolittle paintings for Dad. And most recently, we all smiled with and laughed with the innocence and awe of a child as we watched the Nights of Light parade at Mammoth Mountain in 2010. As an adult, I cherish these memories. They are mine. They won’t rust, break, get lost, stolen or forgotten like so many of the gifts that I so badly wanted Santa to bring.
So this year, why not start a tradition where memories are given instead of gifts. The best part is that you don’t even know they are being given until years later, where they will be the most prized possession of all.
-Amy J
