Vacation Home Rentals Blog

If a lack of funds prevented you from traveling to Hawaii in the past, let 2009 be your year.

The Aloha State needs you right now, the perfect time to book a vacation home or vacation condo. That’s because two airlines went belly up last year, and a public perception that the state is too expensive for travel, according to this SmarterTravel story.

West Coasters will be spoiled with low airfares and record lodging inventory, but we all know vacation homes offer the best value–especially for large groups. Vacation home owners, the opportunity is hot for you, too. Market your properties on VacationHomeRentals.com to seize those first-timers to the Islands.

So coordinate your schedules and put those new digital cameras you got for Christmas to use. This year, you’re going to Hawaii.

1. Oahu vacation rental
Just 40 yards from the beach at Pat’s at Punaluu, this vacation condo is tailored to the budget-minded consumer. Priced right at $100 a night, the one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit who enjoys making meals at home (There’s a full-sized kitchen) and picnics on the lawn. Another cool factor: This remote part of the island is also home to many of the scenes filmed ABC’s “Lost.”

2. Big Island vacation condo
Photos reveal dolphins, snorkeling and cruise ships in view of this oceanfront property. The images have a stock-like quality, but rest assured, these are real. Throw in the reasonable $100 a night rate from July to October and you’ve got yourselves your next holiday.

3. Kauai vacation rental
If seclusion is what you seek, head to this Kauai vacation cottage for only $110 a night. The house sits on three private acres, yet is close enough to beaches and the Kauai Orchids. Go on long walks then retire to the hot tub on the lanai.

As of publish time, the Obamas are spending the holidays at a $9 million wood-frame home fronting Kailua Beach near the President Elect’s former stomping grounds in Honolulu.

A wise choice considering it’s 2 degrees (feels like -13) in Chicago.

With so much curiosity surrounding the First Family, you better believe Obama tourism will follow. Want proof? Just try to book any Washington, D.C. vacation home for Inauguration Day.

For vacation purposes, this Kailua beach rental is where I would pick for down time. First, the light. Can you get over the brilliant greens and blues, the majestic palm trees and the shimmery pool and Pacific Ocean beaming in the background? This is paradise minus the crowds of Waikiki beach. For the most powerful leader in the free world, it’s a no-brainer.

A tennis court invites visitors to practice their serve–there’s even a separate tennis house on the grounds. (Note, the tennis house cannot be reserved individually, but the beach house can.)

Yes you can. And for only $20,000 a month.

Time to start pressing for another stimulus package.

It’s official: Hawaii is the No. 1 dream destination for travelers, as reported by TripAdvisor. With swoon-worthy views like the one above, wouldn’t you want to go?

And with airfares falling even during peak holidays like Christmas and New Year’s, it’s now possible to make that once-in-a-lifetime trip a reality. Your idea of Hawaii doesn’t have to be the refrigerator magnet your sister-in-law gave you as a token from her honeymoon. You go. Let this be your time to get bronzed and gloat.

Thanks to the bevy of Hawaii vacation homes available, finding a rental that suits your needs and falls within your budget won’t be a challenge. Whether you’re looking to rent a Honolulu vacation condo to explore Barack Obama’s old stomping grounds or in the mood to go whale watching near your Big Island beach rental, use VacationHomeRentals.com as a first-line resource.

See for yourself what the Aloha State hype is all about, and for hundreds of dollars cheaper than what your relatives paid for the same vacation two years ago.

It’s no secret–yes, I’m not scared to say it–that we’re in a recession. People are losing their jobs and homes. Gas and food costs are going up. Banks are going bust.

It’s enough sour news to make you want to run away … to Hawaii.

Now why would anyone want to go there, you ask, given all the badness and uncertainty? For starters, the state is begging for visitors, according to the Star Bulletin, Honolulu’s local paper. It’s even willing to pony up $4.5 million in travel packages via the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau to get you there.

What that means for you: More airfare deals (and in some cases, routes) on carriers like Alaska Airlines. If you’re in Atlanta, you can jet to Honolulu on Delta, which added the service earlier this month.

Forget the hotel packages, though. The bang for your buck is in this Kona vacation apartment, which sounds small when you say the word apartment, but is actually ample enough for up to five guests for just $99 a night from Oct. 21 to Dec. 15. I’m not saying max out your savings or credit cards to go, but if you’re on the West Coast, with easy access to the Islands (Read: affordable fares) and have room in your budget, just do it.

Hawaii vacation homes don’t come as cheaply as this. Trust me–I’ve looked.

If you’re intrigued by this luxury Maui vacation home, either A)price is not an issue or B)you’re just stopping by to look.

And how could you not? That would be like going into to Tiffany and turning your eyes away from the diamonds. You couldn’t.

The Japanese-influenced beach rental set on 4.1 acres sells me on the promises of lush landscaping, wide open, wood-paneled rooms, dreamy bedrooms and oh, those views. Swaddled by 120 coconut trees – including one very majestic Monkey Pod tree – the house knocks me off my computer desk chair. (And take it from me, since I started blogging for VacationHomeRentals.com, I’ve seen a lot of listings.)

What makes it even more exceptional: staircases that sweep to the second floor without rails, three neighboring guest houses, an outdoor jacuzzi and overall privacy for you and your posse.

The economic state of our country makes everyone nervous about even thinking about spending their money, but it never hurts to look. One day you might be flush, and this, along with any other Hawaii vacation home, could be your regular getaway.

Don’t give up the dream.

Friends, if you haven’t taken a vacation to Hawaii yet, this would be the time.

Kids are in school so you’ll have the run of the islands without feeling like you’re in Disney World. The weather averages high 80s – rainy season doesn’t start until November.

You can score deals on Maui vacation rentals – like this $70-a-night Kihei vacation condo in October – to quash any guilt you might feel for that temporary setback in your checking account. If you have the wiggle room, why not? Do your part to goose the economy and you’ll be rewarded with sunsets, sunrises and a tan to make all your co-workers jealous. (Which is half the reason, you book a Hawaii vacation home, no doubt.)

Do you have any tips for vacation home renters looking to travel to Hawaii? Share it with me here.

On my list to do before I die: Renew vows in Hawaii.

Seriously.

Cheesy, but true, but I wasn’t “the bride” when I got married in 2002. I mean, I was, and I had a big white wedding in Ireland to boot, but that was my hubs’ dream nuptial. He planned everything, from the vintage Rolls Royce that cruised us to Loch Derg to the chicken vol-au-vent appetizer at the reception.

So let me take this opportunity to scope out the dream site for our next party. What do you think of this Anini Beach vacation home?

The first bash was loud, splashy and an all-out town extravaganza. The next time I want something more low-key, perhaps with just immediate family. With all the Hawaiian condos, huts and cottages from which to choose, the simplicity of this Anini Beachside home spoke to me.

Five steps out the door and you’re looking at the ocean. In fact, the master, living and dining rooms all face the water. I’m envisioning many lazy mornings on the Egyptian sheets with the windows open. Cool breezes. Ah.

The rooms are tastefully decorated without tracesof tacky tropical florals or tiki bric-a-brac anywhere. I could see that dining room table and wicker set in my own house.

The majestic Kamani tree sold me, too. Re: wedding ceremony … Couldn’t you see Chinese lanterns hanging from the branches with an aisle of seashells lining a path to the surf?

Sorry for getting all Modern Bride on you. That’s the wedding planner in me.

Cute house, though, and what a precious name: Anini Bikini.