How To Save, Splurge, Steal - Kauai Style.

One trip's pain is another trip's pleasure: A crazy hotel experience in London inspired a new way of travel in Hawaii.

It's hard to put a price on this kind of peaceful experience.

Do you remember the time we stayed in the cheapest hotel room in London? Our short term pain was definitely worth the long term gain - we saved enough to enjoy some amazing theater tickets! And, of course, our misadventures provided tremendous amusement for all our wonderful readers! That marriage-testing situation was a memorable travel experience - and it perfectly summed up our value travel philosophy. We are all about knowing where to save, when to splurge, and how to get a steal of a deal.

London may have been our most amusing save, splurge, steal scenario but it's a system we put into action in just about every destination we visit. It's such a part of who we are and how we travel that we wanted to start an entirely new series on the blog dedicated to how we save, splurge, and "steal" all around the world. And there's no better place to kick things off than Hawaii.

While Hawaii has plenty of tempting splurges (check out our list of favourite indulgences on the Big Island!) it is also one of the most affordable, value oriented destinations we've ever been to. We love sharing our passion for the more affordable side of Hawaiian life and the island of Kauai in particular is the embodiment of the best of the save, splurge, steal ideals. Here's what earned our money and our affections on the garden isle. 

Save: A morning of river kayaking.

Minutes from killing each other...

If you want to simultaneously test the strength of your marriage, explore the beauty of Kauai's Wailua River, and enjoy a fun, affordable excursion, a three hour paddle and swim tour with Kayak Kauai is the perfect choice.

Kayaking is a relatively easy, intuitive activity. Seriously, if I can handle it, anyone can (as per this anti-adventurist report.) But kayaking in the same boat as your spouse is one of life's unique challenges! Happily our guide didn't mind giving us some remedial lessons along the way to help us get in sync. The staff at Kayak Kauai were wonderfully patient and it was a pleasure to spend time with them out on the water - they clearly love what they do and are eager to share their enthusiasm with their guests. I'm really glad I was able to stop the grumbling in my head and enjoy the scenery as we made our way upstream. 

The Wailua River is one of Kauai's most special places. Aside from the obvious appeal of its beauty and scenery, it has tremendous spiritual, cultural, and historical significance. This is the path of legendary voyages and ancient royalty and even a short paddle here brings you both into Kauai's interior and also into the island's heart.

​I had always wanted to paddle in Hawaii but I was far too intimidated to go out on the open ocean (even in the more calm and sheltered areas). The river was a much more accessible and easy choice. But it wasn't without its challenges - and I'm not just talking the marital ones! The quiet river had a steady current and, when we arrived at the swimming hole marking the halfway point of our trip, I was keen to jump in and cool off!

Budget conscious travelers will greatly appreciate the option for a three hour tour as opposed to the more common 5 hour/half day tour. The shorter experience is gentle on the wallet as well as the body, making it the perfect option for beginners who aren't sure what their interest level will be. ​ Cost is $55 per person (and $45 for children).

We did it (and we're still talking to each other!)

Splurge: Whale watching, snorkeling, and cruising.

Like all the Hawaiian islands, Kauai is a wonderful place to splurge on an ocean adventure. But Kauai's Napali coast is especially nice to seek out. It boasts massive cliffs, caves, spectacular wildlife, and incredible beaches. But much of it is only accessible by sea. There was only one way to explore this famous section of coastline - by catamaran!

Of course, when I speak of exploring by boat, what I really mean is that I sent Ryan to explore. My stomach is way too tricky to be trusted on the high seas! Given my notorious motion sickness, I felt it was best for all concerned (including innocent members of the public) for me to stay firmly on land. 

For those with more sturdy stomachs than I, take heart. Holo Holo tours will take good care of you! Their modern vessel is equipped with two washrooms and tours come complete with a muffin and fruit breakfast, a lunch of build-your-own deli sandwiches, salads, and crudities, and a wide assortment of beverages (including beer and wine, for those with a truly iron stomach).

​The team at Holo Holo tours has an honest love of the ocean. The owners have made five pacific ocean crossings and have been offering tours since 1997. This is their life and craft and they do it well. Tours are capped at a manageable 37 people and there's a real emphasis on everyone having a wonderful time.

Whale watching is normally a highlight of Holo Holo's tours but Ryan was lucky enough to have an up close encounter with another member of the marine family - a group of dolphins! These graceful creatures kept pace with the boat and were eager to show off their slick jumping skills. The cost of this particular adventure is $149 per person and you can find small discounts if you book directly online. 

Ryan's notes - The scenery is absolutely stunning. Not only do you get to see the island from a perspective that most other visitors don't get to enjoy, but you're also doing it with an affable, knowledgeable crew who are very happy to have you on board and interact. A day of having the wind in my hair, a drink in hand, with a great group of people, and a pod of wild dolphin visitors? I couldn't have asked for better. Add in a chance to dive into the waters with a snorkel and camera? Perfect. This is the Hawaii I wanted. It may be listed in the splurge category, but I'd almost put it in the steal. Worth every penny.

Steal: A value packed hotel win.

We stayed at the Courtyard Kaua'i at Coconut Beach and it was an absolute steal (and MUCH more spacious and luxurious than our London fiasco!) The sky's the limit for hotel prices in Hawaii and we were amazed that we found a 4 star property for such an affordable price. We found a last minute deal on a third party booking site and paid less than $100 a night -and we were upgraded to a pool and partial ocean view room! 

Sadly, this price isn't their standard rate. $140-$180 is more typical. But if you aren't opposed to doing a little research, you might be pleasantly surprised by what you turn up. Guests should note that the posted rates do not include a $20 daily "resort fee". I could rant forever on my true feelings about this kind of expense but I was happy that the Courtyard Kauai's fee did include two small daily Mai Tai's.  It was nice to feel like we got a little extra bang for our buck.

The room gave us great value in other ways - it's not just about free rum punch for me! The rooms weren't fancy but they were comfortable and well designed. We had a private balcony that opened up to a beautiful view and there was a big comfy armchair (not pictured) that was great for lounging. I had to devote one day of my stay to catching up on work and so I just rearranged some furniture and positioned the arm chair in front of the balcony. Writing win!

This property was the perfect, just-our-size kind of place. It was big enough that we had the excitement of a different amenities and services but it was small enough that we never felt lost, overwhelmed, or stuck in a more corporate machine. Definitely an affordable, value packed steal.

Hawaii is one of those destinations we could return to again and again - and, in fact, we have! And it's the perfect place to pursue your own save, splurge, steal style challenge. There's always going to be plenty of temptations for the splurge but, happily, you'll find there's plenty of saves and steals as well. 


If you enjoyed this article, you'll also like:

​Readers Want To Know: Is Hawaii Affordable?
Kauai's Not-So-Secret Secret Beach
The Big Island's Best Big Splurges 


Our experiences with Kayak Kauai and Holo Holo Charters were provided as complimentary media tickets. All research, writing, and opinions are our own and we thank our partners for their support.