According to Orbitz.com, Lahaina is in style and one of the top places to vacation this Christmas.

Last week, Orbitz kicked off their holiday travel season with their annual list of top 10 Christmas destinations. Breaking the top ten this year and debuting at #9 was Lahaina, Maui known for its bustling shopping, dining, weather, scenery and endless activities.

Lahaina was the lone newcomer to the list and shows a strong sign of encouragement on a tourism industry that has been ailing of late.  Orbitz compiles its list using data from hotel and package bookings on stays between December 20th until December 29th.

If you are interested in booking a hotel or flights to Maui, feel free to check out our travel reservation center for the best deals.

Most of the resorts are located just a few minutes north of downtown Lahaina in the resorts of Kaanapali and Kapalua. These hotels offer some of the most intimate vacation experiences along with five-star amenities. At the same time, visitors are only a short drive away from the exquisite dining, shopping and fun of downtown Lahaina.

If hotels are not your cup of tea, then you should look to book a vacation home. Lahaina and Maui has plenty of vacation rentals to choose from and they fit within all budgets. There is arguably no better way to spend you Maui vacation than with your family or your loved one in your own private vacation home.

Please feel free to use our Travel Reservations booking engine to look for your dream accomodation.

Maui Activites and Tours

Toll Free - 1.866.573.7600

Cell - 808.990.7628
Fax - 808.982.9096

Inquiry Form

barbara@mauiactivitiesandtours.com

www.MauiActivitiesandTours.com

Make sure you mention Lahaina.com when you book!

If you are looking to book your activities, from snorkeling to helicopter tours, there is no better place than Maui Activities and Tours. Owned and operated by Barbara Gantt, her local knowledge and expertise helps guide you to the activity packages of your dreams at discount prices.

There are plenty of activities to choose from and the lists are endless. Why waste your time going through all of the different activities and bookings yourself? Let Maui Activities and Tours do the work for you and best of all it is free!  

Maui Activities and Tours

Toll Free - 1.866.573.7600

Cell - 808.990.7628
Fax - 808.982.9096

Inquiry Form

barbara@mauiactivitiesandtours.com

www.MauiActivitiesandTours.com

Make sure you mention Lahaina.com when you book!

Maui has a unique set of golf courses that fit within any player’s budget. Visitors can play the exclusive Plantation Course at the Kapalua Resort, where the PGA Mercedes Championship is held, or hit the links of the Elleair Golf Club for the best value on Maui.

Regardless of the course you choose, all players will be treated to beautiful scenery and stunning views. Look for the course below that best suits you and we recommend booking your tee times through ParHawaii.com.

Par Hawaii

Hawaii Golf deals at ParHawaii.com - your local source for Hawaii tee times online. Golf in paradise, golf Hawaii!

http://www.ParHawaii.com

Elleair Golf Club

Phone Number: 808-874-0777

http://elleairmauigolfclub.com

Kapalua Golf - Bay Course

Phone Number: 888-227-6054

Kapalua Golf - Village Course

Phone Number: 888-227-6054

http://www.kapalua.com/hawaii-golf/

Kapalua Golf - Plantation Course

Phone Number: 888-227-6054
http://www.kapalua.com/hawaii-golf/

Makena Golf - North Course

Phone Number: (808)875-5871
http://www.makenagolf.com/

Makena Golf - South Course

Phone Number: (808)875-5871
http://www.makenagolf.com/

Pukalani Country Club

Phone Number: (808)572-1314
http://www.pukalanigolf.com/

Royal Kaanapali North Course

Phone Number: (808)661-3691
http://www.kaanapali-golf.com/kaanapali.asp?id=131&page=2330

Royal Kaanapali South Course

Phone Number: (808)661-3691
http://www.kaanapali-golf.com/kaanapali.asp?id=131&page=2330

Sandalwood Golf Course

Phone Number: (808)242-4653

Waiehu Municipal Golf Course

Phone Number: (808)270-7400

Wailea Golf - Blue Course

Phone Number: 808-875-7450
http://www.waileagolf.com/

Wailea Golf - Gold Course

Phone Number: 808-875-7450
http://www.waileagolf.com/

Wailea Golf - Emerald Course

Phone Number: (808)875-7450
http://www.waileagolf.com/

You’ve probably seen advertisements trying to convince you to buy timeshares. But what are they? How do they work? It can be a little intimidating trying to get your questions answered while facing an aggressive sales person. Here’s some straight talk for you.

Simply put, in a basic transaction you purchase a block of time, usually a week, during which you have the right to use a particular suite at a resort. If you buy a fixed week - you will always have that week every year for as long as you own.

From that premise there are several deviations. Representatives selling timeshares may also suggest you purchase points, floating weeks, fractional time, high season, low season, etc. Do yourself a favor and memorize some brief definitions:

• Points: you purchase points and use them to “buy” time at locations that are owned by the resort from which you purchased the points

• Floating: you purchase a week, and can reserve a week during the season you purchased in.

• Season: most resorts break up their year into a timeshare calendar. Increments of time, from several weeks to several months, are then coded according to use. For example, you’ll pay a premium to vacation in Hawaii during Platinum season (which can also be called High season - each resort tends to name these seasons a little differently), conversely, if you want to trade for a resort somewhere else - you’ll have more trading power.

• Fractional time: developers are always in tune with what owners want. One emerging market is the fractional. Instead of owning a week during the year, you own a “fraction” of the year. For instance you may own several weeks or months at a time.

Timeshare sales are usually brisk but don’t let the “fear of missing out” convince you to buy a timeshare if you haven’t fully ascertained the benefits. Be sure to educate yourself before buying a timeshare. Keep in mind that while you may never have to pay for a hotel again, you will have expenses. You’ll have to pay maintenance fees for the building’s upkeep, utilities, etc. Here are some questions you should ask:

• When was the last time the maintenance fee was increased and by how much?

• If there are improvements to be made to the property, do the owners or the management company decide how much to increase maintenance fees?

• Are points inflation proof? In other words if I can reserve a 2-bedroom suite for 100,000 points this year - can I do the same in 5 years or will I need to keep buying points?

• If I choose to sell my ownership, are points transferable?

• Do I have to purchase my own membership in an exchange company or is that included in my price?

Timeshares can make for wonderful vacationing for the right buyer. You shouldn’t buy timeshare as an investment - they always depreciate. Additionally, it is generally accepted that you’ll have to own your property for 10 years before you see the savings add up.

But for those who frequently vacation, ownership can be a great alternative to hotels.

One of the oldest traditions in Hawaii, Luaus remain a vibrant part of the culture today.  A Luau is a Hawaiian feast with an assortment of food, drinks, music and so much more. The entertainment consists of great music, hula dancers and fire dancers that is fun for the whole family.

It is obvious to why Luaus are one of the most popular activities on Maui. If you are looking to take a vacation to Maui, you must attend a Luau and some of are favorites are listed below.

OLD LAHAINA LUAU

1251 Front Street

Lahaina, Hawaii 96761

Website

FEAST AT LELE

505 Front Street

Lahaina, Hawaii 96761

Website

HYATT LUAU

200 Nohea Kai Drive

Lahaina, Hawaii 96761

Website

SUNSET LUAU AT MAUI PRINCE HOTEL

5400 Makena Alanui

Lahaina, Hawaii 96753

Website

SHERATON LUAU

2605 Kaanapali Parkway

Lahaina, Hawaii 96761

Website

]]> http://www.lahaina.com/maui-luaus/feed/ http://www.lahaina.com/nightlife/ http://www.lahaina.com/nightlife/#comments Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:42:42 +0000 http://www.lahaina.com/?p=3

HAWAIIAN

As seen on Jon and Kate Plus 8 , the Grand Wailea Resort is one of the most exquisite hotels in all of the world. The resort is located right on the ocean in southern Maui offering some breathtaking and stunning views. The grounds of the hotel was designed around a garden atrium with waterfalls and fountains.

Beyond the amazing pool, which won Tripadvisor’s 2008 Travelers Choice award for best pool, the Grand Wailea’s Luau is quite spectacular to say the least. Offering up some of the best traditional Hawaiian cuisine along with Polynesian entertainment, the Grand Wailea Luau is must attend for any Maui traveler.

If interested in booking a room at the Grand Wailea, feel free to book through Lahaina.com’s travel reservation center for the best and lowest rates.

Lahaina.com would like to congratulate one of Maui’s own and former St. Anthony High School graduate, Shane Victorino, on a job well done winning the 2008 World Series.

Victorino plays for the Philadelphia Phillies who beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 4-3 in Game 5 of the World Series. The Phillies won the series 4-1 and Victorino was instrumental in the championship run with his timely offensive hitting, exceptional speed on the bases, and defensive prowess.

At St. Anthony’s, Shane excelled in football, track and field, baseball, and soccer. He was all-state in all four sports and was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers out of high school. Victorino bounced around between the minor leagues and majors until 2007 when he became the a full-time starter for the Phillies.

Congrats Shane and the Phillies for a job well done! Check out Shane Victorino’s blog at MLB.com for a special post by him after winning the World Series.