Roving I Find: Maui Luxury For Less

In 2009, while planning our trip to Maui, I discovered the Wailea Beach Villas while searching for a place to stay online. These extremely upscale condos and villas are mostly owned by individuals and property companies. Once I saw the pictures, I was sold. My wallet was not. I started digging for deals. And after some negotiation with a VRBO owner, we booked the perfect place at a palatable price.

Roving I Finds:
Vacationist:
Currently, on Vacationist.com (Luxury Link's flash sale site - It's free to join.), you can get an ocean-view, two-bedroom penthouse for $825/night through Saturday 5/21/11. I know it doesn't sound like a phenomenal price at first, but here's why it is:

• The published rate for the same accommodation is around $1500/night. 
• Two bedrooms in this place really means two suites, suitable for two couples to share. Most penthouses also have a pull-out couch for additional guests. If you split the costs down the middle, you're spending around $400 a night/$2800 a week. 
• Each penthouse features a fully equipped, gourmet kitchen (two Sub-Zeros may be overkill) and a patio with a top-line grill so you can save on meals while you're there. 
• There's also a great gym, two pools (one for the kiddos) and beach access to Wailea Beach
• The high-end outdoor mall, The Shops at Wailea, is next door. Makes it easy to pick up the perfect souvenir (from Tiffany?). 
• Celebs stay here. The privacy and locale make it a perfect hideaway. (We ran into a popular soap star at the pool and Paris Hilton allegedly stayed in our villa the year before.)

VRBO.com:
There are lots of WBV listings this site. Most are posted by individual owners who "rent out" their homes away from home when they aren't there. TIP: Check the calendars, see what weeks are available and make the owners an offer. All they can say is "no" but they may come back with a price more in your range. VRBO Wailea Beach Villa Listings

On the surface, this is a pricey place. But with a little research, you can nab an amazing deal for a truly luxurious stay on Maui.

Tropical Flowers 

Wailea Beach Villas Property

Photos: Scott Clark