We checked in after dark, a long day on the road and on one another’s nerves just a little. The drive was about 1/2 hour from the airport and one of our marriage weaknesses is using maps and helping with directions. I was not doing well with my recent patience and tolerance lessons I guess.

Checkin was extremely efficient and what I had hoped would happen, did. We were on a Priceline stay as it was soooo cheap we couldn’t justify using the Hilton points at the Kauai Hilton.

I gave the check in gal my drivers license and Starwood Preferred credit card for incidentals and also offered her my Starwood membership number. When she plugged it in the computer my Gold status came up and she gave us a double upgrade to a garden suite in the main building with no extra charge. She also offered the oceanview room upgrade which typically is another $300 per night for a reduced $75 per night. Little did she know she was dealing with the Frugal Travel Guy. The Bug’s reply was: “We can look at the ocean all day and can’t see it at night.” Ah, the progress I’ve have made with my bride. I got great satisfaction in that reply.

Day one was spent on the beach. Breakfast buffet was $20 per head but great variety and we ate late so skipped lunch. The fruit was fresh and flavorful. The Apple smoked bacon should be outlawed it was so good and the scrambled eggs with chives were terrific. Great staff so far and the restaurant was beautiful as was the view. We had Nachos the night of our arrival at the “Point”, also very tasty. Now it is off to the grocery store for breakfast in the room and munchies during the day. A diet Pepsi is $3.50 at the beach bar. The dinner prices are $25+++ and gas is $2.59 a gallon. Time to put our “frugal on”

Our beach companion was Mr. Monk Seal who spent the entire day just chillin’ by the water. They staff ropes off an area for his privacy so not to endanger this endangered species. I wish I could get that kind of treatment at the beach. The water was warm , clear with a fairly substantial undertow. Definitely not for little kids by themselves. I am sunburned but only barely. Nap time saved the both of us.

Timeshare Presentation Here We Come

Thursday we do the 90 minute “dog and pony show” around the resort as they try to sell us a timeshare week at the Westin Oceanview Villas way up by Princeville. This will be an easy one to say No to. They are only at this location for a few more days and then the sales office actually moves up to Princeville. Would you ever buy a timeshare without actually seeing it? I hope not.

The offer was $100 and a half off certificate for any 5 day stay except Hawaii in the next year. I asked if it was off rack rate as the SPG 50 certs usually are and she confirmed my suspicion. I have never found a rate at 50% off rack that was even close to what I could do on my own. My choice was either the $100 or as a Gold SPG member I could choose 7500 SPG points. They indicated that offer was only good for Gold or Platinum members. Who knows, but I’ll take 7500 SPG points for 90 minutes. It is scheduled for nappy time anyway and we will be beach burnt out by then.

My first day impression is favorable of the Sheraton. The pools aren’t much, but the beach area is much nicer than the Hilton Kauai Resort and as nice as the Marriott Resort up by Lihue.

The people of Hawaii are as friendly as ever. The breeze smells as nice and the sun still feels grand.

I wish you all were enjoying the benefits of frugal travel this week. But your time is coming, I’m sure.