A 1-bedroom condo at Lawai Beach Resort on Kauai's Poipu coast over Thanksgiving week for about $943
Nov 21 to Nov 28 (Sat–Sat, Thanksgiving week) in a one-bedroom unit (king bed plus sofa bed, sleeps 4, full kitchen, in-unit washer and dryer) at Lawai Beach Resort, across the road from Lawai Beach in Poipu, rented from a timeshare owner through RedWeek: $700 rent plus a $77 service fee ($777), plus a state tax of about $23 a night ($161) and a one-time admin fee of about $5, so roughly $943 for 7 nights ($135 a night). For the same dates, the middle price of seven 1-bedroom vacation-rental condos in Poipu on Google was $2,405, and the cheapest was $2,268.
- 1-bedroom unit with full kitchen and in-unit washer and dryer, sleeps 4
- Patio or balcony (per the posting)
- RedWeek booking protection when you pay by card
The catches
What you pay
| Item | Basis | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (7 nights at $100)Required | per stay | $700 |
| RedWeek service feeRequired | per booking | $77 |
| State tax (about $23 a night, paid at the resort)Approx. | estimate from the posting: 'A mandatory state tax of approximately $23/day', 7 nights | ~$161 |
| Administration fee (one time, about $5)Approx. | posting: 'one-time administration fee of approximately $5' | ~$5 |
| Total | Whole 1-bedroom unit for up to 4 guests, 7 nights: RedWeek's $777 plus the state tax and admin fee the posting estimates (paid at the resort) | $943 |
| Flights to Kauai (Lihue)Not included | not included | |
| Car rentalNot included | not included |
How to book it
- Open RedWeek posting R1415369 (Lawai Beach Resort, Nov 21–28, 1 bedroom) and click Request to Book.
- Pay $777 by credit card through RedWeek to get its booking protection.
- RedWeek confirms with the owner, usually within 5 business days; the reservation is put in your name.
- Budget about $166 for the state tax and admin fee, paid at the resort.
Why it's this cheap
A timeshare owner who can't use their Thanksgiving week is renting it on RedWeek for about what the maintenance fee costs; holiday-week condos on Kauai rent for two to three times as much.
Why it's a steal
TYPICAL-PRICE COMPARISONMedian 7-night total (with taxes and fees as Google shows them) of 7 one-bedroom vacation-rental condos in Poipu on Google for Nov 21–28 (2 guests): $2,268, $2,392, $2,398, $2,405, $2,605, $2,998, $3,637. Comparables are individually owned condos on rental platforms, several in oceanfront buildings next to Lawai Beach (Kuhio Shores, Prince Kuhio); two studios ($1,882 and $2,309) were left out. Lawai Beach Resort had no hotel price on Google for these dates; a 2-bedroom unit in the resort was $5,154 on Google vacation rentals. The RedWeek rental is request-to-book with a Moderate cancellation policy, and some of its units have no air-conditioning.
Evidence trail
| Source | What we checked | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Source re-checked | RedWeek R1415369 still listed: Nov 21-28, 7 nights @ $100 = $700 + $77 service fee = $777. | Nov 11, 7:57 AM ET |
| Google vacation rentals: Poipu 1-bedroom condos, Nov 21–28, 2 guests | 1-bedroom totals with taxes/fees: Kiahuna Plantation 325 $2,268; Prince Kuhio 2-9 $2,392; "hidden gem of Poipu" $2,398; Poipu Sands 112 $2,405; ocean-view condo near snorkeling beach $2,605; Kiahuna Plantation (new AC) $2,998; Kuhio Shores "Jewel on the Sea" $3,637. Studios excluded: $1,882, $2,309. | Oct 28, 8:10 AM ET |
| Google Hotels: Lawai Beach Resort, Nov 21–28 | Resort listed (3-star, 4.6 from 801 reviews) with no price for these dates. 'Lawai Beach 1401' 2-bedroom vacation rental $5,154. Nearby hotels: Poipu Kapili $3,530, Kiahuna Plantation by Outrigger $3,037, Koloa Landing $4,892. | Oct 28, 8:10 AM ET |
