My Wedding Report

Well we have officially booked our honeymoon and I am so excited! As I’ve mentioned before we have been looking forward to the honeymoon for awhile. It will be my first real break after finishing graduate school and will be the first time that we just have time away and have nothing to worry about. With that in mind, we really wanted to go somewhere that was beautiful, where we could relax and still have lots of options if we want to go do something.

Well our criteria brought us to Hanalei Bay Resort on the North Shore of Kauai. We love Kauai because it is so beautiful and is not overly populated or developed. Now what’s the “scoop?” I want to share the awesome deal we found and hopefully it will help if you are also planning a honeymoon on a budget. But first I have to share the view from our shower!!

Yes this is the view from the shower alone! Amazing! And don’t worry, it’s not a full exposure window, but you can make it fog so people don’t see in and think they are getting a show! haha Anyways, I just thought that it was funny how good of a view just the shower has!

When we started looking into different resorts and hotels we were finding that a lot of the rooms started at around $300 a night for a view of a garden or a mountain and then an ocean view was through the roof. This would be great if we could afford that option, but we are on a budget and didn’t want to use all our money on just the hotel.

We next turned to looking at privately owned timeshares and condos. Specifically, we looked at the Hanalei Bay Resort where my family has rented condos from before. The facility really is a resort with a full lobby, concierge services, restaurant, bar, pool etc. but some of the rooms are privately owned and listed on various websites. In our experience the privately owned ones have better views than the rooms you would get through booking at the hotel! The resort shares a private beach with the gorgeous and soon to be reopened St. Regis Princeville Hotel. Which means you can also use their facilities if you want to get drinks or walk to some other yummy restaurants. The beach is down a private beach path downhill and if you are tired after a day in the sun, they will shuttle you back to your room. The staff is really friendly and helpful.

After doing lots of research and price comparisons we found a newly renovated studio with an incredible view for $160 a night! You think this is a good deal? After the owner found out we were honeymooning and on a budget he lowered our rate to $120 a night! How is that for “aloha spirit?” I guess it shows you that it never hurts to ask and you never know what people will do to make your honeymoon extra special!

Here are some pictures of place we are staying so that you can get an idea:

View from the private patio in our studio.

It is just perfect for what we need and allows us to save a lot of money for some of the fun excursions we are planning. We thought about maybe spending a few nights at one of the resorts, but after getting such a great deal we decided to stay our whole time at the Hanalei Bay Resort. I just wish we were going sooner. I’m looking forward to enjoying the beautiful scenery and of course quality time with Mr. Ducky.

The gorgeous and secluded beach! You never have to worry about getting a spot down on the beach since only 2 resorts share the area. It also has some great snorkeling!

If you are interested in looking for your own condo or rental I listed a few of the websites that we used. Some of the websites have rentals anywhere you can imagine! Now an important thing to keep in mind is that because they are privately owned the interiors are all decorated differently and some have been recently remodeled. Mr. Ducky and I found a remodeled one, so the shower, bathroom and kitchenette have all been upgraded. There is ultra fancy and nicer than what we have down to ones that have never been updated since the resort was originally built. It just kind of depends what you are looking for, but I’m sure there is something that appeals to everyone. Just spend time looking at all the websites and checking out the different pictures.

These links are specifically to the Hanalei Bay Resort, but you can figure out how to get back to their main page.

Summit Pacific Kauai Vacation Rentals

VRBO: Vacation Rentals By Owner

Aloha Condos

All Pictures from Summit Pacific, VRBO, and Aloha Condos.

If you are specifically interested in the Hanalei Bay Resort use this map, as a guide for where the rooms are relative to the resort layout.

What have you done to save money on your honeymoon? Do you have any recommendations for fun excursions, activities or restaurants in Kauai?

I grew up in San Diego and absolutely love it. Even though I am currently living in Orange County, I am hoping that one day we will be able to return to San Diego. To be honest there are so many thoughts that come to mind for honeymoon in my hometown, it has taken me awhile to put everything together. San Diego is beautiful all year, so you can come and enjoy at any point. Obviously for those that love the beach, summer is the best for that. If you are planning on coming here for your honeymoon you could either play tourist and see all the sights or choose to cozy up in romantic restaurants, spas and relaxing scenery. San Diego is very big so I think I’m going to divide it up by general areas and things to do.

Downtown San Diego(also includes the Gaslamp district)

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In downtown San Diego, not far from the airport there is tons to do. The Gaslamp is the main part of downtown where everything is in walking distance but there are also other great finds nearby. Friday and Saturday nights are packed with people going out to dance, hang out at bars at eat at some of San Diego’s best restaurants.

Where to Stay (There are lots of options. I’ve listed a few that I have visited or heard good things about):
Hard Rock Hotel
Manchester Grand Hyatt
Ivy Hotel
The Sofia Hotel
The Keating

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Places to Eat:
This list could seriously be endless so I will list some of my favorites, but I recommend you research ahead of time so you find that perfect place.
Island Prime/C-Level: An incredible view of downtown San Diego. You can either sit in the beautiful outdoor seating of the bar or the more formal indoor restaurant.
Aqua Al 2: I have a serious weakness for Italian food and pasta. This restaurant is only here and in Florence, Italy.
Blue Pointe Cafe: I’ve had many special dinners at this restaurant and always walk out stuffed. This place and Island Prime/C-Level are all a part of Cohn Restaurants. They are all San Diego based restaurants that have excellent food.
Little Italy: This is literally a street that is all Italian food restaurants and stops. Basically it is heaven as I am a serious pasta lover. There is everything from super casual to fancy. I say just go walk the street and pick what looks good.

Things to Do:
Petco Park: Well I’m not sure how our baseball team will be this year, but the park they play in is awesome! It’s located right in downtown by the Gaslamp so you can go to the game and walk to the bars and restaurants after.
Old Town San Diego: A fun place to walk around and see more of the historic San Diego. Make sure you stop at one of the delicous Mexican food restaurants.
Mission Bay: Another popular spot during the summers for picnics, volleyball and jet skiiing. If you are a walker, runner or biker there is a great sidewalk that circles the whole bay. Get there early though to reserve your space because it gets crowded.
Balboa Park: I love spending time in Balboa Park. There are tons of museums, gardens and performances to see. The architecture are surroundings are beautiful. If you explore the museums and parks all day, try to see a show at Starlight Theatre at night. It’s an outdoor theatre that usually has some fun musical during the summer.

Balboa Park-source

La Jolla and Del Mar

Some of the beach towns in San Diego, these areas have great places to eat, stay, shop and of course just relax on the beach. Mr. Ducky and I got engaged down on the cliffs in Del Mar! La Jolla is just south of Del Mar and I mention the two in the same category because they have a similar feel. La Jolla has a little bit more to do in it’s actual area thats walking distance, but I grew up in Del Mar.

Del Mar-source

Where to Stay:
La Valencia: A beautiful and historic hotel down in the middle of La Jolla. It’s the perfect place to stay and be in walking distance of restaurants, shopping and the beach.
L’Auberge Del Mar: Growing up in the area this was one of my favorite hotels and it was just redone a year ago. Right in the heart of Del Mar above the beach, it’s the perfect spot for relaxation.
The Lodge at Torrey Pines: If you are a golfer you would probably love staying at the Lodge at Torrey Pines. The Lodge is just gorgeous and sits on Torrey Pines Golf Course.

La Valencia-source

Where to Eat:
Manhattan: This elegant restaurant is hidden away at the bottom floor of the Empress Hotel in La Jolla, but it’s one of my family’s favorite spots. The steaks and lamb chops are to die for. It’s kind of a romantic setting with live jazz on certain nights.
Jake’s Del Mar: Is a super yummy steak/seafood place and is located right on the beach in Del Mar. There is obviously a gorgeous view as you enjoy your meal.
Pacific Del Mar: Another seafood restaurant with an amazing view. It’s located in Del Mar Plaza that has lots of cute shops and several great restaurants. I mention it specifically because they make my favorite creme brulee ever!
Board and Brew: Is a block up from the beach and is the perfect spot to grab a delicious sandwich. I recommend the Chicken Club.

What to do:
Beach Beach and Beach! There are lots of beaches but the most popular in these areas are La Jolla Shores and 15th Street/Powerhouse Park in Del Mar. Of course there are all the activities going along with the beach which include surfing, kayaking, body boarding and building sand castles.
Racetrack: During the later part of summer and beginning of Septemeber you can go see the horse races where the “surf meets the turf.” This is always a fun outing and something a little different. Opening day everyone wears crazy hats and then heads to Del Mar Plaza area and you never know what you will see.
Del Mar Fair (now refered to as San Diego Fair): This happens from June to usually about July 4th and is popular for the area. Keep in mind that if you are visiting during this time you will encounter traffic in this area even if you are passing through. Check out the listing of concerts, a lot of times you can see some great shows depending on the year.

Del Mar Racetrack-source


Coronado
This is a beautiful area and you just take a big bridge over from San Diego. I love all the little houses and cottages. The famous Del Coronado Hotel is year and is just a fun area to spend some time. We always went to Coronodo on the 4th of July to watch the huge fireworks display.

If you can stay at the historic Del Coronado Hotel. For another alternative you can look at Loews Coronado Bay, which is another favorite spot in the area. For eating in the area you can bring a picnic for the beach or splurge on one of the restaurants at the Del Coronado Hotel. There are several options for eating at the Del itself. All are either in a luxurious setting like the Crown Room or overlooking the beach. If you walk around the town, there are plenty of casual options as well.

Hotel Del-source

More things to do/see in San Diego:
Pacific Beach: If you are looking for more of a night scene head down to Pacific Beach. There are lots of fun bars, restaurants and a huge beach that is very crowded during the summers.
The San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park: I’d probably be a terrible San Diegan if I didn’t mention these places. They really are amazing to see. The zoo has more to see, but the Wild Animal Park focuses on endangered animals in their natural habitats. Both are worth visiting, but I’ll give you the warning that the Wild Animal Park is really hot during the summers.
Wine Tasting in Temecula: There are lots of wine tasting tours you can take in Temecula. I personally love the South Coast Winery. It’s a beautiful spot with a great restaurant, spa and cute little villas you can stay in.
SeaWorld: You know what it is, so I won’t explain. I haven’t been recently but I know they’ve added lots of attractions.

Temecula Vineyard-source

Any trip to San Diego is not complete without multiple stops to eat delicious Mexican food! Here are a few different restaurants that are all delicious!

Old Town Mexican Cafe: Everything here is good and it’s a favorite spot in San Diego that has been around forever. Watch them make homemade tortillas in the window.
El Indio: One of my favorite spots downtown and it’s inexpensive! The tamales are delicious!!
Fidels: Hidden from main traffic, Fidels is a favorite spots for locals after a day at the races. It’s in a converted old house and has all sorts of charm.

Other References in Planning Your Trip:
Beach Guide: Browse this website to find a description of different San Diego beaches to plan your day.
Sign-On San Diego: A great source for reviews of restaurants and listings of current things going on in the area.

I could probably go on and on forever about different fabulous restaurants or things to do in San Diego, but I don’t want to overwhelm with any more information. If you have questions please feel free to ask and I’ll do my best to answer along with other readers who I know are from San Diego.

Lately I’ve been thinking and dreaming about our honeymoon. As much as I love wedding planning and all the fun details, I have really begun to look forward to the day after the wedding when we leave for the honeymoon. I can’t wait to get away with Mr. Ducky and just have time to ourselves. I look forward to a break when I don’t have a pile of to-do lists, no text books, no deadlines, no meetings and can just focus on having a good time.

On the nights that I get home early, Mr. Ducky and I have been huddling over my computer and letting our minds daydream about where we will be jetting off to after the wedding. I love traveling and just about everything has looked amazing in one way or another. Since we are having a September wedding it will be hurricane season in a few of the honeymoon hotspots and some of our other ideas have been out of budget for what we are planning to spend, just looking at airfare alone. I absolutely love Europe (especially in fall), but the more we thought it, we are hoping for something a little more relaxing instead of trying to hit every museum, cathedral and destination spot in a short timespan.

What we keep coming back to is Hawaii, more specifically Kauai. We went to Kauai a couple of years ago with my family and had an amazing time. We loved the lush and tropical environment. Kauai seems to be a little more low-key than the other islands because there isn’t a major city. We stayed on the North Shore in Hanalei Bay last time and felt like we fell into pace with the low-key local life. The island is just beautiful and each area of the island seems to reveal a new breathtaking view or inspiring sanctuary. There are lots of beaches to relax and rest, but also some great excursions like the Na Pali Coast, horseback riding to waterfalls and snorkeling. We are thinking of maybe trying to go to 2 islands, but I’m not sure which one we’d choose in addition to Kauai. Do you have a favorite island?

Life has been a whirlwind recently and I can’t wait to have things slow down a little bit. Quality time is an important part of our relationship and it will be so nice just to be able to get away and enjoy being newlyweds. We are still have many months before we actually get to experience our honeymoon, but I’m already anticipating the trip. Can anyone relate?

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What are you looking for in your honeymoon destination? What are your honeymoon planning tips?

I’m so flattered that I was mentioned on Style School blog by InStyle Weddings this week in their What’s Hot in Weddings on the Web post. They are also loving the bike details from the Romantic Ride post last week.

After seeing they linked to me I was able to browse their blog and found they have some great information. Look at this deal they found at the Marquis Los Cabos for an incredible honeymoon!

Or look at these cute necklaces from a post on how to find great jewelry at a reasonable price.

Anyways thanks so much to InStyle for featuring one of my blog posts. I love knowing that there are people out there enjoying what I find and write about.