We’ve stayed at and have written about both the Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki and the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, so have a read if  you’d like to know more on our take. The photo in this article is taken from our balcony at Hapuna overlooking Turtle Cove.

Today’s Hawaii travel deal: 55% off Prince Hotels through June 30:

• Waikiki: $189
• Hapuna Beach: $189
• Mauna Kea: $299 (ends June 14)

Book: online or via phone 888-9 -PRINCE

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The property has just completed a significant makeover including all of the guest rooms. Noteworthy amenities include a beautiful sandy bottom pool replete with a  150-foot slide and a top notch spa.

Not only do you get 40% off garden view rooms, but you can have an ocean view starting at just $20 more. And the garden view rooms are available for peak summer dates for just a few dollars more.

Today’s Hawaii travel deal

Location: Grand Hyatt Kauai, Poipu Beach

Price: $291+/night

Book by March 23

Dates: Now through September 10, although not every day is available

Note: I found these rates available on the hotel website as well as on Travelzoo.

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It’s not a free trip to Hawaii, but VIP Alerts will sure help you get here for less money.

• Rate: $795/3-nights. Includes $100 spa credit. Junior Suite with private lanai and garden views.
• Availability: Now through June 30 or Sept. 9 – Nov. 15, including weekends. A few dates are blacked out.
• Gotcha: Okay, so I was totally excited about this deal until I got here: 18% resort fee collected on arrival. That’s $143 -  but, the $100 spa credit you’ll receive may ease the sticker shock and neck pain. Taxes and gratuities not included. Read the terms and conditions carefully as there is a voucher involved.
• To turn this into a real Hawaii travel deal, start with a Hawaii cabin rental through the state for $90 a night in Hana and end in luxury at Travassa. The cabins are located near the beautiful black sand beach at Wai`anapapa State park.

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For $149 via Bookit.com , together with some decent airfare, this looks like the makings for a reasonably priced Hawaii vacation. On the hotel’s website the cheapest I price I could find for corresponding dates was $194. Prices vary by date. If you’ve had a chance to stay there already, please let me know how you liked it.

I love the location at the Diamond Head end of Waikiki, away from much of the hustle and bustle. There’s also abundant free Waikiki parking located nearby, which is nothing to sneeze at in Honolulu nowadays.

Free VIP Alerts drawing today

Sign up for chances to win free VIP Alerts every week. While it’s not a free trip to Hawaii, it will sure help you get here for less $$$.If you’re not already a Facebook fan, here’s another good reason to give it a try.

1. Cottages at Poipu Kai, featured in USA Today, are now $99 with all taxes and fees included. For details see the 12 Days of Holiday Deals from The Parrish Collection Kauai. They also have specials on oceanfront homes and condos up to 50 percent off. Book by Christmas Day and look for daily updates on their Facebook page.

2. Aqua Hotels and Resorts celebrates its 10th year with 10% off all properties through August. No minimum stay required.

3. Castle Resorts’ free vacation sweepstakes ends on December 31st for a five night stay at their Big Island resort at Waikoloa. Entry form is on their Facebook page. Winner gets a two bedroom villa. You can also save up to 50% with their Waistdeep Winter Savings on Molokai, Maui, Oahu, Big Island and Kauai.

4. Aston Hotels Winter Escapes start at $103 a night on Oahu. Also featured are deals at their properties on Kauai, Big Island and Maui. Stays must be completed by March.

5. Marriott’s Sand Dollars Package will save you money on five properties (Oahu, Maui, Big Island and Kauai) with free breakfast and 4th or 5th night free and daily breakfast for two. Rates start at $229.

6. The Lodge at Koele, a Four Seasons Resort on Lanai (a personal favorite pictured above) has “Stay Longer – Third Night Free” which lowers your rate to $197 nightly. You can fly to Maui and then take the ferry over to Lanai and do both islands. This upcountry lodge is gorgeous and has a golf course.

7. Starwood Hawaii’s Sunsational Savings is on Oahu, Maui, Big Island at Kauai. Free nights with upgrades through December 2012.

8. Tippr has Half Off a Travelocity Hotel Gift Card so you can pick where you stay. Pay $50 and get a $100 gift card to use through next June. Two night minimum stay required. You’ll have to buy this on Tippr by December 21.

The newest property in Hawaii features 359 hotel rooms and 460 vacation club villas.

This probably isn’t the hotel you’ll find me in, but a lot of you have asked about it. If you stay there, please comment on it and convince me to go. Laura Bly, USA Today travel writer and Beat of Hawaii friend stayed there recently and wrote about Aulani.

Here’s today’s Hawaii travel deal for the Disney Aulani Resort and Spa, Ko Olina, Oahu:

• 5th Night Free (20% off). Available from November 27 through December 16, and from January 4 through 12 and 16 through 25. Book by 12/16/11. Based on availability. Plus taxes/fees. This offer is via Disney partner Small World Vacations or WDWinfo. Use booking code Y5J.
• 10% off. Valid if you currently are or become a Disney theme park annual pass holder. This offer is valid for stays through 2012. Also via Disney partner Small World Vacations.
• 25% off. If you’re a Hawaii resident, Kamaaina discounts are available.

I cannot say enough good things about either the property or its location. If you have a chance, do yourself a favor and take advantage of this Hawaii travel deal. I think I’m going to.

Book by October 12 and stay between October 12 – December 17 (not valid between  November 18 – 26).

Deal:

• Five nights lodging (reg. more than $1600)
• Choice of either Robert Trent Jones golf for two (normally $450) or luau for two (normally $192)

Cost:

$995 for five nights ($199/night). No resort fee. Additional amenities included.

The Modern Honolulu $155/night

This is the hotel that made all the recent press in an on-again off-again series of name and management changes. Nonetheless, it’s remains one of the newest and most prestigious Waikiki addresses. Located on the Ala Moana side of town, it’s within a brief stroll of my favorite Waikiki beaches and all of Honolulu’s activities. The Modern is as it’s name says, both modern and hip.

Today’s deal is offered through Jetsetter, so you have to go through their free sign up. Reservations must be made in the next three days. Availability, however, is from now through January. Even the holidays appear to be available.

Trump International Hotel Waikiki Beach Walk $199/night

Rooms at this property typically start north of $350 per night, making this quite the deal. We’re talking 5-star ultra-luxury. In the heart of Waikiki, rooms feature spectacular views, floor-to-ceiling windows, gourmet kitchens and marble baths. This one sounds pretty good just writing about it.

Okay, so have you stayed at either of these new Waikiki luxury properties? If so, please chime in and let us know your thoughts.

Photo: Trump Waikiki.

When it comes down to it, for most Hawaii vacations, the hotel or vacation rental cost is the biggest expense. We went looking for the best half off deals this fall to share with you. Here’s our first list of savings you can take advantage of between now and mid-December.

Kauai

Save up to 50% on vacation rentals at The Parrish Collection Kauai. Includes condos and oceanfront homes island-wide. Also save half off Holo Holo Na Pali cruises. Offer ends December 19, 2011. Call 800-325-5701 to book.

Save 50% at Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas. Includes $50 food and beverage credit, 5th night free and 2 for 1 surfing lesson at Hanalei Bay. Book online and use promo code 5050PK. Offer ends December 30, 2011.

Lanai

While not a 50% off deal, you can stay at the charming Hotel Lanai, now an Aqua Resort, starting at $99 with continental breakfast included. Book online.

Oahu

Save up to 40% on Aston Hotels Oahu Fall Savings. Locations include downtown, oceanfront and Waikiki. Offer ends December 21, 2011. Book online.

All Islands

Save 55% at Castle Resorts and Hotels. Oahu, Maui, Big Island, Kauai and Molokai location vary from hotels to condos. Offer ends December 22, 2011. Book online.

Photo is of the World War II Liberty Ship taken at Kaiolohia (Shipwreck Beach), Lanai.

The resort is situated directly on legendary Kaanapali beach. The massive pool has a 150 foot water slide and waterfalls. It was recently included in Travel and Leisure’s Best 500 hotels in the world, and is AAA four diamond rated.

Today’s deal:

Where: Hyatt Regency Maui.

When: Stay from November 25 through December 22. Or, from October 1 through November 18, the cost is $30 more.

Price: $169/night.

Details: Partial ocean view room. Two for one breakfast is $30 for two people (normally $30 per person). $25 resort fee includes internet, fitness center and tennis.