As I do my research on trying to find a way to get back to Hawai`i after not getting there for the last two winters, I have learned that Manele Bay is still a relative Bargain. With the loss of non-stop flights from MSP to HNL, it is virtually inpossible to get to Lana`i in one day without starting at 5 am. Even Lana`i may not be worth an 18 hour travel day. So I started to look into a return trip to the Big Island, since there are non-stop flights from the west coast which would reduce the total travel time to about 12 hours. We have stayed at the FS Hualalai in the past and still consider it the best resort in all of Hawai`i. Well they must realize that since the least expensive room rate I can find there for this winter is $1030/night. There currently are not any of the every 4th or 5th night free promotions at Hualalai. In contrast, Manele Bay has every 4th night free and I found rates as low as $423/night there if one stays for multiples of 4 nights.
That comparison certainly makes me think twice about staying at FS Hualalai, just to make the traveling easier. Maybe it will be Grand Cayman this winter. It is about a 5 hour non-stop flight and the I have found rooms at the Ritz Carlton for as low as $729. Well its $300 less than Hualalai.