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Hawaii on a Budget: 9 Cheap Places to Stay on Molokai

Planning a trip to Molokai? Hotels can be super expensive on this island, so I’ve rounded up 9 budget-friendly places to stay on Molokai, keep scrolling down for all the info!
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If you are someone who loves tropical surroundings, but hates crowds and tourist traps, the island of Molokai might be the perfect place for you!

A BIG bonus is that you can definitely find cheap places to stay!

If you didn’t know, Molokai is the 5th largest Hawaiian Island, and is only about 380 sq miles.

To learn more about the people, activities, and attractions on Molokai, check out THIS LINK!

Just to bring you up to speed, there are sea cliffs (the tallest in the world, actually!) beaches, a national park, reefs, you really can’t go wrong!

The only thing you really can’t find on this island is a chain hotel!

Either because of its size or the fact that there are already plenty of places to stay, there are no Marriotts, Double Trees, or even Holiday Inns.

Not to worry, though!

I have been looking at Molokai as a possible destination for hubby and I (no boys!) to have a nice, relaxing vacation next summer.

So, you all know that means I have been doing my homework!

Check out my list of 9 Budget-Friendly Places to Stay on Molokai!

Hawaii on a Budget: 9 Cheap Places to Stay on Molokai featured by top Hawaii travel blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids | Planning a trip to Molokai on a budget? Find out the best cheap places to stay on Molokai, including hotels, Airbnbs, and VRBO options. #molokai #hawaii

Cheap Places to Stay on Molokai FAQs

Are tourists allowed on Molokai?

Yes. While it’s not the most visited Hawaiian island, Molokai does invite tourists to stay at their hotels and vacation rentals to explore this little slice of paradise.

Which is better Molokai or Lanai?

Molokai is about twice as big as Lanai, but both are pretty low-key Hawaiian islands.

How long does it take to drive around Molokai?

You can drive from one side of Molokai to the other in about 60-90 minutes, depending on traffic.

Budget-Friendly Places to Stay on Molokai

MOLOKAI HOTELS

Hotel Molokai

1300 Kamehameha V Hwy, Kaunakakai, HI 96748
(877) 553-5347

If you are looking for a home base, a quiet place of relaxation, and activities to take advantage of on Hawaii’s “The Friendly Isle”, look no further than Hotel Molokai!

Hawaii on a Budget: 9 Cheap Places to Stay on Molokai featured by top Hawaii travel blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: Hotel Molokai is a budget-friendly place to stay on Molokai
Photo credit: Hotel Molokai

You can go whale watching, snorkeling, scuba diving, or just sit on your private lanai and enjoy the view.

The deluxe rooms (big enough for a family of four) come with kitchenettes, which really helps to save money on going out to eat. Check out the latest prices and more details.

With general stores and drug stores on the island, you can find just what you need to make most meals.

You can also ask the friendliest staff ever – at the front desk!

There is a restaurant called Hiro’s Ohana Grill on site to enjoy, if you are looking for some fine dining.

Book three or more days at a time, and get a 33% discount!

This puts the room fit for a family of four at $187 per night.

For free wifi, hammocks, an outdoor pool and so much more, that is a STEAL!

Book quick, the months of December to March go fast due to Whale Migration moving through the area. Read my full Hotel Molokai review.

Molokai Shores

Kamehameha Highway, Star Route, Kaunakakai, HI 96748
(808) 553-5954

Sometimes a hotel is nice, but a condo is better. The nice thing about Molokai Shores is that it’s both!

Hawaii on a Budget: 9 Cheap Places to Stay on Molokai featured by top Hawaii travel blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: Molokai Shores is a budget-friendly Molokai hotel
Photo credit: Molokai Shores

Full kitchens, private bedrooms, lanais, lofts, and OCEANFRONT to boot!

If you are looking for a family vacation that provides all the comforts of home, this is where you want to be! All dishes, utensils, and amenities are included, and parking is free!

Suites start at $125 per night, and One-bedroom condos start at $131. Check out the latest prices and more details.

There is a cleaning fee for your stay, as well as the expected reservation fees.

There is also an optional damage insurance fee – but if your kiddos are anything like my boys, maybe you want to spring for the $40 – just in case!

Plan on enjoying your fully furnished condo for as long as you would like, knowing that you got a wonderful deal!

Dunbar Beachfront Cottages

9962 Kamehameha V Hwy, Kaunakakai, HI 96748
(808) 558-8153

Are you looking for traditional Hawaiian culture on a beach you can wade into the water and swim from? Are you looking for relaxation and maybe some shelling?

Hawaii on a Budget: 9 Cheap Places to Stay on Molokai featured by top Hawaii travel blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: Dunbar Beachfront Cottages are a cheap place to stay on Molokai
Photo credit: Dunbar Beachfront Cottages

Then you MUST check out Dunbar Beachfront Cottages on Molokai!

With two cottages located right on the beach, you will find everything you need for your relaxing island vacation.

Both the Pauwalu and Pu’unana Cottages can sleep four, with one queen bed and two twin beds.

These cottages truly feel like a home away from home, all the way up to the full-sized washer and dryer.

What else could a mom want on vacation? (Maybe a laundry fairy, but that’s beside the point!)

At only $210 per night, Check out Dunbar Beachfront Cottages for a beautiful vacation on Molokai’s eastside!

CHEAP PLACES TO STAY ON MOLOKAI: VACATION RENTALS BY OWNER (VRBO)

Beautiful One Bedroom Garden View Condo at Ke Nani Kai

Maunaloa, Hawaii

Any place where you can sleep only 500 steps from a beach has got to be great, right?

Hawaii on a Budget: 9 Cheap Places to Stay on Molokai featured by top Hawaii travel blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: VRBO | https://hawaiitravelwithkids.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/95865976-1ffe-46f3-b797-18b8b0b5b20e.f10.jpg

At this Beautiful One Bedroom Garden View Condo at Ke Nani Kai, that is exactly the case!

Located on the beautiful western side of Molokai, you will be able to see the sunset over Oahu and the ocean.

The resort includes a beautiful pool, tennis courts, and spa for your use, tennis rackets included!

At $70 a night in the summer and $85 per night in the winter, a family of four will find this one-bedroom condo to be perfect for their island getaway!

1 Bedroom, 3rd floor Condo with Tropical Ocean View

Kaunakakai, Hawaii

Hawaii on a Budget: 9 Cheap Places to Stay on Molokai featured by top Hawaii travel blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: VRBO | https://hawaiitravelwithkids.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/509e6bcf-18db-445f-891e-d3a504facbd3.f10.jpg

On the opposite end of Molokai, you have the Wavecrest resort, where you can find a completely remodeled one-bedroom condo!

This 1 Bedroom Condo with Tropical Ocean View is upgraded to the extreme!

Smart TV, king-sized bed, cars to rent, and a complimentary surfboard are just the beginning.

The resort includes an oceanfront pool for those who want to get in a good, wave-free swim, and the tennis courts are available to work up a sweat beforehand.

Throw in the view of the pacific ocean from your lanai, and $89 per night seems like a steal!

Oceanfront Condo in Kaunakakai

Kaunakakai, Hawaii

This two-bedroom unit in Molokai Shores will blow you away!

Hawaii on a Budget: 9 Cheap Places to Stay on Molokai featured by top Hawaii travel blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: Beachfront on Kaunakakai | https://hawaiitravelwithkids.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/27373284-1a02-449b-a691-0c104ee4cf69.f10.jpg

With room for six people to sleep comfortably and two levels of living spaces, you will find enough room for everyone in your family!

You will never have to worry about an over-crowded beach here, as the resort owns its own private-access beach just for you.

The number of outdoor activities is outstanding, and you will be hard-pressed to NOT find something to enjoy.

With per-night rates starting at $120, you will never regret booking your vacation here!

CHEAP PLACES TO STAY ON MOLOKAI: AIRBNB RENTALS

Don’t discount Airbnb due to its popularity! You can often find great deals on rentals via this newer platform.

Hale Kupa ‘Aina

Kaunakakai, Hawaii

Staying in an Airbnb on Molokai is a wonderful choice, especially if it’s at Hale Kupa ‘Aina or “Home of Island People.”Hawaii on a Budget: 9 Cheap Places to Stay on Molokai featured by top Hawaii travel blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: Hale Kupa Aina | https://hawaiitravelwithkids.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/a4a7dd29-b777-486c-8fb2-78a750d16c5f.jpgThe owner has the distinction of being a “Superhost”, or someone that has a proven track record with Airbnb and its customers.

This particular property has a 5-star rating from over 50 reviewers and obviously is well taken care of.

At $100 per night (plus service and cleaning fees), this deal can NOT be missed! Book quick, this property rarely has openings!

Oceanfront Wavecrest Resort Apartment

Kaunakakai, Hawaii

Hawaii on a Budget: 9 Cheap Places to Stay on Molokai featured by top Hawaii travel blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: Oceanfront Wavecrest Resort | https://hawaiitravelwithkids.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/918d3a47-47fb-4d3d-87a0-1cd04b770323.jpg

If you are looking for over 5 acres of oceanfront property, tennis courts, pools, and a recently renovated apartment, check out this Oceanfront Wavecrest Resort Apartment.

Starting at only $79 per night, this place is an absolute STEAL!

The Wavecrest resort is perfectly situated on Route 450, mile marker 13, with other attractions at virtually every other mile marker along the route.

This unit also offers self-check-in with a smart lock, so there is no one else you will have to interact with if you don’t want to!

If you are looking for a clean, secluded, updated apartment with all the amenities of a large resort, you found it!

Beachfront Hale 1 Island of Molokai

Kaunakakai, Hawaii

Hawaii on a Budget: 9 Cheap Places to Stay on Molokai featured by top Hawaii travel blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: Beachfront Hale1 Island of Molokai | https://hawaiitravelwithkids.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/e5ff4689-c160-4f89-bb04-e0037312c884.jpg

There is nothing better than a reasonably-priced apartment that gets RAVE reviews!

The Beachfront Hale 1 is the favorite of several multi-stay visitors, and gets almost 100% 5-star reviews!

A full kitchen with all the amenities is included in the price of the apartment, which is $98 a night! (WOW!)

Guests get complimentary access to the beach gear, wifi, grills, and even a putting green! You would be crazy not to check out this tried-and-true Airbnb stay!

Molokai is sometimes called the “Original Hawaii,” or the way Hawaii was a generation ago.

The laid-back attitudes, embrace of the concept of “Island time” and the number of locals still living on the island gives visitors a wonderful view of Hawaii before it was discovered to be the tropical paradise it is.

Molokai is a wonderful place to roam and explore with your family.

The cliffs, waterfalls, mule rides, snorkeling, and other wonderful activities are amazing, but only if you get to experience them first-hand!

I hope you saw something on my list of 9 Budget-Friendly Places to Stay on Molokai that interested you, and that you might be joining me on the “Friendliest Island” very soon!

Looking for more Molokai Travel Resources? Find out how to do a Maui to Moloka’i day trip, tips for the Moloka’i Plumeria Farm, and read my full Hotel Moloka’i review.