Hawaii

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socal78

socal78

Well-known member
Favorite resort destinations? Big island or other. Lots of travelers here on T.I. Feel free to comment on what you do or don't like.

Had our 14th wedding anniversary just last week. (Yes, I was a baby.) Thinking of making our first-ever trip to Hawaii for the big 15th. I am a plan-ahead type of person. Looking into it now.
 
I've been to Kauai, Maui, Honolulu and the Big Island (Total 7-8 trips). We like the Wailea area in Maui the best of everywhere we've stayed.
 
Only Maui and Oahu for the Zerolots.  Little Zerolot has been to luaus on both islands.  We are hoping for Big Island next time.
 
The last one we stayed at was the Westin resort in Maui.

We had to tour the timeshare for the discount and you need to be strong to resist the urge to own a piece of "Hawaii".

It has a really nice pool with kiddie waterslides and a large adult waterslide.

Rooms were the suite kind with a kitchenette so you (and I only mean you) can cook if you wish.

You can probably find better deals at other hotels and if we ever go again we will probably stay in Wailea (South Maui, the Westin was in Kaanapali which is West Maui). Wailea has some upscale shopping too.

First time we went to Maui, we did the Road to Hana but I'm not sure if I would recommend that to anyone because it's quite a bit of mountain driving (this was BK, before kids).

If you don't want to rent a car, Honolulu is probably more your style as you can do everything in the main city area.

Maui and the Big Island are more laid back, but still touristy... Honolulu is probably younger set and very touristy.
 
SoCal said:
PBNJ, Iho,  -- any particular resorts/hotels you recommend in Wailea?
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I recommend the Marriott Wailea. The only downside is that they do not have a beach so you have to walk 5min to go swim in the ocean and possibly bum beach chairs. They do have a kids pool with a water slide and an adults only infinity pool. They are walking distance to the shops at wailea which has some great dining and drinking options. We usually ate breakfast off property as the breakfast buffet is over $30 a person.
 
Just returned from 2 week trip to the Big Island and Oahu. 
All the islands in Hawaii are very different.  We went to Kona Big Island for the first time and it was fantastic.  If you like to get away from busy life for some paradise, nature, and peace, this island is it.

We stayed at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, which has a direct beach access that was voted top 3 in the U.S  It's also right next to Hapuna Beach, which is also top 3.  You can walk from your room and jump directly into the beach and snorkel.  You can take your rental car to drive down to see the Volcanoes and Lava flow in the south or head East to check out waterfalls and go zip lining, etc.

Waikiki in Oahu was way too touristy for me.  I don't want to see Prada, Chanel, Gucci everywhere during my peaceful vacation.  Costa Mesa mall and Fashion Island is all for that.

If you like night life and would like to goto restaurants and bars and want more active atmosphere, Oahu is good.

For me, vacation is to get away from it all.  So Big Island again for me.  Maui is half way between Oahu and Big Island.  Maui is very good as well.
 
Yep, depends what you like.  If you want touristy then fine, Oahu... If you want to relax and unwind then Kauai is great. 

Been to Oahu/Kauai/Maui/Big Island.

Oahu was too touristy for me.
Maui was too windy.
Big Island was too sparce.
Kauai was just right.

We stayed at Kauai St. Regis Ocean View Suite, it was pretty amazing.  So relaxing.  Just thinking about it I feel like checking rates right now and want to start planning!

Just read, read, read on tripadvisor a lot, and you will be able to plan the perfect trip that fits your needs.
 
I've done Big Island, Maui,Kauai and Oahu

Probably dozen plus trips, longest was 2 month  stay on big island

I'll second Kauai as the choice to make.  Strongly recommend  having some chicken too particularly rooster

I mostly stay at private home rentals.  If just the two of you try that. If family going. Pick a hotel with activities.  I'm adapting to that change

Big island is Great but younger drinking crowd in kona. Resorts are big and isolated down the road. Wet side is great.  But Kauai has more sand.  Big island is almost all rock except at the big resorts

Didn't care for Maui. Basically felt like a bunch of OC and SF transplants on a beach

Honolulu felt like LA. If you do Oahu go to Lanakai



 
I will agree that parts of Maui feel just like SoCal. But that's why my kids were okay with it.

My kids really want to go to Disney Aulani (too many commercials on Disney radio) but I'm not sure I want to spend that kind of money.
 
Goriot said:
Just returned from 2 week trip to the Big Island and Oahu. 
All the islands in Hawaii are very different.  We went to Kona Big Island for the first time and it was fantastic.  If you like to get away from busy life for some paradise, nature, and peace, this island is it.

We stayed at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, which has a direct beach access that was voted top 3 in the U.S  It's also right next to Hapuna Beach, which is also top 3.  You can walk from your room and jump directly into the beach and snorkel.  You can take your rental car to drive down to see the Volcanoes and Lava flow in the south or head East to check out waterfalls and go zip lining, etc.

Waikiki in Oahu was way too touristy for me.  I don't want to see Prada, Chanel, Gucci everywhere during my peaceful vacation.  Costa Mesa mall and Fashion Island is all for that.

If you like night life and would like to goto restaurants and bars and want more active atmosphere, Oahu is good.

For me, vacation is to get away from it all.  So Big Island again for me.  Maui is half way between Oahu and Big Island.  Maui is very good as well.
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+1  I was born and raised on Oahu and my wife's parents are on the Big Island.  We got married on the Big Island and stayed at a nice little B&B then.  There are good things about all the "big 4" (don't go to any others unless you're maybe into hunting...or leprosy).  What do you want most out of the vacation?  Relax, sight-see, kid fun, get pampered, etc?  Why does it need to be a resort?  Why did you pick Hawaii?

If you've never been there and you're from socal (SoCal!) the humidity can be a downer.  It's not quite midwest or Florida bad usually, but you can get pretty sweaty just walking around. 
 
OMG I just checked airfares.  :'(  I'll never see Hawaii again.

When we went in September we paid $264 roundtrip.  In January we paid $425 roundtrip, and I thought that was nuts.  I'm used to paying under $300.  :(  Right now I don't see anything under $650.
 
daedalus said:
OMG I just checked airfares.  :'(  I'll never see Hawaii again.

When we went in September we paid $264 roundtrip.  In January we paid $425 roundtrip, and I thought that was nuts.  I'm used to paying under $300.  :(  Right now I don't see anything under $650.
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Don't give up.  Airfares tend to drop after 4th of July.  Not to $264 but it'll be better than $650.  Can't believe you got $264!  What airline?
 
I got $250/pp SNA to Maui RT about 1.5 yrs back.  It was on Continental before they changed to United. 

Last September I got Southwest one day sale RT SNA to Orlando $220 pp.  Took the wife and 3 kids (one lap sitter under 2) for under $900 RT with taxes and fees.  Bargain Disney World trip for us.
 
ZeroLot said:
daedalus said:
OMG I just checked airfares.  :'(  I'll never see Hawaii again.

When we went in September we paid $264 roundtrip.  In January we paid $425 roundtrip, and I thought that was nuts.  I'm used to paying under $300.  :(  Right now I don't see anything under $650.
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Don't give up.  Airfares tend to drop after 4th of July.  Not to $264 but it'll be better than $650.  Can't believe you got $264!  What airline?
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We always fly Hawaiian Airlines.  Keeps our miles on 1 account, plus they still offer complimentary meals, even though they're not exactly good.  I have gone back probably a couple dozen times in the past 15 years, and check fares frequently.  I'm pretty well in tune with price fluctuations.  In the past couple years, the cheap fares started disappearing, becoming more at a moment's notice.  You can see fares out for 1 year, and right now nothing is cheap.  I agree they will likely drop, but in years past I could book a September trip in June and pay under $300.  The $425 I paid in January was unheard of for me.  I never fly peak season, since it's just "going back home" and I usually book well in advance.  Fares got bad around 2008 as I recall, and then eased up again, but what I see now is far worse.
 
daedalus said:
We always fly Hawaiian Airlines.  Keeps our miles on 1 account, plus they still offer complimentary meals, even though they're not exactly good.  I have gone back probably a couple dozen times in the past 15 years, and check fares frequently.  I'm pretty well in tune with price fluctuations.  In the past couple years, the cheap fares started disappearing, becoming more at a moment's notice.  You can see fares out for 1 year, and right now nothing is cheap.  I agree they will likely drop, but in years past I could book a September trip in June and pay under $300.  The $425 I paid in January was unheard of for me.  I never fly peak season, since it's just "going back home" and I usually book well in advance.  Fares got bad around 2008 as I recall, and then eased up again, but what I see now is far worse.
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I love Hawaiian airlines.  Their seats are bigger too.  But whenever I book they are always a bit pricier than United.  So I mostly fly United, I miss Hawaiian Airlines.
 
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