Hawaii

[socal78]

  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. 

Actually, I'm really glad you mentioned the humidity. That definitely makes me nervous and would probably be a deal-breaker for me! I once went to Padre Island, TX one summer. The sunburn + humidity caused ridiculous swelling of my eyes, forehead. It looked like I was in a boxing match with Macho Camacho. My eyes were swollen shut. I was totally disfigured, could only see through slits. Might be some sort of sun allergy, not really sure. Weeping, kind of like blisters but deep down, not on the surface of the skin. What I do know is I am not made for that type of environment. I am far, FAR, FAR too fair-skinned for the sun intensity especially close to the equator. I probably should have seen a doctor but instead, on the flight home, I dug ice cubes out of a glass of Scotch and applied them to my eyelids. Simply landing a the airport in SoCal, with the dry air, provided some instant relief. I would never want a repeat of that situation. I would have been miserable staying at the gulf.

Thinking now of doing a cruise to Mexico instead, Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas, etc. No idea how humid it is there. I'll have to check! Thanks for the reminder!!

 

[socal78]

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

Cute. I wonder how many Crock Pots I can fit into my carry-on. 

 

[davenlei]

I stayed on Oahu and Maui.  Loved Maui!  We stayed here: 
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...Honua_Kai_Resort_Spa-Lahaina_Maui_Hawaii.html

It was a great place but did get quite windy on that side of the island in the afternoon.  Although there are many places to tread out into the water around the island, I would not recommend doing it on their property.  There is sharp coral in spots and if you are not paying attention, you will cut your feet up (I did).  Other than that, it is a very nice and clean property with very pleasant staff.  The hotel is really a condo/hotel facility so you get a kitchen, bedrooms, etc. like a regular home.  They have all the glasses, pots, pans, silverware there and there is a supermarket located across the street so it is really easy to get your groceries.  The kids loved the pools and water slides.  They also had a kids center where you can drop the kiddies off for the day and do adult things.  It was large, clean and had lots to do.  They had what appeared to be good staff and had a good check in and check out system for security.  Thinking about it makes me want to go back NOW!

Almost forgot.  They have a Dukes restaurant on site as well which was not crazy priced so we had some several meals there since it was easy to go to after the day at the pool/beach/hiking, etc.