Hawaii Recommendations

[zzzhobbes]

Travelling to Hawaii (Honolulu) in August 2012 and I am looking for recommendations on Hotels and Tips on things to do

Cheers

 

[DeKa]

Do you really want to stay in Honolulu is the question. I wouldn't... unless you want to go shopping at 4% the sales tax rate. If you stay there, expect nothing too much different to staying in Cavill Ave in Surfers Paradise.

How long do you have? What do you want to do?

I think Maui is a far better option if you want a beach holiday. A quick, cheap flight from HNL, and a much nicer world awaits. If it is an option, I'll give you some suggestions.

 

[zzzhobbes]

I am open to all options and suggestions
We have two weeks there I am just starting the research on where to stay and what to do
I know my wife want to shop for a couple of day and we have our 18 month old we us
Happy to take a flight to Maui (I have a Ton of Virgin Atlantic points I can use. I believe its about 15K return)

What do you suggest ? I am all ears well on here all eyes

 

[Alanslegal]

With two weeks to play with, I would definitely recommend you to visit another island (apart from Oahu) as well. Maui was pretty picturesque, we squeezed it in three days and I wish we had another three, the top clifftop drive to Hana is amazing. I haven't been to the other islands but like most places, its on my 'travel radar'

With Honolulu hotels, if the money can stretch, definitely stay at the Royal Hawaiian (The Pink Palace). I have stayed there twice now, last time was Feb '11, and that place feels special. It has prime beach front location, the gardens are beautiful, it feels supremely relaxing and tranquil even though its only seconds away from the hustle n bustle of Kalakuau Avenue.

Here's my hotel reviews if you are interested.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....tarwood-properties-honolulu-hawaii-15553.html

 

[straitman]

You could always include a one week cruise on The Pride of America. It is a very good cruise to get to know the area.

 

[Katie]

We went to HNL in May 09 with Little Miss 2.5. We chose the Embassy Suites as all rooms have a separate bedroom. Little Miss was fine in a Queen bed by herself. We enjoyed the beach walk location, morning brekky buffet, and nightly happy hour & entertainment. Little Miss loved the pool; was not so keen on the beach. The Halekulani would be gorgeous, depends on your budget. We wanted a separate bedroom after travelling with Little Miss to Europe the year before & having to hide in the bathrom on at least two nights while she went to sleep. She wouldn't sleep while we were awake in the same room on that trip. Your child may be completely different.
We are going back to HNL in 26 days .... a conference was going to take us to the Big Island, but it's been cancelled & we're just going to stay in HNL. We are trying to keep it fairly relaxed, so probably aren't going to visit the other islands. Definitely planning on hiring a car (pref. Mustang convertible) & driving up to the North Shore for shave ice, swimming with turtles & exploring.

 

[zzzhobbes]

Thank for the advice Alanslegal and Katie

A friend I just spoke to recommended I purchase a entertainment book from the local Walgreens Chemist as there are numerous vouchers for food and entertainment in Honolulu

Katie keep me informed on how your trip went and things to do and not to do

One if the thing we must do is meet Dog the Bounty Hunter I know that's tacky but I am sure it will be fun

 

[zzzhobbes]

You could always include a one week cruise on The Pride of America. It is a very good cruise to get to know the area.

Thanks for the advice
However my Wife is not so keen on Cruises since all the recent cruise drama's in the world lately

 

[MikeP]

We went to Hawaii for 1 week earlier this year. Stayed 3 nights at Sheraton Maui and 4 nights at Sheraton Waikiki (on Oahu of course).

Deka is definitely right...Waikiki is pretty much just like Surfers Paradise, except the actual Waikiki beach is pretty coughpy (very rocky, tiny waves and very narrow sand part of beach. We didn't really like Waikiki or Honolulu all that much and when we go back will probably just stay there for a day to do some shopping at the factory outlets and Ala Moana Mall (cheap for us Aussies). The Sheraton was great and we would probably stay there next time....seems to be one of the better and most modern places along the strip, but doesn't has its very own beach right off the back of the hotel like many of the others (however they make up for this with an infinity pool).

Maui was fantastic and I would be telling everyone going to Hawaii that is is well worth the 45 min flight from Honolulu. Is a lot quieter than Honolulu and Waikiki, which makes it very relaxing. Have a big strip of resorts which all have great beaches at the rear, some great scenery and places to see. Beaches are much better than Waikiki and from the Sheraton you can just snorkel 100m off the beach amongst heaps of tropical fish! We loved it at Maui and will be the place we go back to and spend most of our time there. Sheraton Maui was great and whilst not cheap, was well worth it. One thing to keep in mind is that the resorts are about 45 min drive from the airport - in hindsight we probably would have hired a car and driven ourselves if we knew that it would be an $85 taxi ride each way, the roads relatively quiet for us who are used to driving on the left side of the road, and most resorts providing car parking included in the price.

Good luck with it...lm sure you will enjoy your trip.

 

[zzzhobbes]

Great Advice and noted MikeP
maybe that increase in the SPG rate for MR Redeemptions with Amex could come in handy

 

[Natalie_B]

I went to Maui for the first time late last year, and it was lovely. We stayed in the Kaanapali area, at the Westin. Rooms were lovely and the pools were a decent size, and it was next door to restaurants/shops etc. There are however many other areas that are less touristy.

Every other time that Ive been, I stayed at Waikiki, primarily because I enjoy the surfers paradise on steroi_s feel about it. The last two times I stayed at the Holiday Inn, which was good. Quite cheap, an only across the road from the beach, so an easy walk. It is above a Jimmy Buffets, which made the best coughtails we have during our stay. Makes shopping much easier when you're well hydrated

I've also stayed at the Outrigger Waikiki and Outrigger Reef x2. All the hotels were enjoyable, the beach isnt that great, and there isnt much shade around the pool at the Holiday Inn.

I've spent a day at Kauai, and probably wouldnt go back there, but I'd love to spend more time on the big island.

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

Have been to Oahu about 12 times and have to say I love it, have stayed the past few times in a self catering apartment at The Waikiki Banyan (if you want details please let me know) also the Aston Pacific Monarch - saves heaps and more for the shopping. Have also been too Maui (Lahainia) and a bit too quiet for me for more than 4 or 5 days, the drive to the crater was great and from memory did half the road to Hana, was really busy. Have been to the big island a few times and stayed in Kona and had a fab apartment overlooking the ocean with turtles swimming past each morning, just magical. The drive to the Volcano National Parks is worth doing too. All in all though we love Waikiki and the shopping is great, if you can hire a car and get out and about there are some lovely beaches and scenery to see.

 

[zzzhobbes]

Well we booked with the Hyatt Place Waikiki Hotel at $117 per night including breakfast
Bookit.com had it for $147 and less the 20% off for hyatt best rate gave us $117
would have live I go to Maui but the cost of the hotels was out if our budget