Hawaiian islands to choose??

[Travelqueen]

Hi,

My husband and I went to Honolulu and Maui for our honeymoon, 25 years ago, and have never been back.

So, we return to celebrate in 2 weeks time. However, apart from J class flights with Qantas, I haven't organised a thing. ( my mum passed away last month, and thus left me with no desire to think about planning a holiday, but I must do it !! )

I was thinking Honolulu, Maui, and maybe another island, as I'd love to see some volcanic areas, and maybe some lovely walks. Truth be known, I may get there and do nothing but relax on the beach.

Im getting a bit confused, and overwhelmed by some prices too. I'd love some feedback on which islands to spend a few days on, and hotels.

Currently looked at Outrigger on Waikiki beach, and Aston islander hotel on Kauai. Haven't even started on Maui yet.....

help.....I usually love organising, but I'm a bit rattled

TQ

 

[samh004]

It's been a long time since I was in HI.

I have no idea what these hotels look like now, but we initially booked for the Hilton Waikoloa, but found it too big and too trashy very quickly. Perhaps it has changed, but my family and I weren't keen to stay in what felt like Disneyland but without as many rides. We moved onto the Mauna Kea/Hapuna resort and found it much nicer. That's on the big island.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

We had 6 nights at the Sheraton Waikiki in early December '16. We hadn't been to Hawaii for probably 15 + years ! Naturally it has become a lot busier !! We chose the Sheraton Waikiki because we know the GM - he used to be at the Sheraton Grande in BKK. The Sheraton Waikiki is centrally located and we could walk to shopping and restaurants easily. It is a huge hotel but you can charge back meals from the Royal Hawaiian Hotel next door. Basically we just chilled out those 6 days, eating, drinking and a bit of retail therapy. We enjoyed our time there, but we also got a great upgrade to a huge suite ! It helps to know the GM !
I don't think you could go wrong picking any hotel along the beach strip.
One thing - allow plenty of time to get back to the airport - traffic is CRAZY !

 

[Travelqueen]

Wow, nice contact to have...good for you.
I just checked prices for Sheraton, but it's $500 plus per night.
not sure I can stretch the budget that much....unfortunately as it looks fantastic

 

[edwina86]

Hello, I visited Kauai in 2014 and had a wonderful time. Stayed on the 'sunny south side' of the island here: https://koloalandingresort.com and there are some really great restaurants and a cute healthy cafe within walking distance: The Shops at Kukui'ula :: 2829 Ala Kalanikaumaka, Poipu, HI. 96756 :: 808-742-9545
There is also a Grand Hyatt and Sheraton if that is more your scene. I would recommend hiring a car as Kauai is quite small and has a relaxed country feel and I don't recall seeing any taxis and not sure about public transport options. You can do a day trip to the north side of the island to do a hike and take in the wonderful views of the Na Pali Coast, or you can also do a boat trip and see the cliffs from the sea (or a helicopter ride if you're feeling spendy). There are lots of great little beaches to visit, Ke'e Beach is also on the north side and great for snorkelling (hire gear at the surf shop in Hanalei). Hanalei is a cute town and a good place to stop for lunch. The beach by the Hanalei Pier is very pretty with big cliffs in the background.

Alternatively, Turtle Bay Resort on the north shore of Oahu is a really great place to stay Hawaii Resorts | Turtle Bay Resort | North Shore Oahu Resort you can be as active as you like (surfing, horse riding, stand up paddle boarding) or just relax by the pool or the beach lagoon!

In Honolulu I have stayed at the Hilton and the Modern - Hilton is great for more than two people as you can get an apartment with a kitchen, BUT the resort compound is enormous and so busy, and always a really long wait for breakfast, no chairs by the pool etc, so not that relaxing. The Modern is very coupley and makes it really easy to not have to leave the hotel. Pool area is lovely and the food is great with lots of healthy options. And it's very close to Ala Moana shopping centre if that's your thing!

Hope that helps! Kauai is beautiful! Have a great trip

 

[Travelqueen]

Thanks for all suggestions.

ive researched some more, and thinking about what we might like to do, so far this is it

arrive Honolulu, and go straight to Maui for 4 nights
then go to the big island Hawaii for 4 nights,
then back to Oahu for 6 nights.

Dates and hotel sorted for Maui.
hotel sorted for the big island, but do we stay there for the 4 nights, or is 3 nights enough?
That then leaves Oahu for beach, shopping, pool, drinks and dinners, for either the six, or seven nights?

Hotels all booked, but really my only question is how long on the big island??
we want to see the volcano, and national park.

suggestions very welcome

TQ

 

[Meggsy]

We spent 4 nights on the big island last November. On day 1 we flew into Hilo and stayed the night there checking out sites and attractions in and around Hilo. Day 2 we drove to volcanoes national park and spent the day there exploring the lava fields, tubes and active crater. Late that day we drove around the south west coast and up to Kona where we stayed for three nights. We hired motorbikes and explored the west coast beaches and resorts and travelled up Mauna Kea. We saw most things of our interest in the time we had there and maybe one more night to explore the north coast as well but overall 4 nights was enough time.

 

[Travelqueen]

We spent 4 nights on the big island last November. On day 1 we flew into Hilo and stayed the night there checking out sites and attractions in and around Hilo. Day 2 we drove to volcanoes national park and spent the day there exploring the lava fields, tubes and active crater. Late that day we drove around the south west coast and up to Kona where we stayed for three nights. We hired motorbikes and explored the west coast beaches and resorts and travelled up Mauna Kea. We saw most things of our interest in the time we had there and maybe one more night to explore the north coast as well but overall 4 nights was enough time.

Hi Meggsy,

Thats fantastic info.
Thanks so much

TQ

 

[big_RED]

We got married in Hawaii last March, and then went to Kona (Big Island) and Maui afterwards for our honeymoon.

We much preferred Maui as it seemed to have more life, and just more people around which we preferred where Kona was a little dull. However both had some fantastic tourist activities we did that I've listed below!

Kona:
- snorkelling with the manta rays - this is an incredible experience at night time!
- we did a 13hr tour of Kona which was long, but also great. Went through massive lava flow highways, saw the glowing live volcano, and went through the wet and dry sides of Kona
- DEFINITELY do the star gazing at MaunaKea. It was just an incredible experience as you see the sun set from above the clouds, to below the clouds, and then go star gazing with telescopes

Maui:
- just like Kona star gazing, do Haleakala Sunrise bike tour. Starts at 2/3am, they drive you to the top of the volcano to watch the sun rise, and then you ride down the volcano for 3 hours taking in the breathtaking views
- Depnding on your adventure streak - zip lining was good fun
- Road the Hana as a rainforest tour was fantastic!

Waikiki:
- helicopter flight over the volcano (Diamond Head) and a view of the cost is an experience you'll always remember (expensive, but fantastic)
- you can do a walk up Diamon Head as well which I've heard is very nice, although a bit of a long walk
- there is the massive shopping centre Ala Moana Center which you can check out
- hire a mustang and visit the outlet shops - Waikele Premium Outlets, which you can keep going North to the North Shore and drive along the coast which is great

If you want tour websites for stuff I mentioned let me know and I can see if I can find them from last year.

 

[Travelqueen]

Hi big_RED,

Thants fantastic info thankyou.

The sunrise bike tour sounds great. Also, star gazing.

I'm thinking we will do a helicopter tour over the volcano on The Big Island.

I'll attempt a trip report along the way, so hopefully help others too.

Getting super excited now

TQ

 

[big_RED]

Hi big_RED,

Thants fantastic info thankyou.
The sunrise bike tour sounds great. Also, star gazing.
I'm thinking we will do a helicopter tour over the volcano on The Big Island.
I'll attempt a trip report along the way, so hopefully help others too.
Getting super excited now
TQ

Sunrise tour company was this one: https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attr...pany-Haleakala_National_Park_Maui_Hawaii.html
Star gazing was a tour called: Mauna Kea Sunset & Stargazing Tour - but I can't find a booking URL sorry

Have fun! Remember to take some USD cash as you'll need to tip pretty much everything!

 

[irv]

We are leaving on a cruise in just under 4 weeks, destination Hawaii where we spend a total of 11 days. We fly to the Big Island after disembarking, pick up a car and drive down to Volcano Park where we spend the first night at The Volcano Forest Inn . Next day will be exploring Volcano National Park. Our next accommodation is The Inn at Kulaniapia Falls for 2 nights, whilst staying there we have booked a lava boat cruise, takes you out for an ocean view of Kilauea Volcano. Travel up to Kona the next day to fly to Oahu where we are staying on the North Shore at Haleiwa, away from the lights and bustle in a house which we are sharing with friends. The excitement is starting to grow