I went to Kauai and went kayaking, hiking, and went through a few waterfalls. Its much quieter and less busy than Maui - which is a blast as well. If you are going for 8, you may be better just sticking in Maui.
everyone told me to avoid Oahu and stay away from Honolulu, but after 10 days on Maui and Kuai I liked Oahu, Pearl Harbor as mentioned is can't miss.
Plus I liked Waikiki beach. Hanama Bay, Diamond Head, the food and my wife liked the shopping near Waikiki at the international market or whatever it's called.
for a couple days Oahu is great too, especially if you've never been.
If I were going back I'd go to Maui only, it's the best IMO. But I've spent two weeks on the Big Island (a week each on two separate trips), and there was an erupting volcano so now I have zero reason to ever to back there.
Kuai is beautiful but very laid back.
Maui has a good mix, still laid back but also has some activity. Hana highway, haleakula, la haina, a catamaran snorkeling trip to Molokini, black rock, etc.
Personally I want to go to two places, and one flight in may have to be to Honolulu. I want to see Pearl Harbor, that is on that island right? Maybe 2 nights on that island and 7 in Maui?
Maui is beautiful, I love Kaanapali and Lahaina. I also really like Oahu. I like Waikiki, its a lot of fun. Also Pearl Harbor and Diamond Head are musts. Finally the other side of the island has some really cool towns and sites.
Personally I want to go to two places, and one flight in may have to be to Honolulu. I want to see Pearl Harbor, that is on that island right? Maybe 2 nights on that island and 7 in Maui?
yea, honolulu is on oahu as is pearl harbor. first time I'd do that, especially if it may be your only time - at least I viewed pearl harbor as a can't miss site. stay at one of the waikiki beach hotels. I stayed at the outrigger waikiki, affordable, clean, right on the beach, convenient to most stuff. I think we took a bus from waikiki to pearl harbor.
Fly in to Honolulu and promptly drive to the North Shore. In January you will most likely see some big waves. North Shore has the best beaches on Oahu. Still easy to shoot down to Pearl Harbor or sight-see other parts of the island.
Hawaii dogs shits over any Carribean island and I've been to nearly all of them
Agreed. Hawaii is better than anywhere I've been to the Caribbean as well, it truly is a unique experience that you can't get anywhere else. The travel sucks, can't sugarcoat it, but its definitely worth it.
All the islands are exotic for different reasons. It seems like you're in a foreign country but you're not. You're in America. That means you have reliable electricity and plumbing every where. You also have good roads, reliable transit and honest efficient police everywhere. Those are things you cannot take for granted when you travel outside the U.S. particularly in the Carribean
RE: the best move is 3 days on Oahu thren take Norwiegien cruise line
which departs from Oahu and goes to all the Islands. Takes you to the Lava flow at night going into the ocean.
+1
The Norwegian Pride of America is an excellent cruise. You spend 2 days in Maui, 2 days on the big Island, Hilo and Kona, then a day and a half in Kauai. Not to mention, the ship itself is excellent.
Everyone has laid out the islands well, but I'd really just pick one and go with it. Jet lag is going to take you out of commission for a day, so plan on your first day adjusting to a 6 hour time difference and unwinding from being crammed into a plane for that long. 8/9 days is not really going to be that long to justify island hoping, so save your money and do one island right instead of rushing it.
I'd personally go with Kauai or Maui as my first option, Big Island as a distant third and Oahu as a stop-over for a day or two at most (I never got the vibe from the island, its a major city in the middle of paradise). I have spent a day on Molokai and would not suggest it unless you want a pure "outdoorsy" experience. Lanai is a single resort basically and very pretty, but again - extremely narrow in what you do there and likely not a great option unless you're big on isolation.
If I had to pick one, Maui is probably the best island to start on for anyone going for the first time. You should be able to get direct flights if you're flying out of the metro area.
My suggestions:
- Budget for a seat upgrade to at least Economy Plus (or equivalent) on your longest legs of the trip (if you connect). First class is astronomical, but Economy Plus should be reasonable and definitely worth it.
- Upgrade to a convertible - its much better to take in the island that way than in an econobox. Some of my best experiences are taking the turn on Honoapiilani Highway and seeing the ocean stretch forever in Maui and going down the Tree Tunnel in Kauai with the top down and Native 92.5 on the radio. Justify the cost by considering it an attraction and go for long drives with the top down - worth it.
- If you go to Kauai, temper your culinary expectations and get used to fish sandwiches, Puka Dogs and burgers. Island has grown immensely from the 5 years between trips I took there, but its still a small, laid back island.
- Poipu/South Beach is hands down the best place to stay on Kauai - Grand Hyatt if you can swing it. Kapaa was "meh" and I didn't love Princeville/North shore.
- Kananapali is the best bet on Maui, Wailea is ok - though I found the beaches meh and crowded.
- If you go to Maui, go to Cool Cats on Front Street and order a Don Ho Burger.
On the Caribbean vs. Hawaii... St Lucia is the only place I have been that outclasses Hawaii. However, that is a vacation that will flirt with 5 digits if you want to do it right (Anse Chastanet or Jade Mountain), so keep that in mind. You can do Hawaii much cheaper and still stay at fancy resorts, etc.
I booked my hotel in Maui at the Sheraton using my SPG points.
Going to be in Oahu for 2 nights (other 7 in Maui). Any suggestions on hotel? Will be doing Pearl Harbor mainly and I guess Wakiki and whatever else.
Worth using SPG poitns at a nice hotel or stay wherever close to airport/PH?
I stayed out the Outrigger Beach Waikiki and there was a Duke's Canoe Club in the ground floor that was a fun place to hang out and the beach is beautiful.
Multiple room buildings depending on what you want, multiple restaurants and bars, some shopping, etc.
If you want more upscale, then either The Royal Hawaiian (the famous Pink Hotel), or The Moana Surfrider.
Guess my question is does it make sense to stay on the beach at a resort there? Flight gets in like 4:30 PM on Friday, Sat I plan on doing Pearl Harbor, then touring island, not sure what time I'll fly out Sunday yet, but not sure how much time I'd actually have for beach there? Will be at restort in Maui for a while for that?
Multiple room buildings depending on what you want, multiple restaurants and bars, some shopping, etc.
If you want more upscale, then either The Royal Hawaiian (the famous Pink Hotel), or The Moana Surfrider.
Guess my question is does it make sense to stay on the beach at a resort there? Flight gets in like 4:30 PM on Friday, Sat I plan on doing Pearl Harbor, then touring island, not sure what time I'll fly out Sunday yet, but not sure how much time I'd actually have for beach there? Will be at restort in Maui for a while for that?
That's the only place I've stayed to I'm not sure. I do know that Waikiki Beach is close to the zoo, Diamond Head, Hanama Bay nature preserve (good snorkeling), the International Market.
but if you're going to the North Shore I don't think it's convenient, but I only know that area.
Pearl Harbor and the Polynesian Cultural Center you'd need to take a bus to (unless you're renting a car, I did not have a car on Oahu, but I did on Maui, Kuai and the Big Island).
Avoid Honolulu like the plague.
All are awesome.
everyone told me to avoid Oahu and stay away from Honolulu, but after 10 days on Maui and Kuai I liked Oahu, Pearl Harbor as mentioned is can't miss.
Plus I liked Waikiki beach. Hanama Bay, Diamond Head, the food and my wife liked the shopping near Waikiki at the international market or whatever it's called.
for a couple days Oahu is great too, especially if you've never been.
If I were going back I'd go to Maui only, it's the best IMO. But I've spent two weeks on the Big Island (a week each on two separate trips), and there was an erupting volcano so now I have zero reason to ever to back there.
Kuai is beautiful but very laid back.
Maui has a good mix, still laid back but also has some activity. Hana highway, haleakula, la haina, a catamaran snorkeling trip to Molokini, black rock, etc.
but I do like a couple days at Waikiki.
In Maui we stayed at separate ends of the island so we saw a lot more that way (Lahaina and Wailea).
Personally I want to go to two places, and one flight in may have to be to Honolulu. I want to see Pearl Harbor, that is on that island right? Maybe 2 nights on that island and 7 in Maui?
Personally I want to go to two places, and one flight in may have to be to Honolulu. I want to see Pearl Harbor, that is on that island right? Maybe 2 nights on that island and 7 in Maui?
yea, honolulu is on oahu as is pearl harbor. first time I'd do that, especially if it may be your only time - at least I viewed pearl harbor as a can't miss site. stay at one of the waikiki beach hotels. I stayed at the outrigger waikiki, affordable, clean, right on the beach, convenient to most stuff. I think we took a bus from waikiki to pearl harbor.
I did. on my honeymoon. once in a lifetime experience.
Make sure you drive up to the top of the dormant volcano, and also the road to Hana is a must.
KAUAI
Love Kauai and balancing out the trip with Oahu/Honolulu's food.
Anyone have any starwood recommendations on Oahu and Maui?
Agreed. Hawaii is better than anywhere I've been to the Caribbean as well, it truly is a unique experience that you can't get anywhere else. The travel sucks, can't sugarcoat it, but its definitely worth it.
+1
The Norwegian Pride of America is an excellent cruise. You spend 2 days in Maui, 2 days on the big Island, Hilo and Kona, then a day and a half in Kauai. Not to mention, the ship itself is excellent.
I'd personally go with Kauai or Maui as my first option, Big Island as a distant third and Oahu as a stop-over for a day or two at most (I never got the vibe from the island, its a major city in the middle of paradise). I have spent a day on Molokai and would not suggest it unless you want a pure "outdoorsy" experience. Lanai is a single resort basically and very pretty, but again - extremely narrow in what you do there and likely not a great option unless you're big on isolation.
If I had to pick one, Maui is probably the best island to start on for anyone going for the first time. You should be able to get direct flights if you're flying out of the metro area.
My suggestions:
- Budget for a seat upgrade to at least Economy Plus (or equivalent) on your longest legs of the trip (if you connect). First class is astronomical, but Economy Plus should be reasonable and definitely worth it.
- Upgrade to a convertible - its much better to take in the island that way than in an econobox. Some of my best experiences are taking the turn on Honoapiilani Highway and seeing the ocean stretch forever in Maui and going down the Tree Tunnel in Kauai with the top down and Native 92.5 on the radio. Justify the cost by considering it an attraction and go for long drives with the top down - worth it.
- If you go to Kauai, temper your culinary expectations and get used to fish sandwiches, Puka Dogs and burgers. Island has grown immensely from the 5 years between trips I took there, but its still a small, laid back island.
- Poipu/South Beach is hands down the best place to stay on Kauai - Grand Hyatt if you can swing it. Kapaa was "meh" and I didn't love Princeville/North shore.
- Kananapali is the best bet on Maui, Wailea is ok - though I found the beaches meh and crowded.
- If you go to Maui, go to Cool Cats on Front Street and order a Don Ho Burger.
On the Caribbean vs. Hawaii... St Lucia is the only place I have been that outclasses Hawaii. However, that is a vacation that will flirt with 5 digits if you want to do it right (Anse Chastanet or Jade Mountain), so keep that in mind. You can do Hawaii much cheaper and still stay at fancy resorts, etc.
Going to be in Oahu for 2 nights (other 7 in Maui). Any suggestions on hotel? Will be doing Pearl Harbor mainly and I guess Wakiki and whatever else.
Worth using SPG poitns at a nice hotel or stay wherever close to airport/PH?
Going to be in Oahu for 2 nights (other 7 in Maui). Any suggestions on hotel? Will be doing Pearl Harbor mainly and I guess Wakiki and whatever else.
Worth using SPG poitns at a nice hotel or stay wherever close to airport/PH?
I stayed out the Outrigger Beach Waikiki and there was a Duke's Canoe Club in the ground floor that was a fun place to hang out and the beach is beautiful.
There is a Sheraton Waikiki not too far.
If you want more upscale, then either The Royal Hawaiian (the famous Pink Hotel), or The Moana Surfrider.
If you want more upscale, then either The Royal Hawaiian (the famous Pink Hotel), or The Moana Surfrider.
Guess my question is does it make sense to stay on the beach at a resort there? Flight gets in like 4:30 PM on Friday, Sat I plan on doing Pearl Harbor, then touring island, not sure what time I'll fly out Sunday yet, but not sure how much time I'd actually have for beach there? Will be at restort in Maui for a while for that?
Quote:
Multiple room buildings depending on what you want, multiple restaurants and bars, some shopping, etc.
If you want more upscale, then either The Royal Hawaiian (the famous Pink Hotel), or The Moana Surfrider.
Guess my question is does it make sense to stay on the beach at a resort there? Flight gets in like 4:30 PM on Friday, Sat I plan on doing Pearl Harbor, then touring island, not sure what time I'll fly out Sunday yet, but not sure how much time I'd actually have for beach there? Will be at restort in Maui for a while for that?
That's the only place I've stayed to I'm not sure. I do know that Waikiki Beach is close to the zoo, Diamond Head, Hanama Bay nature preserve (good snorkeling), the International Market.
but if you're going to the North Shore I don't think it's convenient, but I only know that area.
Pearl Harbor and the Polynesian Cultural Center you'd need to take a bus to (unless you're renting a car, I did not have a car on Oahu, but I did on Maui, Kuai and the Big Island).