family4travel

Dear Fodorites, I am in need of your expertise. Having planned our 2nd trip to Anguilla for June 2008, my DH's work schedule has now changed so that trip had to be scrapped. I am now scrambling to book a trip for our family (2 children- 8yrs & 5yrs) for early April 2008. Our family has never been to Hawaii. We only have 10 days, so we're trying to visit 2 islands: Maui & Kauai. The Hyatt Regency on Maui and the Grand Hyatt on Kauai seem very family-friendly. Based upon the pictures, my children will love the pools and waterslides.

Questions...
1) Are two islands in 10 days too much?
2) Airfare is pricey, so I'm considering a garden/mountain view to save money. Is this a fatal mistake?
3) Has anyone recently visited these 2 properties? Are they as nice as the pics on the web?
4) Any ideas regarding weather during late March, early April?
5) We're not looking for much activity, just some fun family time. Other than some snorkeling and attending a luau, we don't need much more. How is the Drums of the Pacific luau? Are there safe areas where young children can snorkel? I've seen the posts about drownings in these islands and unswimmable beaches, so if snorkeling is out of the question, then that's fine. Just need to let the kids know. Kids may spend a few hours at Camp Hyatt so DH can play a round of golf and I can hit the spa.
6) One of the travel agents getting pricing for me is encouraging us to stay at the Marriott in Kauai and the Westin Maui. These two hotels would cost more than the Hyatts, but the reviews I've read are mediocre. Can anyone compare these hotels?
7) How is the food at the Hyatts? We'll have a car but would like the convenience of enjoying some breakfasts and poolside lunches at the hotel. I'm also researching good seafood and sushi restaurants in the vicinity.

Sorry for all the questions, but I want to do as much research as possible. Many thanks.

Samsaf

Hi, family4travel, you will probably LOVE Hawaii! We've been four times, and it's one of our favorite places in the world!

Here are my answers to your questions:

1) It depends. We've spent a whole week at a time on Kauai, and we've also spent 8 nights at a time on Maui. You could spend 5 nights in each place. Kauai is great if you like snorkeling, hiking, lots of outdoors activities.

2) Again, it depends. We've mainly stayed at garden/mountain view rooms in Hawaii, and they've been fine for us. The mountains are gorgeous.

3) We've visited the Hyatt Regency on Maui (but not stayed there). The pools look great.

We've stayed at the Grand Hyatt on Kauai, and it's one of our favorite hotels. The pools are amazing. The rooms are nice, but not as extraordinary as the grounds and pool. We love this hotel.

4) We've never visited during March/April, so can't help you there.

5)We've been to Drums of the Pacific, and we thought it was great. Remember to get there early for better seats. I think your kids would enjoy this.

We enjoyed snorkeling at Lydgate Park on Kauai, and it's usually calm enough for young kids (although this past week they had a problem with rip currents there). The beach in front of the Grand Hyatt on Kauai is usually too rough for young kids. There is a big cliff to the left (as you're looking at the ocean) of the Hyatt on Kauai, and I think you and your kids would enjoy hiking up that.

6) We've also stayed at the Marriott on Kauai. It's got a really nice pool, too (although in my opinion not quite as nice as the Hyatt's). The Hyatts are nicer than these properties.

7)Food is expensive (but good). If you could get a fridge in your room for breakfast, that would save a lot of money.

If I can help you in any way, please let me know.

Sherry

dmlove

I just returned (yesterday) from Kauai and Maui. Two islands in 10 days is very do-able. At the other end of the part of Kaanapali Beach which has the Hyatt Regency (which is at one end, the Sheraton being at the other end) is "Black Rock", which has excellent snorkeling for all ages, right at the beach (no need to take a boat). There's also snorkeling on Poipu Beach (near, but not AT, the Hyatt).

Our daughter took surfing lessons in front of Kiahuna (Kauai). They said they give lessons for people from 5 to 80. She loved it and would have gone again, but for a sunburn and the fact that Maui had no surfable waves.

We had a garden view in Kauai and an ocean view in Maui. While I loved the latter, I'd certainly accept the former, especially for a large price difference. Both Hyatts are beautifully landscaped.

martym

the website www.hawaiiweathertoday.com is a good source of information about the weather in Hawaii

MrsJenn

1. It would be for us, considering you take out 2 days for travel, but it's certainly possible.
2. We had a garden view at The Hyatt on Maui. We were able to look out to the left and see the ocean/sunset. That's not the case for all the rooms though. Friends of ours had the mountain view (no ocean). It was still lovely though. I would say just save the money and get out of the room for the view!
3. We were on Maui in 2005. The Hyatt Maui was just like the photos, even better actually. Great pool for kids, with a slide, rope bridge, etc. Also there are waterfalls to swim through to get into the cave or grotto for some relief from the sun. In the open air lobby they have penguins and parrots, etc. Look for Roger, the parrot, he was our favorite. Also, the kids can watch and help them feed the Koi!
4. Not sure
5. Your kids will love the Drums of the Pacific. They have the fire dancers which kids love. For snorkeling, I'd walk down the beach path to Black Rock. There is not much of a beach in front of the Hyatt. The walking path connecting all the properties is lovely and you will enjoy the stroll. The beach at Black Rock is much bigger, so you can hang out there. Also, Whaler's Village is located in this area for eating and shopping.
6. Haven't stayed at the Westin
7. There is a pool side restaurant for breakfast and lunch by the pool. Not too expensive. I also recommend asking for a small fridge for your room (they did not charge us for this). Great for stocking up for breakfast/snack items. The Swan Court has a great breakfast buffet. You should ask your travel agent if they are offering free breakfast with your room (they have those specials at times). Just get there early to avoid waiting. You can watch the Swans swim by as you eat your eggs!

julesj66

I really like the Hyatt on Maui. Look into the Breakfast rate - your room rate would include buffet breakfast at Swan Court every morning, really worth it. The beach in front of the Hyatt is deteriorating but you can easily walk the path along the beach to other hotels, other beaches, shopping & Black Rock for snorkeling (just warn kids of possible strong currents & not to go too far out). We saw turtles in Oct(few yrs ago) at Black Rock.

aloha

On Kaua'i, your kids might also enjoy Salt Pond Beach Park http://www.hawaiiweb.com/kauai/beach...tBeachPark.htm Our last trip there was several yr ago, and the water was very calm and we saw a monk seal sleeping on the rocks.

The hawaiiweb site has decent pictures of a number of beaches and other areas of interest (there do seem to be a lot of misspellings/typos in the text).

family4travel

Fodorites, many, many thanks for all the wonderful feedback. We looked into getting breakfast included, and the hotels will now provide this for DH and me.

Feel free to forward other activity ideas and good restaurants for the family. What about the famous Roy's? I'll check their web site to see if I'll be close to any of his locations. Is the food as good as the hype? Any lesser known "holes in the wall" types of restaurants that serve up tasty food in a casual setting? We love good food, whether it's in a formal setting, or just a casual hut on the beach.

dmlove

There are Roy's locations near both of the hotels you're considering -- in Kauai, there's a Roy's at Poipu Village Shopping Center and in Maui, there's a Roy's in a strip center just north of Kaanapali Beach. I've only eaten at one Roy's location (in Palm Desert) and it was excellent. My son and his girlfriend go out of their way to Roy's for their chocolate souffle.

SandratheGardener

Questions...
1) Are two islands in 10 days too much?
Not sure, we've only gone for 8 days and stayed on one island... It's a bit more relaxed that way I think (but haven't done it any other way, so I can't truly compare).

2) Airfare is pricey, so I'm considering a garden/mountain view to save money. Is this a fatal mistake?
We had a garden room at the Hyatt Kauai and it was lovely. We actually could see the ocean but it was far - our primary view was the landscaping and pool area, which as another poster said, are fantastic.

6) Marriott in Kauai and the Westin Maui. Can anyone compare these hotels?
Sorry, haven't been to either, but we are returning to the Hyatt Kauai in a few weeks. We really loved it there.
7) How is the food at the Hyatts?
We had the AAA package that includes breakfast - it's free and good. Not the best bfast I've ever eaten (I love to cook, so generally *my* food is the best LOL), but it's a pretty good buffet and the Illima Terrace location is beautiful. I can't recall if we ate anything other than breakfast there... And one meal at Tidepools (fine dining). Had some lovely drinks while at their lagoon area - something chocolate/banana flavored. LOL

pspercy

There's two Marriotts on Kauai, one at Lihue (Kalapaki) and one at Poipu (Waiohai). Waiohai is timeshare but rentals are sometimes available from Marriott or sites like tug2.net or redweek.com . Waiohai is large 2bedroom/2bath suites, very nice indeed for a family. Marriott Kaanapali is now timeshare, they have a fancy pool as well.

As far as time for two islands, hard to answer, five on each would be OK, just don't pack too much stuff.

dusty56438

There are many sites on this thread for Kauai & Maui:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34812564

dmlove

I'm not sure if this is pertinent to the OP, but we stayed at the Waiohai last week. The units are very nice, and the interior gardens are beautiful. The only negative -- there is a hierarchy for how they place people in units and there is one building (Building 4) that has units whose view is of the parking area; literally, our first balcony overlooked the parking lot. I can't even imagine what Marriott was thinking when they built that building. We moved to a better unit, but they weren't really jumping at our request to move -- we insisted because the internet was working only intermittently in the first building, and we needed it. There is no difference in designation between the parking lot view and other views that weren't of the ocean -- all the units are called either "ocean view" or "island view". So if you do go, make sure you aren't going to be put in a "parking lot view" room. Except for that, the property is lovely.

pspercy

dmlove
We were there in June on one of the "teaser" packages, great deal overall. Like you say, lovely place right on the beach too. Our view wasn't the best but we didn't care, given the price.
I think that's one place where "garden view" is best unless you can afford "ocean front", which is just that.

kauai_aka

puka dog is a must. ono.

www.pukadog.com

dmlove

pspercy, I agree that "garden view" is great, the problem is the units that overlook the parking lot are designated "garden view", too!

pspercy

We were in Hale 7, odd numbered unit, classified as Ocean View. We saw the beach parking lot, Brenneke's and a slip of blue thru' the trees !!

family4travel

Fodorites, keep the tips coming! Thanks for all the great info. I booked our trip on Friday, so we are all set.

I will research some of the snorkeling locations and other activities you all suggested.

Dmlove: The Roy's web site looks fab, so we'll be enjoying a meal there on both islands. My 8-yr old developed a real fondness for chocolate souffle on a Caribbean vacation, and she even orders hers with coconut ice cream on the side. I hope Roy's food lives up to the hype.

Dusty: I'll be checking out the link you provided. Thanks.

Kauai_aka: Thanks for the Pukadog tip! This is exactly the kind of info. that I can only receive on this board. Keep forwarding the names of these local spots. I can't wait to have a dog with mango relish. Yum!

To those of you that suggested condo spots, I appreciate it. Since this is our first trip to Hawaii, we wanted to stay at a resort property. However, we hope to check out some condos so that we'll know where to stay next time. I am filing these tips away in my Vacation folder.

We are about 7.5 months away from departure, so we haven't told the children yet. I'm not quite ready to deal with the 5-yr old constantly asking me, "Is it time for us to go to Hawaii?" They'll be informed all in good time. In the meantime, they've been checking out books about Hawaii from the library and doing research on the computer. They're going to be so excited when we tell them. All responses are great appreciated!

dmlove

Where did you decide to stay?

dawnnoelm

I was in Kaui in March a few years ago and the weather was lovely every day.

It was a business trip for dh - we stayed at the Marriott - it was nice but I would not stay there again. We went to the Hyatt and I definately prefered it.

Go all the way up to the North Shore and take the kids snorkling - I swam with giant sea turtles and have the coolest under water photos (definately get an underwater disposable camera)

I have also been to the Hyatt in Maui and the pools will be fun for the kids - the beach is not much of a beach at all.

We like to pay for an ocean front room. To us it is worth it - but everyone is different.