Am I More Kauai or Big Island?
Mar 24th, 2004, 09:26 AM
#1
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Am I More Kauai or Big Island?
Our family is planning to go to Hawaii in the summer of 2005 (kids will be 5 & 9). I have been to Maui & Oahu previously and am now having a hard time deciding between Kauai & the Big Island.
I have narrowed it down to the Kauai Hyatt or one of the BI Kohala Coast properties (Mauna Lani, Fairmont Orchid, etc.). I know that these are all wonderful resorts.
I am worried that the Big Island may be too big to head out on short day trips with the kids. We typically go out for morning activities & then return to the resort in early-mid afternoon. My main criteria are a relaxing/beautiful resort, great pool, nice beach or lagoon area, convenient hiking & outdoor activities & nearby family-friendly (good) dining.
Thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
I have narrowed it down to the Kauai Hyatt or one of the BI Kohala Coast properties (Mauna Lani, Fairmont Orchid, etc.). I know that these are all wonderful resorts.
I am worried that the Big Island may be too big to head out on short day trips with the kids. We typically go out for morning activities & then return to the resort in early-mid afternoon. My main criteria are a relaxing/beautiful resort, great pool, nice beach or lagoon area, convenient hiking & outdoor activities & nearby family-friendly (good) dining.
Thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Mar 24th, 2004, 10:52 AM
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I can't answer your title question, but I can heartily recommend Roy's for a special night with the kids. We had supper at Roy's Waikoloa last November, and I was really impressed with the children's meal. It started with a cheese quesadilla wedge, then carrots and apple slices, etc. I have a very picky son who loved his meal there.
Mar 24th, 2004, 11:37 AM
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Kauai might be the better bet if you're looking for convenient hikes and activities. Many on the BI are all day (or at least half day) affairs because of the distances involved.
Your other criteria are easily met by any of the major resorts on either island. The Hilton Waikoloa is a great place for kids of that age because of its Disneyland-like environment, and also its Dolphin Encounter, but the pools there are not heated and there's no natural sand beach on the property.
Your other criteria are easily met by any of the major resorts on either island. The Hilton Waikoloa is a great place for kids of that age because of its Disneyland-like environment, and also its Dolphin Encounter, but the pools there are not heated and there's no natural sand beach on the property.
Mar 24th, 2004, 02:53 PM
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Having been to all four islands and loving them all I would recommend that you go to Kauai this time and the BI next time. Longer travel distances and longer hiking opportunities will be appreciated more when your children are just a little older. I'm taking my ten year old to Kauai (Hyatt) this summer and would like to take her to the BI in a couple of years. My husband and I loved the Mauna Lani when we were there pre-children. Where did you stay on Oahu and Maui? Did you take your children?
Mar 24th, 2004, 03:32 PM
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Sounds like Kauai would be right up your alley (so to speak). We did exactly the same thing this past summer. We did activities in the morning/early afternoon and then crashed at the pool/lagoon at the Hyatt in the afternoon. Kauai is small enough so that you can get to the far reaches from Poipu in an hour or so. The grounds of the Hyatt are very special and your kids will love it!
Mar 24th, 2004, 04:29 PM
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You won't go wrong with either decision and you need to do both in the future. Given your priorities, go to Kauai. Kauai may look small but it will still take plenty of time to navigate, especially to the Hanalei area on the North shore. The Big Island will entail more driving, but I have finally concluded it has more to explore on repeated trips than the other islands. I may be in the minority about Roy's but I am "burnt out" on it ever since I went to Roy's in Palm Desert. I did like it when it was primarily a Hawaiian Island chain, but now every large non-tropical city seems to have a branch and it just doesn't do it for me. Roy's also gets my vote for most-expensive kid's meal I have ever seen: it was $12 two years ago and my kids would rather have stopped at McD's on the way. By the way, there is "nothing to do" on any island at night except for Oahu unless you haven't done the requesite once-in-a-lifetime luau.
Mar 25th, 2004, 06:11 AM
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Thanks to everyone for the input. It sounds like Kauai may be the way to go.
Crazy4Hawaii, to answer you, I stayed at the Renaissance Wailea on Maui & the Kahala Mandarin Oriental on Oahu. Both visits were work-related but with a good deal of free time (no family with me). The Mandarin Oriental is a GREAT place - very friendly staff, beautiful well-appointed rooms & grounds, outstanding pool, beach area, restaurants, etc. Overall, a very relaxed, upscale property with outstanding attention to detail.
The Renaissance visit was several years ago and was quite enjoyable as well. Not quite as high on the luxury scale as the Mandarin Oriental, but extremely nice and on a very nice beach.
Crazy4Hawaii, to answer you, I stayed at the Renaissance Wailea on Maui & the Kahala Mandarin Oriental on Oahu. Both visits were work-related but with a good deal of free time (no family with me). The Mandarin Oriental is a GREAT place - very friendly staff, beautiful well-appointed rooms & grounds, outstanding pool, beach area, restaurants, etc. Overall, a very relaxed, upscale property with outstanding attention to detail.
The Renaissance visit was several years ago and was quite enjoyable as well. Not quite as high on the luxury scale as the Mandarin Oriental, but extremely nice and on a very nice beach.
