To me it is very important. There is something about walking hearing the ocean from your room at night, standing on the lanai watching the whales and walking out of your room onto the beach. Getting into the car & driving there is just not the same. This is only my opinion but I want to stay on the beach in Hawaii.

Its important to me too. My husband and I would rather skip a fancy meal to try to fit into our budget a waterfront room. Thats what visiting an island is all about. Nothing beats falling asleep to the sounds of the ocean.

I dont get it. Why go to Hawaii if you cant afford a beach front view. Maybe you should try for an island vacation not so expensive, like the Bahamas or Keys.

We have only stayed in rented houses while in Kauai and not on the "beach". In truth some of the best snorkeling rrequires you drive anyway to Tunnels Beach(unless you have a zillion dollars and can rent a house there). To my knowledge there are no beach front hotels on the northeastern part of the island which is the most beautiful in my opinion.

I don't get it XYZ why do you think that everyone suppose to stay in a beach front?
It would be really boring if we all could afford to stay at the same places and we all had the same requierements.

Last year we had a front beach but in January 2003 we are staying in land.
And not because we can or cannot afford but because it was our choice.

My family stayed in a condo on the Big Island a few years ago, ocean view, but no beach. We drove up the road a few miles to swim and snorkle.

The advantages, besides cost {considerable savings}, were that this arrangement offered many amenities such as a pool, lanai, washer/dryer, full kitchen etc. We had much more privacy - no maids banging on the door or people checking out early in the am or partying late at night.

I must say that I would pay somewhat more to sit on a lanai and enjoy the ocean view and breezes, but not having beach access isn't important to me.

Some people live on the beach so being on one while on vacation doesn't matter.

You can have a beach front view all day every day if you want just by going to the nearest beach and sitting there.

While a beach view thru a room window is nice, I can't see spending my time in Hawaiiin the room looking out a window.

Aloha all,
We've been staying in an oceanfront hotel room on Kauai for the past 10 trips and probably will never change.

We like the fact that we're just steps away from the beach, the ocean's noise at night, the Kauaian sunrise coming up right through the lanai window every morning, and when it's a full moon, it's shimmering off the water/waves and into the room. Beautiful!

Plus, if you're on the beach, the restroom is just a few feet away!

But we are always tempted to get a B&B somewhere in the valley area behind the Sleeping Giant or up in the Hanalei area.
Happy Thanskgiving to all!
Mucho Mahalos,
Kal
33!

One of the best vacations I ever had was a week in a modest cottage on an orchid and organic fruit and veggie farm tucked away near Kilauea, Kauai. It was not on the beach. Instead we had to be satisfied with peace and quiet, gorgeous surroundings including a stream on the property, greeting the horses next door, and all the fruit and veggies we wanted. We spent a couple of days on the beach (and other days walking, visitng botanical gardens, etc.) but were perfectly happy to retire to our little inland abode. The owners are no longer renting the cottage, or else I would go back.

When in Hawaii, we do not stay on the beach. I prefer detached cottages or rental homes. (I go on vacation to get away from people.) I don't have a problem with a short drive to the beach - as was said above, there often aren't beach-front condos at the best snorkeling spots. Waikiki may be the only place I would want to stay on the beach, so as to avoid walking through town.

You know, it doesn't really matter. The amount of time you are in your hotel room in Hawaii is so minimal. You get up, shower and go. Come back exhausted and sleep. I don't think anyone spends hours looking at the beach from their rooms!
I've stayed on and off the beach there. It made no difference whatsoever, and I am a beach fanatic. Don't worry about it - you'll have a wonderful time. It's really hard not to with such beautiful surroundings. Also, don't forget to drive down to see the lava on the Big Island. It is an evening thing coming from the West, so make time - it's truly a natural wonder!
Enjoy.