leah_guest_9

My fiance and I are honeymooning in Hawaii and spending the 1st half of the trip on the Big Island, and the 2nd half of the trip on Kauai.

We are booked at the Four Seasons for 4 nights when we first arrive - we wanted to splurge a bit and treat ourselves. The resort is located in Hualalai. However, for budget's sake, we didn't want to spend the entire time there, so we still have 3 nights on Hawaii before we fly to Kauai. Probably if I could go back in time, I'd move up our flight to Kauai, however I looked into the tickets we purchased on Travelocity and they are non-refundable/non-changeable.

My question is --- what's another great area to stay and explore on Hawaii? We definitely want to see the Volcano (stargazing, hiking) but from what I've read 3 nights might be too many if we stay right in that area.

Any suggestions?? Thank you!

girlonthego

The Kohala coast is the sunny side of the Big Island. There is a very nice Fairmont hotel located there which does not have the busyness of the Hilton or Marriott. The Hilton is huge and caters to families. The Fairmont would be my choice for a honeymoon. We did the drive one time to the volcano and it is a long day, but we were happy to be staying on the sunny side of the island. My husband and daughter did the helicopter over the volcano which they loved and it was a great way to see the island and the volcano up close. I highly recommend that if you don't want to spend different nights in different places and only want to view the volcano. Also, they said they saw so much more of the volcano that way. Blue Hawaii was the name of the company and their pilot was a retired military pilot. (which made my husband feel better!)
They also have a restaurant called Browns Beach house which gets rave reviews. It was booked when we were there.

fdecarlo

leah, accomodation-wise, most everything else on the BI will be a step down from the Four Seasons. One exception imo is the Hapuna Beach Prince, if your budget allows this much for a second hotel. Their beach is much better than the Four Seasons and it serves as a great location for exploring the north shore, as well as Waimea, Honokaa etc. Enough attractions exist in this part of the island to easily keep you occupied for two or three days, e.g. Waipio Valley could take one full day by itself etc.

DebitNM

I could easily spend 3 days on the Hilo side of the island. Closer to VNP [especially if you want to go during the day and then back at night].

I'd drive to Mauna Kea on the ride over via Saddle Road. Do the Farmer's Market on Wed or Sat.; go to Akaka Falls State Park;Rainbow Falls, Kapoho Tide Pools for starters.

FaceInTheCrowd

IMO, the best beach on the island is Kauna'oa, at the Mauna Kea Hotel. Another possibility would be the Mauna Lani, next to the Fairmont, which has maybe the best snorkeling beach in the state. As fdecarlo noted, either would be a step down from the Four Seasons, but both are beautiful properties.

Stargazing for most is at the Mauna Kea VIS - http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/info/vis/v...g-program.html - which is more easily accessed from the west side of the island. You could fit that in during your Hualalai stay. Volcanoes National Park is on the other side of the island, though, and not easily done as a day trip. So I'd suggest you spend a night in Volcano, then return back to the west side for your last two nights.

Cjar

We stayed at the Fairmont last October. It is a very nice property. I don't know how much you'll save though and I think that takes you further from the Volcano. What about staying somewhere in Volcano village or near there for the last 3 days. Maybe you could explore place of refuge and then make your way to Volcano Village If you like to walk and hike you could probably spend a couple of days at Volcano state Park.We saw some really cute places and that would put you really close to the Volcano for daytime and night viewing as well putting you near Punalu'u. You could check out the black sand beach and sea turtles.

Inakauaidavidababy

What a treat to stay at 4S!!! It really is the most beautiful resort of the islands in our opinion. We love visiting the property and having a lite lunch or dinner. Where are you staying on Kauai?

I think it would be fun to make house and rent a cozy bungalow in Volcano Village. The advantage is early mornings and later evenings after the daytrippers have left. That leaves you with time to explore Puna and Hilo districts. And also freshen your laundry before your next journey.

I can personally recommend this home we rented a few years ago.

http://mailetreehouse.com

Loved cool misty evenings with the fireplace, cooking or getting thai takeout and seeing the evening glow and perhaps some star gazing.

sylvia3

Given that VNP is only 1.5 hour drive from the west side resorts, I'd say it's a fairly easy day trip. But more time to see the greater +Hilo area and coast is nice.

FaceInTheCrowd

"...VNP is only 1.5 hour drive from the west side resorts..."

It's about 100 miles from the Mauna Lani to VNP over the Saddle. 1.5 hours? I think not. And the trip wouldn't be complete without seeing lava, which presently isn't possible except maybe from the air, or the glow from the crater after dark. I've not seen anyone recommend driving cross-island in the dark, but maybe it's not a big deal.

leah_guest_9

Thanks everyone!!!!

Do you suggest booking any popular activities on Big Island in advance? (kayaking, snorkeling, stargazing at Mauna Kea, activities within VNP)?

sf7307

It's a much longer drivefrom the Mauna Lani to VNP than from, for example, the Hilton Kohala Suites.

sylvia3

"And the trip wouldn't be complete without seeing lava"

Well, that's just not true. A live volcano with steaming caldera, vents, lava tubes, sea arch, trails and craters to explore?
I guess I make the trip on the new and improved Saddle Road a little faster from Waikoloa, but I don't really consider it a long trip at all.

sylvia3

"booking any popular activities on Big Island in advance?"

I don't think that's really necessary (unless you plan on a helicopter tour); be sure to get activity coupons from the free brochures at the airport.

FaceInTheCrowd

"It's a much longer drivefrom the Mauna Lani to VNP than from, for example, the Hilton Kohala Suites."

I can't imagine why. They're only about five miles apart, and almost exactly equidistant from VNP.

sf7307

I just entered it in GoogleMaps,, but my mistake - I read the times incorrectly. It's about 2 hours from either one.

girlonthego

10 years ago we drove from the west side and did not see lava. It was a very long day but we did stop to see some beautiful waterfalls along the way.
Last year, my daughter and husband did the helicopter and saw lava and loved their trip.
Definitely ask for discount coupons. The Hilton gave us a coupon for the helicopter ride and it literally cut the price in half and it was still expensive.

katydidnt

We have stayed at the Hualalai and it is very special. Another option which I think might be a bit less expensive is the Mauna Kea resort - the old Rockefeller property. One of the loveliest settings in Hawaii - a perfect crescent beach. The pool there is smaller and very simple, but overall it is a very nice property.