sks

I'm trying to find a place to stay on the big island for a wedding(at Mauna Lani Bay) in November. I've never been to Hawaii before. I want a place that is a good deal. I don't need the fanciness of the Four Seasons or even Hapuna Prince(although like the idea of being on a great beach!).

I don't plan on spending tons of time at the hotel/condo but would like to have a nice pool/view for some relaxing time.

Here is what I want:

-hotel or condo is fine

-nice pool (not super fancy)pretty atmosphere with ocean view

-nice room - clean, basic is OK, with balcony /lanai with pleasing view

-good beach (ie sandy!) not too far away- 5 minute drive or so

-good restaurants nearby (walking distance or short driving is OK)

-good service

-around $150-200/night depending on whats realistic

Any ideas? I thought the Outrigger Kanaloa at Kona looked like it might fit but it's hard to tell for sure.

Thanks in advance!!

rjscott

If you are looking at the Keauhou area, you might like the Keauhou Beach Resort. It has a small, though pretty pool. It is steps away from a great snorkeling beach. The Verandah bar is built over the water, and is a great place to have pupu's, watch the sunset and enjoy some entertainment. There is a restaurant in the hotel, and there are a couple within a few minutes' drive. The Mauna Lani will be a bit of a drive, but if you were looking at the Outrigger Kanaloa, this is in the same area.

fdecarlo

Most condos along Alii Dr between Kailua and Keauhou are $200/night or less. The only stickler in your list is proximity to a sandy beach -- there's only a few in this area and they are small, rocky, or both.

If you don't mind a much longer drive to a decent beach Kanaloa at Kona is a great deal. Units are huge and the grounds are very well maintained.

But really, if you're going to pay up to $200/night in Kona, you're much better off trying to get into the Hapuna Beach Prince with their $200 special. The resort is orders of magnitude better than the Kona condos, as is its beach, service etc, and you'd save yourself an hour of driving (through some often-nasty traffic) every time you need to go to the Mauna Lani or elsewhere in Kohala.

sks

fdecarlo-

The Hapuna Beach Prince looks great as done the place near it -Muana Kea or something. But I haven't been able to find that $200 special rate. The rates I have found for Muana Kea ($292/night with rental car) are lower than for Hapuna ($421/night with rental car). But from what I've been reading, it should be the opposite. If I could find $200 I'd probably do it, but I would rather not go over that.

Is it hard to park at the beaches? Is it really crowded?

crazy4Hawaii

Hapuna Beach Prince and Mauna Kea are both celebrating their 40th anniversaries this year. I got an e-mail today from Prince Resorts (which I joined free online) advertising ocean view rooms at both resorts for under $300. per night - Hapuna Beach Prince $235 per night with breakfast for two through September 2005. So you're not looking in the right place! Go directly to the resort websites...

GloriaE

We just stayed the Hapuna Prince last Saturday night. We booked online a partial ocean view room with breakfast included for $235.00. When we arrived, we were upgraded to an oceanfront suite - very sweet. The hotel is great, the beach is the best. I know you can sometimes get the Hapuna on on Priceline. The Marriott is on A-bay beach and should be in your price range. The Hilton is not on a beach, but close to A-Bay Beach. Both hotels show up on priceline also. Have a great time. I love the Big Island.

fdecarlo

Look in the "Hot Deals" section on Hapuna's website:

http://www.hapunabeachhotel.com/HBP/Hot_deals/

They're showing these rates as valid through 6/15, but call and ask if you can get the same for November. That's actually one of the best times to go, as it's considered low season -- as long as it's before (preferably more than a week before) Thanksgiving.

Beach parking isn't a problem on the BI, at least for the Kohala beaches. Kailua and Kona are more crowded.

sks

Thanks for all the advice! I'm going to check out the deals right now. I did see that deal through September but didn't think to ask if it could extend to November. Good idea!!

sks

Hapuna Mystery solved - they are booked up for the $216 rooms during that time. $245 is as good as it gets ($250 at Mauna Kea).

Is it really worth it? I'd prefer not to spend that much.

Any other ideas?

bluefan

The Hilton or Marriott at the Waikoloa Beach Resort area meet your requirements, and they're the closest to the Mauni Lani other than the Fairmont Orchid. Yeah, the Hilton is big and touristy, but if you can get it at a priceline rate (see biddingfortravel before deciding) like we did at $125, it's a tremendous value. The Marriott is also avail on PL as a 4-star hotel. Believe me, either are still way better than anything you'll find in Kona (except maybe the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort).

fdecarlo

The Marriott's a good idea. We had neighbor noise problems when we stayed there, but that was probably just bad luck. A-Bay is nice, too.

I'd steer clear of the Hilton unless you're traveling with kids, and/or prefer a Disneyland-type atmosphere. It's very big and very crowded, but it does have one of the best Italian restaurants on the island (Donatoni's).

Ashley24

I was just able to get an oceanfront room at the Sheraton for $225 a night. The rack rate is $500 so I'm pretty excited about it.

sks

I've been reading reviews for The Marriott on trip advisor and they seem pretty mixed and are mentioning a huge rennovation going on till 2006. That does concern me a bit as I realize there is no good way of knowing if the construction would be too annoying.

It sounds and looks OK to me until I start reading a bunch of the reviews.

Rates look good though.

Thanks again for the ideas!

sks

OK - I called the Marriott and found out that during the time we would be there, the Marriotts POOL will be closed due to construction. BUT all the rooms will have been re-done by then.

Would we care about the pool?? Is the beach nice enough and big enough (for all the pool users) that we should still consider it or not? We aren't going to be lounging the whole time anyway, but would like to *part* of the time.

fdecarlo

If you don't mind the very short walk to A-Bay, the lack of a pool shouldn't be a big deal. The Marriott's pool is geared more for kids anyway.

And if you don't like A-Bay for whatever reason, Hapuna is a 15-minute drive away.

sks

Say we made the short drive to Hapuna beach (or any other beach for that matter)... do we need to pack our own beach towels from home (that could take up a lot of room in our suitcases!)?? I'm assuming the hotel doesn't provide those except for use at their own beach.

fdecarlo

It's always a good idea to pack a few beach towels. Or drive down to K-Mart or Walmart (or Kings' Shops) and buy them once you're there.

sks

Buying them there - thats a great idea! I hate the thought of packing towels... they are so bulky and I like to pack light.