Five nights Honolulu -- three nights where?
#1
Original Poster
Five nights Honolulu -- three nights where?
I'm accompanying my husband on his business trip to Hawaii in the beginning of November. He has to be in Honolulu for five nights at the end of the trip. However, we can add three nights to the front end. What area to you suggest I begin researching? I would like to reduce travel time. However, I want something that feels very different than Honolulu. I have to admit, while I do not want to look a gift horse in the mouth, I am not super excited about the prospect of an overly-crowded, super touristy Honolulu.
Thanks
Thanks
#4
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you're staying on Oahu, look at Kailua/Lanikai area or N. shore. Very different from Honolulu. Also, remember that you don't have to stay in Honolulu. There are many easy day trips and awesome places to explore a short drive away.
If you decide on another island, you can fly directly to that island and then you will just have one island hop flight to Oahu.
If you decide on another island, you can fly directly to that island and then you will just have one island hop flight to Oahu.
#5
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Who knows... you might just decide you LIKE Honolulu! Where do you get to stay?
Each island has its own appeal. You might want to pick one of the outer islands, or has been sugested, the North Shore of Oahu or Kailua area would be different than Honolulu, and no island hopping is required to get there. And the drive isn't really very long either!
Have a great time.
I'm headed to HNL in a week. Looking forward to it very much.
Each island has its own appeal. You might want to pick one of the outer islands, or has been sugested, the North Shore of Oahu or Kailua area would be different than Honolulu, and no island hopping is required to get there. And the drive isn't really very long either!
Have a great time.
I'm headed to HNL in a week. Looking forward to it very much.
#6
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 37,415
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I love Oahu and there are just so many beautiful places to see, so getting out of Honolulu and going to a quieter side of the island might just do it for you and you don't have to mess with the airport and a lot of travel time.
If you want to just kick back and relax in a whole different atmosphere then you might consider Kauai, but for me, its a lot of trouble for just three nights, but I'm not you, so it might appeal.
If you husband is there on business, your time together may be limited, and there perhaps are dinners etc. that you have to attend, so having the extra three nights for the two of you to see other parts of Oahu just might work out well.
If you want to just kick back and relax in a whole different atmosphere then you might consider Kauai, but for me, its a lot of trouble for just three nights, but I'm not you, so it might appeal.
If you husband is there on business, your time together may be limited, and there perhaps are dinners etc. that you have to attend, so having the extra three nights for the two of you to see other parts of Oahu just might work out well.
#7
I'd pick a quieter part of Oahu to maximize your time. Changing islands seems like a lot of trouble, time, expense just for three extra nights. Personally I love Waikiki and Honolulu, to me I don't find it "overly-crowded, super touristy" or at least not in a bad way. It's a beautiful spot imo with lots to see & do, or opportunity for complete relaxation.
#8
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I, too, dislike the overcrowded, touristy, trafficky Honolulu. Waikiki is pretty, but it's massively full of other people. Yes, there are restaurants and shops, but shopping is NOT why you're in Hawaii. Make day trips from Honolulu to other areas of Oahu - it doesn't take long to get anywhere on Oahu, if you're not driving in Honolulu traffic.
If you rarely get to Hawaii, go to another island and do not waste another day on Oahu. I LOVED the Big Island, and it's a lot slower paced than Oahu. Plus, visually, it's just a whole different world. Kauai is also spectacular.
If you rarely get to Hawaii, go to another island and do not waste another day on Oahu. I LOVED the Big Island, and it's a lot slower paced than Oahu. Plus, visually, it's just a whole different world. Kauai is also spectacular.
#9
Original Poster
Oh my! So much to think about. I'll explore other options in Oahu, but the other islands seem tempting too. I'm not sure when we'll go again-- yet messing with airports for three days could be overwhelming. Still confused.
I've always thought I wanted to stay at the Ritz Carlton on Maui. But, will it be horrible to transition to the Honolulu Hilton Village after that?
How long are flights etc? Or, where would you stay in Oahu for three extra nights. Good point about the conference constraints for my husband too. However, I can't imagine staying at the resort for seven nights.
I've always thought I wanted to stay at the Ritz Carlton on Maui. But, will it be horrible to transition to the Honolulu Hilton Village after that?
How long are flights etc? Or, where would you stay in Oahu for three extra nights. Good point about the conference constraints for my husband too. However, I can't imagine staying at the resort for seven nights.
#10
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,025
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kailua/Lanikai area is nice. But no hotels in the area, so you would have to get a condo or beach house from a site like vrbo.
Most times they require a minimum of 5 days. But with the visitor count down, you could easily find a place for three nights.
http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/hawaii/oahu
North Shore is also nice. There is one hotel, Turtle Bay Resort. Kind of expensive, but nice. Also many condos & beach houses.
Lots of info including sites with free brochures for all islands:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...trip-to-hi.cfm
Most times they require a minimum of 5 days. But with the visitor count down, you could easily find a place for three nights.
http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/hawaii/oahu
North Shore is also nice. There is one hotel, Turtle Bay Resort. Kind of expensive, but nice. Also many condos & beach houses.
Lots of info including sites with free brochures for all islands:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...trip-to-hi.cfm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The whole issue of "Honolulu" and "Oahu" being overcrowded, touristy, and trafficky has been done & overdone. Please note that WAIKIKI is more overcrowded, touristy, and trafficky than other parts of Honolulu, and there are idyllic places all over Oahu that are wonderful. Spend some time on the North Shore or Lanikai.
#15
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
misha2, if you're still around, I'm wondering what you decided about North Lake Tahoe (we stayed in the new condos at Northstar this past weekend, so if that's where you've decided to stay, I have some insight!)
#16
Original Poster
sf7307 -- We ended up staying at Northstar and the family loved it. What did you think? Actually, I thought I had posted this, will go back to that forum and give more details.
Alright, actually realized I should probably ask Hubs his opinion and have decided to go Maui. Got a special rate at the Grand Waliea. We'll be there 4 nights and 4 nights in Oahu at the Hilton Village. Anyway, I'm pretty excited. I just need to book my inter-island flight. Any difference between Hawaii Air and Go! ?
I'm sure I'll soon be looking up other information and will have loads of questions. However, I'll do some reading first.
Thanks for your help!
Alright, actually realized I should probably ask Hubs his opinion and have decided to go Maui. Got a special rate at the Grand Waliea. We'll be there 4 nights and 4 nights in Oahu at the Hilton Village. Anyway, I'm pretty excited. I just need to book my inter-island flight. Any difference between Hawaii Air and Go! ?
I'm sure I'll soon be looking up other information and will have loads of questions. However, I'll do some reading first.
Thanks for your help!
#17
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 923
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you are looking for a cultural activity in Honolulu while your husband is at his conference, you might enjoy a tour of Doris Duke's Shangri La.
http://www.shangrilahawaii.org/page.asp?pageId=5
The tour leaves from the academy of art, which is very nice and has a café attached, as well as a lovely gift shop.
http://www.honoluluacademy.org/cmsha...ex.aspx?id=435
This is the type of thing my husband would rather not do, but I felt very comfortable, and people on the tour were very friendly.
http://www.shangrilahawaii.org/page.asp?pageId=5
The tour leaves from the academy of art, which is very nice and has a café attached, as well as a lovely gift shop.
http://www.honoluluacademy.org/cmsha...ex.aspx?id=435
This is the type of thing my husband would rather not do, but I felt very comfortable, and people on the tour were very friendly.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
stever
United States
12
May 15th, 2005 08:55 AM