Hawaii
Aug 9th, 2016, 06:48 AM
#1
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Hawaii
My husband and I have never been to Hawaii and are looking for suggestions on which island to go to for a mix of relaxing and some excursions (i.e. waterfall, volcano, etc.) and where to stay? Looking to go November 8 - 17th.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Aug 9th, 2016, 07:21 AM
#2
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For a first visit, I'd choose either Maui or Oahu. If you aren't interested in a lively dining and nightlife scene, then Maui has a bit more to offer in terms of waterfalls and volcanoes and is generally easy to reach. Oahu---particularly the area around Honolulu---has a more vibrant urban vibe to go along with the island's natural beauty.
Are you looking for a resort, a B&B, or a condo-style property? There are many choices of all these. How much are you looking to spend?
Are you looking for a resort, a B&B, or a condo-style property? There are many choices of all these. How much are you looking to spend?
Aug 9th, 2016, 07:45 AM
#3
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Great, thanks for the insight! We'd like to access to a pool so that we can choose between the pool and the beach so probably a resort. I'd like to keep it around $200 a night if possible. Is there one airport you fly into for either Maui or Oahu and do you need a car?
Aug 9th, 2016, 07:48 AM
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You can fly into any of the islands - depends where you're coming from. Some flights go through Honolulu (on Oahu) and some go direct. From San Francisco, I can take non-stop flights to Oahu, Hawaii, Maui or Kauai.
You can get by without a car on Oahu, although it's more convenient to have one since there are definitely places to go and see outside of Waikiki. On the other islands, you definitely need a car.
You can get by without a car on Oahu, although it's more convenient to have one since there are definitely places to go and see outside of Waikiki. On the other islands, you definitely need a car.
Aug 9th, 2016, 08:32 AM
#6
I'd choose only 1-2 islands. I think for a first trip Oahu & Maui give a beautiful overview of the islands.
(But if seeing a volcano is a must that would mean Big Island instead.)
You'd want a car on Maui. You don't need one on Oahu if you stay in Waikiki/Honolulu.
On Maui I stayed at Lahaina Shores. In Waikiki I've stayed at Waikiki Sand Villa or the White Sands Hotel. All are in your price range and have nice pools.
(But if seeing a volcano is a must that would mean Big Island instead.)
You'd want a car on Maui. You don't need one on Oahu if you stay in Waikiki/Honolulu.
On Maui I stayed at Lahaina Shores. In Waikiki I've stayed at Waikiki Sand Villa or the White Sands Hotel. All are in your price range and have nice pools.
Aug 9th, 2016, 08:41 AM
#7
Haleakala on Maui is spectacular. But it is a dormant volcano. The only active volcano is on the Big Island.
Kauai is my hands-down favorite island. But you will find what you've described on any of then islands. Just bear in mind that the tourist areas on Oahu and Maui are highly developed (i.e., high-rise resorts right at the beaches). I've had friends who did not know what to expect be very disappointed by that. But some people love feeling more like they're in a city, with the amenities, such as high-end shopping, dining, etc.
I go to Hawaii for the natural beauty--and for me, that means Kauai. But ALL the islands are gorgeous.
Kauai is my hands-down favorite island. But you will find what you've described on any of then islands. Just bear in mind that the tourist areas on Oahu and Maui are highly developed (i.e., high-rise resorts right at the beaches). I've had friends who did not know what to expect be very disappointed by that. But some people love feeling more like they're in a city, with the amenities, such as high-end shopping, dining, etc.
I go to Hawaii for the natural beauty--and for me, that means Kauai. But ALL the islands are gorgeous.
Aug 9th, 2016, 11:36 AM
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First pick your island, then worry about where to stay.
The vast majority of condos do have pools (can only think of a few on Kauai that do not have pools for example). It is handy to have a fridge for drinks and snacks, and some also have washer dryers, or a laundry room in the complex. The pools in condos might not be as fancy as some over the top hotels like Grand Wailea on Maui, but they are not kid magnets either.
The vast majority of condos do have pools (can only think of a few on Kauai that do not have pools for example). It is handy to have a fridge for drinks and snacks, and some also have washer dryers, or a laundry room in the complex. The pools in condos might not be as fancy as some over the top hotels like Grand Wailea on Maui, but they are not kid magnets either.
Aug 11th, 2016, 02:28 PM
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Seven to nine nights is good for any ONE of the four major islands. We go to Maui most winters: ORD-DFW-OGG on American. There's a nonstop on United to either OGG or HNL.
You'd want Big Island of Hawaii if you want to see a live volcano; spend two nights in Volcano and the rest on the Kohala Coast.
Oahu and Maui are more developed, but each still has large rural areas. Both have resort hotels and nice condos. Oahu has historic and city life. Maui has semi-dormant Haleakala, Road to Hana, Iao Valley, and *swaths* of developed resorts in West Maui and South Maui. Wide choice of condos on both islands.
Kauai's north is gorgeous -- fewer condo choices; fewer 'man-made' anythings. There's also Poipu on the southern coast.
Day One in Hawaii is adjusting to the big time change, and no departure day is a full vacation day. If you fly between islands, you can spend 4 - 5 hours 'in transit, door to door. (Part of the reason to stay on just one island.)
You can walk or take a taxi within Honolulu. You need a rental car everywhere else.
You'd want Big Island of Hawaii if you want to see a live volcano; spend two nights in Volcano and the rest on the Kohala Coast.
Oahu and Maui are more developed, but each still has large rural areas. Both have resort hotels and nice condos. Oahu has historic and city life. Maui has semi-dormant Haleakala, Road to Hana, Iao Valley, and *swaths* of developed resorts in West Maui and South Maui. Wide choice of condos on both islands.
Kauai's north is gorgeous -- fewer condo choices; fewer 'man-made' anythings. There's also Poipu on the southern coast.
Day One in Hawaii is adjusting to the big time change, and no departure day is a full vacation day. If you fly between islands, you can spend 4 - 5 hours 'in transit, door to door. (Part of the reason to stay on just one island.)
You can walk or take a taxi within Honolulu. You need a rental car everywhere else.
