rosedr

My wife's father just passed away after a long illness and we had to cancel a family trip to the Caribbean. We know this is last minute but we are considering going to Hawaii instead of the Caribbean for 10 days. We are thinking about going the last week this coming January for 10 to 12 days from San Francisco, where my son lives. My wife and I are in the our late 50's and our 2 children are 32 and 30. I know nothing about Hawaii, what the weather will be (rain or not), where to stay (condo or hotel or resort). Should we just do one Island or 2? Do we need to rent a car? As for our budget we like to travel nice/in luxury, 4 or 5 stars.

Any advice, leads on accommodations, things to do or itineraries would be extremely appreciated.

Thank you,
Don

Tomsd

We love all the islands - and there are plenty of threads/posts in here discussing the various options, the ones by Sondoc especially.

If you have 10 plus days - I certainly recommend seeing two islands - perhaps starting on Oahu/Honolulu for 4 or 5 days- which is a good intro - and then winding up a week or so at an outer island.

While we love Maui also - our favorite is Kauai (a 20 minute flight from Honolulu/Oahu) -- and 1A is the Big Island of Hawaii. If you want perhaps the best view one can have - check out the St. Regis in Princeville - on the North Shore of Kauai. http://www.stregisprinceville.com/?P...FcQ9QgoddA8AEA

Yes, it can be rainy there in late January - sometimes heavy - but it usually blows through in a couple of days - and when it does - it leaves beautiful waterfalls cascading down the Bali Hai hills.

If you want to "insure" more sunny weather - on average - stay down at the Grand Hyatt - http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g6...ii-Hotels.html or perhaps the Sheraton http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...ai_Hawaii.html
or something like that at Poipu - on the South shore of Kauai.

Also check out the veritable Mauna Kea on Big Island. http://www.princeresortshawaii.com/m...FQ1yQgod6j4AZw

Not for nothing did Rockefeller select the best beach on the Big Island when he built the Mauna Kea some 60? years ago, but there are other deluxe/destination resort type hotels along the Kona coast also.

jamie99

Yes you will need a car, I use discounthawaiicarrental.com
I am another fan of Kauai and in January I'd stay in Poipu in a hotel or condo for better weather (surf can be rough on the North Shore and it gets more rain in winter but definitly drive up there one day). If you have a condo, many have washers and dryers and you'll have more space. You will also have a kitchen but do not have to cook if you do not want to.
You do have time for two islands as long as you pick one of the smaller ones like Maui or Oahu, Big Island needs at least 7-10 days itself although it is lovely.

msteacher

Our first trip was also 10 days. We did the first three in a high rise hotel in Waikiki, since our flight went to Honolulu and I really wanted to visit Pearl Harbor. So we had a few days in the big city, then a relaxing week in a condo on Maui, enjoying the beach and island vibe. It was a perfect plan for us, but you really can't go wrong with any island you choose. Your biggest issue at this late date will be finding availability exactly where you want, so you may just want to book whatever looks good.

suze

If you go to Oahu and stay in Waikiki/Honolulu, you do not need a car. I think any other area or any of the other islands then you do need a rental.

January should not be too rainy, and know that each island has it's "wet" and "dry" side so you'll want to pay attention to that.

Resort, hotel, condo, apartment, that part's completely a personal choice. Where were you planning to stay (what kind of place?) in the Caribbean?

wekewoody

I am sorry for your family's loss.

I think tomsd meant "venerable" when he described the Mauna Kea Beach Resort, which is where I would head if you are looking for a nice resort on a great beach. It opened in 1965 and was renovated a couple of years ago after the earthquake.

As others have said, you will need a car.

Another location to look into would be the Wailea area of Maui which has many nice beachfront condo resorts and many nice hotels as well.

Remember that the resorts and such in Hawaii tend to be bigger than in the Caribbean. The Grand Hyatt on Kauai for example has over 600 rooms and aforementioned Mauna Kea has 254, which is smallish by Hawaii standards.

I would suggest browsing a guide book that features the islands Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Hawaii to generally get a feel for the islands before making any reservations.

To get on overview of resort areas and specific spots go to http://www.hawaiirevealed.com/
Click on "Free travel information" then click "Resort Aerials and Reviews."

January in Hawaii means WHALES!

romana_vanarsdale

You should find some best online websites that provide the list of accommodation and hotels according to your details and make comfort you finding the best suited place easily. I had planned a trip for New York last year and I also was in trouble that how will I know about the new place, then one of my friends had suggested me to go on http://www.extendedstayer.com/ and fill the budget and other required details. The website is really good. It had provided me the list of hotels and resorts with customer's reviews. I made a booking through the website. It was really a great experience with that site which had reduced my stress and made my trip excellent.

kauaistyle

Aloha from Kauai...i'm very biased on anything Kauai for good reason. Anything that resonates with you can be savored, any style of accomodation is here. Yes, Grand Hyatt is stellar service and decent location. St Regis is amazing view plane and good services. Private homes are my choice for families that want to slow motion savor at their pace. Search around the web on all the sites and get a flavor of whats out there. Poipu is the south shore and more like Laguna beach with everything based on your hotel or time share setup. North shore Kauai is all about being outdoors and no agenda. Awesome shoreline homes for budget savvy or first class. Today is December 26, hasn't rained in 5 days besides the evenings which keeps everything green. The last 2 huge Kona storms came from the south so Poipu was hit hard. No guarentees on rain, where it comes from, which side is hit. Born and raised here and every year is slightly different on timing and area of rain. Wouldn't bet a nickle on any opinion about weather. It goes its own way...happy to kokua....just come!

Stephanya

My deepest condolences for your loss. I agree with Kauaistyle 's comments. Kauai is VERY beautiful. The weather, as all have said, is unpredictable. But if you want to avoid it as much as possible, statistics give Maui a better shot at that. They average approximately 360 days of sunshine. In January the average temp is highs 82 lows 67. As much as I too love Kauai, I'd recommend Maui for first time visitors. There's a lot of variety for both generations of your family as far as activities. Wailea area would be right up your alley for your accommodation style. The Four Seasons and Grand Wailea are both located there. I would suggest however, that your family seriously consider a condo/home rental. By the time you all spend exorbitant hotel rates for 2-3 hotel rooms and eat out every night which can be very expensive on any island, you can rent a beautiful home/condo with gorgeous views from a private lani (balcony/patio), cook in your own kitchen should you choose some nights and not be subject to the crowds of hotel living.
I've vacationed Hawaii many many times and after the first two hotel stays, I've never turned back from condo/home rental. I hit Foodland (locally owned grocery store) and Costco on the way to my rental, cook most nights and eat out a few. Most of the upper scale rentals all have BBQ grills on the lani which is fantastic to grill and enjoy a gorgeous ocean view and warm breeze. Then enjoy your meal on the lani.

Here's a couple of websites to get you started should you like to browse a little:

VRBO.com (vacation rentals by owner) and HomeAway.com

Both have a wide range of rental options and great reviews by previous vacation renters.

You will need a car to venture out and explore the islands and different beaches, black, white and red sand.

Should you choose to make the trip to the Islands, I'm sure you will not be disappointed with any decision you make. Have fun!

Aloha!

rosedr

Well we did it. We are booked to spend 9 days in Mauii. We are staying at the Grand Wailea . We got an amazing deal on 2 rooms. Have a car booked thru National Emerald Club - 380 for the week. Now have to figure out what to do. Asking for suggestions for 4 first timers to Hawaii. Best Luau, restaurants, snorkeling for beginners, entertainment, and attractions.

For those interested instead of flying from Michigan to Mauii we are flying to San Fran to pick up my son and the next day flying out of Oakland, Saves $660 per ticket that flying from Detroit.

Don

wekewoody

Have a great trip!

There is good shore snorkeling off the GW Beach and just north at Ulua Beach and the point that separates Ulua from Mokapu beach. There is a beach walkway that connects all the beach side Wailea properties.

Good snorkeling, often with turtles can be had at Malauaka Beach, about 5 minutes drive south. The Makena Beach Resort fronts the beach, but it's usually fairly deserted and is a lovely beach. The best snorkeling is usually off the left off the rocky point.

I don't normally eat at hotel restaurants, but there are many good ones in Wailea.

Favorite restaurants are:

Hali'imaile General Store near Makawao
Mala Ocean Tavern in Lahaina
Star Noodle in Lahaina
Coconuts Fish Cafe in Kihei, no fuss place for good fish tacos.
Sansei in Kihei

suze

Best luau: Old Lahaina Luau
Fun day: Walking around in Lahaina town
Most amazing: Go up Haleakala