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We are planning a trip to Hawaii December 27, 2008 at January 3, 2009. I am traveling with my wife, 7 year old son and 4 year old daughter. We have been to Hawaii before. We went to Oahu once, Maui twice and the Big Island, once. We enjoyed all three. My favorite was the Big Island but that was my wife's least favorite.
In any event, as the kids get older we are looking for a hotel/resort that will be great for the kids. Freinds have recommeded the Hilton Hawaiian Village which we dined in when we were in Oahu in 2002 and liked. (In general, I am not a fan of Hilton properties. Typically the rooms are on the smallish side and they seem 1/2 step down from Hyatts and some Marriots.) Though I know many people are not crazy about Oahu, we had a great time and loved the diversity of sights and activities.
People have also highly recommended the Grand Hyatt Kauai. Obviously we have never been there and generally I have stirred away from Kauai because I have heard that "there is nothing to do" outside of laying on the beach/resort activities and thought we may get bored after a couple of days. Others have told me that Kauai in general and the Grand Hyatt in particular are great for families.
Some have also recommedned the Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Big Island which we walked through in 2004. It seems like it may be fun for the kids given there current age but for whatever reason, I was not overly impressed.
Outside of hanging at the resort, we like hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, fun restaraunts (with good food), ethnic foods and historical site seeing.
We would appreciate any suggestions/recommendations.
Thanks in advance and sorry for the long post.
Hilton Hawaiian Village vs. Grand Hyatt Kauai
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You can do all of the activities you listed on Kaua'i. I cannot imagine being bored there!
I love O'ahu too and as you know there is plenty to do on O'ahu.
I have never stayed at either hotel you are asking about, but I went to a hula festival at the Hyatt and the lobby is breathtakingly beautiful and the grounds are quite lovely.
Thank you aloha.
One thing to consider re: rooms and a step up for Hilton is that the Hilton Haw Village has Hilton time share condos right next door on the same beach, ocean and lagoon.
Very nice set up for Condo with Concierge and Doorman..VBRO usually has several. I like the ocean front views..
We stayed at the Hilton timeshares and really enjoyed Christmas..nice space for the money, nice view..easy access beach & pools some of the parents could watch the kids from balcony, great and safe fireworks views for New Years, great sunsets nice kitchen,(Costco nearby for shopping) bellman to help and could use any of the Hilton Hotel amenties
I've stayed at both and liked the Hyatt WAY more than the HHV, but it is unfair to compare them as they are so different. Go with Kauai and stay at the Hyatt.
Thanks for the responses. 1jar: What is VBRO?
i believe 1JAR is referring to Vacation Rentals By Owner, vrbo.com
they have many many vacation rentals and you can sort by area and number of bedrooms.
Stick with Oahu. There is more to see & do on Oahu than any other island.
Lots of info including sites with free brochures for all islands:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=1&tid=34812564
I have stayed at HHV, Hilton Waikoloa and the Grand Hyatt Kauai. Taking the ages of your children into consideration I think the Hyatt and the Hilton Waikoloa would be better for you than HHV on Oahu. I'm thinking of the pools. At HHV the pool is small and there are difficulties getting poolside chairs.
The Hyatt has the best pool system of the three hotels, it's really fabulous, and the Hilton Waikoloa has a shallow pool specifically for children. There is a lot of walking at both Hyatt and Waikoloa so you might want to take that into consideration.
I think the rooms at each hotel are comparable depending on the luck of the draw when you check in. Based on my most recent stays at each one I would say that Hilton Waikoloa was nicest (had a newly renovated room), then the Hyatt, then HHV. YMMV.
I'm partial to the Hyatt and recommend it wholeheartedly.
Since you've already visited the other islands, I would recommend that your family visit Kauai (yes I'm biased but I only discovered Kauai 10 yrs ago after many vacations spent on Oahu and Maui) I find this small beautiful island has something for all ages, interests and price points and without as much 'rah rah' and commercialisation. We go once or twice a year with and without family, and no one has ever been bored.
If you stay at the Grand Hyatt, the kids may never want to leave the extensive tropical grounds.....the pools, waterslides, the protected saltwater lagoon with water sports, the koi feedings, the swans, the turtles in the nearby coves etc!!! You're going at a very busy time of year but this is a large property. Try to get a good rate that includes their great varied buffet breakfast. (For us it was AAA.)
Thank you so much for all of the replies. We are leaning toward the Grand Hyatt because we have never been to Kauai before. However, the Grand Hyatt is about $100.00 a night more expensive and the direct airfare is about $100.00 more if we cannot use miles. Is the Grand Hyatt and Kauai $1,100 better than the Hilton Hawaiian Village? Thanks.
Yes.
Yes, definitely. No comparison. The Hyatt Kauai is sophisticated yet understated. HHV is neither.
Look forward to hearing your trip report.
Aloha, Jeff
beatofhawaii.com
Thanks again for all of your input.