Michele

We are going to hawaii for our honeymoon in Aug 99 but can't decide btw maui or kauai. We are planning for 10 days but would rather not do the island hopping. Anybody have any opinions? Also which hotels would you recommend for Maui? I saw some of the posts for Hyatt, Four Seasons, etc but nobody mentioned the Renaissance on Wailea? From what I read, I think I would prefer Wailea area, but with all the hotels who can decide?? I would appreciate any suggestions! Thanks!

Vena

I went to Hawaii for my honeymoon too and personally prefer Kauai to Maui. I find Kauai more scenic and beautiful. If you prefer more activities, Maui is the place.

We stayed at Hyatt in Maui and our room had a breathtaking view of the ocean and the pool. The pool is amazing. There were some water slides too.

We stayed at Hyaii in Kauai and also Princeville Hotel. Princeville is the best hotel in Hawaii!!!!! The service is impeccable.

Since you are choosing between just 2 islands, you can actually go to both in 10 days. We spent 5 nights in Kauai and 3 nights in Maui. It depends what kind of activities you are planning to do. In Maui, you have snorkelling, mountain biking, drive to Hana, lots of pubs, etc....In Kauai, it tends to be quieter. Of course, don't miss the Hanalei boat trip in Kauai. You should do the helicopter tour too, it is definitely worth the money!!

Have fun!!!!

pthompson

Michele

My husband and I honeymooned in Kauai and Maui two years ago August. We loved both islands. Kauai is very beautiful and lush, lots to do. Maui is more built up lots of things to do. We stayed at the Hyatt on both islands and found the people in Kauai were a bit more friendlier. But don't get me wrong both hotels are beautiful. Be sure to visit Swan Court restaurant at the Hyatt Maui - absolutely romantic!!

Jon

Kauai is beautiful but does not have enough to do for 10 days. I'd suggest either 4 days on Kauai and 6 days on Maui, or else Maui for the entire 10 days. There is a lot more to do, and it is a lot prettier, on the Kaanapali (west) side of Maui, where the Hyatt is, than on the Wailea side where the Four Seasons (elegant, quiet) and the Renaisance (not as great) are located. So I'd suggest the Hyatt on Maui for your honeymoon.
LOTS more info about Maui restaurants, hotels, activities, sights, etc, at this web site:
http://www.mauihawaii.org
(note it ends in org, not com)
Jon

charlie

We just returned from a week at each island. they are quite different. I was somewhat disappoited with the beaches! They are relatively small and have protruding rocks. There are exceptions of course but on Kauai this was the rule. If you like to go snorkeling, body boarding, swimming and other ocean related activities I would suggest Maui. the surf is much rougher on Kauai. When we went to the North end of Kauai it rained all three times! The beach there was very nice and protected. We stayed in Poipu and it was sunny all 7 days. Before anyone can make a recomendation you must decide are you looking for an all inclusive vacation spot that you don't have to ever wander from or are you more the adventuresome type? We preffer the nice condos for 1/2 the hotel prices, a rental car, a map, and off we go!! Check out Bali Hai Treasures I found them at www.vacation2hawaii.com
They set me up with everything I could want, after listening to me.

Wenonah

We just honeymooned in Maui in November '98. Although we did not island hop I do agree that Kauai may be a bit small for a 10 day stay. I would vote for Maui. It's beauty is breathtaking. We traveled much of the island in our rental car and I would have to say Kaanapali is your best bet ( a well groomed and lush area). We stayed at the newly renovated Sheraton Maui. The hotel and views were so beautiful. I would have to think any place on Maui would be great. Everything about Maui made such an impression on me. It was truly paradise. Best of luck on planning, just relax and pick what sounds best to you both. But I promise you will love the Sheraton. As they say in Maui "Much Aloha".

jill

Maui and kauai is very doable in 10 days. We did it Dec. 97 and it was the MOST UNFORGETTABLE vacation ever. 5 days each is perfect. We prefered the condo route at a much lesser expense than the hotels. Kauai is very laid back and gorgeous - Maui not much different that the mainland (although prettier). You have to do the helicopter trip in Kauai (Air kauia). Don't bother with the Fern Grotto, it was a disappointment. Have a great trip!

annemarie

Indeed one island is too much for 10 days. I would do Kauai for 3 or 4 days and Maui for the rest. I would stay at the Princeville on the north shore of Kauai (get a Sheraton card and get a discount). The views here are to die for and the scenery is unsurpassed. The dining here is not that great I have heard(pool food is really fine, the gourmet stuff is not that good). Hanalei Dolphin is a good dining spot. Can give you others. There seem to be 2 camps of opinion for Maui. Agents will all send you to Kanapaali. I checked it out and didn't like it. Drive over for dinner one night and stroll around, but I found a lot of tourists groups stay here and hotels often have non guests using their pools. Yes, the Hyatt is terrific but the beach here is not outstanding. The Wailea area is far more classier. Look into the Four Seasons if your budget permits it. When you phone, do not take the first rate they give you. Keep asking for better rates. I think they have some really good ones, especially if you take the gardenview rooms. Ane all rooms have the same quality. Sent someone there in October and they said this place made their trip. It includes lots of things. Renaissance Wailea has a good intertainment rate, step down from the Hyatt and Four Seasons but you are in a neighbourhood where you can wander and take in all the sights. I don't want to ramble. You may have already decided. If you are interested feel free to email me directly and I would be pleased to answer questions or to help out! Annemarie

Teri

I read in a previous post that maui looks alot like the mainlands, is this true??

Sandy

No way! Maui is simply the best. We've been there three times and love it. In fact we were a bit bored with Kaui and left a day earlier then we planned. Don't get me wrong, Kaui is nice, it just can't compare to Maui in our eyes. Any stops in Kaui should definately include a helicopter tour, it is spectacular and the only way to see much of the island because the interior of the island has no roads. To the honeymooners, it would be a shame to go to Hawaii and miss out on the seeing any of the Big Island.

Mark

I too will be honeymooning in Hawaii. I lived on Oahu for two years and in that time was able to island hop quite a bit. Maui and Kauai are as different as night and day. Maui is more of a resort island with the nice hotels, snorkeling, great places to eat. Kauai is truly hawaiian, it is rustic, slow paced and beautiful. Like most of the other post, I don't think you'd find enough to do for 10 days on Kauai, but Maui can keep you busy. We will be staying at the Embassy Suites Resort. For the same price or lower than the big name hotels you can have a great 2 room suite with ocean view and two lanai's. I've always found Embassy Suites to be nicer than a standard hotel room.

becky

Just to prove how individual we are...I was in Kauai last summer and nine days there wasn't enough time! We stayed in three different places on the island, and each was unique. Do you want crowds and lots of big resorts? You will find that in Maui in August. I really think a lot depends on the time of the year people visit.

Ruth

I agree with last post.

If you like hiking and vernal beauty...go to Kauai. We could have spent two weeks on that island hiking Waimea canyon alone. More laid back too.

If you want lots of shopping and nightlife and such...do Maui. We rented a car and just did road trips with picnic every day. Found secluded beaches and snorkeled. Went to bookstore and got books on hiking. There are millions of them on both islands.

I think if I was on my honeymoon I would stay at the Princeville. (ditto above)

Definitely the Zodiac boat trip on north coast.


Right about Fern Grotto...over rated!


Do some touristy stuff like a Luau. Eat several "shave ice"...the best is on the way to Waimea Canyon. Forgot name..on the main road before you start climbing at the church. Small, locally owned and you wait a while to get it. Incredible sensation.

I can understand not wanting to re pack and travel to anothe island in middle of vacation. We like to stay put. Mostly the islands are similar in ACTIVITIES and you can stay on one and not really miss the others. We have only been to Maui and Kauai ! No letters please!

rklepper

Just back from Kauai/Maui honeymoon. 10 nights is definitely enough time for both. Both islands are beautiful, but our fondest memories are of Kauai. Definitely stay on the north shore. We stayed at the Princeville Hotel and would go back in a minute. We met others staying on the south shore who regretted not staying there. Fantastic setting and the town of Hanalei felt kind of like Woodstock on the water. You would also probably find more children at other hotels, something you might want to consider in August. Definitely do the 2 mile hike into the first part of the Kalalau Trail (or at least the first 0.5 miles).

rklepper

One other thought, the Prince Course at Princeville ranks a close second to Pebble Beach in terms of courses that I have played.