matnikstym

believe it or not, even the nice resorts on the Big Island have bars, lounges, entertainment and even music! And there is a fun club in Kailua-Kona that is hopping nightly. Then there's the volcano, rainforest, farmer's market, waterfalls, Hapuna Beach etc. etc. and far less people/traffic than you'll find on Oahu and Maui.

arthi9487

So we've decided to do both islands with most of our time on Maui and just a couple days on Oahu. Now the hard part, choosing a hotel in Maui, Wailea to be exact. I found a good deal at the Fairmont, but could use hotel points at the Grand Wailea. I've heard there are more kids at the GW, but since we're going at the beginning of September, kids shouldn't be an issue right? Thoughts??

garyt22

Use the points... the difference in quality of resorts in Maui is very slim... the joy is that paradise is just outside of everyone's door.... we stayed at the Four Seasons but got up and out every morning and could have saved hundreds on the room...

sf7307

>>

Great line.

montereybob

The most kids are on Maui with their families during school holidays. If you go when most schools are in session, there will be very few school age kids.

andrews98682

With seven nights, I would stick to one island.

Tomsd

Use the points - no Q. In Paradise - other than taking a swim in the pool or maybe a jacuzzi - we might enjoy the view with coffee and fresh fruit on the lanai in the morining - or sip a couple beverages and munch on some pupus - before heading out to dinner, or even cooking in - but rarely do we spend that much time at the resort.

And yes, great line - which says it all: The joy is that paradise is just outside of everyone's door.

ChiSue

One week = One island. Tne nights = Two islands. Where are you coming FROM? How long is the flight? Can you easily fly into either HNL or OGG and home again?

Have you visited Hawaii before? Most first-timers stay Oahu. Most people with at least 10 nights add Maui, but you could enjoy either one for a month!

Oahu is a beautiful tropical island that happens to have a small city on its' southern shore. You could split a stay between Waikiki and Turtle Bay and think you'd been to two different islands. (You may be 'homeless' between checkout and check-in.)

On a short stay, I wouldn't waste half a day traveling between islands. Interisland travel is just as much a hassle as every airport -- get there 90 minutes early for TSA, etc. Don't just look at the 30 minutes in the air; that's *nothing*. You have to get TO the airport, do the shuffle, wait for your flight, wait for your luggage, get a rental car, find your hotel and check in. This is a big bite out of a short stay.

Grand Wailea is a kid magnet. They'll be there even in September. You may have points, but...this hotel is infamous for gouging guests; *everything* is an extra charge. (It's also not very "Hawaiian" -- well, maybe Vegas Hawaiian.) Food is expensive on Maui.

How about a resort condo in Wailea, S. Kihei, Kaanapali, Napili, Kapalua? Quieter and less expensive than a hotel.

You need a rental car everywhere outside of Honolulu.

sf7307

I (and I know tomsd) respectfully disagree about the hassle of changing islands. Preferable not to do it - sure. But if you want to see two islands, it's not that big a deal, you can be on the second island and eating lunch at the pool by noon.

paula1470

I don't think switching islands is that big of a deal, either. I go to Hawaii for work and go from Oahu to Maui all the time. It's pretty simple but will take about half a day by the time you return your rental car in Oahu and get one in Maui. If you only rent a car in Oahu for one day, then return it early and take a taxi or shuttle to the Honolulu airport. That will speed things up a little.

I would say if you have points, stay at the Grand Wailea. The beach in that part of Maui is beautiful. It is a pretty quiet area but there are bars, etc in the hotel. Food is expensive there but you can walk over to The Shops at Wailea. They have a Tommy Bahama's restaurant, Cheeseburger Island Style, Ruth Chris Steak House and a couple of other restaurants. You absolutely must have some Lappert's Ice Cream.

There are other restaurants in Kihei which is a short drive and their prices are more reasonable. Some of my favorites there are 808 Bistro, Sansei, Cafe O'Lei and Pita Paradise for great pitas and salads.

If you are going in Sept after Labor Day, I don't think the Grand Wailea will be too overrun with kids.

Hope this helps.

Tomsd

Good post Paula and hey - even from sf7.

Tomsd

Here is what I would do: Fly into Hono - and that afternoon - walk down Waikiki beach - take a dip in the ocean and explore around.

Also get some snorkeling gear if you don't have it - you can rent it fairly inexpensively for a week (check the Snorkel Bobs of this world) - and make sure you can turn it in on Maui.

The next am - bright and early - (your body clock will be an hour or more ahead of local time) - get thee to Hanauma Bay - and after that - drive the south end of the island - past Sandy Beach to Kailua. There - if you feel good, drive up the east side of the island - 45 minutes or so to get beyond Turtle Bay along the fabled north shore beaches - and 15? minutes later - stop at Waimea State park. Pretty waterfalls, etc.

From there - it's a short jaunt to Haliewa - and a cool shave ice - and then 35 plus minutes back down the center of the island and back to your hotel for an late afternoon/evening dip in the ocean, whatever.

The next day - 3rd day - maybe late morning - head over to Maui and kick back for the rest of the time. You can always come back to Oahu on a package deal and explore more of it another time.

welovemexico

We have visited Maui twice recently and love it. We stayed at the Sheraton and were completely satisfied with this resort. It's clean and the beach area is awesome. You are very close to many shops and the town of Lahaina. I highly recommend getting a car as there is so much more to see on the island. It's one of our favorite destinations.