25th Anniversary: Oahu or Maui?
Jun 5th, 2007, 10:51 PM
#21
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More to see & do on Oahu than any other island.
But, whatever island you choose, rent a car & get out & enjoy the island.
Oahu is the only island that you can realistically get around without a car. But, by the time you pay for shuttles, cabs, buses & tours that you can do on your own, you won't have saved any $$ plus you will have spent hours on slow public transportation.
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34812564
But, whatever island you choose, rent a car & get out & enjoy the island.
Oahu is the only island that you can realistically get around without a car. But, by the time you pay for shuttles, cabs, buses & tours that you can do on your own, you won't have saved any $$ plus you will have spent hours on slow public transportation.
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34812564
Jun 6th, 2007, 12:50 PM
#25
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Gellers, that is exactly what I was thinking too. Two days in Oahu to see Pearl Harbor and Diamond Head. Then 5 days in Maui.
Kygirl59 and ladykt, do you think I should take a chance and book a non-ocean view room and hope the hotel upgrades us? If it worked out it would be really nice to save that money. I havent decided where to stay yet but oceanview rooms can be astronomical. Iam spoiled from when we went to Kaui and stayed in an oceanfront condo at Outrigger Lae Nani. It was heaven. Thanks Dusty56438 for the thread, it was very informative. Lots of things to do.
Thanks to all for your time and input.
Kygirl59 and ladykt, do you think I should take a chance and book a non-ocean view room and hope the hotel upgrades us? If it worked out it would be really nice to save that money. I havent decided where to stay yet but oceanview rooms can be astronomical. Iam spoiled from when we went to Kaui and stayed in an oceanfront condo at Outrigger Lae Nani. It was heaven. Thanks Dusty56438 for the thread, it was very informative. Lots of things to do.
Thanks to all for your time and input.
Jun 6th, 2007, 05:53 PM
#26
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I think doing both is an excellent choice. Book an early interisland flight to Maui--as early as you can handle--and you won't lose much time traveling between islands.
We have had lots of luck getting upgrades at hotels in Hawaii...we never reserve anything but garden view. Here's my strategy: Join the preferred guest membership for whatever hotel chain you are going to use. (Starwood, Hyatt, etc.) Book directly with the hotel and when you confirm your reservation, tell them nicely that you will be celebrating a special anniversary and if possible, could they reserve you an extra-nice room? (The reservationist will note this in your profile for check-in.)
When you check in, mention that you are a member of the preferred guest club. Act excited and happy about it, like "wow! This is so cool! I'm a preferred guest!" Overall, be polite and upbeat and don't outright ask for an upgrade.
And, if they give you your room and you don't like it, don't be afraid to complain so long as it's a legitimate complaint. I was double-upgraded to an ocean-view room last September in Oahu, but the room they gave me was right next to the elevator. I called and very apologetically said the room was lovely, but I am a light sleeper and could I be moved to a further room. They upgraded me AGAIN! Crazy. This doesn't happen all the time. But the combination of: Enthusiastic, friendly, polite, preferred guest membership, celebrating an anniversary should help you out tremendously. Also, I don't think October is a terribly overcrowded time in Hawaii, which also is helpful.
I hope all this helps
We have had lots of luck getting upgrades at hotels in Hawaii...we never reserve anything but garden view. Here's my strategy: Join the preferred guest membership for whatever hotel chain you are going to use. (Starwood, Hyatt, etc.) Book directly with the hotel and when you confirm your reservation, tell them nicely that you will be celebrating a special anniversary and if possible, could they reserve you an extra-nice room? (The reservationist will note this in your profile for check-in.)
When you check in, mention that you are a member of the preferred guest club. Act excited and happy about it, like "wow! This is so cool! I'm a preferred guest!" Overall, be polite and upbeat and don't outright ask for an upgrade.
And, if they give you your room and you don't like it, don't be afraid to complain so long as it's a legitimate complaint. I was double-upgraded to an ocean-view room last September in Oahu, but the room they gave me was right next to the elevator. I called and very apologetically said the room was lovely, but I am a light sleeper and could I be moved to a further room. They upgraded me AGAIN! Crazy. This doesn't happen all the time. But the combination of: Enthusiastic, friendly, polite, preferred guest membership, celebrating an anniversary should help you out tremendously. Also, I don't think October is a terribly overcrowded time in Hawaii, which also is helpful.
I hope all this helps
Jun 6th, 2007, 07:05 PM
#28
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"Iam spoiled from when we went to Kaui and stayed in an oceanfront condo at Outrigger Lae Nani."
Why not get an oceanview condo on Maui and save the expensive hotel rates? There are even oceanfront condos that you can rent for 5 nights. Look at www.vrbo.com
Why not get an oceanview condo on Maui and save the expensive hotel rates? There are even oceanfront condos that you can rent for 5 nights. Look at www.vrbo.com
Jun 6th, 2007, 07:38 PM
#29
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RE: getting free upgrades in Hawaii--
almost everyone staying at hotel is celebrating something [honeymoon, birthday, anniversary etc] so -- IF a room with a view is important to you - book one and don't count on getting upgrade. If you get one, great, if not, at least you have a room you will be happy with and not disappointed.
IMHO, of course.
Debi
almost everyone staying at hotel is celebrating something [honeymoon, birthday, anniversary etc] so -- IF a room with a view is important to you - book one and don't count on getting upgrade. If you get one, great, if not, at least you have a room you will be happy with and not disappointed.
IMHO, of course.
Debi
Jun 6th, 2007, 07:46 PM
#30
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I did look at that website. We booked a rental house for our family vacation on Marco Island Florida in August thru that website. I found alot of nice condos in Maui but there is always a problem. The pool is small ,or they dont even show a picture of the pool, or they dont show enough pictures of the complex to make an adequate choice. The pool is the main problem. I couldnt find a really nice condo with a really nice pool. Maybe I didnt look hard enough. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks
Jun 7th, 2007, 11:19 AM
#31
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jinxiejo
You are right. No Condo has a pool like you will find at the big resorts. I'm not a pool person and go to Hawaii for the ocean. I wont go unless I get to see and hear the ocean from my room.
We have stayed at the Maui Prince and most of the rooms there have ocean views. We like its isolation and the wonderful beach.
You are right. No Condo has a pool like you will find at the big resorts. I'm not a pool person and go to Hawaii for the ocean. I wont go unless I get to see and hear the ocean from my room.
We have stayed at the Maui Prince and most of the rooms there have ocean views. We like its isolation and the wonderful beach.
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