We are planning our honeymoon to Hawaii. We are not looking for seclusion but do not want a disneyland feeling. We have decided on 3 islands. We would like opinions on our hotel choices.
Maui 7nts-Westin or Hyatt
Oahu 3nts-Kahala or Royal Hawaiian (What is the best way to Pearl Harbor/diamond head/hanauma bay) Can we rent a car from the hotel? cab?
Kaui 5nts-Hyatt or Princeville
We are honeymooning during the end of August. We do not want to drive too much to find resturants and nightlife. How are we doing?
We would appreciate your opinions. Thanks

Royal Hawaiian has a very institutional feeling to me. They do things like rope of access to a green patch (also most direct access to ocean from main lobby), keep patio hardwood furniture without padding so you won't sit down and give you walk around the hotel access to the beach. Would only stay here again if I wanted to stay in Waikiki and the Sheraton Moana was booked. The crowds at Waikiki are off putting and I think the best restaurants are outside of Waikiki anyway. So I am not sure why someone would choose to stay here unless you want to be around all this activity. It can be fun to walk down Waikiki beach and people watch.

Kahala Mandarin this is the choice to make. I would not call it secluded because the complex is so large you don't feel like you are isolated at least I did not. It is in a higher class of hotel than the Royal Hawaiian. Can't comment on room quality have only been for their superb brunch and evening jazz. Walking on the grounds near water at night under the stars, something that is a bit hard to see in busy Waikiki.

Just glanced back at your post. Waikiki is an absolute zoo in August. I was at the Hilton Hawaiian village which is huge last August and the pool had people swimming every few feet it looked like a public swimming pool. Royal Hawaiian the August before while it did not feel cramped as HHV at all once you on Waikiki beach you find yourself dodging for a beach chair.

To be quite honest I would shave off the time on Oahu and spend it on the North Shore of Kauai. Still spend time at the Hyatt and go to Maui. We had two weeks and I go every year in addition to having lived on Oahu for 3 years. Breaking up the two week trip between two islands was a mistake for us. I was certain we would get bored after a week on Kauai but it was hard for my guests to accept anything else after they saw Kauai.

There is incredible hiking on Kauai you will miss this if you only go for 5 days. It is not back breaking bucket sweating but beautiful walks that you will never forget. I know it is hard to cut any island out of your itinerary but this is my suggestion. Have met people who have done a one and only trip to Kauai who all tell me that they wished they had not toured the islands but enjoyed what was right in front of them.

My wife and I were in a similar situation as we were deciding between Royal Hawaiian and Kahala Mandarin. The reviews on this site as well as some feedback from my travel planners, the Kahala appears to be the better option for a more luxe resort. I'll definitely report our experience which will be in July '02. The only negative I've heard about the Kahala is that some rooms are not as elaborate as the web site portrays...We're hoping this isn't true. I think the property might provide a nice haven from the big lights/big city feel of being right on Waikiki beach. If you want big lights, there's a free shuttle to the Waikiki area.

There is NO comparison. The Kahala has no equal on Oahu. Was just there 3/8-3/12. It is a slice of gracious heaven. The Royal H. is great to visit, neat, but don't stay there. Stay at Kahala and take the free shuttle to explore Waikiki.

Also, definitely HYATT not Westin on Maui, and Hyatt on Kauai too.

Best Regards....