50th wedding anniversary in Hawaii??
 

My husband and I will be celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary in October of 2018, and are wanting to take a special trip to mark the occasion.

We have only been to Oahu a couple of times in the past, the last time being about 30 years ago. If we decide to return to Hawaii, we would like to visit one or more of the other islands.

We prefer smaller hotels, and would like to stay somewhere that is walking distance to great restaurants, close to the beach, with gorgeous views. We like nice hotels, but don't like "stuffy" ones. We will both be around 70 at that time, but I like to believe that 70 is the new 50 (or better yet, 40!!!). We still like to have a good time!

If anyone could recommend their favourite island (and hotel) in Hawaii, with reasons why, we would be most appreciative. Even recommendations of places on your "wish lists" would be wonderful.

I look forward to hearing from those who Hawaii holds a special place in their hearts.

Thank you!

KC1

First congratulations to you. It is something to be celebrated. We are about 8 months behind you for our 50th.

We have been to Hawaii twice: first for our 40th. Stayed at Hanalei Bay Resort in a condo. Absolutely one of our favorite vacations.

Next time was our 47th anniversary celebration. We rented a house in Princeville with 3 other couples. The ocean views were hypnotizing.

Hotel, can't help you there, except that the St. Regis is on a beautiful beach, probably $$$

What ever you choose, please consider Kauai.

Staying in Lahaina in Maui gives you access and walkability in a charming village with lots of food options, plus Old Lahaina Luau...

We stayed at the Hanalei Bay Plantation on our honeymoon, 55 years ago. The area is beautiful, with much to visit around Hanalei--including Lumahai beach, featured in the film of "South Pacific" and the waterfall pond in the same movie. But unless things have changed, and I imagine they must have, there aren't a lot of food options.

Same concern.

Grand Hyatt Kauai
Hyatt Residence Club Ka'anapali resort
Maui

http://www.hyattresidenceclub.com/hv...palibeach.html

Honua Kai luxury resort Maui


I've stayed at all, many times and all are beautiful.

The Four Seasons in the Big Island and is lovely
I like resorts witnfull kitchens, laundry and a big ass lanai.

Hyatt residence club Maui , 2-3 bedroom villas are my fave...will be back for 2 weeks next week!!
Aloha to you and your spouse!!

We've been to Hawaii 10 times in the last 6 years, spending most of the time between Kauai and the Big Island, which for different reasons, have become our favorites. Maui's just too overdeveloped and busy for our tastes.

Our Kauai visits have all been May - September, when weather on the jaw-dropping gorgeous north shore is at its best. So choose to stay in vacation rental cottages or homes from Hanalei west, because, while we love the views from Princeville, the large resort vacation destination property vibe isn't our style. And places like the St. Regis border on "stuffy" to us. In October, we'd likely choose to stay south in Poipu, and if in a hotel, probably at the small, boutique Koa Kea. It's on/near a nice beach, and has one of the best restaurants on the island (our opinion).

The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel is easily our favorite on the Big Island. It has a serenely lovely setting on the Kohala Coast, and in our opinion, exudes "Hawaiiana". There are a couple restaurants on site, and one of our favorites, Napua, a short walk down the coastline at Makaiwa Bay, one of the best snorkeling beaches in the state.

Just a comment on your criteria... "..prefer smaller hotels..but don't like stuffy ones..walking distance to great restaurants.." Might be incongruous. Understand that, unless you choose Honolulu, you'll need a car, so maybe emphasize that "walking distance" one. How about short drive. :-)

Meant to write "de-emphasize".

Koa Kea in Poipu beach seems to fill your desires for an intimate hotel. Small and right on beach. great restaurant (Red Salt) and walking distance to others.

Alohaaaa...
We've spent our 10th, 20th and 30th annivs on Kauai. Hope to keep the streak alive in 2 more years. We actually have spent every anniv since the 10th on Kauai but for the Iniki year.

We stay at our <i>fave little 1.5* hotel</i>, The Islander.

From our lanai we can get hit with ocean spray <see profile pic>. We sleep with the slider open all night (we're on the 3rd floor) just to hear the beautiful ocean. Sun and moon rises thru the lanai.

Short walks to some very good restaurants ("good" being a relative term as I've found out here recently about Kauai restaurants): HukiLau Lanai, Lava Lava, Sleeping Giant Grill (get a fish wrap or fish burrito and take it over to the ocean for lunch/dinner).

Kintaro's, Street Burger, Brick Oven Pizza, Oasis, Bull Shed, Wahoo's, Monico's.....

Congrats and many more mahalos!

Thank you to everyone for your thoughtful and helpful suggestions - I am currently reading up on all of the islands in order to further help with our decision.

I have another question:

For a two week holiday, I thought that we might visit 2 different islands. Would that be recommended, or should we stay the whole time on one island? (Although if we stayed on one island, we would probably stay a total of 10 days, instead of two week).

Thanks again for everyone's help!!
Aloha

kc1

Two weeks is great for two islands... have fun

With two weeks you could split with a week each on two of the smaller islands like Oahu, Maui or Kauai (my favorite).
Or you could do 7-10 days on Big Island and a few on Oahu.

Somehow I missed the smaller size hotels.
Hands down Koa Kea in Poipu, Kauai.
On a great beach...across from Keoki's paradise for everyday happy hour, Red Salt and the beach grill next store at Marriott.

Do 5 days in Kauai and 5 days in Maui or Big Island.
Concur on St. Regis in Kauai...

If you go to O'ahu, The Royal Hawaiian is a stunning property from a long lost bygone era.

Aloha Kal!

The Royal Hawaiian is paradise. We were upgraded, because of our anniversary status, to an ocean view room. The beach, Diamond Head view from our room. The sight of the torches lit along the beach at night. The service is top notch, our best hotel experience ever.

Glad you love the Royal Hawaiian hotel too.
Staff are fantastic from the valet to the Croatian waiters that have been there forever!
I only stay in the older section but maybe next time I'll check out the newer oceanfront wing.
Aloha

I love just walking through the main lobby/hallways at the Royal Hawaiian - so peaceful and beautiful. Never stayed there, though.

I've stayed at the Royal Hawaiian a number of times and it is lovely, indeed. I always stay in the historic wing. I also love the Moana Surfrider (from the same era). Either hotel on Waikiki would be worthy of a 50th anniversary.

Wellll Alohaaaa Moonie!

When we find ourselves stuck on Oahu (take THAT MelissaHI), we also like to drop by The Royal Hawaiian for a mai tai. We went in January once and saw Santa strolling the beach in his shorts and Hawaiian shirt.

Hawaii is a beautiful place to visit.
I had went their with my husband twice.