Calling all Hawaii experts...

I need some good info on your favorite accommadations in Maui and Kauai. A few details about my criteria...
We are planning to spend one week in Maui and one week in Kauai. I've been to Maui before, and prefer the Makena, Wailea, and Kaanapali areas (also love Kapalua, but I hate the constant tradewinds). And in Kauai, we would prefer to be near nice golf, so Princeville or Poipu areas would probably be best. We love to golf, snorkel, and enjoy great food. I would like to keep the cost of accommadations for $3000 per week. If possible, I would like one week to be in a great rental house on or very near the ocean, with either an outdoor jacuzzi or pool. The 2nd week, I would like to spend at a luxurious hotel so we can be pampered. I don't mind if the rental is on Kauai or Maui, which ever works out best. We will be on our honeymoon, so romantic would be good.

accommodations?

The best resort in Kauai is the Grand Hyatt in Poipu. Check out their Sunshine on Sale package, which includes the 6th night free after five nights, and the wonderful breakfast buffet. Great golf and Spa. There are good restaurants in Poipu as well: Beach House, Roy's, Tidepools, etc.

SOS Offer:

http://kauai.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/...OfferId=931672

Check out the secret beach cottages on Kaua'i.www.secretbeachkauai.com

There are numerous great oceanront rentals in the Makena area, some with hot tub. Check on vrbo.com

BaliHai Realty has some great rental homes right on Hanalei Bay on Kauai.
www.balihai.com

Have fun looking.

-pila

We have stayed at the Hyatt in Poipu and it is wonderful. WOnderful pool, beach is not the best be we didn't even notice becasue their pool is so wonderful and we enjoyed going to all the other beautiful beaches anyway. It is very tropical---I walked through the Princeville lobby and it just felt sterile to me-- great views, but not nearly as tropical as the Hyatt.

We love the Ho'oilo House near Lahaina, Maui. It's an extremely romantic B&B with both ocean and mountain views. It has a small outdoor pool and a beautiful and private outdoor shower in each room. This is a couples only place and our absolute favorite. The hosts are fantastic and not in your face kind of people, but very helpful if you need to borrow anything or want a recommendation. We also loved not having to go anywhere for breakfast - just to the private lanai connected to our room which means I could have breakfast in my jammies. I would recommend a week there and then on to the Hyatt in Poipu, Kauai. Also a helicopter trip on Kauai is highly recommended and the Old Lahaina Luau in Lahaina, Maui.

Without a doubt, stay at the Hyatts (Hyatt Regency Kaanapali and Grand Hyatt in Kauai).

The Hyatt Regency offers great service and a great location. There are more upscale places in Wailea but I seemed to be more in tune with what the Hyatt offered. Although I will tell you that it may not be the most romantic place as it does seem to cater more to families. Other good choices would be the Kea Lani or Four Seasons in Wailea but understand the $$$ difference. Whatever you do, AVOID the Grand Wailea.

I will have to respectfully disagee about the OLL recommendation. If you must do a luau, go for the Feast at Lele. Same operators as the OLL but definitely more romantic.

The Grand Hyatt is just that, GRAND. Easily the best resort I have ever stayed. Plus, the golf at Poipu Bay is literally next door (Grand Hyatt guests get a discount PLUS the hotel offers golf clinics at the course at a VERY reasonable price). When I was there, the round and club rentals (brand new Pings) was under $175. I would recommend making this your last stop to end the trip with a bang!

On Maui, hard to beat the Four Seasons.

I second the Four Seasons!!

We spent our two-week honeymoon in an oceanfront, private condo at the Polo Beach Club in Wailea, and imho this is the best value anywhere in Maui. These condos are truly oceanfront with your own private beach directly in front, and the snorkelling is excellent right off the beach - we saw numerous turtles, fish and eels. You'll pay a little more than $3,000 a week, but it's well worth it! Certainly beats any of the mega-resorts, as you won't even get close to the beach at one of those for three large a week, but you can walk right onto the beaches of the Fairmount, 4 Seasons, and the Grand Wailea as they're all right next door to the PBC. Make sure you book the middle section (double lanai instead of a corner) and try to find one a few stories up - the view is spectacular!

We spent our first week of our honeymoon at the Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea. I would recommend it hands down for the pampering portion of yourtrip. Or perhaps the Four Seasons.

For our second week of our honeymoon on Kaua'i, we stayed at this ocean front condo:the Kai Nani - http://www.nakearentals.com/
There are lots of other options like this ion Kaua'i.

It just made sense to us to have our first week being pampered at a luxuriuos resort on Maui, and our second week right on the ocean in a romantic condo on Kaua'i.

On Maui: though it is in Huelo (which location you didn't mention), this place is beautiful - http://www.paliuli.net/

The Four Seasons in Wailea has consistently been rated as one of the top hotels in the WORLD.

Yes, I just saw the other day that the Four Seaons Maui was rated the most romantic hotel.

We love the Hyatt on Kauai and will return on our next trip. It's a large hotel, so you can always find a little romantic spot. When they serve breakfast, you can always hope to get one of the tables that jut out over the water where the swans are - and Tidepools is very romantic for dinner. As you can see from some other posters, this place is a number-one hit!

I'm one of those who doesn't love the Hyatt on Kauai. It is full of honeymooners and wedding families. This means that there are nearly constant weddings on the grounds, which means alot of party noise at night if you are in the western (?north) side of the hotel. There was a corporate group event when we were there that had an enormous stage set up and rock music until about 11. It was sort of a carnival atmosphere with noise. The pool system is extensive, and they have a fake beach, but it's because their beach is too rough for swimming, paddling, or snorkeling. For me, a luxurious place is tranquil and it's all about the beach. For me, no pool system can compare with a terrific beach. And there are lots of kids. We were at the club level, and there were lots of kids in there, too. We had a very underwheliming dinner at Tidepools. However, the Stephenson bar serves a great lemon drop martini, and the Spa is lovely. If you go, skip the fine dining hassle and get to Stephenson bar early to get one of the outdoor tables on the balcony. You can order from the menu of the Italian restaurant downstairs and enjoy the view and outdoor ambience. Even as a bar, that area was a nicer place to eat than the Tidepools or Italian restaurant.