We are planning a vacation to HI this summer...2 adults, 2 older teens and a 9 year old. We were thinking of hitting 2 islands....Most importantly, we want to stay in nice hotels. Really have a memorable vacation! Any suggestions?? Thanks so much.

What kind of budget do you have in mind? And for how many days?

Also, what sort of things do you all like to do; Hiking? laze on the beach? adventure stuff like ziplines? snorkeling? musuems? Cultural activities? Water park? Geology? shopping?That might help decide which islands for starters.

Lots of info including sites with free brochures for all islands:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...trip-to-hi.cfm

When deciding on a hotel, you might look into Kona Village Resort, which is unique among hotels in Hawai'i. It's not for everyone, but those of us who love it really adore it. As a labor of love, I put up a website which describes it in great detail: www.davidskvr.net. It will give you a way to measure other hotels to see if KVR is a place you'd enjoy. Can't hurt to look...
David

Thank you for all the info so far. We like to be active--zip lining, snorkeling, surfing, hiking, etc. Of course, my older kids would be happy lying on a beach for a few days and my little one would love a hotel with water slides, etc. We don't really have a budget in mind....willing to go all out.....we haven't taken an amazing family vacation in a couple of years...and, my oldest is about to go to college.

I was thinking Maui and Kauai--My husband and I visited both islands 20+ years ago. But, are obviously open to suggestions. I do want to go to 2 islands. The change would do us good..we all get a little stir crazy staying in the same place for too long.

Maui and Kauai are my 2 favorites, and I've taken kids the age of yours to both. On Kauai the #1 choice would be the Hyatt in Poipu. Fabulous pool complex for kids of all ages(including mom & dad)! I think it's particularly important to have a good pool complex on Kauai as the ocean conditions are generally more variable. I've been to Kauai 3 times in 2 years (different months), and the red flags were out at most beaches each time, including all of the south shore beaches.
Great hiking, zip lines, and ATV adventures on Kauai.

Maui is my #1 choice for a family vacation. Our kids love the south shore beaches for boogie boarding. I prefer condos on Maui, but I'm sure others will chime in with luxury hotel ideas in both Kaanapali and Wailea. Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea is worth a look. Huge rooms, fabulous service, and on a great beach.

My favorite islands are the Isle of Hawaii and Kauai. Since these two are very close in pace, I suggest doing Oahu and Hawaii. Oahu gives you the culture, history, beachse, food and shopping. Hawaii give you great national parks, the volcano, the best snorkeling, and great hikes. Where else can you see a volcano erupting?

I also suggest that you spend a few days at the end of your trip at kona village resort to unwind and truly realize the incredible beauty of the place. I understand there is promotion for hales for families occuring. Always end you hawaiian vacation at KVR is my mantra.

Thank you all so much.....any other info to help plan the trip is greatly appreciated!!!

Why are there all these plugs for KVR? Especially as I don't think it is the right spot for a family that likes to be "on the go" and wants a hotel with waterslides.

On the Big Island, the Hilton Waikoloa is quite kid friendly with a boat and monorail to take you to your room, as well as a dolphin experience. http://www.hiltonwaikoloavillage.com/

Kona Village has its fans, but it also doesn't have television or internet, and I agree it doesn't make sense for a family that wants to be on the go, as you are paying for all your meals and the facilities there.

Maui and Kauai are great choices, but if you do decide on the Big Island, I can give you more kid friendly suggestions.

Icuy, Lisa said they were looking, and liked nice hotels. In my post I specifically said that KVR isn't for everyone, but it's worth taking a look to see if it's a fit, (which is exactly what my website is for). It was AFTER that that she mentioned zip lines and the rest. It's not clear to me what it is about KVR that is offensive to you.
David

Well lcuy, I think KVR is one of the best resorts in the islands. It has the best snorkeling of any resort I've been, and I've been to all the resorts on the north kona and kohala coast. It also has wonderful ocean access. During the summer, there are tons of teens vacationing at KVR and there are great programs for the younger one too.

Next, the OP asked for a great resort. I would hardly consider the hilton a great resort. Because it's got a waterslide, it's a great resort? It feels about as hawaiian and the Holiday Inn in SF.

Many people explore the island while staying at KVR. How is it different from the four seasons or Muana Lani? This a silly criticism.

The OP asked for a great resort and I named one. I submit that am entitled to give my opinion, you can give yours and the poster can decide for herself.

Finally, I submit that teens CAN live without television and the internet for three days. To choose a vacation resort because of television and internet access for teens seems to be a little perverse to me.

<To choose a vacation resort because of television and internet access for teens seems to be a little perverse to me>

Then I'm sure these teens are thanking their lucky stars you aren't in charge of their vacation plans!!!

<Then I'm sure these teens are thanking their lucky stars you aren't in charge of their vacation plans!!!>

How can you be sure? Children, much like our species, are very adaptable.

Some teens love KVR--my granddaughters, for example. Some teens wouldn't CHOOSE a place with no TV and with limited internet access, but once there would find that they can live very nicely without it. Some teens with wireless access to the web and the ability to TIVO programs they can't live without can be very content. Some teens who absolutely can't do without TV and computers would be unhappy, and shouldn't go there. Kona Village is kind of like a community, and having people there who are wishing they were someplace else is no fun for anybody.

wow....who knew what my post would cause!!! As far as my kids go, like most teenagers, they love their computers as they hate to be away from their friends for too long. No one cares about tv....there's nothing much to watch anyway, esp. in the summer. And, this is, after all, a family vacation. I suggested waterslides, etc. b/c my youngest has a hard time keeping up with the older ones. They will want to go surfing/scubadiving, etc, and she won't. If I had a great pool for her, she could keep herself quite busy. Otherwise, we are a very active family and like to hike, snorkel, fish etc. etc. The only ziplining we've ever done was in Costa Rica, and had a blast! So, that being said, any other thoughts are welcome. I was leaning towards a 4 Seasons. I know they are technically all alike...you could be in HI or in So. Cal. But, I am on vacation and want to enjoy and feel like the trip is special and luxurious!!!

We liked the Mauna Lani on the Big Island. Very nice, elegant hotel, with lots of things to do, gorgeous coastline setting, good snorkeling, gorgeous pool.

http://www.maunalani.com/

Lisa, your post did not cause this, it's people who would rather be destructive rather than constructive. The Four Season is right next to Kona Village and it is beautiful modern resort. It has four pools and wonderful coastline. Unfortunately ocean swimming is difficult but your family could always walk to the beach at KVR about .5 to swmim and snorkel or walk to Kukio beach about .6. Alternatively if you have a car, drive about 1.2 miles to exquiste Kua Bay. However, with four beautiful pools most guests at the FS don't do much in the ocean.

Regarding the Muana Lani. IMO, the ML has the most beautiful property on the entire kohala coast. I also has a very small but safe beach area for swimming and some snorkeling. It's also a very cute beach. Excellent golf and the ponds that evoke the time of the kings.

I strongly agree with the Hilton on the Big Island for a trip with three kids. I stayed a week there and then moved to the 4S (after a visit to Kauai) and I think they'd really enjoy the Hilton.

I'd skip the KVR for the same reasons given above.

We have stayed at the Hilton Waikaloa twice, when our kids were younger. It is a great property for families, which is what you see most there. I would not recommend it for honeymooners!

But, it's a very good place where your teens could roam on their own and be happy. The boat that travels through the property is fun, and there are two large pools the kids will love. Water slides, water falls, etc.

You don't feel you have to leave the property for anything, so it's nice to park the car and leave it for a few days, if that's your preference.

We have stayed there a week at a time, then we moved to a quieter condo complex we like a lot in Kona (Sea Village), for a change of pace. We like the Big Island.