First Time Oahu/Maui
 

I am in the process of researching my trip to Hawaii.
This is a first time for my husband and I.

I have not booked the airfare yet. Will do so in the next few days.
I am thinking of visiting the first 2 weeks in June. Leaving 2017/06/03 and staying for 14 nights. This will include travel time to and from Maui.
Not sure how to split my time, but thinking 7 nights in Maui and 5 in Oahu.

So these are my questions:
- is this time of the year a good time to visit. Is the water warm enough to swim.
- when is Spring Break?
- Would it be better to visit at the end of July or end of august instead (thinking weather and crowds)
- which part of Maui is the windiest?
- which part of Maui would be the best for a first time visitor. We plan to hire a car. I have read Wailea is lovely. Would like to get a real tropical feel, with lots of places to dine.
- my husband is 62, so as australians can be book hotels as a senior citizen and get a discounted rate.
- Does anyone have any condo's they could recommend on Maui. Looking for a nice place to stay up to $350usd max per night. We prefer a cosy type of resort without too many children.

thanks in advance...apologies for the long post.

The Hawaiian Islands are generally warm (air and water) year round as they really don't have noticeable seasons. All the uslands are fairly tropical. Jan/Feb would be "winter" but the air temp is warm, and the main difference would be tropical rains.

Maui and The Big Island are less tropical and lush in my opinion than Oahu and Kauai. But all tbe islands are nice for different reasons.

When is spring break? That is a good question. It is generally in April. Most US colleges/universities and grade schools have different weeks they take off, so that is why I would say the month of April in general.

>>- is this time of the year a good time to visit. Is the water warm enough to swim.<<

Yes, and yes. Although whether the water is "warm enough to swim" is a matter of opinion. Generally, I think you'll be fine.

>>- when is Spring Break?<<

There is no single "spring break" week in the US, but for many schools, it's in the month of April.

>>- Would it be better to visit at the end of July or end of august instead (thinking weather and crowds)<<

I think that's considered off-season in Maui, so you may find better accommodation rates and lesser crowds then.

>>- which part of Maui is the windiest?<<

I think the northeast side of the island is considered the windward side..

>>- which part of Maui would be the best for a first time visitor. We plan to hire a car. I have read Wailea is lovely. Would like to get a real tropical feel, with lots of places to dine.<<

"Best" depends on whom you talk to. The good news is that if you have a car, you'll be able to visit a lot of diverse places on the island, without having to travel too far. Wailea is upscale and nice. Some people love it. Some people think it's a bit too sterile. Hard to say how you'd feel about it.

>>- my husband is 62, so as australians can be book hotels as a senior citizen and get a discounted rate.<<

Probably not.

>>- Does anyone have any condo's they could recommend on Maui. Looking for a nice place to stay up to $350usd max per night. We prefer a cosy type of resort without too many children.<<

I can't recommend a specific place, but I'd say with a budget of $350/nt, you'll have some good options.

July will be busier than early June or the end of August. It should be warm enough to swim in any of those months. Some hotel chains do offer a senior discount. Ka'anapali also has lots of places to dine.

thank you so much for the replies....

>>Some hotel chains do offer a senior discount. <<

Which ones? You mean that just by proving you're over [X] year of age, they'll give you a discount, in Hawaii during high season?

Yes. It's usually the same as the AAA and other discounts, and 62 is the typical age requirement. All the major hotel chains have a senior discount.

Do they have a senior discount or an AARP discount that would require membership just like AAA car club discounts?

Hyatt, Marriott and Intercontinental Group are some of the chains that offer a senior discount to 62 and older without requiring any kind of membership.

Thanks Patty

I liked Lahaina Shores on Maui. It's a condo hotel. Not sure you'd call it a "cozy resort" but it was a very nice place to stay, and walking distance into the town of Lahaina.

Do you already have a place to stay on Oahu?

I have no hotels/condos booked yet. Not sure where to stay in Oahu.
I was looking at Lahaina Shores last night, and it does look like a good place to stay.
Is the area around Lahaina Shores really busy??? and is the beach a good swim beach. My husband is a strong swimmer, but I am not.

Sorry - forgot to mention that I have seen the Senior Rate pop up on some of the hotel websites and wondered if you need some sort of US senior citizen card. My husband is 63 and has the australian card. So I was not sure if he would qualify in the US. But if it is only based on age then I can try to book this rate.

In most cases it is only based on age and your husband's ID (passport) should be sufficient. In some cases, they require that you be a member of AARP, but not most.

And in cases where an AARP membership is required, it's only $16 a year.

The beach out back of Lahaina Shores is nothing much. I mean you could sit there, or walk along it, or even get in the water, but it's really not a "beach" like most people would want. The pool area on a grass lawn is lovely. No I would not call it "really busy" but it is easy walking distance into the town. That's part of what our group liked about it so much. People could get out on their own without having to use the rental car every time.

On Oahu most people stay in Waikiki/Honolulu.

If you want more of the beach but walkable to restaurants, look at Ka'anapali or Wailea. Wailea was developed later and has a more manicured feel which can be a plus or minus depending on your point of view. If you want quieter and don't mind driving a bit, then maybe the Napili/Kapalua area.

>>Hyatt, Marriott and Intercontinental Group are some of the chains that offer a senior discount to 62 and older without requiring any kind of membership.<<
'
Read the fine print on that. I'll bet you at least one if not all stipulate "in the continental United States."

Marriott Senior Discount
- Available to guests 62 years of age or older.
- Proof of age eligibility required at check-in.

When You Check-in
Please be prepared to show proof of eligibility for your rate (such as a membership card, corporate or government identification card, or proof of your age).

I'm sure a passport will suffice as "government identification card".

Hyatt: "Save up to 50% on prevailing rates at participating Hyatt hotels and resorts **in the continental U.S. and Canada**."