First Time to Hawaii - Help!
 

Ok......I've read so many posts and I hope all you Hawaii experts don't mind one more 1st timer asking questions.

My husband and I will be celebrating our 15-year Anniversary on July 3 and I will also be celebrating (reluctantly) my 40th birthday in June. We decided to make this a trip to remember and go to Hawaii. It was not in the initial plans to take our 12 and 9 year old children but at this point, it has become a family vacation. There'll be plenty of time for couples' travel when the kids are all grown up.

Anyway, we'll be leaving on June 30 and coming home on July 9 which gives us 9 nights. After hours of web surfing to try and find the perfect place to stay, I'm exhausted. We have a boy and a girl which puts an extra bed into the scenario. A sofa bed would be wonderful so it doesn't necessarily have to be a condo....just 2 beds and a sofa bed. On Oahu, I thought I was settled on the Hilton Hawaiian Village until I realized how huge it was. Now I'm leaning more towards the Outrigger Reef at the Beach just because their Oceanfront and Oceanview rooms have a sofa bed without upgrading to a suite. We're not going on this trip to save money but it's hard to rationalize $500/night for a room that you'll spend little time in. All the reviews are so overwhelming. Just when I think I've found the perfect place, someone will post a review telling how terrible the place is. It is important to me for us to be close enough to walk to at least a few things in Waikiki. We'll most definitely rent a car and see the sights I've heard all of you talking about but I don't want to spend all our time being shuttled around.

I know that our time-frame puts us there during the week of July 4th but I really wanted to spend our Anniv. there. Am I totally crazy? Is this a most terrible time to be there? Our plan is to spend June 30-July 5 in Waikiki and then go to Kauai for 4 more nights. I'm considering exchanging one of our Oahu nights for an extra night in Kauai. I thought spending the 4th of July in Waikiki might be a little more exciting for the kids.

On Kauai, I'd love to stay at the Grand Hyatt but is it really worth the price? My kids will love ANY place with a water slide and if they can be occupied with a fabulous pool, maybe us adults can relax a little. I also like the Waikiki Waipouli Resort (condos) but it's on the East side and that's where rain is more likely, right?

Also, how time consuming is it to fly from one island to another? I read about the Superferry but I don't think it makes a trip from Oahu to Kauai. What would be our best choice for that?

Sorry to ask so many questions but I've been researching this for 2 months and I honestly don't feel like I'm any closer to making a decision than I was when I started. Of course, planning is part of the fun for me! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!! Let me also say that none of our plans are set in stone so feel free to try and change my mind. Normally, I would have not traveled to Hawaii without going to the Big Island and seeing the lava flow but since there is no lava flow, I guess we'll save that for another time.

Thanks in advance for any help!

I would allow a 1/2 day to change islands by plane.

HHV is a huge resort but popular with families. the 4 different pools are often mentioned. It's a bit further of a walk to central Waikiki.

Outrigger Reef sit right on the beach near Fort de Russy park (I've eaten at their restaurants, shopped in their lobby stores, used the spa but not stayed there).

If you want to look at something a little bit different (sorry not to confuse things farther), check out The Breakers or The Hawaiiana Hotel on BeachWalk. These are simple old-style motels with nice rooms at a good price.

I do think Waikiki would be fun for the 4th of July.

<i>I would allow a 1/2 day to change islands by plane.</i>

Agreed - take a 10:00 flight from Oahu, arrive in Kauai around 11, by the time you get your luggage and car, have lunch and check into your hotel, it will be 1:30 or 2:00, which still leaves you PLENTY of that day to relax, explore and enjoy!

Sorry, I can't comment on hotels with water slides, because those are no longer a priority in our house (kids are older). Also, we always stay in a condo rather than a hotel on resort/beach vacations. If it were me, I'd stay at the Marriott Waiohai or Kiahuna Plantation rather than the Hyatt, although the Hyatt gets gushingingly positive reviews, again, just because I like to have a living room.

And to confuse things further for you--there is lava flow currently from Kilauea. You just cannot walk to it. You have to take a helicopter tour to see it.

We have not yet been to Hawaii, but are booked for July 17-31. You seem to be in a similar situation to us as we'll be travelling with our son (13) and daughter (8 1/2). We are spending 5 nights Oahu, then Kauai for 5 and Maui for 4. After reading many, many posts and talking to those who have been before, we decided upon the HHV and the Grand Hyatt as our first two stops. Our kids are water rats - love the ocean, pools, slides, etc. so these seem to fit well.

One thing I can say for sure is that our flight from Oahu to Kauai is scheduled to leave HNL at 11am and land at LIH at 11:37am, so it is a quick &quot;hop&quot;. We figured this was good timing to claim luggage, obtain the rental car, have lunch and make our leisurely way to the Grand Hyatt for 3pm check-in, but you could push earlier/later to get more time in Kauai/Waikiki.

Have fun planning! :)

I would keep it as it is. 5 nights Oahu, 4 nights Kauai (or Maui or Big Island).

Waikiki is a strip about 3-4 blocks wide &amp; 2 miles long. There are shops &amp; restaurants located throughout Waikiki. The beach runs the entire length of Waikiki except in a couple of small sections. So you will always be within a few minutes of the beach.

Outrigger Reef has some construction right now. You can probably get a really good deal there. The construction is during the day when you will be out most of the time.

There are many hotels or condos in Waikiki in the $200 range.

Resortquest has several properties right across the street from the beach or within a block or so.

www.resortquesthawaii.com

www.visit-oahu.com Free brochure: There are over 400 websites for lodging, restaurants, attractions in the brochure &amp; on the site. Click on OVB Yellow Pages

Lots of info:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34812564

Thanks so much for all your input! I will do a little more investigating about the Kiahuna Plantation and the Marriott on Kauai. I know it'll be fun wherever we stay but I just have a fear of getting somewhere and getting much, much less than what I expected.

Thanks for the info about the flight between Oahu and Kauai. I'm getting ready to check that out now!

Hi
congrats on your 15th anniversary.
on Kauai have you thought about the south shore, Poipu area, condo's,
they have full kitchens, grills extra space etc..(beaches are beautiful there)
another suggestion, when you find a hotel/condo you like check out reviews on tripadvisor.com
that is how we planned our vacation and we are returning for our 25 annivesary in sept, keep in mind that you can not please everyone,, but you can see travelers pics and opinions.
Hope that this helps a bit.
cheryl/Tewksbury ma

We stayed at HHV in Sept 2007 and we were very glad we did....We walked up the beach to see Waikiki and were amazed at how crowded the other hotels were...The loungers by the pools were side by side and crowded...At HHV you don't feel crowded and there is a nice big sandy beach..HHV did't seem that huge either..I know they say it is big but a few minute walk will get you around it...Good luck

Good news, you don't get just one, but TWO fireworks shows that week! On July 3, come to Aloha Tower Marketplace for one of the most creative shows in town over the harbor. I say this with confidence because after 3 years of working with this particular pyrotechnician, I can't stop gushing at him after each progressive show. He really likes to get new, artistic techniques in! Also the fireworks are shot off a barge in the harbor, which means that you get REALLY close. Some kids actually get scared, because the optical illusion is as if the bursts are RIGHT THERE.
www.alohatower.com/specialevent.html

You can choose from a smattering of other fireworks shows around the island on July 4....biggest one is at Ala Moana.

Happy Anniversary! We honeymooned on Oahu a little over 15 years ago!

I have stayed at HHV twice and love the property. It may be big but it isn't too bad. The beach is nice and the walk to explore the rest of Waikiki isn't to far.

For Kauai, I'd suggest the Marriott. Our timeshare is across the street and we use the beach there which is on a protected lagoon which means the water is mostly calm. There is a great place to eat on the property (Duke's) for either casual dining (downstairs) or a more formal meal (upstairs). There are also places to eat within walking distance. I also think that Lihue is a central location so you can explore north one day and then south the next. You will need a car the time you are in Kauai as there isn't public transportation like on Oahu.

P.S. turning 40 isn't that bad...I did it 2 1/2 years ago! It's only a number :)

I spent 14 days in Hawaii last august. Some thoughts: I drove around all of Kauai from Princeville to Poipu and took a snokelling trip that allowed me to see the West Coast of Kauai. I agree with the last reviewer that the Marriott is better and much cheaper than the Hyatt. First the Hyatt is in Poipu which is always crowded with YUPPiES and the only part of Kauai that I didnt like. The Marriot is beautiful, quieter and very close to the airport. For tours, I recommend the horseback waterfall ride out of princeville. you may have to get up a little early, but it was extraordinary. (and - no - you dont really have to know how to ride). Also the Kauai Movie tour was great with pickup at the Marriot.
My best time was in Maui, both in Lahaina and in Hana. I flew into Hana; I do NOT recommend the road to Hana.

Don't dismiss the Waipouli Beach Resort yet. Check vrbo for condos for rent. Their pool is great for your children. Yes, it is on the east side. But, we always stay on the east side and love it. Have fun.((r))

I took my wife to Oahu on our honeymoon last year. We spent two of the best weeks of our lives there. Having never traveled to Hawaii before we didnt know what to expect. Someone suggested that we use www.sharinghawaii.com as a help guide before and when we got there. That was the best advise we could have ever gotten. This was extremely useful to us and we were so greatful that we want to pass the word on to anyone out there searching for answers and looking for directions while preparing for your trip, and most importantly while on your trip. We With the combined help from this site and the many locals we met we enjoyed our trip immensely! Good luck on your trip and have tuns of fun for all of us wishing to be there!!!

I was glad to read what you all had to say about HHV, as my daughter will be in a soccer tournament this summer and that is where most of the team is staying. It has been a while since I have actually stayed in town, usually go to North Shore or Maui.

I stayed at the Hilton too, and loved it. It didn't feel big like the Hilton on the Big Island.

I loved it!

Have fun!!! Once you go to Hawaii, it gets in your blood and you will keep going back. :)

We are planning another trip, to Kauai, and it will be my 6th trip.

You don't have to have the &quot;perfect&quot; itinerary, you will go back and see other things next time. Don't put so much pressure on yourself.

hi 'jcn' be happy and joyful for your '40th' birthday when you consider the alternative...

if you dont mind a perspective from a long time resident of hawaii. hilton hawaiian village (HHV) is a wonderful facility. we go to waikiki every year with our 8yo daughter more recent years at HHV but before at other waikiki hotels. it is very family friendly with lots to do right on the grounds. i dont know the regular rates but local residents stay for $165 ++ and car parking is $20 per day. i find other hotels, except the high end, have very small rooms and rarely on the beach. if you want a place with lower rates and less preferred location (but still in waikiki) you can find them going away from the beach on side streets from kalakaua to ala wai blvd. any place is decently located but it may be a block or so to the beach through the business area of waikiki. HHV has kids programs well supervised so you can get a break, and lots of restaurants and shops. 2 pools and the lagoon area has recently been renovated. the beach is very nice w/o rocks (something other places along the waikiki beach area cant say). july 4th isnt such a crowded time either. HHV has a fireworks show every friday evening as well as a perfect view from the beach for the big ala moana fireworks from the park area. HHV is on the western end of waikiki and it is very easy to walk to along kalakaua avenue for the restaurants and shops. there is also a nice zoo and acquarium at the eastern end (toward diamond head) for the kids. lots to do on oahu with a car. when you get to the airport pick up the many tourist brochures and island maps (lots of coupons). kauai is laid back and not so touristy so you can relax.

hope you have a great time!

Looks like the lava from Kilauea will be reaching the ocean maybe today. http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/4583/40/