Five nights Honolulu -- three nights where?
 

I'm accompanying my husband on his business trip to Hawaii in the beginning of November. He has to be in Honolulu for five nights at the end of the trip. However, we can add three nights to the front end. What area to you suggest I begin researching? I would like to reduce travel time. However, I want something that feels very different than Honolulu. I have to admit, while I do not want to look a gift horse in the mouth, I am not super excited about the prospect of an overly-crowded, super touristy Honolulu.

Thanks

Are you looking for another place on Oahu or a different island?

Maui is gorgeous.

If you're staying on Oahu, look at Kailua/Lanikai area or N. shore. Very different from Honolulu. Also, remember that you don't have to stay in Honolulu. There are many easy day trips and awesome places to explore a short drive away.

If you decide on another island, you can fly directly to that island and then you will just have one island hop flight to Oahu.

Who knows... you might just decide you LIKE Honolulu! Where do you get to stay?
Each island has its own appeal. You might want to pick one of the outer islands, or has been sugested, the North Shore of Oahu or Kailua area would be different than Honolulu, and no island hopping is required to get there. And the drive isn't really very long either!
Have a great time.
I'm headed to HNL in a week. Looking forward to it very much.

I love Oahu and there are just so many beautiful places to see, so getting out of Honolulu and going to a quieter side of the island might just do it for you and you don't have to mess with the airport and a lot of travel time.

If you want to just kick back and relax in a whole different atmosphere then you might consider Kauai, but for me, its a lot of trouble for just three nights, but I'm not you, so it might appeal.

If you husband is there on business, your time together may be limited, and there perhaps are dinners etc. that you have to attend, so having the extra three nights for the two of you to see other parts of Oahu just might work out well.

I'd pick a quieter part of Oahu to maximize your time. Changing islands seems like a lot of trouble, time, expense just for three extra nights. Personally I love Waikiki and Honolulu, to me I don't find it "overly-crowded, super touristy" or at least not in a bad way. It's a beautiful spot imo with lots to see & do, or opportunity for complete relaxation.

I, too, dislike the overcrowded, touristy, trafficky Honolulu. Waikiki is pretty, but it's massively full of other people. Yes, there are restaurants and shops, but shopping is NOT why you're in Hawaii. Make day trips from Honolulu to other areas of Oahu - it doesn't take long to get anywhere on Oahu, if you're not driving in Honolulu traffic.

If you rarely get to Hawaii, go to another island and do not waste another day on Oahu. I LOVED the Big Island, and it's a lot slower paced than Oahu. Plus, visually, it's just a whole different world. Kauai is also spectacular.

Oh my! So much to think about. I'll explore other options in Oahu, but the other islands seem tempting too. I'm not sure when we'll go again-- yet messing with airports for three days could be overwhelming. Still confused.

I've always thought I wanted to stay at the Ritz Carlton on Maui. But, will it be horrible to transition to the Honolulu Hilton Village after that?

How long are flights etc? Or, where would you stay in Oahu for three extra nights. Good point about the conference constraints for my husband too. However, I can't imagine staying at the resort for seven nights.

Kailua/Lanikai area is nice. But no hotels in the area, so you would have to get a condo or beach house from a site like vrbo.

Most times they require a minimum of 5 days. But with the visitor count down, you could easily find a place for three nights.

http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/hawaii/oahu

North Shore is also nice. There is one hotel, Turtle Bay Resort. Kind of expensive, but nice. Also many condos & beach houses.

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

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

Okay. Thank you all. The research begins.

I'd go to the Big Island in a heartbeat, head out the last night in Honolulu and enjoy something totally different.

The whole issue of "Honolulu" and "Oahu" being overcrowded, touristy, and trafficky has been done & overdone. Please note that WAIKIKI is more overcrowded, touristy, and trafficky than other parts of Honolulu, and there are idyllic places all over Oahu that are wonderful. Spend some time on the North Shore or Lanikai.

The island-hopping flights are only about 30 minutes long. Very easy to do.

misha2, if you're still around, I'm wondering what you decided about North Lake Tahoe (we stayed in the new condos at Northstar this past weekend, so if that's where you've decided to stay, I have some insight!)

sf7307 -- We ended up staying at Northstar and the family loved it. What did you think? Actually, I thought I had posted this, will go back to that forum and give more details.

Alright, actually realized I should probably ask Hubs his opinion and have decided to go Maui. Got a special rate at the Grand Waliea. We'll be there 4 nights and 4 nights in Oahu at the Hilton Village. Anyway, I'm pretty excited. I just need to book my inter-island flight. Any difference between Hawaii Air and Go! ?

I'm sure I'll soon be looking up other information and will have loads of questions. However, I'll do some reading first.

Thanks for your help!

If you are looking for a cultural activity in Honolulu while your husband is at his conference, you might enjoy a tour of Doris Duke's Shangri La.
http://www.shangrilahawaii.org/page.asp?pageId=5

The tour leaves from the academy of art, which is very nice and has a café attached, as well as a lovely gift shop.
http://www.honoluluacademy.org/cmsha...ex.aspx?id=435

This is the type of thing my husband would rather not do, but I felt very comfortable, and people on the tour were very friendly.