Voyager61 & Newport30~
If Honolulu/Waikiki are so darn awful, I wonder why so many people vacation there, and return again and again???
;-)

For the same reason so many people go to NYC and stay in the Times Square/Theatre District -- because it's exciting and totally different than what they have at home. By the way, not everyone goes on vacation to relax and "do nothing".

NeoPatrick......

I think that's why locals need to be careful in giving visitors tips to their home areas.

Folks that live in an area may not enjoy things that visitors may love and may scare them off it.

I think we need to look at it from the visitor's point of view when giving advice, not necessarily what we may like as local residents.

OK.....thanks so much for all your posts, questions, and ideas. There are definitely a multitude of opinions and ideas but, as I said before, I'm putting too much pressure on myself. I'm going with my first choice and switching back to HHV. To answer one of your questions, both my husband and my son are huge history buffs so to travel to Hawaii without visiting Pearl Harbor would be unspeakable. Also, I had not thought about the possibility of adjoining rooms at HHV; I might check into that.

As to the questions "Why we're spending so much time on Oahu?" When you've never been, everything is new. We assumed there would be more there for the kids to enjoy. Both my daughter and I are nature lovers but hubby and son wouldn't be up for just taking in the scenery everyday.

The last long trip we took was to DisneyWorld for a week and the kids argued so much that it ruined the whole vacation for everyone......thus, the reason for wanting a bigger room. Also, I did ask about a cot at HHV in the Rainbow Tower room that I had originally booked. I was told that the room was not big enough for a cot.

Suze, I don't WANT to pay that much for a room - that's why I'm asking for advice. Keep in mind that I've never been and I'm just trying to get enough information from people who DO know to make a good choice. More than likely, we'll wait until the kids are in college and go back alone. I just want it to be as good as it can be.

Thanks again to everyone - all your suggestions are appreciation. I'm in the process of switching back to HHV now.

Suze,
I really don't know the answer to your question! I suspect they want to spend their time shopping.

But really, I'm sitting here in Seattle; a gray, high-40's day with a bit of rain spitting down. I'd love to be on Waikiki right now.

I really don't know the answer to your question! I suspect they want to spend their time shopping.

I have to assume you're kidding. Please tell me you're kidding. I've been to Oahu and Waikiki on multiple occasions, and have never once done any more than an hour or two of souvenir shopping.

"I've settled on the Grand Hyatt on Kauai and we are really looking forward to that."

Be advised that the beach at the Hyatt can be extremely rough and you will need a car to be able to drive to safer beaches for your children to swim.

For half the price of a room at the Hyatt, you can rent a condo in Poipu with 2 or even 3 bedrooms and you will have a kitchen. Restaurant food gets old after a while especially when you have active kids who don't like to sit around for hours each day waiting for the food to arrive.

We avoided Waikiki for years, just passed thru' HNL on the way elsewhere. Broke the pattern in 2004 and spent a few days in Waikiki, loved it and we did the same last year.

I second the Embassy as an option, it was very comfortable.

Newport30~ Well I LOVE Waikiki and Honolulu and I HATE shopping, so no it's not that.

I think you just have a closed mind or a bad attitude or something to say "forget Waikiki beach", that is hardly a fair thing to say to a 1st timer excited about going to Oahu. Sheez.

Well, if I've learned anything from this it's that everybody has an opinion; some of them more passionate than others. Thanks for all your help. After I go to Oahu this time, I may never want to go again or we may love it. Either way, I'm still excited about it and can't wait to see what it's like - city, shopping, paradise, or waste of time - it's not South Carolina and it will be worth the trip. I've read the same sorts of things about Niagara Falls (too touristy and cheesy) but I loved it!

I have looked into the Embassy Suites and it's about $120 per night cheaper for a 2 bedroom/2 bath condo. I like the idea of being able to have breakfast in the room or a free breakfast bar in the hotel.

As far as the Hyatt on Kauai, my kids are more interested in the pool than the ocean (I just love to "look" at the ocean and walk on the beach)and I figured we would spend more time "relaxing" on Kauai than on Oahu. I was almost convinced to stay at the Waipouli Beach Condos until I realized that it would be just as expensive as the Hyatt by the time I paid the "clean out" fees that all the owners on VRBO require. For the pools and the waterslides, I decided on the Hyatt. We have a car rented on Kauai and already have a helicopter tour scheduled. I'm sure that our activities there will be great!

Thanks to all of you, I am no longer worried about where I'm staying; it'll be fine wherever we end up spending each night. I'm thankful for the opportunity to go and blessed to have a healthy family to travel with. I'll post a trip report when we get back so you'll know how wonderful it was!

Thanks again!

We stayed at the RQ Waikiki Sunset a few years back - I posted a review and photos of it on TripAdvisor.com . We loved it, great location, not too expensive, had a full kitchen (we ate in every night except one) and the grocery store was just a few blocks away. I do know, from reading other reviews, that some units are in need of renos/repair, but the one we had was just fine.

jcn - Be sure to have a meal at the Holokai Grill at Waikiki Beachwalk (especially if you end up at the Embassy Suites) - it's on the upper level and has good food and decent (for Waikiki) prices. Also, try the Shorebird in the Outrigger Reef (across from the Embassy)- there are $1 off for breakfast coupons in all the little ad magazines you'll find. It's a great place - right on the beach - open air - at night they have (free) entertainment and you can grill your own food. You can't beat the location and the prices aren't bad. Of course Duke's in the Outrigger is a must (IMO) and a great place to see the sunset. But if you want to go for dinner call for reservations - this place gets PACKED but that adds to the fun (IMO). Also - upstairs from Duke's is the Hula Grill and Chuck's Steakhouse which are both great choices - I love breakfast at Hula Grill - ask to sit on the railing - great view. (I preferred this to the Duke's breakfast buffet - but that's purely my opinion).

There is a neat coffee shop on Ala Moana, just across the street from the HHV - called Wailana's - open 24 hrs and has a great menu and really reasonable prices.

Whether you end up at HHV or Embassy - you'll enjoy Waikiki Beachwalk - it's got lots of shops and it's fun to walk around whether you're buying or just looking.

If you're in Waikiki on Friday or Saturday night, you might enjoy seeing Olomana - they are a local recording group and perform in the Paradise Lounge in the Rainbow Tower of the HHV. Your kids would be welcome there - the lounge is open air, with sofas and comfy chairs - like sitting in someone's living room - the ocean is just outside and you can see it through the "windows" - the music is wonderful. Mostly all in Hawaiian and they give you the history behind each song which is very interesting. Local celebrities and dancers (hula) often stop by and sit-in so it's always fun.

You mention that you folks like history - try and get to the Iolani Palace or the Bishop Museum for a tour (or both) - it's a wonderful way to learn more about Hawaii's unique history. Also - the Moana Hotel has a free tour some afternoons that is very interesting. Whether you do the tour or not, be sure to spend some time on the porch - they have a bunch of rocking chairs that anyone is welcome to sit in and watch the people go by on Kalakaua. Very fun.

Above all - RELAX and have a great trip!

Hi,
I suppose by now you've got all your plans nailed down. Don't second guess yourself any more. Your kids will love Waikiki. They'll be so tired by bedtime that they could probably fall asleep standing in the corner. So many things to do within walking distance. We come from a very small midwest community and spend a week of our Hawaiian vacation every year in Honolulu. The remaining time is spent on Maui, winding down and resting up from all the Honolulu activities. Waikiki is like Mardi Gras for us. We love going up to the "avenue" after dark and watching all the people, the street mimes and sidewalk entertainment. During the day we hop the bus, a shuttle or just walk wherever we need to go. We always sit and watch the surf schools and are amazed at how quickly kids pick it up. The aquarium in the heart of Waikiki is great, too. On weekend nights they have movies on the beach and what an experience that is. Like our old time drive in movies but instead of sitting in your car, you dig a chair in the sand. Watching a movie on the beach, listening to the waves, watching the airplane lights and the stars...ahhhhh. Not to mention the food vendors...smile. The Hilton property is itself like a mini town and your kids will find lots to do there.
Please give us a report when you return and let us know how it went and whether you were pleased with your lodging options. Just have fun! Don't overthing any of it. I know the key to successful travel with kids is being flexible.
Aloha,
Kalena

I don't have an opinion about where to stay - only that, if possible, see more than just Waikiki. For a family, I highly recommend getting up to north shore to see Waimea Bay, the Waimea Falls park, and the Polynesian Cultural Center, including the dinner and evening dance performances. The Kanahoe/Lanakai side of the Island will also give you a very different perspective, as will Hanaumau Bay on the south side.