Hawaii
 

We have got 4-5 nights in Hawaii before taking a cruise. Any suggestions for accom. and must do's for first timers in Hawaii?

It will be in Sept. 2013. I forgot to mention that detail.

Is the cruise from Honolulu?

Which island are you interested in?

It would help if you let us know your budget, which Island you will be on and what you like - Do you need ocean view, condo or hotel, are you hikers, sun bathers, surfers, snorkelers, beach people, bike riders? More info needed....Look forward to another post from you.....

The cruise leaves from Honolulu. So probably Oahu. We have been advised to stay in a hotel along the road beside the beach as we would be close to shopping/ restaurants. Ocean views would be nice. Mid range price. We thought we might hire a car to see the island.We just want to experience the island as tourists- sight seeing, shopping, eating, some swimming, tours perhaps. We are not focusing on anything in particular as we are not surfers, hikers, bike riders. We live close to the beach in Australia so we don't plan on lazing around the beach. We'll probably be on the go as a cruise will be slow paced.

Here's a couple of suggestions--
A tour I suggest is of Shangri-la, Doris Duke's house on the shore close to Diamond Head--a fantastic location and the unbelievable collection of Islamic art. You would need reservations because the tours are limited and they do sell out--http://www.honoluluacademy.org/385-about_shangri_la

If you want to visit Pearl Harbor, here is the website for advance tickets--
http://www.recreation.gov/unifSearch...abIndex=Search

I would rent a car and drive the island. It's one road all the way around, stop and watch the surfers on the north shore. A day rental should do it! You can take a taxi to Pearl Habor and the Arizona.

shangri La is incredibly beautiful and so intersting to see all that she collected and her house - wow. I encourage you to see that--but reservations are a must. Driving around the island is also a great thing to do as it is entirely different than Waikiki area.Ionlani Palace has been updated and the bishop Museum give you great history of the area..

Hotels: Marriott, Hyatt regency, Moana surfrider, royal hawaiian have some great ocean views but the last 2 will cost you an arm and a leg. marriott and Hyatt both have lanais that face the ocean and are very nice hotels. Also several Outrigger - the reef is right on the beach.. Busier is the Hilton hawaiian village but lots to do on the grounds and it has a lovely pool area but LOTS of kids. we had a walking book for Honolulu and found that interesting - walked Chinatown and Kapiolani Park area and the downtown area including historic buildings. You can get to the Arizona and pearl Harbor area by bus as well. EARLY EARLY EARLY as I think it is still first come first served and you can wait quite awhile. You might check online because they might be taking reservations now. Not sure on that. SHOPPING all along Kalakaua and there is the Ala Moana shopping center and the wards shopping center and the one at the Aloha Tower. there is a flea market at the Aloha Stadium but it might take several transfers by bus so a car might be good for that as well. you might put that in with the drive around the island.

some great hawaiian music can be found at the Marriott pool side at night. Friday at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.... semi reasonable restaurants - Tiki Grill, Hula girl, Chucks, shore bird - grill your own steak, fish, chicken and salad bar.... There are several early bird specials which will keep the cost down some.

sorry it posted before I ws done. Free hula shows at the royal hawaiian shopping cener on kalakaua. $4.00 martini's at the top of the waikiki - revolving restauraant with incredible views over waikiki. several of the hotls have happy Hour for pu pu's and reduced prices on drinks....There are some "hole in the wall" type eateries on Kuhio near the back side of the International shopping Center....NOW that is an intersting place to browse!!

I thought you could get Pearl harbor/Arizona tour reservations now?

I am also planning on going to Hawaii and thanks to all of you, I got all the necessary information I needed. What actually prompted me to visit the place is the people's known hospitality and their rich culture.

As I posted above, you can now get advance tickets to Pearl Harbor. Here is the website for advance tickets--
http://www.recreation.gov/unifSearch...abIndex=Search

You need to get there 1 hour before your reserved tour time to pick up your tickets.

thanks Martym for the info on resevations for Pearl Harbor.. read that was in the works but didn't know it was up and running. Love this forum - learn so much....

For a beachfront hotel in Waikiki midpriced look at the Outrigger Reef or Outrigger Waikiki. But if you don't need to be right ON the beach there are many hotels a block or two away, but being high-rise still offer great ocean views, and will get you a bit more for your money. Since you don't care about the beach so much, I'd suggest that.

You can also reserve your audio tour of Pearl Harbour at the same time you book your tour on line. Get there a a least 45 minutes earlier and you will have time to look through the two museums before you start the tour.

For a great ocean view the Wakiki Marina hotel/apartments from the upper floors are uninterupted.

When we were in Honolulu in Feb we rented a condo at the Ilikai Marina building through VRBO. http://www.vrbo.com/148073 It was very nice. The photos are accurate.

Here are a couple of others listed on VRBO. There are many, many more in all price ranges. http://www.vrbo.com/90487 http://www.vrbo.com/110657

Each unit has a tiny balcony from which you can see Duke’s Lagoon, which is in front of the Hilton Hawaiian Village complex. It’s an easy walk from the Ilikai Marina building to the beach walk that goes along Waikiki.

my objection to the Ilikai Marina is that the lights from the parking lot r so bright! great view during the day but at night not so good as you look right at the parking lot if that is important to you. I stayed at the new Waikikian at the HHV a year ago and unfortunately my unit faced the Ilikai prking lot.

I don't remember looking at a parking lot when we were on our balcony at the Ilikai Marina --we overlooked the marina??? Perhaps the parking lot was at the Ilikai Hotel and Suites building which is between the Ilikai Marina and HHV?? That facility is next door to the Waikikian.