Plan on visiting Hawaii for 3+ weeks this October, visiting 2-3 islands and staying 1 week per island. No set itinerary yet, but do plan on staying in 1 place per island, and doing doing day trips from that base. The only place I know I wont be staying (may visit but not spending an evening) is Honolulu.
I don't need beach front. I've never been there before and know the prices are steep, but is it reasonable to think 2 people could rent a place for $200/day or perhaps $1,200/week? Would that get us at least a 3 star hotel, or a small condo or apartment unit?
What site is the best to use for looking up places? Booking.com, Travelocity, VBRO, etc.
Thank you

No contest, you'll want a rental, which with your budget, probably means a condo. Besides the extra room and the convenience of a kitchen (which can save you a bundle on food), many condos also have in-unit clothes washer/dryers, so you only have to pack for a few days rather than 3 weeks. And October isn't a particularly busy month, so your budget should be fine, and in some cases, get you beach or oceanfront perhaps.

But before you look for lodging, you need to figure out which islands to visit. And for that, there are quizzes you can Google, and/or pick up a copy of Hawaii for Dummies. Or, just pick Kaua'i, the island that probably best fits what you imagine Hawaii to be.

I'm a big fan of condos and 'home away from home' in Hawaii. Many resort condos offer everything you have at a hotel except room service. (That's your condo fridge.) They also infrequently have parking or resort fees, and they lack those outstretched palms around every corner of a hotel. You will save on meals and drinks and can pack light because you'll have a washer/dryer.

Condos work best for stays of a week or more. You can rent from an agency or from an owner (VRBO). CALL any owner to be certain the ad hasn't been phished by some guy in Liberia! (This *rarely* happens, but still...) Find out who will be your on-island contact if you have a problem at the condo. (A/C breaks, plumbing leak, etc.)

Most first-time visitors to Hawaii enjoy a few days in Honolulu to take in the 'scene' that is Waikiki; to see Pearl Harbor and Punchbowl; to spend a day driving around the typically tropical and gorgeous island outside of the city. You will also be spending Day One adjusting to the time change. Most, best flights will arrive HNL anyway. I look for a widebody nonstop for the longest leg and avoid 757's and west coast connections.

The one island per week is OK, but some places require more or less time. For example, Big Island of Hawaii works best with two locations -- if you want both sunny beaches (NW on the Kohala Coast) and to see the volcanoes (SE). Plan to fly into KOA and out of ITO or the reverse. Kauai is *small* and feels even smaller since you can't see much of this largely vertical island except from a boat, plane or helicopter.

Realize that every 'hop' between islands will eat about half a day, door to door, and cost about $100 pp one way. Use Hawaiian Airlines. Put all your flights on a single ticket to avoid hassles with luggage and having to change tickets due to any schedule changes.

October is a pleasant month, and your lodging budget is good.

This forum and the one at TripAdvisor are your best sources of good info from people who have been visiting Hawaii for ages -- even living here in some cases. (I'm at our place on Maui now, but just for two months!)

We stay more at hotels than condos, but often take 1 of each for a 2 week trip.
Oahu is a must to visit, but we generally avoid Waikiki. Our favorite place on Oahu is Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore. The hotel might be over your budget, but there are lots of Condos there. You could book on VRBO, but I would go with one of the condo rental agencies there. Why? Well, we have stayed in the condos 3 times, and the last time we were given 5 keys, and told to pick what place we preferred of the 5, and the prices were identical, and reasonable. We had a great stay. They had 3 price ranges available, we went middle.
I'll go along with going to 1 (major) island per week, that always works for us. We also have spent 3 nights on Lanai, and did a day trip to Molokai. All islands are unique, and all worth a visit.
Our ranking of the islands, which is strictly personal preference, is Oahu, Maui/Kauai (tied), then Big Island.

Since you say you won't stay in Honolulu, are you visiting Oahu? I can't tell from your post.

There's a lot more to Oahu than downtown Honolulu and Waikiki; some really great beaches and other things to see and do. I know it's great to lie back and watch all those swaying palm trees but sometimes you need some more stimulation. Hawaii is not just "The Valley Isle" etc., but I also realize you have to be realistic in what you can in a certain period of time.

condo for sure. I like the extra room and you don't have to eat every meal out which will save on the budget and waist line! Every place we have rented has had a grilling area which is nice to have. Also Great to have a lanai to sit and have cocktail, wine, breakfast or pupus. For me being in Hawaii I HAVE to have an ocean view but that is my personal preference. 1 week on each island is great. Long flight from East Coast to Hawaii so I would definitely spend the night on Oahu unless you can get a direct flight to one of the other islands. have been to Big Island and do not feel it is necessary to divide time between Hilo and Kona side. You will need a car there and on Kauai and you can drive around to the places you want to see. Kauai...Poipu or Northshore areas to stay - best beaches. Not a fan of Maui so cannot help you there. have used VRBO many many times for good rentals

<For me being in Hawaii I HAVE to have an ocean view but that is my personal preference>

Shar, For me it's not about "preference"... I can't afford one!

shar - why don't you like Maui?????

As noted - you should be able to get good deals in October - and depending on how you want to do it - yes, a weekly rate is usually best - but three or four nights at a place can also work.

If it was me - I would start in Honolulu/Waikiki - spend about 2 or 3 days there (including visiting beautiful Hanauma Bay) - and then a couple/three perhaps up at the beautiful North Shore - and we like Turtle Bay resort - but there are also private places over by Haleiwa/Waimea Bay.

From there - it's all up to you and while we also love Maui (Suze can provide tons of info) - our two favorites are Kauai and Big Island.

For BI - I would fly into Hilo from Oahu - stay a couple days/nights on that side - exploring the Volcano (maybe even stay up at Volcano Village), and Akaka Falls/the lush side of the island - and then transfer over to either a condo or one of the big resorts north of Kona for the rest of my Big Island time.

I would kick back at the end on the incredibly lush North Shore of Kauai (also called the Garden Isle as it gets the most rain) - and start checking out the condos at the Cliffs Club in Princeville - and also read Songdoc's many threads - as he really knows other options there and in and around Hanalei.

A private home on the beach at or beyond Hanalei would also be a super way to end your stay in Paradise.

millie2112.....have been to Maui twice and it doesn't have the beauty or the lure for me that Kauai has. I find too many t shirt shops on Maui or at least that is what is was the last time I was there, too many high rises too. In all fairness it has been a long time (like 15 years at least) since I was there but I imagine there are even more high rises and t shirt shops. One of the things I like about Kauai besides the sheer beauty of it is the lack of shopping centers.

Thanks everyone for the input to date. It's one of those "1st time visiting" dilemmas. We want to see as much as possible, while also leaving times to just relax. Going to 3 islands in 3+ weeks sounds doable, but I envision lots of wastedtime at airports and car rental counters, etc. I'll read thru these suggestions again and see where we shoukd tweak our travel plans

Shar -- When you describe "Maui" you are describing "Kaanapali/Lahaina" on Maui. We prefer the two 'ends' with low-rise, low-density condos on big, landscaped properties: In Wailea and Napili/Kapalua. (Actually, we are in South Kihei, thisclose to the border with more expensive Wailea.)

I'm a fan of Kauai and Big Island too. An uncle of mine moved to Lihue after his discharge following WWII. He would say there are too many T-Shirt shops on Kauai now! LOL

ECCGuy -- I think you will arrive, relax, get on Island Time, soak up some Aloha, and -- on the side -- do some sightseeing. Start with some days on Oahu; I'd mostly do 'city' there because you'll have 'other' on other islands. You might skip Maui to have even more time for unique Big Island, then wind down to barely moving on the northern shore of Kauai. (I wouldn't end with Waikiki.)

Did we mention the NCL cruise that departs Honolulu every Saturday afternoon? You'd see 'highlights' of Kauai, Big Island and Maui, then you could stay another two weeks on one or two islands. This isn't an elaborate cruise, but the only sane way to see so much in a short time with room, board, transportation, and either ship's tours or rent-a-car for DIY touring. A cheaper cabin, low bar tab, and, voila! You've seen a lot without unpacking. (We cruised the Caribbean before selecting islands we wanted to revisit for longer stays.)

We've been to Kauai eight times and have seen a lot of the island and have never felt the need take a Helicopter ride. The one boat trip I did take was not worth it as the ocean was really rough. A boat full of vomiting people was not the vision of paradise I had imagined before the trip. There is plenty on Kauai to explore by car, foot, horse and bicycle.

Everyone has their own opinions about the various islands.

I love Maui. It has some of the most beautiful beaches and landscapes in all of the islands. The "over commercialized" rap is unfair and often times uninformed. It is the second most populated island of the main four and it manages to carry that off with beauty and grace. We leave for our February stay in three weeks and can't wait to drive down to the beaches in Makena, the jungle on the windward side of Haleakala and up country.

The locations in Maui that popped into my mind first with regards to your budget is one of the low rise condos on Napili Bay or perhaps a condo at Grand Champions in Wailea. GC are a great value.

"A private home on the beach at or beyond Hanalei would also be a super way to end your stay in Paradise. "

$1200/$1400 a week won't get you a beachfront rental in Hanalei or beyond as tomsd suggests, however there are some cottage rentals in Hanalei and Haena that would fit your budget, but it would be cutting it close. Check for condos in Princeville, Kapa'a and Poipu.

martym is a fodorite who visits the BI often. Search here for marty's trip reports and postings on the BI. This is a well-informed traveler to the BI.

Have a great trip.

wekewoody, thanks for the kind words--just 26 days til wheels down Kona.

First of all, eastcoastcanadaguy, you asked in your other thread about ways to plan flights between islands to avoid unnecessary costs and time delays. I’m not sure what information I can give you to help with that. The flights cost what they cost (we fly Hawaiian airlines when changing islands) and they require that you arrive early enough to go through airport security prior to your flight. Start checking prices now and don’t wait too long—sometimes flights sell out. Then when you arrive at your new location, pick up luggage and get the rental car before heading off to your lodging. (Or as we do--DH goes immediately to the pick up the car and I get the luggage and am waiting outside the terminal when he returns—saves a little time). Hawaiian Airlines has non-stops from Honolulu to Kona and Hilo (Big Island), Kahalui (Maui), Lihue (Kauai) but when traveling from one outer island to another all flights go through Honolulu. It is also possible to get flights to the mainland from Kauai, Big Island and Maui without having to go through Honolulu (two years ago we flew into Honolulu for 4 days at the beginning of our trip, then flew to Kona for 3 weeks and flew home from Kona (KOA-SFO-DEN).

As far as places to stay on the Big Island, we have stayed in a hotel 1 night in our 22 trips there and that was a motel in Waimea because we arrived late in the evening. So I really can’t advise on hotels—we’ve been to the beaches in Kohala where most of the resorts are located and the resorts are really beautiful but we prefer staying in rentals.

We usually spend a few nights at our favorite B and B located between the Honoka’a and Waipio Valley- www.waipiowayside.com and usually take a day trip to Hawi—on the northern tip of the Big Island—and have lunch at either the Bamboo Café http://www.bamboorestaurant.info/ or Sushi Rock. From that location, we’ve also enjoyed the vanilla luncheon at the Hawaiian Vanilla Company http://www.hawaiianvanilla.com/ , tea tasting at Onomea Tea Company http://www.onotea.com/and in a few weeks we’re going to tour the Hamakua Mushroom facility http://hamakuamushrooms.com/. And we do our splurge dinner at Merrimans in Waimea when we're there http://www.merrimanshawaii.com/waimea/

We also like staying on the east side of the island for a few days to enjoy the tidepools in the Puna district which also allows easy access to Volcano and Kilauea (about a 45 minute drive). We usually stay at Lagoon House www.lagoonhouse.com though there are smaller rentals in the gated community – here is one that is ideally located http://www.vrbo.com/100492

We spend the majority of our time in south Kona—more laid back and quieter than Kailua-Kona and less expensive than the Kohala resorts—but still only about 20 minutes or so from Kailua town. Here are some places we have stayed and I would recommend any of them.
This studio apartment is very clean and comfortable and a quick drive down to some of the best snorkeling spots on Hawaii http://www.vrbo.com/293127
Maka Nui cottage—very private, great view of the coast 10 minutes from Kealakekua Bay http://www.vrbo.com/141871 Lately we’ve been staying at the main house on the estate—luxurious and comfortable. http://www.vrbo.com/343436

Several years ago we stayed here, Mango Farm Guest House http://www.konamangofarm.com/ comfortable, with a lovely lanai and a wonderful view. While we have not stayed here, appears the location is primo http://www.vrbo.com/306573
If you want to stay in Kailua-Kona, this condo is owned by the people we rented a condo from when we were in Honolulu. That condo was lovely, and well located just to the west of Waikiki. http://www.vrbo.com/global/siteFrame.aspx?l=148073&k=1

Once you know your dates, I suggest arrange your rental cars – I usually use Costco (if you’re a member) or http://www.discounthawaiicarrental.com Get the best deal you can that can be cancelled and keep checking for a better price—don’t wait to the last minute – they can sell out.

wekewoody -- Welcome home to Maui...soon! The mammoth surf is dying down now -- can't tell how much sand may have been pulled off the beaches yet. Really nice to hear someone *else* here who also appreciates 'an end' of the island like we do. (In our 17th year of staying Maui for several weeks in winter; 14th year owning near the South Kihei/Wailea border.)

I like the Lonely Planet’s coverage of Hawaii http://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/hawaii/places and they have a lot of information on places to stay, although with an emphasis on hotels and resorts. I agree with the other people saying that a condo or apartment is the way to go – the facilities you get and the space are ideal when you are on a budget and you don’t want to spend every day eating out. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/hawa...stay-in-hawaii The islands you choose depend very much on your personal preference – think about the atmosphere you want to enjoy and also the activities you like (or maybe you just want to chill out and not do much.) For a first trip you may make a few mistakes but you’ll also find some gems and I guarantee you’ll be back to check out more!

As you sequence your trip, remember that Ironman is the 12th? of October so your best bet is to avoid the Big Island entirely then or spend your BI time on the Hilo side until the Ironman madness subsides.

I am a big fan of the condos up in Kohala. Close to great beaches and good restaurants, new with lots of amenities.

Happy planning.

taitai--looks like the Ironman is Oct 11, 2014. Good advice to avoid Kona side during that time.

Rental cars often sell out on the island of Hawaii during the Ironman, so if you do plan to be there, book early! You can always cancel if you decide to skip it.