(Thanks for the advice to change the title!)

Message: Okay - we are considering a vacation to Hawaii. We'd like to get the best of the following:
Beaches
Accomodations (cool, no bugs, ON the beach, nicely appointed)
Things to do (but mostly snorkle and sit in the sun)
lanai
good food
QUIET and NO KIDS

I think Kauai sounds great, but I'm a little leery of no a/c... we were in Jamaica and were EXTREMELY glad for the little a/c unit in our room. Is it really not that hot (July - September)?

Don't want to spend a huge amount of money for about 10 days (maybe $3,000?). Nice people, GORGEOUS views, lush foilage, animals, sunsets, a condo that allows us to sit on the lanai and sip drinks and then walk RIGHT DOWN to the water (not a long distance)... ummmmmmm, I guess that's it (I'm not picky, am I??)

If Kauai is NOT the best for this, is Maui? What is the best place to stay? What is the best island for a non-tourist, non-kids, romantic, peaceful time?

Thanks all!

KT

You will not be able to escape kids if you go any time during the summer. Maui is the most crowded island for families because of the attractions. The first week of Sept and on will be best. Have stayed at mostly every hotel in Hawaii, my suggestions for quiet would be: Four Seasons BI (may be too expensive though) Fairmont Orchid, Hapuna Beach (though I wasn't wowed by the place) and Turtle Bay resort (bungalows only). I was only in Kauai during the summer and the Hyatt was very crowded with families. But, it is a beautiful resort. You may want to check with travelers that have been there off season as to how the crowds were. Lanai and Molokai are both uncrowded islands but if this is your only shot for Hawaii they may be too remote. My choice would be Kauai for its beauty or the BI. Regarding air, most of the places we have stayed had air, but there is usually a nice cool breeze, esp. at night. Hope this helps.

Go to Kauai Vacation Rentals and check out Cliffs 4 207...newly renovated, wonderful condo with ac. We loved it

Personally I would want A/C in the summer months. A couple of questions for you... does the $3000 include air, if so from where? What is your expectation of beaches? The reason I ask is that I saw your other post on Cat Island and if you're looking for that kind of white powder sand/baby blue water beach, you're going to have a hard time finding it on Kauai. Other than that, it does sound like Kauai fits what you're looking for - quiet, non-touristy, gorgeous lush scenery, good food, and things to do. As far as no kids, I would suggest going mid to late September when the kids are back in school. This is also one of the quietest times on the island.

Your're welcome!

We stayed last summer at the Regency condo in Kauai. One of the fewer condos with a/c and beautifully appointed with granite kitchen, 3 brs, 3 baths.(we traveled with 2 teens) There are smaller units available and the condos are in poipu beach area(walk to beach). Units are only a few yrs. old. We also stayed at the Hyatt Regency which was gorgeous but plenty of families. Maui was beautiful but too commercial. Stayed at the Aston Kanapaali condo on Waikoloa beach. Also stayed on the Big Island at the Hilton Waikoloa. Quiet, gorgeous resort. On oahu, we stayed at the JW Marriott Ihilani , 20 minutes outside of Honolulu. Absolutely loved this place. Best value for the money and if you're looking for privacy this resort offers it. Hope this helps!

Correction: Aston kaanapali on kaanapali beach. Also, Big Island does not offer much in the way of beaches but beautiful resort pools make up for it.

I found the Ihilani to be overrun with unruly kids. Also the pool is very small filled with kids also. Have stayed there 4 times. Has gone down hill terribly. No more. Just my opinion.

Firstly, you're visiting the tropics. Bugs are there, everywhere, but you may or may not see them. The only time we saw a cockroach just happened to be in the most expensive place we've stayed in Hawaii !
For the rest, Molokai could qualify although accomodation choices are not as numerous. Can't offer personal reports but it's on our list
http://www.visitmolokai.com/

Depends on holidays as to what you will deal regarding screaming kids!
Love kids, but then screaming adults at conventions are worse! Bugs? The BIGGEST are on Kauai, including mosquitos AND MAJOR ROACHES!
My choice is Wailea, Maui. Watch out for holidays regarding lots of kids.
Dozens of gorgeous and uncrowded beaches.
The Fairmont, 4 seasons, Maui Prince, Renaissance, are generally kid controlled as they have beaches that are big enough for everyone.The big question is why would one go to a place like Hawaii and want to hhang around a POOL when there are so many chlorine and pee free beaches????!!! The Grand Wailea has a kiddie pool and a water slide that rounds up rowdy kids and adults who are attracted to semi-submerged bars (another issue!). Kaanapali guarantees uncontrolled kid crazies...adults too!
Check with your hotel choice on all the islands for holiday bookings that hit the school vacations.Almost more importantly, check for conventions and special events like "rock concerts" and film or food festivals. Some of these can be fun if you aren't sleep deprived, but the islands do have special events and holidays that can cut into QUIET TIME!Know before you go!
Aloha!!!

4S in the month of June was unbearable with kids. Rowdy, uncontrolled children running around my dinner table swatting birds. 4S Maui has a lot of childrens programs/kids buffets and attracts families.

I feel I also have to mention the family above us whose son practiced his flute every night from the patio. It seems the parents did not want to be bothered with the noise so they subjected the rest of the hotel to it. The sound was soo bad we had to call the front desk. 4S was the worst of all the hotels I have visited with rowdy noise and chaos during the summer.

The closest match to your requirements in Hawaii that I know of is the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on the Big Island. It sits right on a wonderful beach, great offshore snorkeling, has air-conditioned rooms w/ lanais, fantastic food and is QUIET.

Kauai is my favorite of the islands--we stayed at the Princeville Resort which is right on the beach. We had a lanai that faced the magnificent views of the mountains and ocean--you can dine alfresco overlooking same. I don't remember seeing children anywhere. There are hammocks tied between palm trees on the beach...it was heaven and we would go back in a second. For more information check out http://www.princeville.com/index-flash.html Enjoy!

A 10 day vacation for $3000 is not possible if you are staying at either the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel or the Princeville.

Ktkatg, you have asked for the best of everything but you said that you only want to spend $3000 for 10 days. It is not possible to have the best of everything in Hawaii for 10 days on $3000 !!

The poster did not ask for the best of everything. The clear meaning was for the best COMBINATION of factors w/i a budget. And the poster made NO mention of high priced accomodations such as Mauna Kea and Princeville. The question was what is the best bang for the buck. Try the Outrigger in Kauai as one property to fit your needs. There should be many to choose from w/i your budget. There is plenty of good advice here so ignore those who wish to lecture you. Good luck with your plans. Larry.

ktkatg didn't specify whether $3000 was for just a hotel or for the entire vacation. One can certainly get into the MKBH for less than $300/night.

WOW! Have to agree with RUSTY on this one!
If you want "specific" answers, ask specific questions, with specific information.$3000budget...airfare,hotel.meals, car etc????
No lecture intended just good questions.
Then no need to listen to others babble!

I have a beautiful timeshare in Kauai at the Kauai Coast beach resort. It is right on the beach and there are NO mosquitos or roaches. All the units are air conditioned and it is absolutely beautiful! This August will be our third time there and we never regret it! You don't have to be a timeshare owner to stay there. Hope this helps....

For Hawaii, the best way to save money is to rent a condo on the beach for a week and do your own cooking. The restaurants there are much more expensive than in the Bahamas or Carribbean.

One of our favorite places is Napili Bay on Maui but there are many others. We've stayed at Napili for less than $100 per night for a beachfront studio. Check out: http://www.napili-bay.com/ but if you do a search for Napili Bay, you will find other options.

Napili Bay is a beautiful beach with good swimming and boogie boarding. Many units are beachfront and are very reasonable compared to other parts of Maui. You can easily get a condo/car package that would fit your budget. I hate the big hotels and would never go back to them after staying right on the beach at Napili.

If you have a couple of extra nights, then stay at the Maui Prince (the only luxury hotel I would consider) or book a house in Hana for a change of pace.