janefrsin

Fodorites - planning a trip to Hawaii for Thanksgiving with 2 kids (2 and 4 yrs). Would appreciate any advice on where to go (which island)and where to stay. Only been once to Oahu a long time ago b4 kids.

mahoneycutt

"Kids" are always the tough part of the equation for me.

Some families are "go,go,go" while other sit by the pool and enjoy the scenery. At ages 2 and 4, I suspect most of the Hawaii experience will be lost on the kids. Maybe the zoo on Oahu (is it opened on Thanksgiving?).

As to where to stay, that depends on your budget.

I would stay on Oahu and go slow if it was me.

Mike Honeycutt

dusty56438

Oahu has more to see & do than any other island.

Lots of info:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34812564

www.visitmaui.com free brochure

www.mauihawaii.org

www.bigisland.org free brochure

www.kauaidiscovery.com free brochure

www.kauai-hawaii.com

indietraveler2

Here are some good kid attractions in Hawaii: Kauai Children’s Discovery Museum Oahu, Honolulu Zoo Oahu, Waikiki Aquarium, Oahu, The Waikiki Aquarium, Sea Life Park Oahu
Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park Oahu
Dole Plantation, Oahu

I recommend the Makaha Resort near Oahu

kealalani

I suggest you look thru dusy's info and fodors info, and spend a couple of hours at the bookstore looking thru various guidebooks. There are great family friendly resorts on all the islands with kidspools and programs, sitter programs. There are also condos everywhere which are much more convenient for meals, snacking, naps.

Research and come back with more detailed questions. I could suggest finding a condo on Maui in Napali or Kihei for $150 a night or the Grand Wailea for $400 - no kitchen.

Research and choose an island, and come back with more detailed queries.

Good luck!

1JAR

I suggest the Hilton Hawaiian Village timeshares. On the same property as Hilton Hawaiian Village..nice condos, Doorman, can use all teh hotel amenties...can check on VBRO.com. People sell their timeshare weeks..tehy do have balconies and some are quiet high in floors....

kealalani

horrors!!!! I meant dusty!!!! he has the best info!!!! dman stupid typos!!!! sorry friend.

janefrsin

Thanks to all for your advice. I did more research as recommended -read up on all recent posting on this site as it relates to families. So here are the things we are looking for:
- will stay 1-1.5 weeks in Oahu
- hotel/condo that has ready access to beach (right outside or across street)
- rates less than $150 per night
- timing would prefer around Thanksgiving but open to suggestions for better times as long as before end of year for best hotel/airfare rates.
Thanks again, Jane

MelissaHI

hmmmmm I'm not sure that you can get a good beachfront hotel at that rate...not for Thanksgiving. you may want to check hotel rates for September -- rates go down then.

want2go

For "oceanfront" rooms in Waikiki the best rate I found was using entertainment card rate at Waikiki Beach Hotel... Resortquest. It would be worth seeing what the rates are when you travel. It's right across the street from Waikiki Beach... but with a direct oceanview for the rooms located in the front part of the hotel.

I loved the Hawaiiana feel... rooms were small but nicely decorated. O/F Rooms ending in numbers 29 (Diamond Head side) and 34 are bigger... oceanfront suite???... might be worth price for the space. The have a nice breakfast buffet "to go"... and give you small coolers to take it with you. When we were there they gave kids a small beach bag, beach ball and sand bucket with shovel.

If you decide on Oahu, in early Dec., you can drive to north shore and watch professional surfing competition on HUGE waves... while the kids play in the sand. It is an amazing thing to see. We were there once... and have wanted to go again... but our trips are always the wrong time of year!

With all the great info folks offer here... you are bound to have a great trip! Keep us posted with your decisions... and a review when you get home!