I am trying to arrange my first trip to Hawaii to celebrate my 40th birthday. My birthday is 10th January 2007 so I would prefer to be in Hawaii then but beginning of December 2006 could be a possibilty if weather better or price cheaper.

I am staying for 7 nights with my fiance and would be looking for a good small 4 star hotel or B+B, no children or very few, on a sandy beach or within walking distance of beach, quiet and intimate, few cafes or restaurants, not bothered about shopping but would like good scenery. Any suggestions would be helpful?

Many Thanks,

Christine from London, England

Definitely go to Kauai..it is not overdeveloped and has some B&Bs and a few nice resorts.It also offers some good snorkeling and beautiful views.

Christie

I'd go with Kauai, as well, in your situation, but ask 10 people and you'll get 11 opinions. Pretty hard to go wrong with any choice.... but if you want quiet, lower costs and an excellent chance at having your own personal beach, consider Molokai! (Just remember to bring some HP sauce from home, and some vinegar for your fries...)

I would have to agree that Kauai would be a good choice. Other options might be Hana on Maui or the Big Island. Avoid Oahu, West and South Maui as these are way too built up - not what I'd call intimate at all. To avoid kids try not to go during school breaks - avoid Dec 15 - Jan 5 and middle 2 weeks in February.

One place on Kauai I can recommend is Hale O Wailele which is a private house on a tropical flower farm. Very quiet, secluded, intimate and nice. It is a drive to the beach but worth being away. Another suggestion would be Poipu Kapili which is in Poipu on the south end of Kauai. The resort does allow kids, but isn't very kid friendly so families avoid it. It is not a hotel or B&B, but a condo. I can't think of any small 4* hotels on Kauai - the Grand Hyatt and Princeville hotels are 4* but are quite large.

Alan

Oahu is the best island. More to do than all of the other islands. And it is the least expensive to visit.

There are isolated beaches and quiet areas on Oahu. It is not "too built up". Honolulu is and Waikiki is part of Honolulu. But outside of that, Oahu is just like the other islands.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34696831

Now that Christine is thoroughly confused, I vote for Kauai. I think it best meets her wants.

That time of year, the height of the rainy season for Kauai, I would book bigisland!

Big Island is so vast and the wetside will be less wet than Kauai anytime of year.

Love Kauai but rediscovered bigisland this past summer and I am hooked.

7 nights only....sorry change my vote for Mauai, less driving. Its small and that is whale season!

All depends on what you like. If you want seclusion, big island! I can't imagine coming as far as you are coming and not exploring volcano AT NIGHT. ALways make sure its flowing first. The drive around the park at sunset will stay in your mind forever!

If you want a mix of all worlds OAHU!..but that does not look like what you are expressing so just mentioning for good measure.

I like Kauai but I never go in winter, wettest spot on earth in the center. The northshore is grand but that time of year may be very stormy, not just rainy. Never gone that time check out average rainfall for January on Yahoo weather. I get weather alerts from Hawaii in my email and the flood watches and storm alerts on Kauai are many in winter and late fall. There is a drier side but its really not the reason most people venture to Kauai. The lush northshore and interior (kokee park) is what most are after. You might not want to explore it with muddy trails or if its just overcast all the time on your 7 day stay?

Ok here is what you do, flip through a few wizard publications and see what pulls you in.

I have taken family to Oahu, Kauai, Bigisland on a few different trips (all in summer months). Everyone likes something different. Sister living close to NYC loved Oahu the most, was quickly bored on outer islands. She also bought diving flippers, walking sticks and hiking shoes she never used, lol.

Country based sister was tearful when we went from Northshore of Kauai to Waikiki. I was equally surprised by this response because Honolulu is metropolitan and a nice transition from 10 days of country. Jarring for others though that want complete solotude, we had kids though?...so yeah I was confused with this response in my mind city adventures were the perfect compliment.

Last sister, another city based in NYC spent all of her time on Kauai but expressed a desire for larger wide open spaces with no people. I would send her next time to the bigisland or even Molokai. She liked Kauai but was desenchanted by popular beaches on the North shore (I would never miss on any trip)that can get crowded.

There is something for everybody on each island. Think and very important, be honest with yourself about what you like. Remember my hiking sister or so she thought LOL if you need a reminder.

Maui or Oahu