Hawaii Honeymoon Help
May 3rd, 2011, 05:33 AM
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Hawaii Honeymoon Help
My fiance and I are planning our honeymoon to Hawaii in October. We need some suggestions on which 2 islands to visit. We have both been to Maui (which we would consider going back to), but do not care for Honolulu. We are in our mid-30s, love to drink wine and go out to dinner (I'd consider us foodies). It would be nice if there some nightlife (not clubs) i.e. bars/lounges we could go to. We would also like to rent a car to explore the islands, but aren't sure what each island has to offer. I would appreciate anyone's advice on which islands to visit and on where to stay - one side of the island vs. another and any hotel recommendations. Thanks for you help!
May 3rd, 2011, 05:58 AM
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Just a follow up: we are looking for a relaxing beach vacation; we would like to snorkel or take a helicopter ride over the island. We don't want to necessarily go to a dude ranch or visit a winery, but we would like to take long walks, and scenic drives around the island and look at volcanos, wildlife, etc.
For accomodations, we would like a "luxe" hotel. We don't take a lot of vacations, so we want this one to be memorable. Thanks!
For accomodations, we would like a "luxe" hotel. We don't take a lot of vacations, so we want this one to be memorable. Thanks!
May 3rd, 2011, 08:58 AM
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Except for the nightlife part (there isn't any to speak of, except, I suppose, in the hotels) and the foodie part (Hawaii in general is not "fit for foodies" -- there are pretty good restaurants, but not really anything to write home about), what you've described is Kauai, and if you want a luxe hotel, look at Koa Kea in the Poipu Beach area (couple of years old deluxe boutique hotel). People also love the Hyatt, which is more of a big resort hotel.
Kauai is gorgeous, fantastic for relaxing at the beach/pool, walks, hiking, views (Waimea Canyon), boat trips, helicopter trips, different areas to drive around (south, east, north). Many people on here recommend the north for its lushness, and there is a new St. Regis up there, so you might want to look at that, too.
Kauai is gorgeous, fantastic for relaxing at the beach/pool, walks, hiking, views (Waimea Canyon), boat trips, helicopter trips, different areas to drive around (south, east, north). Many people on here recommend the north for its lushness, and there is a new St. Regis up there, so you might want to look at that, too.
May 3rd, 2011, 09:10 AM
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And the other week could be on Kauai.
The Hyatt is a big hotel with a complex pool system, and very much targeted to wedding parties and honeymooners. However, the beach there is unswimmable because the surf is rough and the entry is steep, so it reduces it's attractiveness to me. I want to be in the water outside my hotel, not in a pool.
The Princeville Resort is in an absolutely spectactular location with the best view in Hawaii. The hotel is a bit over-ostentatious, but still very luxurious.
The Hyatt is a big hotel with a complex pool system, and very much targeted to wedding parties and honeymooners. However, the beach there is unswimmable because the surf is rough and the entry is steep, so it reduces it's attractiveness to me. I want to be in the water outside my hotel, not in a pool.
The Princeville Resort is in an absolutely spectactular location with the best view in Hawaii. The hotel is a bit over-ostentatious, but still very luxurious.
May 7th, 2011, 10:26 PM
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My two (or maybe ten! Haha!) cents from one foodie to another:
For the really relaxing part of your trip -- Kauai
Stay at the Koa Kea in Kauai. If you look at my profile info, you'll see its one of my favorite hotels anywhere. It's very small & intimate, but just glorious. The restaurant (Red Salt) is excellent, plush beds, gorgeous pool / spa area. Impeccable service. It is beachfront, but the area directly in front is a bit rocky (i.e. snorkel spot) so you do need to walk maybe 50 yards to the right or left for a sandy spot to lay out. I've also stayed at Princeville, which I also really like and does have a magnificent view, but it's much bigger than the Koa Kea and on the north shore which can be rainier. It's also been renovated in the past few years and is more luxe than Hawaiiana in my opinion. That said, you should definitely plan a day trip to the north shore. Stop for lunch at Princeville, meander around Hanalei, have dinner at Postcards Cafe (seriously, don't miss this place if you are foodies). Take a tour of the Allerton Gardens. You will not be disappointed.
For the relaxing part of the trip -- Maui
Personally, I'd stay at the Four Seasons. It's what I'd call mildly Hawaiian (that is, it's more luxe than Hawaiian feeling), but it's small & just beautiful. Beachside and not as massive as the Grand Wailea. Also like the Grand Wailea but it is massive and lots of families. I've also stayed on the Kaanapali side, but that is a really busy strip of massive hotels.
You will also find that when you stay at the luxe hotels, the concierge will absolutely direct you to outstanding, worthy-of-a-foodie restaurants.
Few random thoughts on other islands. In my opinion, the Big Island is not very pretty as compared to the other islands and very little to do, except see an active volcano, which was awesome but only an afternoon of fun. I always wanted to go to the Big Island and was disappointed when I finally did. Oahu is not my scene either. Very crowded and busy. Lanai is lovely, but its very quiet. There's golfing and a really nice beach but you are limited to two hotels (one at the beach, the other upcountry). It's also somewhat difficult to get there (small plane or ferry from Maui).
SO JEALOUS! Have an awesome time.
For the really relaxing part of your trip -- Kauai
Stay at the Koa Kea in Kauai. If you look at my profile info, you'll see its one of my favorite hotels anywhere. It's very small & intimate, but just glorious. The restaurant (Red Salt) is excellent, plush beds, gorgeous pool / spa area. Impeccable service. It is beachfront, but the area directly in front is a bit rocky (i.e. snorkel spot) so you do need to walk maybe 50 yards to the right or left for a sandy spot to lay out. I've also stayed at Princeville, which I also really like and does have a magnificent view, but it's much bigger than the Koa Kea and on the north shore which can be rainier. It's also been renovated in the past few years and is more luxe than Hawaiiana in my opinion. That said, you should definitely plan a day trip to the north shore. Stop for lunch at Princeville, meander around Hanalei, have dinner at Postcards Cafe (seriously, don't miss this place if you are foodies). Take a tour of the Allerton Gardens. You will not be disappointed.
For the relaxing part of the trip -- Maui
Personally, I'd stay at the Four Seasons. It's what I'd call mildly Hawaiian (that is, it's more luxe than Hawaiian feeling), but it's small & just beautiful. Beachside and not as massive as the Grand Wailea. Also like the Grand Wailea but it is massive and lots of families. I've also stayed on the Kaanapali side, but that is a really busy strip of massive hotels.
You will also find that when you stay at the luxe hotels, the concierge will absolutely direct you to outstanding, worthy-of-a-foodie restaurants.
Few random thoughts on other islands. In my opinion, the Big Island is not very pretty as compared to the other islands and very little to do, except see an active volcano, which was awesome but only an afternoon of fun. I always wanted to go to the Big Island and was disappointed when I finally did. Oahu is not my scene either. Very crowded and busy. Lanai is lovely, but its very quiet. There's golfing and a really nice beach but you are limited to two hotels (one at the beach, the other upcountry). It's also somewhat difficult to get there (small plane or ferry from Maui).
SO JEALOUS! Have an awesome time.
May 9th, 2011, 07:41 AM
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I got married last year and went to Kauai for our honeymoon and it was the best decision ever. Kauai is also known as the honeymooner's island because it is so romantic and has the most sand beaches of all the islands. We stayed at the Kauai Marriott and it was amazing. We arrived a week after they finished their remodel and the hotel was beautiful (another plus for us was they were filming Pirates of the Caribbean 4 while we were there and the entire cast & crew were staying at the Kauai Marriott so it was pretty neat cause we saw alot of celebrities). Kauai was BEAUTIFUL! Lots of great beaches and plenty of secluded waterfalls/beaches that we went to. Plus, the helicopter tour of the island was great! We got to get a close-up view of the Na Pali Coast and WOW amazing! We also had the chance to do plenty of hiking and there was so much beauty we couldnt get enough of it. We also got the chance to do a catamaran boat tour around the island which was also amazing- the company we used also offered sunset dinner excursions. But i will admit there was barely any nightlife. Next to the Kauai Marriott they had a mini-boardwalk with plenty of great restaurants and it was easily accesible via walking a short 5 minutes to it along the beach. I've been to Oahu and Kauai is wayyyyy more romantic and also exciting. We are already planning another trip to go back! Whatever island you decide to visit is fine though- Hawaii in general is breathtaking!
