Author: VitaAnn
Date: 11/14/2004, 11:49 am
Message: Have stayed at many resorts, including serveralk Sandals in the carribean.

Interested in Hawaii, preferably both Maui and Kaui in August 2005 for honeymoon.

What hotels do you consider the best on both islands? Looking for very romantic, clean, updated, elegant and friendly. Great beaches, beautiful and tropical oceanview rooms.

At sandals we have always stayed in the swim up lagoon rooms, or a room with a private pool- we really want something similar in Hawaii if available.

Thanks!

Hawaii and the Caribbean are very different on many levels. The types of resorts are one of the differences. Hawaii has many of the top large resorts in the world, with outstanding rooms, top notch service, great food, at a reasonable price. By contrast the Caribbean has very few resorts which get close to the quality available in Hawaii, and the service and food at most Caribbean resorts would be mediocre to poor in Hawaii. And no Sandals in Hawaii (which I think is a good thing).
The Caribbean's advantages over Hawaii are that the best beaches in the Caribe are much better than the best in Hawaii for sand quality, water temp, water clarity, and beach drop off rate. Many of the Caribbean islands have a distinct cultural flavor which is more exotic feeling than Hawaii's, though much of the island culture in Hawaii is very distinct and enjoyable relative to the mainland US. Just not as exotic as, say, St. Bart's.
Maui's best resorts are the Ritz-Kapalua, Four Seasons, Fairmont Kea Lani, and Grand Wailea.
Kauai's are the Princeville Resort and Hyatt. No private pools at any of these that I can recall.

The Fairmont Kea Lani has villas with private plunge pools. The nightly rack rates are around $1,500 and up. Great beach too. www.fairmont.com

1,500 per night is a bit out of my leauge.

am i going to be disapointed with the beaches of maui and kauai, compared to the caribbean?

To what beaches will you be comparing?
Hawaii has many nice beaches, but for people who are used to the stellar beaches on Turks & Caicos, Anguilla, St. John, etc, Hawaii will be a change of flavor. Whether or not you'd be disappointed depends on what you're expecting and what you require.

Well, I have been to Grand Cayman and Anguilla, and Maui, Kauai and Oahu. I agree that the beaches in the Carib are very different than in Hawaii, and though I LOVE Hawaii, it's my opinion that the Carib has the most stunning beaches I've ever seen. Will you be disappointed? It all depends on your attitude when you go! Really, how bad can it be when you're on a beach in paradise??! I think you will love Hawaii. The culture is so different from the Carib, and is wonderful. Hawaiian beaches are gorgeous, too, just don't expect the white sand and green/turqoise water you see in the Carib. Hawaii is more "sand"-colored beaches with very blue water. They're different, but both are fantastic places to be. Sure beats San Jose, CA.... Enjoy!

If you just want to stay at a resort and relax on the beach or by the pool, I would suggest that you return to the Caribbean.
If you are interested in a more active vacation that could include exploring, checking out several beaches, being wowed by cliffs that drop into the ocean, swimming under a waterfall, biking down a volcano, whale watching in winter, hiking, kayaking etc.---then I think you should visit Hawaii.

Won't see any live humpback whales in the wild in Hawaii in August. I'll bet that it rains much less in Hawaii in August than in much of the caribbean then.
I've been both areas many times and vastly prefer Hawaii for long vacations. More to do (and prettier) out of the water, though you won't find legalized gambling. 'Course, nothing compares to the exhiliration of the nuptial sweepstakes you are entering.