I've stayed in Maui with and without a car. Depends on what you want to do. If you want to explore the island, then you need a car. But if you stay for instance in the Kaanapali area, it isn't necessary to have a car. There are restaurants walking distance from most of the hotels there and Lahaina is a short taxi or bus ride away. It's not on your list but if you are considering the Sheraton Maui, which is at the far end of Kaanapali, I'd also consider the Hyatt Regency. I can't comment on the hotels you list specifically as I have not stayed at any of your potential choices.

You're narrowing it down, which is good. As for Koa Kea and the Sheraton, actually Kiahuna Plantation is in-between them, but they're all on the same beach. If the Sheraton has been redone (I think someone said that upthread) and the price is good, that would be a good choice, because it's on a great beach, and has some decent restaurants across the street (plus others in Poipu should you decide to rent a car).

I think the best food on the Big Island is at Four Seasons Hualalai and in the town of Waimea, both 20 - 25 minutes from the Fairmont Orchid. Besides those and the restaurants at the Fairmont and Mauna Lani hotels, there are other choices at Mauna Lani Shops (Monsterra is a good one), Waikoloa Beach Resort, 10 minutes south, and Mauna Kea Resort, 10 minutes north.

Since you're considering Fairmont Orchid, any reason to not consider the Mauna Lani Hotel? It's older, but I think the nicer of the two, and it has a slightly better location.

I should add, if you do go to Kauai, it would be a shame not to get a car, since the island is soooooo beautiful - to the west, the Kalalau lookout, and to the north, one gorgeous beach after another, plus the charming little town of Hanalei.

I think the OP has decided to rent a car which is a good idea. I like the Sheraton Kauai and read elsewhere it was remodeled about 1.5 years ago or so, just make sure not to rent the garden view rooms across the street. Enjoy whatever your final choice is.

With regards the Kauai north shore properties and value...It sounded like you valued having a beach. The Westin does not have a beach. St. Regis does.

Sheraton Kaui would be the better value than the Koa Kea again because you value the beach and the Sheraton has much better access to a lovely beach. You can access the beach from Koa Kea, but it is off the side of the resort.

The Marriott and Kiahuna Plantation are between Koa Kea and the Sheraton. They are not right next to each other, but are in the same general area.

Ok these last few comments have helped quite a bit, thanks. The only two that I don't have too much feedback on are the following:

Fairmont Kea Lani
Kahala Hotel & Resort

My sense is that the baseline room at the Kahala is in my price range and the rooms seem nice, but there seem to be a lot of add on fees. However it is 5 star, has anyone stayed here and can attest to their favorable rating?

Fairmont Kea Lani looks like they are suites which I think will eliminate this one for me probably unless someone can make a case that it is worth keeping. But the price point doesn't appear to be worth what I would be getting.

Thanks again so much everyone for the feedback. I believe I have it narrowed down enough now that I can make an intelligent decision with a place that matches what I am looking for. Couldn't have done it without everyone's feedback!

The Westin does not have a beach. St. Regis does

Which is about 200 steps up and down. Just want to be sure the OP is aware.

Why would the Kea Lani suites be a deal breaker? We have stayed there before and really enjoyed it. Love the area. It is next door to the Four Seasons and another hotel or so down from the Grand Wailea.

I thought the Sheraton on Kaui was lovely - we went pre-renovation 4 years ago and our room, which was on a corner, was huge! The Koa Kea was more modern, new and boutique-y. It also seemed to be more of a couples hotel. Although the Sheraton had more families, it never felt crowded. Poipu beach had good snorkeling and it was calm and warm in January. We saw monk seals too!

The Fairmont Orchid on the BI is great - the grounds are gorgeous, the service is top notch and we had a great meal at Brown's Beach House during sunset. We didn't stay there but we did walk around and take pictures around their lagoon/beach area. It's not too far from Waikoloa or the Waikoloa Beach resort or Waimea, where there are more dining options. And to Kona I think it was 25 minutes.

On Oahu - I think the Kahala is beautiful, but you are a bit further away from all the dining options in Waikiki/Honolulu, maybe a 20 min drive - so a car would be ideal.

It may be just me, but if I am paying almost $1000 a night for a room in a hotel in Hawaii, at the very least I will want a lanai. The St. Regis has a few rooms with a lanai, but most do not. The other thing about that hotel that bugs me is it's orientation on the hillside. Yes, the views are spectacular, but the way the hotel seems to be stacked up make it feel claustrophobic and as sf7307 alluded to, you have to walk a long way to get the lower level outside area, which is lovely, but there is no rolling out of bed and taking a swim at this hotel, as there is in some of the others being considered.

The Kahala is only a couple of miles from Kaimuki (where Town, 12th Ave Grill, etc. are). Downtown Honolulu is farther, probably in the 15-20 min range. I believe they have some kind of free guest shuttle to Waikiki and Ala Moana.

I doubt 'foodies' are going to be happy anywhere on Kauai or Big Island. These two islands are much less developed -- although the Four Seasons Hualalai is my choice for best hotel in Hawaii. It is $$$$$ and isn't even ON a beach! Oh, maybe Mauna Kea -- beautiful beach; former Rockefeller resort. Mauna Lani is nice too. It's just that everything is so 'spread out' on Big Island, and I don't like to drive after dark there.

We need some *recent* feedback on the Kahala. Something is tickling my brain about it needing to be refurbished, but that could have been a while back. Hmm...at the Diamond Head side of Waikiki is The New Otani; no pool, but lovely beach and quieter than the heart of Waikiki.

Andaz and Fairmont Kea Lani are both very nice, and there are lots of restaurant choices in Wailea and in Kihei. Every hotel in Wailea has one or two fine dining choices. There are also free-standing restaurants within a couple minutes' drive. There is a shuttle between the Wailea hotels, and a walkway along the shore.

If you would be content primarily in West Maui, how about The Ritz in Kapalua? You don't walk directly out onto sand there because the hotel is on a bluff, but there is a path down to the water, or, as at the Hotel Wailea, they will take you up and down in a golf cart. Ritz is Maui's #2 hotel, after Four Seasons. You could easily drive into Lahaina. Merriman's is a fine restaurant up there. If you plan a lot of sightseeing across the island, though, Kapalua is as far from those sights as you can be unless you stay Hana.

The New Otani is more of a mid-level property but does have a nice location.

"I doubt 'foodies' are going to be happy anywhere on Kauai or Big Island."

I would never identify myself as a foodie because I hate the term, but I do love to cook, like to eat well, and appreciate fresh food and have been very pleased and satisfied with the food on Kauai for many years now.

I am a proud foodie and I find there were lots of different things to eat on every island! Granted, there are more restaurants on Oahu and maybe Maui, so you have more variety, but I thought having access to all the Kona coffee farms and agriculture on the Big Island was amazing and the produce is literally grown right there. Granted you may have to drive a distance to get somewhere on the Big Island.

I've only been to Kauai once but I thought the food was great. But because it's a smaller island you may have less options. For example, you may have your choice of 15 Thai restaurants instead of 150 on Oahu. But in all honesty, I appreciate the fact that there are less choices and I don't have to go crazy with browsing though reviews, instagram pictures, and yelp etc. just go to out to dinner. Because that is what us foodies do:)

tifa, next time you are on Kauai try this: http://www.kauaiono.com/

Thanks to all the feedback and suggestions! I believe I have gathered enough information to feel comfortable making an informed decision. Thanks again!

Thanks for the thanks, but...you now OWE us a trip report!

If you do go to Kauai and stay in Poipu, I would recommend Josselin's for a nice atmosphere and good food. Same goes for Star Noodle in Lahaina (Maui). Neither is a 5* restaurant, but they also aren't 5* prices.

For a great restaurant with prices that are "up there", Lahaina Grill. No view (not on the water), but excellent food!