DH and I want to travel to Hawaii in Janaury. We plan on using our Skymiles to redeem first class seats on Delta from JFK. We would like to visit two islands and stay at the most luxurious properties. Great beaches and food are important though we would also like to visit an island that has stuff to do. What do you recommend? We estimate the vacation will be ten days.

I'd look into the newly renovated Mauna Kea Beach Resort which will open in reopen in Novmeber. It is on an renowned beach. Four Seasons on the BI is considered the most luxurious resort on Hawaii by many people. Apparently the beach is nothing to write home about.

The average high temp in Hawaii in the winter is only 80 degrees. Do you think it is too cold to visit in January? tia

iamq - Mauna Kea's reopening has been pushed to Spring 2009. Four Seasons on BI is supposed to be best.

I'm planning our November trip now. I think it entirely depends on your budget. The Four Seasons looks really nice, but you'll pay more for a terrace view ($800) there than you might for an oceanfront somewhere else. If I had $6000/night to spend, I'd get a bungalow at Mauna Lani.

I stand corrected kgh8m.

No worries! I just got excited and went to make a reservation, but they're saying it'll take a while longer...

Four Seasons on the Big Island.

Ok....so 4S on the big island seems like the big winner. But where do we go from there? What is the best second island?

Well, you aren't going to get one "right" answer on that.

Personally, with 10 days I'd start on Oahu and stay here for a 2 or 3 nights - http://www.halekulani.com/

Relax a bit off the plane. See Waikiki and Pearl Harbor. Rent a car and do the loop of the island to the North Shore.

Then, on to the Big Island and the 4S.

You're going to hear a lot of other choices, and there's not a bad decision among them. Have fun!

Thanks! What about the weather in January. Is it too cold for swimming?

That is the coldest month, I believe, but the average highs range from 80 in January to 89 in August. So many have wonderful things to say about the FS on Maui. I made reservations there yesterday for the first week of May.

I'd also put 4S on Maui and Mauni Lani on BI on the list.

Spend the entire time on Maui. There is plenty to do and the Kea Lani or the Four Seasons in Wailea are fantastic.