We are a couple in our (young!) 50s from Mass. looking to spend a week in Hawaii in November. We realize we are probably limited to one island and that's ok. We want to be ON the beach, we like luxury and fine dining but USUALLY dislike huge resort hotels. Any recommendations? What will the weather be like in mid November? Thanks, guys!

missj,
Unfortuately, most of the luxurious resorts in Hawaii are on the large side, however I would suggest you look into the Mauna Kea and the Mauna Lani on the Big Island, Kapalua Bay Hotel on Maui, and the Kahala Mandarin Oriental on Oahu. Can't comment on November weather as I usually go in the summer. Have a great trip.
-Bill

missj - You might want to look into the Halekulani Hotel on Oahu. It is a beautiful hotel right on the beach and offers many great ammenities. It was recently reviewed on the Travel Channel and the reorter said in her 3 years of traveling around to do those reports it was hands down her favorite. I have never stayed there, (can't afford to!) but am always in and around it when I'm in Hawaii. Check out their website at www.halekulani.com.

You might check out one of the other posts regarding "why I love Ohau" on this board. Personally, I would vote for Oahu for you. You can have anything you want there. You might consider the Royal Hawaiian. I haven't stayed there in many years...have been going to other islands and the last trip to Honolulu I stayed at the Moana which isn't bad either. The Roayl and the Moana still give the "old Hawaii" experience, are luxurious, and are right on the beach. Some people find the "stuffy" but I'm "old" and come from the day one wore suits, heels, and gloves to go shopping in San Francisco, so the "stuffy" part doesn't bother me..I actually kind of like it. Doesn't mean you have to wear a tie to walk through the lobby, but there is a "certain elegance" attached to these two hotels. They also both have a lot of history attached to them. Now for ME, if I lived on your side of the country, I'd be goin' to Paris!!!!!! LOL Hawaii is wonderful, and I hope you enjoy it...I'm sure you will.

Thanks, everyone. Crefloors, I actually have been to Paris-I went there solo about 10 years ago, but in October, and it was fabulous. Don't know how the weather would be in Nov!

The W Hotel Honolulu is a great small hotel just outside of the Bustle of Waikiki and is very comfortable - we had our best stay in Oahu ever!

Take a look at the Napili Bay Beach Club and the Kapalua Bay Resort on Maui. Very different properties but both very nice and well insulated from the Mega Resorts of Kaanapali.

If I were only spending a week in the islands, and had never been before, I wouldn't stay on Oahu. Maybe a day trip going or coming home.

Oahu is known as New York with palm trees. If you have ever seen a snapshot of the beaches at Waikiki you will know immediately whether or not that this is what you want. The beauty of Hawaii is the open spaces, palm trees, the ocean, and the warmth of the Hawaiians. We will be going to Hawaii in the fall and will be staying at Kaanapali Shores, it is north of Lahaina, by only 3 or 4 miles. We like it there very much. We have a very spacious condo (much better than a hotel room) a full kitchen, washer & dryer, restaurant on site, which is excellent and very reasonably priced. At least with a kitchen you can prepare breakfast, have lunch if you wish, and keep your juices and perishables in a refrigerator - this cannot be done in a hotel room. You are free to have dinner out at some really wonderful restaurants in Lahaina, or Kapalua, or even Wailea if you wish to travel a distance. Hope I have helped.

It's obvious by the negative comments about O'ahu that the posters haven't experienced the island... those who have will tell you a much different story.

Weather in November should be great... north shore O'ahu will have large swells, providing a surfing show out of this world. The Triple Crown of Surfing Championship is held in Nov & Dec @ Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach & Pipeline. It really is fun to watch.

Whatever island you choose have a great time & happy planning. Aloha.

missj - Although Maui is my favorite, I disagree with those who say don't go to Oahu. It has so much more to offer than just Waikiki! If you want to be located convenient to all the great restaurants, shops, etc of Waikiki, stay at the Halekulani. If you'd like to be nearby, but not in the midst of it all, then go for the W or even better, the Kahala Mandarin Oriental. You can visit Pearl Harbor, Polynesian Cultural Center, the North Shore. There should start to be some fairly big waves in November. The weather should be good, no matter which island you choose - could be a little rainy once in a while. In my 16 times of traveling to Hawaii during the months of Jan, Feb or March, I've only had about 2 days of weather which was bad enough to keep me inside the entire day.

Aloha & enjoy!

Ugh, the negative comments about Oahu are starting to bore me! It's by far my favorite of the 3 islands I've been to (Maui and Kauai being the other 2). Maui is pretty, but rather overrated, IMHO. However, to each his own. I just wish people would finally get over the "New York on a beach" thing regarding Oahu, and recognize that that is only a SMALL part of the island. I just returned from Oahu last Saturday and had a glorious time at the Ko'Olina lagoons on the west side, Hanauma Bay and so many other things. Missj -- don't let others discourage you from Oahu. Although the other islands are also very nice and everyone has their preferences, don't pay attention to the negative comments about Oahu. It's as nice as the rest of them, it just has more variety of things to do. Hope you have a wonderful time, no matter which island you choose!

Oahu, I want to praise you like I should! This wonderful island has so much to offer, a one hour drive takes you from the energy of Waikiki to the glorious tranquility of the North Shore. In downtown Honolulu you can take a tour of the Iolani Palace and learn about the history of the islands. Leaving Oahu this last time around brought tears to my eyes. Aloha until we meet again, Oahu.

Spent a week on Oahu and Maui last year. In Oahu look at the Mandarin Oriental. It's not a huge hotel, it's located in a residential neighborhood, and has a lovely beach. I loved it and we don't like large resort hotels. I don't think you will be sorry. Some of the other resorts mentioned here are on busier beaches, and that can feel crowded. On Maui we stayed at the Four Seasons and Hotel Hana Maui. The FS was too busy and Las Vegasy for us...

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Considering you like luxury and fine dining, you sound like prime candidates for a week at the Priceville (aka Princeville) Hotel on Kauai. Although you may USUALLY dislike "huge" resort hotels , I think you'll walk into the lobby and immediately feel at home.