Hawaii or Aruba for honeymoon?
Nov 21st, 2000, 03:58 PM
#1
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Hawaii or Aruba for honeymoon?
Hi everyone!!
I need advice. I have not been to either place so give me your opinions. We really do not care about the money but are trying to save for a house at the same time. We know it is our honeymoon so we want to live it up! We are going in October 2001 and are in our mid 20's. We really want to enjoy ourselves whereever we go. You know, swim with dolphins, snorkle, lounge, etc. If we go to Hawaii, we are thinking of the Renaissance Wailai. If we go to Aruba, we have no ideas about hotels or resorts. Heard the Marriot was good there. What do you think. Thanks in advance for all the advice!
I need advice. I have not been to either place so give me your opinions. We really do not care about the money but are trying to save for a house at the same time. We know it is our honeymoon so we want to live it up! We are going in October 2001 and are in our mid 20's. We really want to enjoy ourselves whereever we go. You know, swim with dolphins, snorkle, lounge, etc. If we go to Hawaii, we are thinking of the Renaissance Wailai. If we go to Aruba, we have no ideas about hotels or resorts. Heard the Marriot was good there. What do you think. Thanks in advance for all the advice!
Nov 21st, 2000, 07:58 PM
#2
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I am 30 and my husband is 28. I spent one day on Aruba when we went on a cruise in '98, so I am by no means an expert. The beaches are nice and the people friendly, but the island is very dry and arid. I spent 2 weeks in Hawaii last year and it was incredible, it blew the Carribean away. We visited Maui, Kauai, and Oahu. This year we're going back to Maui and the Big Island. Pick Hawaii!!
Nov 22nd, 2000, 05:08 AM
#3
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Tara,
If you are coming from the East coast and can't do more than a week; I would opt for Aruba. I hear the Hyatt Regency is quite nice.
If time is not an issue, then definitely do Hawaii; Maui and the big Island are my favorites.
Both places will have wonderful weather in October; I just spent 10 days in Hawaii this passed October.
If you are coming from the East coast and can't do more than a week; I would opt for Aruba. I hear the Hyatt Regency is quite nice.
If time is not an issue, then definitely do Hawaii; Maui and the big Island are my favorites.
Both places will have wonderful weather in October; I just spent 10 days in Hawaii this passed October.
Nov 22nd, 2000, 06:39 AM
#5
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Tara -
Hawaii, no question. And the Renaissance is a lovely hotel. I'd opt for Hawaii even if you are from the East Coast and even if you have time constraints. As a New Yorker, I would make that choice. Yes, I have been to both. I thought one week in Aruba was interminable and think you could never have enough time for Hawaii. You do not mention time constraints, but if you are limited, will one week be enough, no. But you can get a good feel for one island.
The problem with Aruba is that it is a small, arid island where the wind blows constantly. It offers private beaches and casinos and that is it. Sightseeing is limited. So you spend most, if not all, of your time at your hotel and on your hotel's beach.
Hawaii, on the other hand, allows you to explore the whole island and see many different things. There are lush areas, volcanos, sugar cane fields, petroglyphs, lava fields, the gorgeous upcountry, waterfalls, and countless other things to view.
Yes, it can be a long flight, but the benefit is that, due to the time difference, you can arrive early afternoon; and when you leave you can enjoy a last full day by flying home in the evening.
My shortest trip to Hawaii was one week and I would do it again in a second.
Have fun planning - KT
Hawaii, no question. And the Renaissance is a lovely hotel. I'd opt for Hawaii even if you are from the East Coast and even if you have time constraints. As a New Yorker, I would make that choice. Yes, I have been to both. I thought one week in Aruba was interminable and think you could never have enough time for Hawaii. You do not mention time constraints, but if you are limited, will one week be enough, no. But you can get a good feel for one island.
The problem with Aruba is that it is a small, arid island where the wind blows constantly. It offers private beaches and casinos and that is it. Sightseeing is limited. So you spend most, if not all, of your time at your hotel and on your hotel's beach.
Hawaii, on the other hand, allows you to explore the whole island and see many different things. There are lush areas, volcanos, sugar cane fields, petroglyphs, lava fields, the gorgeous upcountry, waterfalls, and countless other things to view.
Yes, it can be a long flight, but the benefit is that, due to the time difference, you can arrive early afternoon; and when you leave you can enjoy a last full day by flying home in the evening.
My shortest trip to Hawaii was one week and I would do it again in a second.
Have fun planning - KT
Nov 22nd, 2000, 09:43 AM
#6
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Tara-
I recently got married in Sept 2000. My husband we torn like you between Aruba and Hawaii. Our weddings fall during the Huricanne season. We too are both in our Mid 20's, trying to save and also wanting to make our honeymoon special. After pricing around a Hawaii package wasn't that much more. It cost a little over 5K leaving from the east cost. We went to Maui and Kauai staying at the Hyatt on both islands. We went for 10 days which was perfect spending most of the trip in Maui. I've been to many islands and NONE compares to the Hawaiian Islands. It was worth every penny!!! There was so much to do we are already planning on going back!! Hope this advice helps!!
I recently got married in Sept 2000. My husband we torn like you between Aruba and Hawaii. Our weddings fall during the Huricanne season. We too are both in our Mid 20's, trying to save and also wanting to make our honeymoon special. After pricing around a Hawaii package wasn't that much more. It cost a little over 5K leaving from the east cost. We went to Maui and Kauai staying at the Hyatt on both islands. We went for 10 days which was perfect spending most of the trip in Maui. I've been to many islands and NONE compares to the Hawaiian Islands. It was worth every penny!!! There was so much to do we are already planning on going back!! Hope this advice helps!!
Nov 25th, 2000, 06:05 AM
#7
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Tara
We recently got back from Maui last month.. and we can't stop thinking about that place... Beautiful!!! We were there for 6 WONDERFUL days.. Even though I've never been to Aruba, I would opt for Hawaii... You won't be sorry. So much to do an see. Make sure to get an Oceanview or Oceanfront room. We just loved waking up to the ocean and rainbows every day... BEAUTIFUL!! We are talking about going back!! October is a perfect month to go..
Word of advice. Book now, so you can save on airfare. We booked our vacation the first week in December. Air was only $700.00 (coming from Michigan).. The earlier you book, the more money you'll save..
Good Luck!!
We recently got back from Maui last month.. and we can't stop thinking about that place... Beautiful!!! We were there for 6 WONDERFUL days.. Even though I've never been to Aruba, I would opt for Hawaii... You won't be sorry. So much to do an see. Make sure to get an Oceanview or Oceanfront room. We just loved waking up to the ocean and rainbows every day... BEAUTIFUL!! We are talking about going back!! October is a perfect month to go..
Word of advice. Book now, so you can save on airfare. We booked our vacation the first week in December. Air was only $700.00 (coming from Michigan).. The earlier you book, the more money you'll save..
Good Luck!!
Dec 30th, 2000, 11:18 PM
#8
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Tara - I have been to Aruba four times and Hawaii 5 times. It really depends on what you want. Rather than go on, why don't you Email me directly with any questions and I can be more specific. I have just returned from Aruba and going to Kauai at the end of February. Am already booked into Aruba for next New Years. I have spent a lot of time in Maui, one trip to Kona and one trip to Honolulu, so I can give you some good advice.
Jan 1st, 2001, 05:01 PM
#9
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Hi Tara: My wife and I have been to Hawaii 4 times and Aruba 2x. I agree with most of the other posts; Aruba is beautiful with great beaches, but not much to see or do for very long. The Marriott and the Hyatt are super. Hawaii has much much more to see and do, it's incredibly beautiful, you will not be sorry if you go there. Oahu/Waikiki is where all the action is, the other islands are more laid back and slower paced. Depends what you want.
Jan 28th, 2001, 03:27 PM
#10
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Tara- My husband and I have been to the Hyatt Regency @ Aruba, the Marriott @Maui, and to Kaua'i last summer (July 2000). Between Aruba and Maui, I would choose Aruba simply because Maui was too touristy and overpriced.
After we went to Maui, I didn't care if I ever went back to Hawaii. We went to Aruba in the summer of 1999 and I liked it there. I think it just depends on what you like to do on vacation. I just like to lie around and subathe--relax. So, I didn't really care that there wasn't that much to do. But there are things to do. The shopping isn't too bad, and you can spend a day touring the island in a convertible, which was fun. We didn't go into the casino, but if that's your thing, then you can do that too. NOW if money is not that big of an object GO TO KAUAI!!! I loved it there. Everyone goes to Maui. The Hyatt at Kauai is neat. The island is not that big but there is plenty to do. It is absolutely the most beautiful place I have ever been. I want to go back this summer, but now we are looking at the Four Seasons on the big island. Bottom line, I don't think you can really compare Aruba to Hawaii. They are different. I think you need to look at factors like price, what you like to do on vacation, and the length of time you are staying. We stayed 10 days in Kauai only, and I felt like it was barely long enough to warrant the plane ride and time change. So consider all the factors. One more thing, when we went to Maui, we went on our honeymoon. I think one reason it wasn't as much fun was because we were always worried about the price. That's no fun. I would have rather gone somewhere a little less nice and been able to do whatever I wanted and not worry about it. Good luck! You will have fun at either place.
After we went to Maui, I didn't care if I ever went back to Hawaii. We went to Aruba in the summer of 1999 and I liked it there. I think it just depends on what you like to do on vacation. I just like to lie around and subathe--relax. So, I didn't really care that there wasn't that much to do. But there are things to do. The shopping isn't too bad, and you can spend a day touring the island in a convertible, which was fun. We didn't go into the casino, but if that's your thing, then you can do that too. NOW if money is not that big of an object GO TO KAUAI!!! I loved it there. Everyone goes to Maui. The Hyatt at Kauai is neat. The island is not that big but there is plenty to do. It is absolutely the most beautiful place I have ever been. I want to go back this summer, but now we are looking at the Four Seasons on the big island. Bottom line, I don't think you can really compare Aruba to Hawaii. They are different. I think you need to look at factors like price, what you like to do on vacation, and the length of time you are staying. We stayed 10 days in Kauai only, and I felt like it was barely long enough to warrant the plane ride and time change. So consider all the factors. One more thing, when we went to Maui, we went on our honeymoon. I think one reason it wasn't as much fun was because we were always worried about the price. That's no fun. I would have rather gone somewhere a little less nice and been able to do whatever I wanted and not worry about it. Good luck! You will have fun at either place.
Jan 29th, 2001, 11:24 AM
#11
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If money and time are not issues, definitely Hawaii. We have been to both and it's really like comparing apples and oranges. Aruba is very dry, very very hot and is not a beautiful island. It is like a desert. There is no snorkeling to speak of. If you just want a beach and gambling for a week, do Aruba, especially if you live east of the Mississippi. However, if you want beauty, great beaches, good snorkeling and can take two weeks, do Hawaii. There really is no comparison to the two islands and what they offer in the way of things to do. I would not recommend Hawaii if you have only a week to spend. It takes too long to get there and when you factor airfare into the cost, it makes more sense as well as needing two weeks to relax, unwind and to enjoy all these islands have to offer. Do you mean the Renaissance in Mauai in the Wailea area? I think Wailea first and Kapalua are the two best areas in Mauai, however, Kauai is my first love, the most spectacular as far as beauty of the Hawaiian islands and more like the islands once were.
Good luck; these are good decisions that you have to make.
Good luck; these are good decisions that you have to make.
