Hawaii resorts?
 

I am trying to decide whether to go to the island of Maui or the Big Island of Hawaii. If I went to the island of Maui I would probably stay at the Embassy Suites Resort, or Kea Lani. I have read through numerous topics and Kea Lani sounds better, although personally comments are the best on choosing were to go. In addition, if I went to the Big Island of Hawaii, I would stay at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, any comments on these properties would be very helpful! <BR> <BR>Jim Lloyd

Jim, <BR> <BR>Between those two resorts on Maui, I'd definitely choose Kea Lani, if I didn't mind the higher rates, relative to Embassy Suites. It's MUCH more luxurious in every way, but of course, you pay for that! And the Embassy Suites is very, very nice, just not the level of Kea Lani. <BR> <BR>I would go to the Hilton Waikoloa Village if I had children in tow. Otherwise, I'd chose a less-Disneyesque resort, like the Mauna Kea Hotel or Outrigger Waikoloa, depending on what I wanted to spend. <BR> <BR>If this is your first trip to Hawaiian Islands, I'd choose Maui. I'm sure you'll immediately plan a trip back, and I'd save Hawaii (Big Island) for that one. <BR> <BR>Aloha, <BR> <BR>Lani

Lani is right on target. <BR>Maui will provide a better first time experience overall, IMO. And I'd choose Kea Lani over ES. <BR>I'm not a big fan of the Waikoloa as an adult. Kids have a really great time there, but it's not all that luxurious and things are really spread out on the Big Island. <BR>Maui is the best of all worlds.

I also agree that Maui is best for a first time visit, due to its variety and proximity of attractions, resorts and restaurants. The Big Island involves more time in the car exploring the island, with greater distances to travel...save it for your inevitable second trip! Enjoy.

The others are right about the Hilton Waikoloa--it's for kids. An ocean with clean, clear water was what motivated us to go to Hawaii, and the Big Island has more of it. Maui is more retail-oriented, with enough store clerks who treat you like a stupid tourist to make an impression (though there are respectful, helpful clerks). The Big Island is more rural and the people are friendlier. Hope you'll skip Maui.

Cool...patw. <BR>You speak the truth. Maui is mega-marketing and the Hilton Waikoloa has NO sense of place. (I remember the old anaehoomalu). <BR> <BR>Whether you venture to Kaua`i, Maui, the Big Island, Lana`i, Moloka`i, or our beautiful gathering place, O`ahu, do tread gently upon these beautiful islands. <BR>Aloha, <BR>k

Just got back from a fabulous weeks stay at the Westin Hapuna Prince on the Big Island. However, as Kalena stated, you can't make a wrong decision as both places are wonderful.

I disagree with various of the responses. I have been to Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. All are wonderful, but I find Maui to be very commercial and very crowded. I like Kauai the best, and the most beautiful resort we have ever been to is the Hyatt there. However, between Maui and the Big Island, I would go to the Big Island, and I would stay at the Hilton Waikoloa Village. Certainly, if you have kids with you, it is ideal. But, even without kids, it's a great resort, and just because it is Disney-esque (which it is), it is still a great vacation site, and there are so many things to do on the island, you can leave the resort every day and go to a natural site, and have the best of both worlds.

Has anyone stayed at the Maui Marriott recently? The price is too hard to beat right now, but just wondering if the construction is too much to bear. How about having to get on a shuttle to go to the Westin to use the pool? Is it hassle free? Ever been turned away because too many Marriott guests were there?

Kristin, <BR> <BR>We stayed at the Hyatt Regency, next door to the Marriott. During one of our night walks, observing the stars, we stopped in the Marriott to see how that hotel "compared" to ours, since the Marriott was on our short list of hotels to stay in. <BR> <BR>Thankfully we booked the Hyatt over the Marriott, it seemed that the Marriott was out of place like it was not in Hawaii, but just a hotel on a beach. <BR> <BR>I'm in the process of convincing my wife to go back to Maui and the Big Island for whale watching, but she is pushing for Europe. Don't ask me I don't know what is wrong with her either. <BR> <BR>MJ

LOL, yes there are definitely some commercial parts on Maui, places like Front St. in Lahaina, but that is the point of this area. Tourists flock there in droves to window shop at the various art galleries and clothing stores and also to eat at any one of the fabulous restaurants there. <BR> However, this is the exception, not the rule. If you go 10 miles to the North past Kapalua, you will be in rugged wilderness with very few people, if any at all around. If you go anywhere upcountry and get off the beaten path for a change, you will also find many desolate areas of land for tens of miles. <BR> I get frustrated when people make general statements about places they visit for a week or two. Many tourists think that the only world that exists is what is right outside of the car window. Believe it or not, there is a whole world OFF OF THE HIGHWAY!!!!!! This goes for every other state and country, not just Hawaii!

Smitty, <BR> <BR>Have to agree with your statement! Hate it when people generalize about the Islands - the worst victim of this is Oahu, when people go to Waikiki for one night and misjudge the entire island of Oahu. (I happen to love Waikiki also) - I think the variety on the major islands is their charm, and there is MUCH variety!

Yes, Oahu has some very rural places too. The north shore is simply awesome! I went sky diving up there and was amazed at how stunning that area was.