Hawaii Spring Break Itinerary Feedback, please
 

Hi! My DH and I and our 2 teen daughters are planning a trip to Hawaii the first full week of April. We will arrive late afternoon on Saturday, April 5 and head back to snowy Michigan on the evening of Sunday, April 13. I know it would be nicer to have more time, but work and school dictate these dates. Have a budget of 300-500 per night for hotels. I have been shopping and have found some great promo rates on Oahu. Maui is crazy pricey, but not much I can do about that.

Here's what I'm planning… Sat-Mon nights stay at Outrigger Reef on Waikiki, Tues head up to the North Shore for 2 nights at Turtle Bay Resort, Thursday afternoon take a flight to Maui and spend 3 nights at the Westin Resort at Kaanapali. Then home. We will have a car both places to tour around.

I think this is a good mix of activity (for the teens) and relaxation, but am wondering if it's too much jumping around. Does it make sense to stay 2 places on Oahu? Also, we could arrive Friday night instead of Saturday afternoon, but not sure if the extra night of hotel is worth arriving 16 hours earlier. Thoughts are appreciated as I am booking this week.

I think if you are aware that it is a hassle to check in and out of hotels, then go for it. The north shore has a different feel than Waikiki, and is a must-see. That said, I'd personally just stay in Waikiki and spend an entire day driving around the island. No need to pack up, check out, recheck in, unpack, etc.

Be sure to squeeze in Pearl Harbor, but I'd skip the road to Hana.

Have a wonderful time! I know there are a lot of people who say never go to Hawaii with less than a week on each island, but I say: go even if all you have is a day! I just told my husband the other day, I'd spend a lot of money and many hours flying for just one afternoon in Kauai instead of in this blistery cold!

Why not stay in a condo? Much cheaper, way more space, kitchen is VERY handy. Lots on the north shore:
http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals...ate=2014-04-08
And on South Maui, for your dates, lots of options:
http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals...ate=2014-04-13

I agree that 1 location on Oahu will make for a less stressful trip, and that Pearl Harbor is a must (try to go in the morning to beat the heat, and reserve tickets in advance). I also might subtract a night from Oahu and add it to Maui.

I think it makes sense to spend a couple days in Waikiki and a couple on the North Shore. I like to soak in the atmosphere of the different spots and spend the minimum time possible in the car. If you can arrive on Fri night, i would do that---it gives you one more morning of waking up at the beach!

Turtle Bay is in a gorgeous location so that is great, if it fits your budget. One drawback i think is that the restaurants there are quite pricy and i think it is a bit of a drive to more affordable options.

I personally do not consider Pearl Harbor a real "must", especially for teenage girls. Polynesian Cultural Center is also not a must in my book.

No problem at all to spend a few nights in Waikiki - and then load the luggage (how much do you really need to take with you to Hawaii anyway) in the car and enjoy the drive to the lovely Turtle Bay Resort and stay there a couple of nights.

On the way - stop for a burger or mahi mahi sandwich/whatever in Haleiwa at Haleiwa Joe's http://haleiwajoes.com/index.php/locations/ - overlooking the bay/ocean and the girls may oogle some of the surfers hanging out there - and also have a shaved ice along the main drag - whatever.

And the Westin at Kaanapali is not only a very nice place - but the girls will like to be able to wonder up and down the sidewalk at the beach, etc.

Very safe.

BTW - if you can get a good rate at the Outrigger (a nice location) - would suggest you try to arrive a day earlier if possible. That would give you a couple of mornings to try the snorkeling at Hanauma Bay - 20 minutes south of Waikiki - http://www.hawaiiweb.com/hanauma-bay...-preserve.html - my favorite place to snorkel in the Islands and we have snorkeled/dove all over.

From there - you can finish the scenic drive around the south end of the island - to Kailua - and back to Waikiki.

Three locations in nine days is at least one too many for me.

Add another night to Oahu, do the north shore as a day trip and then head to Maui for the remainder. For reasonable beach hotels on Maui, try the Kaanapali Beach Hotel, the Makena Beach Resort, or as sylvia suggests a condo.

Thank you for the great advice. Looks like a mixed bag, but that's up to personal preference I suppose. Just glad to hear we're not crazy. I did look into condos, as we usually rent flats when we travel abroad, but hotels just made more sense this time, with the amenities they offer. I got a $250 rate at the Outrigger Reef, which seemed pretty good to me, so perhaps we will try to jump out of town earlier and get there Friday night (depends on DH's work), and get to wake there on Saturday.

Thanks for the burger stop suggestion as well. We are looking forward to that drive and having a different experience on the north shore. That's the one place I really looked for condos, but got overwhelmed and went for the resort. I can get a room for $300 per night, so I'm going for it.

I think I stayed at the KBH 25 years ago when I went to Maui. I guess I assumed it would be dated. Not that things can't be renovated. Two of our friends have been to the Westin in the past year and liked it, so I hope the price tag is worth it. I'm bundling it with our flight to Maui and practically flying for free, so that's my justification.

If anyone has other restaurant suggestions, please pass them along. I am not one to eat all my meals at a resort. Like to try to local places.

I mentioned KBH because it fit your budget.
The slide at the Westin pool is fun. Arch your back and you fly! Have a great trip.

Looking forward to that slide. :)