HELP!First trip to Hawaii
 

Hello everyone, I am a first time poster. I am planning a trip to Hawaii for my mom's birthday in November, 2004. I have a few questions.

1. Is November a good time to go?
2. Is Oahu a great place to go for a
8day/7night trip?
3. I reserved a package with AAA for hotel
and flight for $2691 is this a
good/fair price?
4. Is the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel ok?
5. Is a 1 day car rental ok for 1 day of
sight seeing?
6. We want to do a lot of activities
should we purchase the entertainment
book for Hawaii?
7. Any recommended activities? We want to
snorkle and see a luau, etc.
8. Is $4,000 a good budget for 2 adults
for everything.

That is all I can think of for now. I appreciate any help. Thank you all.

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes
4. Yes
5. Yes a one day rental is PERFECT for one
day of sightseeing.
6. Yes
7. No. do some research
8. Yes

Thank you Rusty. I do have 1 more question. Is this TOO early to start planning my vacation or can I get better deals maybe 3 months before? Thanks again.

The website for the hotel indicates rates begin around $107-150 for a standard room. For 7 nights that would be upwards of $750.
What room type did you reserve?
What else is included in your package?
Did you price the trip yourself to check if your rate is competitive?

Seems high for that hotel.

Entertainment book also has discounts for that hotel which are usually even lower than their online rates. You may get better rate using that and booking airfare seperately, depending on departure city. I believe AAA also has a booking fee.

I would leave Paradise Cove Luau off your list.

Not worth the $. We were hugely disappointed.

I think $2691 for air fare and 7 nights at the Aston Waikiki Beach Resort is high, especially if you are coming from the west coast. Is the room oceanfront? Have you priced the air and hotel separately using various websites?

The Aston Waikiki Beach is OK. It's not luxurious and the rooms (all colorfully refurbished in the last 2 years) are kinda small. But it has a good location right across froma gentle section of Waikiki, tons of dining and shopping within walking distance. (Warning: Do not accept a room in their Mauka Tower, they are like prison cells, totally unacceptable for a vacationer!)

PS

Yes, November is a great time to visit Honolulu.