Help me decide if the Hawaii is worth the trip from the East Coast with kids..
Feb 4th, 2007, 10:14 AM
#22
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1. Another factor to consider in deciding when to go is which of the possible times you least like where you live (or in whatever alternative destination(s) you would consider).
2. Just be sure before you "go the extra mile" to HI, that California as a destination unto itself wouldn't be sufficient.
I don't think there's any disputing that Hawaii is unique but I do think that the lure it has can sometimes cause people to overlook many of the numerous options which are closer, especially those within the contiguous 48 states.
3. Hope you have a wholesome and fulfilling experience wherever you go!
2. Just be sure before you "go the extra mile" to HI, that California as a destination unto itself wouldn't be sufficient.
I don't think there's any disputing that Hawaii is unique but I do think that the lure it has can sometimes cause people to overlook many of the numerous options which are closer, especially those within the contiguous 48 states.
3. Hope you have a wholesome and fulfilling experience wherever you go!
Feb 4th, 2007, 10:17 AM
#23
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<<Again disagreeing with a comment above (from sdtravels) Oahu is most certainly NOT "one big city"... there is an entire large and gorgeous island outside that one single urban area of Honolulu/Waikiki!>>
It does seem as if many people do not appreciate this!
It does seem as if many people do not appreciate this!
Feb 4th, 2007, 12:08 PM
#25
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FYI, I stayed in Honolulu the first time 20 years ago. I stayed on the north side of the island for three days 2 years ago. It may not be literally "one big city", but it is pretty busy. Just not my cup of tea when such lush quite beauty is so close and the trip is so far. Honestly, Maui is getting close to over grown as well.
Feb 4th, 2007, 01:48 PM
#26
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Hi, michelle,
We've been to Hawaii twice at Thanksgiving with kids (8 and 15 last time) traveling from Boston.
It's great! Most important recommendation is that you don't go for just a week. Our trips were between 9 and 12 days each....longer is better!
We've been to Hawaii twice at Thanksgiving with kids (8 and 15 last time) traveling from Boston.
It's great! Most important recommendation is that you don't go for just a week. Our trips were between 9 and 12 days each....longer is better!
Feb 4th, 2007, 03:46 PM
#27
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Oahu is not just one big city. Honolulu is a big city. There is a lot do see in Honolulu/Waikiki. The rest of Oahu is rural just like the other islands.
Spend most of the time on Oahu.
Much more to see & do on Oahu. Oahu is more kid friendly than any other island.
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34812564
Spend most of the time on Oahu.
Much more to see & do on Oahu. Oahu is more kid friendly than any other island.
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34812564
Feb 5th, 2007, 07:33 AM
#28
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Again, thanks for all your feedback.
I think we will try and stay for 10 day/11 maybe, this trip will have to be in the summer. I think Maui and Oahu will be our choices.
Any recommendations for places to stay on either island?
In Maui Grand Wailea Resort looks wonderful, but that is a bit more than I would like to spend. I think I would prefer a resort over a confo although I am not totally against a condo.
Thanks!
I think we will try and stay for 10 day/11 maybe, this trip will have to be in the summer. I think Maui and Oahu will be our choices.
Any recommendations for places to stay on either island?
In Maui Grand Wailea Resort looks wonderful, but that is a bit more than I would like to spend. I think I would prefer a resort over a confo although I am not totally against a condo.
Thanks!
Feb 5th, 2007, 08:05 AM
#29
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If there is a way to stretch it to 13-14 days, I would recommend it. Remember, the travel day between islands is essentially lost.
If you can stretch it, I would recommend 5-6 days on Maui, a few days on the Big Island, and 2 days on Oahu. I have a bias against Oahu. Waikiki is simply too crowded for me, but it is where most of the good dining options are.
On Maui, we have previously stayed at the Marriott Maui Ocean Club and the Kaanapali Beach Hotel. The Marriott property is all time share now, but they do rent out rooms as available. We are staying there again in July. There is ongoing constrcution, which is just about the only negative I'vve read. They will be opening up a new building in June, so I'm guessing room availability won't be a problem. The big advantage is that you can get a 1 or 2 BR "villa" (really 2 or 3 std room converted into one). The 1 BR villa goes about 850 sq ft, so you'll have plenty of room. There are is small kitcen area. The pool is above average, but not to the scale of the Hyatt or Grand Wailea.
The Kaanapali Beach Hotel (KBH) is very simple, but very Hawaiian. The pool is not great, but it is on one of the best parts of Kaanapali beach. It is also more affordable than most of the big resorts.
The reason I suggest the Big Island is for Kilauea. To me at least, if you're going to go there for the first time, the active volcano is a must. On our first trip (pre-kids), we went there. We skiped it on our last trip and wish we hadn't. This year, we are going back to the BI. Previously, we stayed at what is now the Marriott Waikoloa. Again, there is construction going on. They are putting in a new pool, among other things. It sits on a nice beach. This year, we are staying at the Hapuna Beach Prince. Many experts say Hapuna is the best beach on the BI and maybe all of Hawaii. We got a very good rate. If you sign up for the Prince Prefered (their awards program, it's free to join), you get 10% off most of their packages. We got an o/v room for $324/night, including breakfast. The best o/v rate we could get at the Marriott was $319, plus $15/day resort fee, no breakfast.
The reason I say 2-3 days on Oahu is because the only "must see" in the summer,in my opinion, is Pearl Harbor. We have prevously stayed at the New Otani and JW Marriott. The New Otani is at the quiet end of Waikiki (close to Diamond Head). It is very Japanese and you might not be able to get a room for 4. The JW is 25 minutes west of Waikiki. It is a great hotel for kids. they have on site pools with small sharks and rays in them. My boys really enjoyed that. It is away from the crowds, on it's own, man-made, crescent lagoon. It is an easy trip into see Pearl Harbor from there.
Whatever you decide, make sure to look for reward memeber discounts. As an example, Marriott offers rates to their Marriott Reward members that travel agents, travelocity, expedia, won't offer. I already mentioned the discount at the Hapuna Prince as well.
Good luck.
If you can stretch it, I would recommend 5-6 days on Maui, a few days on the Big Island, and 2 days on Oahu. I have a bias against Oahu. Waikiki is simply too crowded for me, but it is where most of the good dining options are.
On Maui, we have previously stayed at the Marriott Maui Ocean Club and the Kaanapali Beach Hotel. The Marriott property is all time share now, but they do rent out rooms as available. We are staying there again in July. There is ongoing constrcution, which is just about the only negative I'vve read. They will be opening up a new building in June, so I'm guessing room availability won't be a problem. The big advantage is that you can get a 1 or 2 BR "villa" (really 2 or 3 std room converted into one). The 1 BR villa goes about 850 sq ft, so you'll have plenty of room. There are is small kitcen area. The pool is above average, but not to the scale of the Hyatt or Grand Wailea.
The Kaanapali Beach Hotel (KBH) is very simple, but very Hawaiian. The pool is not great, but it is on one of the best parts of Kaanapali beach. It is also more affordable than most of the big resorts.
The reason I suggest the Big Island is for Kilauea. To me at least, if you're going to go there for the first time, the active volcano is a must. On our first trip (pre-kids), we went there. We skiped it on our last trip and wish we hadn't. This year, we are going back to the BI. Previously, we stayed at what is now the Marriott Waikoloa. Again, there is construction going on. They are putting in a new pool, among other things. It sits on a nice beach. This year, we are staying at the Hapuna Beach Prince. Many experts say Hapuna is the best beach on the BI and maybe all of Hawaii. We got a very good rate. If you sign up for the Prince Prefered (their awards program, it's free to join), you get 10% off most of their packages. We got an o/v room for $324/night, including breakfast. The best o/v rate we could get at the Marriott was $319, plus $15/day resort fee, no breakfast.
The reason I say 2-3 days on Oahu is because the only "must see" in the summer,in my opinion, is Pearl Harbor. We have prevously stayed at the New Otani and JW Marriott. The New Otani is at the quiet end of Waikiki (close to Diamond Head). It is very Japanese and you might not be able to get a room for 4. The JW is 25 minutes west of Waikiki. It is a great hotel for kids. they have on site pools with small sharks and rays in them. My boys really enjoyed that. It is away from the crowds, on it's own, man-made, crescent lagoon. It is an easy trip into see Pearl Harbor from there.
Whatever you decide, make sure to look for reward memeber discounts. As an example, Marriott offers rates to their Marriott Reward members that travel agents, travelocity, expedia, won't offer. I already mentioned the discount at the Hapuna Prince as well.
Good luck.
Feb 5th, 2007, 08:47 AM
#30
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It is definitely worth the trip! We live on the East Coast as well and took our teen boys for christmas/New year's break two years ago and they loved it! In fact, we're going again this summer.
The first time, we spent five nights in Oahu and then five nights in Maui. My kids preferred Oahu and all the excitement of "Waikiki". This time, we're going to Kauai and Oahu.
We, too, have been to the Caribbean and Mexico many times but Hawaii is truly paradise and has so much to offer all of us, that we've decided to go back this year.
You won't regret the long flight it takes to get there.
The first time, we spent five nights in Oahu and then five nights in Maui. My kids preferred Oahu and all the excitement of "Waikiki". This time, we're going to Kauai and Oahu.
We, too, have been to the Caribbean and Mexico many times but Hawaii is truly paradise and has so much to offer all of us, that we've decided to go back this year.
You won't regret the long flight it takes to get there.
Feb 5th, 2007, 09:00 AM
#31
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<<Remember, the travel day between islands is essentially lost.>>
Right, between packing and unpacking, checking in and out, transit to and from the airports, waiting at the airports, renting a car, etc., a lot of time is taken-up.
This is a strong argument for not visiting more than one island per week.
It should be noted that there are (or at least _were_) complete day-tours of other islands which leave in the morning and return at night. These give one a way to get an introductory _sampling_ of another island without all the aforementioned hassles.
<<I have a bias against Oahu. Waikiki is simply too crowded for me, but it is where most of the good dining options are.>>
Why, then, is your bias against _Oahu_ and not merely _Waikiki_?
From the rest of your post it would seem as if you should know that there are parts of Maui which are more congested than parts of Oahu.
Right, between packing and unpacking, checking in and out, transit to and from the airports, waiting at the airports, renting a car, etc., a lot of time is taken-up.
This is a strong argument for not visiting more than one island per week.
It should be noted that there are (or at least _were_) complete day-tours of other islands which leave in the morning and return at night. These give one a way to get an introductory _sampling_ of another island without all the aforementioned hassles.
<<I have a bias against Oahu. Waikiki is simply too crowded for me, but it is where most of the good dining options are.>>
Why, then, is your bias against _Oahu_ and not merely _Waikiki_?
From the rest of your post it would seem as if you should know that there are parts of Maui which are more congested than parts of Oahu.
Feb 5th, 2007, 11:26 AM
#33
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You're right. My bias is really against Waikiki. Most hotels are across a very busy, multi-lane, street, from the beach. I couldn't imagine doing that with kids and beach gear in tow.
Given that, there isn't much more on Oahu that you couldn't get in Maui or the BI. In summer, the North Shore isn't nearly as impressive as in winter. I enjoyed climbing to the top of Diamond Head, but I'm guessing the kids wouldn't appreciate it.The Dole Pineapple Plantation is cool, but that's 2-3 hours, tops. Pearl Harbor is a must for 1st timers.
Given that, there isn't much more on Oahu that you couldn't get in Maui or the BI. In summer, the North Shore isn't nearly as impressive as in winter. I enjoyed climbing to the top of Diamond Head, but I'm guessing the kids wouldn't appreciate it.The Dole Pineapple Plantation is cool, but that's 2-3 hours, tops. Pearl Harbor is a must for 1st timers.
Feb 5th, 2007, 12:06 PM
#35
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I think Hawaii is amazing, always worth the flight. Yes I agree you need at least 10 days to make it worth that long of a flight. I always stay for at least two weeks. Kauai is beautiful and has the most divers landscapes. Maui has the most resorts and touristy activities. The big island has and active volcano with flowing lava. Oahu has a booming city with shopping and nightlife. They all have something fun and unique to offer. There is so much for Kids to do on every island. I was skeptical about 'Hawaii' before my first trip, now I am in love with it and go every year!
Ally
Ally
Feb 5th, 2007, 01:42 PM
#36
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Well, we have been to Hawaii 2 years ago with three teenagers. We went to Maui and Kauai. Both great!! We are also from the East Coast and we went for 2 weeks over the Christmas holidays in 2005. We stay in condos. In our opinion, it's the best... We are going back December 2007 for the same amount of time.
Feb 5th, 2007, 02:52 PM
#37
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We've been to Maui, Kauai, Oahu, and Big Island. We loved them all for different reasons. I think the kids would love anywhere. The volcano on the big island was really cool. Oahu has lots to do and they can try to learn to surf on Waikiki. We bought the blue books as well as the top 10 books and it helped so much decided what to do.
Aloha,
Amy
Aloha,
Amy
Feb 6th, 2007, 04:51 AM
#38
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Did it from London (England!!) with two kids ages 6 and 9. Plus extra stop in Iceland for sick passengar. Great travellers! The dvd helps, plus gameboy, plus puzzlebooks, plus snacks. Biggest problem..no food American Airlines from LA to Big Island. Hotel picked us up at airport so no waiting or confusion. Four Seasons has toaster in room, excellent. I had brought bagels and the kids had toasted bagels with peanut butter (never travel without it at those ages) and milk. We put our feet in the ocean, looked at the stars and slept until 6:00am. We were the first at breakfast and no problem from there on. Kids just need to understand that you cannot control circumstances in travel and you must go with the flow.
Feb 6th, 2007, 06:43 AM
#39
<<Kids just need to understand that you cannot control circumstances in travel and you must go with the flow.>>
Elainee... not just kids (haha) I think that single sentence is the best travel advice I've seen posted here lately - great reminder for all ages!!!
Elainee... not just kids (haha) I think that single sentence is the best travel advice I've seen posted here lately - great reminder for all ages!!!
Feb 6th, 2007, 08:30 AM
#40
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We fly from the east coast to Hawaii with three kids often. And sometimes for just a week. It's not a big deal at all. Some people make it seem like you're flying to the moon. The Caribbean can't compare to Hawaii. And don't listen to people who put down Waikiki. We've been to all of the islands and love them all but Waikiki has a special feeling to it and it's awesome with kids. There's so much to do and you can walk everywhere. Waikiki beach is great. There's nothing like sitting in the Moana's Banyan Courtyard sipping a Mai Tai.
