help me plan first hawaiian vacation
 

Hi -

Looking to go to Hawaii in April w husband, 3 year old son and 1 year old daughter. First time in Hawaii. Don't want to spend more than $400/night. Want secluded luxury -not "family style" resort. Beautiful beach/water is key.

Do you have an idea which island you want to go to?

maui, i think

"Secluded" luxury can be tough - many of the nicest hotels are surrounded by other hotels and condos. Hotel Hana Maui offers seclusion, but generally costs much more than $400/night. The Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel would offer two great beaches - Hapuna's and nearby Mauna Kea's. Hapuna is cheaper than Hotel Hana but for your price range you won't get a view. Anything else that I can think of shares beach space with other facilities.

Hi,

Check out the Napili area of Maui - it is close to Kaanapali, but still secluded with lots of beautiful oceanview with turtles and other marine life just off the shores. There are reasonably priced condos that are very convenient for families.

Best Regards,
Julia

Hapuna is on the Big Island. If you want to stay in Maui, I think you'd probably be satisfied in Wailea at the Kea Lani.

Yes, Gellers, Hapuna is on the Big Island. klt seemed pretty flexible as to location, given her "Maui, I think" statement. The point of my email is that seclusion is a tough mandate for the Hawaiian Islands. Even your Kea Lani has plenty of condos around it, and will likely cost $500+/night during April.

In short: <$400 luxury is tough, and <$400 secluded luxury is even tougher. If you stretch your definition of luxury a little then I also endorse the idea of a Napili condo. The beach there is wonderful, and you should save money by not staying in a hotel. Search this forum for tips regarding nanny services in Hawaii - there are a couple of very good companies than can provide a full- or part-time nanny for the duration of your stay. Now that's luxury!

There is nothing secluded about Napili, though it is beautiful.

You might try the Diamond Resort in south Maui. Great water views above Wailea, though it is not on the water.

This thread has lots of Oahu info. Some of the sites are good for all islands.

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34812564

www.mauihawaii.org

www.visitmaui.com Free brochure

www.bigisland.org Free brochure

www.kauaidiscovery.com Free brochure

www.kauai-hawaii.com

$400 a night doesn't guarantee secluded luxury, as some others are pointing out.

I would suggest you look at the Maui Prince Hotel. It is quiet and secluded, and is on an absolutely superb beach not shared with any other hotels. There is a very modest pool not at all filled with children. The oceanfront rooms have incredible views. I find it to be a subtle, soothing place, not a zoo like the Kanaapali region. It is less expensive than the Four Seasons in Wailea. That's a nice place, but considerably more than $400 a night.

I'd get a guidebook on Maui and orient yourself to the island and get a feel for the realities on that island. Maybe a guidebook that covers all the islands so you can compare them. Your initial request is going to be hard to satisfy. Of all the suggestions given so far, the Maui Prince satisfies the secluded and beautiful beach part the best, but it is far from a luxury property. The only real secluded, luxury hotel on the island is the Hotel Hana Maui. As mentioned above it is more than your limit and its beach is two miles away via a shuttle.

Maui might not be the island for you.

On Oahu, you might look into the Turtle Bay resort.

The Kona Village resort on the BI is not your typical resort. You could look into that. While the daily rates are above your limit, the rate does include meals.

Good luck.

Bill

Oh, the Kona Village Resort is a very memorable place. Above your budget, but it does include meals, which can be significant add-on charges in Hawaii.

The Maui Prince may not be super-luxury, but at the end of the day, it's a beautiful tranquil setting and easy for kids.