I've been watching and reading this board as I plan for my trip to Oahu. As a result, I have come to the conclusion that my original plan included too much for such a short trip. As a result, I have planned the following itinerary:

-Day One
Arrive about 3:00 p.m. Will rent a car (likely to bid via Priceline) and travel to the Waikiki Prince. Is it worth a bid? Priceline or Hotwire? or is booking direct pretty inexpensive? Check-in and do some exploring. Will be traveling alone and want to be safe. Suggestions for a Saturday night? Not a "serious" party girl.

-Day Two (Sunday)
Circle Island Tour and dinner at Alan Wong's. I will buy the tour online from Robert's Tours. They have a pkg for $65 that includes a polynesian dinner cruise.

-Day Three (Monday)
Originally planned a day trip to Kuaui, but have decided to hang out and shop in Waikiki or even drive to the Outlet Mall. If I purchase the package from Robert's, I will go on the Polynesioan dinner cruise this night. Otherwise, as a result of posts on this forum I will go to House w/o a Key at Halekulani or other local cuisine.

-Day Four (Tuesday)
Check-out of Prince. Probably go to Pearl Harbor and then check-in at JW Mariott Ihilani. Relax, enjoy pool, etc. Attend luau if one if offered.

-Day Five (Wednesday)
early stroll/walk along hotel grounds. Spa treatment and lunch. Relax until check-out at 7:00 p.m. Need to leave to return car to airport for 10:30 flight. The hotel is currently booked and might not have a courtesy room available for guests with late flights to use. As a result, I'm planning to pay for the room in order that I can relax before my flight. Waste of money? or should I just request a late checkout? Suggestions?

Thanks so much. I am so excited. Two months and counting.

Why would you pay for the circle island tour if you are renting a car? To me that is a waste. Paradise Cove Luau is right next to the Ihilani.

Sat night you could go to Aloha Tower and listen to live music. Or a hotel lounge like the Espirit or Aquas.

Islandmom, I'm renting a car because of the cost of a taxi to and from Ihilani. I realize that it will be sitting idle some days, but think I would come out even cost wise from what I've seen cars go for on Priceline. I would have to catch a shuttle or taxi to the hotel on the first day, then to Ihilani, then to the airport. I realize if I want to go anywhere between those times, without a car I would catch the bus, taxi, or walk. From what I've calculated, even with parking...the cost would be about the same.

I orginally had not planned on a car...but read on this forum that a taxi could cost me $60 one-way from Waikiki to Ihilani. Is this not good info?

Thanks for your help Islandmom.

We stayed at the Marriott Ko Olina (next to the JW Ilihani) in June and also had a late flight. They wouldn't let us do a late check out or give us a day room. What they did do however, was give you a key to the gym/pool dressing room facility that has private showers. So we just hung out at the pool/beach until afternoon, got cleaned up and changed (the hotel will keep you luggage) had dinner, then left for the airport. We didn't really miss not having a room. I managed to sneak in a nap in a cabana on the beach.

Have fun!

Day One--the Prince Hotel is nice and it's close to Ala Moana Beach and the Shopping Center. That evening, since you are travelling alone, I would assume you don't want to venture too far away? You can go for drinks & a view at Aaron's, which is at the top of the Ala Moana Hotel. I guess it depends where you are staying.

Re: The outlet mall is on the way out to Ko Olina resort. Maybe the day you go out there, you can stop by the mall. That night you can do Paradise Cove Luau.

This is a matter of personal taste, but if I were doing the Paradise Cove Luau, I would not do the polynesian dinner cruise. The food tends not to be so good on these cruises. I'd save my stomach for something more fabulous on land!

I agree with Islandmom. Don't pay for a circle island tour when you're going to have a rental car. Just drive it yourself.

Yes, I would guess a taxi would be expensive to the spa. They don't have a shuttle? I liked the idea of renting a car. My personal opinion is that the tours are a rip-off.

$60 taxi one way from the airport to Ihilani is about right.

If you're looking for something to do on Saturday night and are not the big party type, you might consider going to the Hilton Hawaiian Village. In their Paradise Lounge, starting at 8 pm a great group - Olomona - sings Hawaiian music. They are very good and it's nice to hear real Hawaiian music. The leader introduces each song and explains its story and origin. The lounge itself is open air and low key. No cover, just a two drink minimum. I thoroughly enjoyed the Saturday night I recently spent there.

I just came home a couple of weeks ago after two weeks in Waikiki traveling by myself. It is the best - you don't have to worry about what someone else wants to do or not do. You'll have a great time.

Agree with islandmom... if you have the car, skip the Circle Island tour and do it on your own at your own pace. Check old posts or your hotel concierge for the best places to stop (or compare to the Circle Island tour itinerary).

As for your question about rental car prices, go to biddingfortravel.com for car rental winning bids from Priceline. However, there was a post flying around about a convertible deal for Hawaii from Alamo... I believe it was for $29 a day.

Wow, great feedback.

I'm thinking I'll likely take everyone's advice and skip the tour and Polynesian dinner cruise. In doing so, I will drive the Island myself on Sunday(live in ATL, can drive anywhere)...counterclockwise...if I have researched correctly. This way the shore is on the right.

Not doing the Diamond Head hike, but will I be able to pull over and take pictures? Are there lookout sites along the route? How long will it take to drive the Island w/o stopping to take pictures?

And Puddy, I was successful at bidding for my hotel because of biddingfortravel. Will definetly use it for a rental car if I don't get a great deal elsewhere. (=:

((Not sure how to add the smiley faces.))

Will also check out the Aloha Tower and Ala Moana Saturday night. Can't wait to do what I want w/o comprimising with someone else. Will be awesome.

What time does it get dark in October?

Thanks again everyone!!!

If you have a car I would drive to the north shore one day.It's about an hour's drive from Waikiki and well worth it. The waves should be starting to get big and you could check out the surfers at the Bonzai Pipeline. I would also check out snorkeling at Hanauma Bay on the east side of the island. Just the drive along the coast is well worth the cost of renting a car. Oh, I just remembered that on your way to the north shore you go right past the Dole Pineapple plantation. A nice place to stop. And don't forget the shaved ice at Matsumotos (sp?)Have fun.

I agree with walking over to HHV on Saturday night for the evening lounge entertainment. You will not feel weird being there alone. You may also think about going to Chai's Island Bistro at the Aloha Tower; tho it can be a tad pricey they do have fantastic entertainment.

You should drive your own car around Oahu, take the whole day and do whatever strikes your fancy!

Personally, I would skip the Polynesian Dinner Cruise. What might be more fun is a quickie sunset catamaran/mai tai cruise. They are low key, casual, and depart from the main part of Waikiki near the Royal Hawaiian/Outrigger. I'll bet the HHV has a catamaran, too. Very cheap, easy way to meet people, you wont be trapped on a dinner cruise!

You can take photos on DH and even follow the paved trail down to the shore. You can get great photos of DH from Kapiolani Park.

The drive along the island stop at -

Blowhole
Sandy's Beach
Makapuu
Waimanalo Beach
Bellows Beach
(Kailua and Lanikai if you have time.)
Temple Valley
Laei Point
Turtle Bay Hilton
Sunset Beach
Haliewa Town
Dole Plantation

forgot Chinaman's Hat

Hiking clubs - The Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club - 808-596-4864

Seirra Club (also does singles hikes) 538-6616

(Haiku Stairs is closed.)

I did the Robert's Hawaii Circle Island tour on the Big Island a few years back and thought it was great. I would much rather take a tour since they explain the different points of interest as you go along. If you just drive on your own, you could drive past something interesting/significant and not even know it.

Did some more researching and realize that I still have questions. It appears as though the buses on Oahu travel the entire island. Is the bus a good option to get around Waikiki for four days? It appears as though there are a couple of routes that even circle the island? Does the bus go out to Ihilani? Could not tell from the map at thebus.org. Thought about driving some more and think I prefer someone doing it for me so I can relax. Challenging to drive alone and sightsee at the sametime.

Realized that I could spend as much for daily parking as the cost of the daily car rental fee. Guess that's city living for ya!

One more question...

Is it worth $200+ for a day trip to another island? or wait to next year? yes, as soon as I have more miles, I'm coming back!!! maybe even before, I can already feel it!!!