Honeymoon. Hawaii or key West?
 

My fiancé and I will be traveling from NY to our honeymoon destination in the first two weeks of August 2014. Unfortunately we have some travel restrictions, so need to stay on US territory. Since my previous forums on USVI and PR haven't been too successful for what we are looking for, I would ask advice on key west or Hawaii? We have a budget o $10k to spend on honeymoon. Looking for a place with a nice pool, or variety of pools. Also children free! (A must) would prefer a swim up bar. We would want to do some shopping but don't need any excursions (for example snorkeling, parasailing etc).
We would be going for ten days
Any suggestions? I have been to key west in the past and wouldn't want to go to the large island of key west for my honeymoon. Maybe some of the surrounding islands? I have never been to Hawaii. Also, if there are any other places you can suggest in Florida, that would be great.

swim up bars are skanky and are quickly being renovated off the face of the earth. there's almost always a creepy guy ogling girls in bikinis, drinking beer and never leaving to relieve himself.

As I said on your other thread, it is going to be hard to find a resort that is child free. B&B's often are, so that might work for you. A villa, condo, etc works once you pick where you want to go.

This might help you find a child free stay:

http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/hotels-...4#.UXQIALXvtqU

Check out Little Palm Island in the Keys--though might be over your budget. http://www.littlepalmisland.com/

Key West awful climate in August.

Swimup bars are a Las Vegas gimmick and only a couple in Hawaii.

No hotels are adults-only, except for a gay/lesbian/Bi/transgendered one on Maui.

A variety of pool and child-free are mutually exclusive.

Hawaii doesn't sound like the place for you.

Haven't been too either but both banana bay resort & little palm island are adults only. Little palm being very exclusive. Neither is all inclusive.
Would however opt for Hawaii, any day over key west, unless you are wanting a totally laid back honeymoon. (No pun intended!)

The Grand Hyatt Kauai has an adult pool and a nice lap pool at the spa (might be an additional charge for the spa). The pool area is so large that I was never bothered by children unless I wanted to be (family on second stay). It's a beautiful property and would be great for a honeymoon. You can arrange a private dinner on the beach or simply enjoy a drink and snacks watching the glorious sunset from one of the bars. The hotel has some nice shops and we also like to visit Kapaa shops and the jewelry store at the Kilohana Plantation.

Four Seasons Maui would be my first choice. Adult pool with plenty of great staff to take care of any need. Good resturants on site or an easy walk. Good luau two hotels down. Big rooms. Better climate that time of year. Snorkel right in front of the hotel if you want. Wonderful spa.

You live on the east coast of the U.S. ... when else are you ever going to get to Hawaii?

Make your honeymoon that unique and special.

The only thing that <I>might</I> keep you from going to Key West again, is that it <I>isn't on the way to anywhere</I>.

<b>Hawaii would always remain incredibly special to you</b>.

Wanna go again? - do so for your 10th or 20th anniversary!

I guess that you have the time and the perfect opportunity to enjoy Hawaii. I agree with the previous post. Your honeymoon will be certainly incredible in Hawaii. I would say that it is even better than Florida because is less crowded and also the resorts are better. Plus you have been already at Key West. I suggest you and your fiancé discuss what kind of hotel experience would you like because there are different types of places and the Islands are also very different. If you want something quiet Fairmont Orchid Hotel is a great place. The waterfalls are awesome. There are a couple of other hotel options for people who love adventure and sports. Take a look of this site. It has good info for you purpose.
http://www.frommers.com/slideshow/in...ONEYMOON#slide

If you decide to go to Key West, make sure you check out their event calendar. If you don't want to be there when its busy, go when its off season which is May-September.

Go to Hawaii.

Book a direct flight to Honolulu on a widebody aircraft out of JFK or Newark. Look for 767's or 330's; no 757's or west coast connections. Stay Waikiki or hop to Maui, or spend three nights Waikiki and the rest Maui (or Kauai). You don't need a rental car within Honolulu, but will need one everywhere else in Hawaii.

The Four Seasons in Wailea is Maui's top hotel. Next best is The Ritz at Kapalua. Look also at Fairmont and Marriott in Wailea. Four Seasons also has choices on Lanai (bit more trouble getting there and back) and on Big Island of Hawaii (pretty hot in August).

Ten nights Hawaii is just right! First day will be slow as you adjust to the time change.

Honeymoon? Hawaii, hands down! You have two weeks!10 grand should get you a very nice trip.
Key west will be an easy trip when you need a weekend away from NY.

I don't know of any swim up bar hotels or hotels without kids, but there are so many luxury hotels in Hawaii, I am sure you will find one that caters to adults more than families.

Check the Hyatt Regency Maui to see if they still have their swim up bar. We split our time there with a quieter hotel at Makena. Many hotels will have an adult only pool. To be frank, the adult pool at the Hilton Waikoloa on the Big Island was too quiet and we moved over to the other (with kids) pool. The Four Seasons on the Big Island was divine.

For a two week honeymoon, I'd definitely choose Hawaii over Key West.