Honeymoon in Maui
 

My fiance and I will be spending our honeymoon in Hawaii 9/6 - 9/17. We've narrowed it down to Maui but need help choosing where to stay. Looking for something romantic with a great beach, but we also want to do some activities. Already excited about Haleakala Crater, drive to Hana, old Lahaina luau, snorkeling & hiking! Any suggestions on where to stay? Not really interested in a high-rise. Searching on Expedia flight + hotel deals were between $3 - $4,000 so I'm assuming that's our budget.

Also, since we have 11 days should we explore another island? My fiance would love to see Pearl Harbor. Assuming we could do this as a day trip. Any other suggestions?

All your feedback is much appreciated!!!

With 11 days, I would recommend that you fly into Oahu and spend your first 2 nights there... see PH, waikiki, Diamond Head, north shore and anything else of interest and then hop over to Maui for the remainder of your stay... I would recommend kaanapali on the west coast of Maui with a rental car to explore the rest of the island... there is a lot to do in lahaina area and some excellent resorts... good luck

With 11 days, you could certainly do two islands. One thing to consider is that you are going to be exhausted from the wedding planning, the wedding, the reception and probably will need a couple of days to decompress. I'm not sure heading out for Honolulu and running around to Pearl Harbor is realy the best way to start out.

It also depends on whether you have a direct flight to Maui or not. If your flights go through Honolulu first, then I would recommend spending your first days on Oahu, rather than deal with another flight. If you can fly direct to Maui, then I'd do Maui first and fly back to Oahu for a couple of nights at the end.

We love Maui. We have been several times & have done both hotel/resort & condo, We highly prefer staying in a condo. Having access to our own kitchen was great as we love to cook. So consider this option also. A great place is: http://www.noelani-condo-resort.com/ no frills so if you want luxury then this is not your place. But we love it & have chosen this place since our first visit 10 years ago.
Make sure to take a helicopter tour & see Hana...it is a CRAZY drive but worth it. You can not get a poscast uploaded & have it play during the drive so you won't miss anything.
Kauai is also a beautiful island if you want to add another one to hop too. This would be a better island to helicopter around vs. Maui.
Mahalo!

For your honeymoon, make it special and stay in a hotel.

You have all the rest of your lives to stay in condos.

Placename has a point, having a big pool & drinks at your beck & call is very special for a honeymoon. My husband & like the quiet of this condo...less kids running around.

Personally I wouldn't go to Oahu for just a day trip. Certainly it CAN be done though. If Pearl Harbor is a must, I'd look into either flying into or out of Honolulu and staying a night or two there on either end of your trip.

Thanks for all suggestions! Much appreciated!!

I like Maui.
Honeymoon and Anniversary Package
http://www.mauikai.com/spec.html
This tropical romantic package includes 7 nights in your choice of an oceanfront junior suite, one bedroom or one bedroom corner suite. Convertible Rent a Car, Flowers, Fruit Basket , Champagne and a Choice of a Hawaiian Luau or a Dinner Cruise.

Wailea is a lovely area of Maui but prices are pretty high there and it's very exclusive. When we had a convention there, we stayed in Kihei instead & drove there & back (we were on a budget). Have stayed there in connection with a friend's D's wedding and it was very relaxing and they have a nice series of beaches and walking paths. It reminds me of many upscale beach areas--maybe they have all taken same architectural school?

Lahaina is quaint but generally I'm done with it after a day or so. Have not been to Hana, tho I mean to get there one of these days. I like hotels, as I'm not in a cooking mood, especially for a honeymoon, but there are really many options on all islands.

Agree that you will likely be very tired after your flight to Hawaii, so factor that in and give yourself some "down time" so you can decompress.

Honolulu is a LOT busier than Maui, so if you can get a non-stop to Maui it would be more relaxing to start your vacation there. Would definitely stay at least a few days on another island if you're not going to spend it all on Maui (one day or a day trip really means you spend most of your time at the airport and car rental place). Personally, I like Oahu (heck, I live here), but it's much more "big city" than the other islands. Much depends on what you want to see/do.

The Hawaii Visitors Bureau can send you whatever information you'd like to assist you in planning. Congratulations & I'm sure you'll have a great honeymoon!

Do exactly what "garyt22" says. This is totally correct! Find a direct flight too. Purchase the book "Maui Revealed" and it'll guide you aroundt he island to hidden gems, snorkeling beaches, great hikes, etc... My wife and I flew to Oahu, then over to Maui for our remained of our honeymoon and it worked out great. Do ther drive around Haleaka, meaning too Hana, then keep going around to the southern side of the island. The rental company will tell you not to, but it's a great drive. Be sure to have a FULL tank of gas when you leave. Also drive around the west side of the island. It's a great drive, and there are many roadsidce vendors selling awesome food - banana bread, coconuts items, etc... and visit the Iao Needle when passing by.