Sarah
Just curious--"the pool gets packed and the hotel could care less".What could a hotel do?

PS I visited but did not stay in a condo at the old colony surf which is the current W hotel. I was completely floored by the wall to ceiling open window on the Ocean Front unit. This alone is worth a stay.

Hi Boobie I will try to take your sign on serious with that kind of a sign on

Other hotels when at full capacity operated differently. First of all they have a pool or pools that can handle all guests. I was at the Hyatt Regency this past August when it was sold out no shortage of lounge chairs you did not have to worry about swimming with your eyes closed and bumping into someone. This was my experience at HHV.

Also HHV did things to complicate the matter. At check in we had a line that was roped and mazed if that makes sense. There must have been 50-75 people a head of me. This was at about 11am early for their afternoon check in. People were checking in that just came with some large group. We missed out on promotionals our class warranted.

Then to make matters even worse they started to charge for a show they had in the past shown for free. They want to make money I don't have a problem but lurring even more bodies when the lobbies were absolutely swarming already. Really felt like I stayed in a shopping mall or airport that time. Never ever again in August at HHV.

Wanda a different experience in the off season of March. I have visited but not stayed many times during March at is has been wonderful. Still for a honeymoon I would go to the W or the Moana love both those hotels.

Sarah: How many times have you been to Hawaii? I see why everyone loves it so much. The repeat visits I hear are better than the first.

I have much to research with thanks to all of you. I will let you know of our decision once we have booked the hotel.

I lived on Oahu for 3years, 93-97 and I have been going back to Kauai every summer after. I think I skipped 1 after I moved back to NYC. On my first trip back I went to Oahu stayed at the Moana for just 3 nights (Martin Luther King Holiday), did not tell a soul in my office fearing crazy lady chuckles from the peanut gallery.

Yeah I don't know what it is I do love Hawaii. But here is one hint I tell everyone about travel. Never place your hopes too high. If you have absolutely no expectations everything will be a pleasant surprise.

Oahu was my first exposure to Hawaii. I know people complain of conjestion/crowds and I am not always sure what they were expecting from a city beach. My first experiences were very good. Coming from the East Coast, but have traveled considerably I was still loving Oahu, including Waikiki!

Sarah I have never seen crystal clear water like in the Caribbean or in Hawaii so I know I will be in awe at everything I see! And I completely agree with you on not making my hopes up too high. Once I get there I am sure I will be surprised at every corner I turn.