OK, I know it's a bit cliché-- but we're gonna do Hawai'i next summer (unless I can convince my honey about Puerto Rico-- where I lived as a teenager-- or England, where my firm has its main European office). As it's my first time, we'll probably spend the whole time based in Honolulu. I'd like to start the budget process early (WAY early as you can tell!) and work on my short list of hotels. Frankly, doing a search on this Forum hasn't yielded any usable answers to my questions, so here goes:

-- Best beachfront lodging in Honolulu, money no object?

-- Best beachfront "bang for the buck" in Honolulu? I.e., comfy, clean, reasonable amenities, good location....

-- Is beachfront even necessary? Maybe a view would be sufficient. Discuss.

We're so far from even establishing travel dates that I will refrain from asking about things to do/see, places to eat, etc. I'm really just trying to get a feel for what my hotel choices will look like as well as rates. Any input is appreciated!!

What is cliche about summer in Hawaii? Most of my trips to Hawaii have been in the summer. We just got back from 10 days in Kauai. The weather is hot and the ocean swimming and snorkeling/diving can be awesome. And if you know where to go it does not have to be a mob scene.
Question #1: The Halekulani
Question #2: The New Otani Kaimana
Why base yourself in Honolulu? Spend a few days on Oahu and then visit another island or two.
And planning a Hawaiian trip a year out is not early in my opinion as the best rooms in the best hotels and the best vacation rentals often are taken that far in advance.
-Bill

Thanks for your input, Bill! I'm inclined to stay in O'ahu because I'm a fan of staying in one place on vacation and really learning about it, plus changing hotels, hopping to other islands, etc. doesn't attract me. I may change my mind once I'm there, but that's for subsequent trips.

Again, thanks for your ideas!

Oh, and no or very few kids. We want this fun and maybe just a bit romantic, and shrieking kids doesn't rock our boat. We love children, but....

rjw, if there's a resort in Waikiki/Honolulu without many children in summer, I'm not aware of it, but maybe someone else is!

Agree with iamq on the New Otani Kaimana. Get an Oceanview Jr. Suite there.........as high up as possible. The most magnificent panoramic view of ocean, city and mountains from those, and the ocean/beach out front is like a warm, sloshy bathtub. And the great Hau Tree Lanai restaurant is there....... no pool, but you don't need one with the ocean right there.

rjw, open the link below, then click on "lanai tour" by ocean view jr. suite, and you can do a virtual tour of your view from the New Otani suite. At night, it is breathtaking!

http://www.kaimana.com/Accomodations/accomodations.htm

bonnie: Looks really nice! It's on my list. Anyone else...?

aloha rjw...

Is a split between the north shore and honolulu out of the question?

I love to do that split on O'ahu... just when I've had enough bustle of city life in paradise, I head to the north shore to chill and experience the "other side". I have a fav beachfront... literally ON THE BEACH bungalow that I call "home" up there.

It is such a diverse island and it is a joy to dive in to both worlds.

In Waikiki we enjoyed the cost effective and spacious Aston Waikiki Beach Tower. 1-2 BR oceanfront condo w/ breathtaking views... w/ Entertainment Book paid $268 per night (50% off rack).

On north shore we love Ke Iki Beach Bungalows... clean, simple and on the beach.

Aloha and happy planning...

If you like to be pampered, I recommend the Kahala Mandarin Oriental. For total privacy you could rent a beach house:
http://www.hawaii-beach-house.com/page0002.html

or

http://www.hawaiivac.com/hawaiirenta...ront/index.htm

Just a rec. to rethink....get away from Honolulu asap...head to Maui...do Pearl Harbor and then hook it out of there...flying to another isle is very easy, and you'll be soooo glad you built in the extra hrs. to do it. Honolulu is basically any large city with a very crowded beach...and i mean very crowded...you will not capture the true hawaiian experience..i promise. This goes double if you don't have children along with you. PPPPLLLEEEZZZZ reconsider

Okay, I just have to reply about the advice to get out of Oahu asap. I'm a little tired of people who seem to think of Oahu as being only Waikiki/Honolulu, and then advise people to avoid the island or leave as soon as possible because you can't get a true Hawaiian experience there. All I can assume is that they've only been to Waikiki/Honolulu, and never taken the time to drive around the rest of the island, so they have no idea what the island is really about and shouldn't advise people to avoid it. Yes, Waikiki/Honolulu are CROWDED, but what about the North Shore? What about the west side of the island with the Ko'Olina lagoons? What about the east with Lani Kai beach? What about Turtle Beach, with the huge sea turtles that lumbar right up next to you on the sand? Have they ever even been to these places before advising people against going to Oahu??? My husband and I have been to Kauai, Maui and Oahu. Although Kauai and Maui are beautiful, we (and a few of our friends) all agree that Oahu is the best island of the three islands. IF YOU GET OUT OF WAIKIKI/HONOLULU, Ohau really has beaches that are just as if not more beautiful than the those three islands, and it has more of them. The beaches are breathtaking, and the sheer variety of things to do on Oahu is fantastic. Kauai is great for people who want peace, beauty and quiet ONLY. Maui is great for those who want beauty, peace, but a little action, too. Oahu gives you all the beauty and serenity you could ask for PLUS it has a jumpin' city you can drive into for a day if you want to, not to mention Pearl Harbor and Hanauma Bay.

Sorry to rant, I'm just tired of Oahu always getting bashed as being "just a big city on the beach" by people who, it seems have never left the city!!

rjw -- if you like action, a large choice of great restaurants and shopping, then definitely stay in Honolulu as you've planned. But definitely rent a car and drive out to see the North Shore and other places I've listed. You will hget the real "Hawaiian experience" and will fall in love with Oahu. Then visit other islands on your next trip, so you can also fall in love with Maui, etc.

BTW, I recently saw the Travel Channels "Best of Hawaii" show, and they listed the Halekulani Hotel as the best retreat hotel, and it looked gorgeous! Might want to file under your "Beachfront lodging in Honolulu, money no object" category!

JUANITA1989, I AM STANDING AND CHEERING YOU ON!>

You said it all so well! I get really frustrated with people spending a few hours on Oahu to see Pearl Harbor, on their way to or from another island, and then passing judgment on this glorious island when they really know nothing about it. I've spent part of several vacations in Waikiki/Oahu, and everything you say is true! I think, overall, it has the best weather, best entertainment, best restaurants, all the great historical sites, and is downright gorgeous........ and I could on and on. I love the place, as well as all the other islands. Thanks for expressing it so well for all of us who love Oahu!

DITTO!!!

Thank you all for your nice words about my island. Over the years, I've had many friends come from the mainland to vacation. After we get them out of Waikiki, they usually decide that O`ahu is their favorite island...you can find everything here...historical stuff, the best beaches, shopping nightlife, hiking,super restaurants, and yes, even great places to play tacky tourist! Oahu has Bishop museum, Iolani Palace, Kamehameha school, Diamond head, the Arizona, and a huge number of hula halau, Hawaiian performers, and several spots to see Hawaiian flora.

We have an exact replica of a japaneses temple, there is a whole Bon Dance circuit in the summer, and if you check the paper, you can often find real luaus going on at churches and schools.

So which island is the best? That's like asking are apples better than oranges, or is blue better than green.

You will have a fun time if you choose your trip according to your interests, but please don't feel that any one island is "best" or another "junk".
I love Kauai for a quiet, natural vacation, love the Big Island of Hawaii for it's resorts and the geography, and Lanai for a super relaxing retreat. Maui is pretty, but a bit crowded and I can replicate many of its attractions (except Mama's!) elsewhere.



And as far as which island is most Hawaiian... they all are.

I thought of this thread today as I drove my mom out to a luau in Waimanalo. I live in metro Honolulu, near Ala Moana Shopping Center. The gateway to tthe hustle & bustle of Waikiki!

My mom was grouchy and grumbling about having to drive so "far." Driving toward Hanauma Bay, the water on the passenger side was a combination of blues and greens. As I got out toward Makapuu, as I rounded the bend by Halona Blowhole, I was greeted by an endless panoramic view of sparkling, sapphire blue water. My mom stopped grumbling and was exclaiming how beautiful it was!

Oahu really has it all--shopping, dining, tons of activities and attractions. Just drive 30 minutes east OR west outside of metro Honolulu and you can easily escape the urban-ness of Waikiki.

Thanks for backing me up, guys! After hearing a few snooty negative comments about Oahu from "friends" ("You love Oahu?? Oh, no, Maui is way better..., etc.), I couldn't contain myself after reading another Oahu-bashing post! I just love Oahu and hate to see it judged so unfairly, and so erroneously. If you don't care for Oahu, that's fine, but all I ask is that you have your facts straight! Ohau is so much more than "any other big city on the beach".

We leave in 5 days for Oahu, after a year of planning. We're SO excited to get back to this beautiful island and all it has to offer. We're bringing a large group of friends (one of whom made the comment above), and I can't wait to show them what they've been missing. Aloha!

I love Oahu too! Have been a couple of times so far and we still haven't seen or done everything. I want to see all the Hawaiian islands, so far split one trip with Oahu & Maui and went back to Oahu a couple of months ago. We plan on adding time in Oahu everytime we visit one of the islands. It really is a shame that so many people don't explore all Oahu has to offer.

rjw...you can visit Oahu for the whole trip, and do as Makai1 suggested, split the time between Honolulu & North Shore. Turtle Bay Resort is a great option for time on the North Shore, it's wonderful. Every room is oceanfront, beautiful views and close to lots of windward & northshore adventures.

I've been to Oahu a few times for a few days before heading out to the other islands. We haven't seen everything and feel that we still have a lot to discover. We never made it to Ko'olina lagoons, Kaneohe Bay, Iolani Palace, Bishop Museum, Tantalus Drive, etc. Last time we were there and had a chance to go to Lanikai & Turtle Bay beaches. We thought they were beautiful beaches. We will try to make it to Waimanalo & Ko'olina lagoons next year. My son wanted to do the maze at Dole Pineapple Plantation again.

rjw...Also, get the book "Driving and Discovering Oahu". It has great maps and directions to everywhere, known & not so well-known. It tells you how to get to it by car or bus. What I liked best about that book compared to the Revealed series (Oahu edition comes out in fall) is that it includes much more beautiful pics of the island. Once you see it you'll know that Oahu is not just a crowded island with crowded beaches and that you can indeed get a real Hawaiian experience.

rjw, go to 'alternative-hawaii.com' and look at all their photos of Oahu. You'll see what a treat you are in for!

Aloha