My questions are concerning hotel views and good value. Even though people have posted maeesages stating that tourism in Hawaii is down, I really haven't seen too many reduced rates. I am interested in staying at the Kahala Mandarin for 1 or 2 nights in August. They only have 2 packages for that time: A ridge view with NO balcony for $289/nite incl. breakfast, or an ocean view with NO balcony for $369/nite incl. breakfast. The other choices are rack rates which incl balconies and are gardenview $320/nite, ridgeview $385/nite, partial oceanview for $435/nite room only, or oceanview for $500/nit room only. Even though this resort is supposed to be less expensive than the Four Seasons, it seems like the rates are fairly comparable.

Part of the reason I want to stay at this resort is for the nice accommodstions. The good service and other resort amenities are also important considerations. The ridgeview with no balcony seems like a decent price since it also includes breakfast. Do you think that this room type is worth the cost? Should we spend more and upgrade to the oceanview with no balcony? We won't be spending a tremendous amount of time in the room but, as I mentioned, I do like nice accommodations. Thanks for you input.

The Kahala Mandarin is a beautiful resort, and I feel the best on Oahu.
I would select the oceanview/no balcony room category for the view and the decent price. The rooms and the bathrooms are beautiful.

Four Seasons I would think is more $$$. But no other resort in Hawaii can compare to Four Seasons Hualalai on The Big Island.

The restaurant at Kahala Mandarin HOKU'S is great!

Aloha!

I'm one who places a lot of value on the environment I stay in when on vacation, after all it's my home away from home. I spend more $$ on rooms than most people I know, but that's just part of what I enjoy about travelling.
Not everyone feels the same.
If your feeling is similar Lisa, then the Mandarin is worth the $$. And the rates you've cited are not exorbitant for one of the top 5 hotels in the islands. And I've noticed that many of the very top end hotels didn't have to bend over backwards to attract guests back by the time 2-3 months passed after 9/11. Higher end tourism is flourishing again.
Now whether ocean view is worth the $$ varies by hotel IMO, and what your itinerary includes (how much time in the room). That's always a tough call.

Lisa, take the Ridge view without the balcony. This is a beautiful view that faces the mountains (all lit up at night) with a partial view of the ocean as well (they don't state this but it's true). You will find that you really don't need the balcony at all because when you open up your sliding glass door there is a railing there with a great view (just nothing to step out on, but it's really quite nice)! Anyway, if you decide to stay there, tell reservations you want a room on a high floor, on the far right side of the building facing the mountains! Kindly post a trip report upon your return.

Thank you Dee, Janet, and Steve for your replies. I think I am going to go for the ridgeview w/ no balcony, especially after Steve mentioned that there is a partial oceanview. Thanks again.

Lisa,

I guess I am in the same category with JMB. I likely spend more than I should on hotel rooms but I also love to stay at nice places even though I'm not in my room all that much. We did make a point to eat breakfast on our balcony at the Kahala each morning so that's how I justified getting it. From what I've heard it is the type of resort where if they're not full they will likely upgrade you to a better room. No one will confirm that till you get there but it doesn't hurt to ask. As far as rates go, we're staying 4 nights in May and since they have a 4th nite free promo, it sounds like a good deal to me. You already know from my previous post how much I love this hotel! Nuff said.

Lisa, you asked on the other Kahala Mandarin thread about the Orchid/Hilton on the Big Island. I know I responded to your question on the Hilton a while ago. It wouldn't be my first choice but I also wouldn't put the Hilton in the same class with the Orchid. You'll get two totally different feels at both of these hotels. The Orchid overall was beautiful. I have nothing bad to say about the hotel. I don't think we ate there (other than breakfast which was wonderful) so I can't comment on the restaurant. The public areas and gardens are beautiful. The beach is okay, I don't remember it being really spectacular but it was certainly adequate. Actually the hotel with the best beach is probably Manua Kea/Westin Hapuna. Anyway, the service at the Orchid was fine. I'm not a person that demands too much of the concierge so it's always hard for me to comment on that. If you stay here I'm sure you will love it because it's a very nice resort. If you have any specific questions about this resort or the Kahala, let me know. Where else are you going on Hawaii? How long will you be there?

rmc -Thanks for posting the reply.

Our itinerary will be:

5 nights Maui -Four Seasons Wailea
4 nights Kauai -Hyatt
4 nights Big Island, Kohala -Orchid?
2 nights Big Island, Volcano -Kilauea Lodge
2 nights Oahu -Kahala Mandarin Oriental

I would love to hear any comments or suggestions you might have about any of the islands or resorts we have selected. Just a reminder -we weill be visiting with our sons, 17& 19.

Getting back to the Big Island, though. Which is your first choice for accommodations, and why? Obviously, you like the Orchid more than the Hilton. But, you don't sound like the Orchid would be your first choice either. Please tell me your first choice, and why. Also, if the Four Seasons is your first choice, please tell me your second choice. I would love to stay at the FS if it would be for just my husband and myself, but the FS is too expensive for 2 rooms/night, and I think it might be just a little too quiet for my sons. Was there anything that you did not like about the Orchid?

Thanks again for your help. I will look forward to your reply!

Lisa

rmc Sorry. I reread your post and you sais that you could not find anything bad to say about the Orchid. In a previous post you only mentioned that the rooms were not particularly Hawaiian feeling. Was the rest of the resort more Hawaiian in feel?

Thanks again!

Lisa,
I would recommend staying at the mani lani bay hotel on the big island. We've been there many times, and it is one of our most favorite hotels. There is a true Hawaiian feeling, both from the staff, the decor in the rooms, to the amazing grounds. the service is superior, and you won't go wrong. right now, they have a special of $255 per nite and that includes breakfast. They also have a family plan where you pay the rack rate for one room, and 50% for the second. We were there last summer with our 18 year old son and his friend, and they loved it.

Ellen

Thank you for the tip. It is good to know that your 18 year old son enjoyed the Mauna Lani Bay. How much time did you spend on the grounds and what were the types of activities your teenager enjoyed?

Hi lisa, i posted the first kahala mandarin post a few days ago. i decided on the garden view with balcony for 320 a nite with the 4th night free. i am going in april. as for the big island, i stayed at the orchid in 2000 and totally loved it. it is in the same complex as the mauna lani. all the kohala coast resorts are in pairs. this year i am going to stay at the mauna lani because of the promotion. but i think this complex (orchid and mauni lani) is great. forget about the 4 seasons, they a way overpriced. i drove by the hilton, it was ok but many little kids. of the 3 islands i have been to, any i love them all, i really feel the need to go back to big island. i like your choices because on my first trip i also stayed at the hyatt kauai. fabulous, but instead ofthe 4 seasons on maui, i stayed at the ritz in kapalua. i loved the kanapaali and laihana area. im hoping for an upgrate at the kahala but o well at least ill get to see the dophins. let me know if you have any other questions. bob

Lisa,

Sorry it’s taken so long to respond but we’re having lots of internet connectivity issues. Anyway, your hotel selection is great and I wouldn’t change a thing. I stayed at almost all the same hotels on our previous trip. Just so you know, we don’t have kids so I’m probably not the person you want to be asking about activities for your teenagers.

If you haven’t already done so check out the Kahala Mandarin Oriental website. It has some nice photos of their rooms so you can judge for yourself whether they look nice.
www.mandarinoriental.com

The Hyatt on Kauai has beautiful grounds and public areas. The pools are just spectacular and the restaurant was also very good, I think we ate there two nights. Again, this is a great hotel for giving upgrades. If they don’t offer, just ask!

If I gave the impression that I wasn’t thrilled with the Orchid on the Big Island I’m sorry. The grounds are just beautiful at this hotel. I LOVE the Big Island because there’s lots to do. Last time we only stayed for 3 nights and I kicked myself for not staying longer. The only negative thing I can think of is the room décor. It’s not that they’re not nice rooms but like I said in my previous post, it looked like a Ritz in a city instead of one on a tropical island. (Even though it’s not a Ritz anymore it still has that overall “Ritz” look). The rooms are nice but after staying at the Kahala they just fail to compare (IMO). I stayed here in 1999 and who knows by now they may have renovated the rooms. Lisa, I would DEFINITELY stay there again. When we go in May we are staying at the FS but it’s only because I wanted to try something new.

Like Bob, I also stayed at the Ritz on Maui. Again, I liked it very much and I’m one of the few people who also like the location. A lot of people complain that Kapalua is a rainy part of the island but since it rained our whole vacation that didn’t really matter!
I’m staying at the FS in May so I’ll post when I get back since you’re going in August. Hopefully Bob will post his opinion when he comes back too!

Hi Lisa,
We spend 7 days at the mani lani, and basically all they wanted to do was hang out by the beach and pool. they did go snorkling. The Mani Lani give them to you for free for a specific time limit each day. One day, we went to the volcano, and one day my husband took my son deep sea fishing. I was so not interested in that, that I stayed at the hotel and relaxed with his friend, who didn't want to go either. they also indulged themselves and had a beachside massage. As far as nitelife for them, there really wasn't much for them to do. We ate dinner, and they either walked around, went to the beach or whatever. The bottom line is they both can't wait to go back.
\any other questions, let me know.
have a great trip.

Thank you to everyone for the great information. It is VERY appreciated!

Ellen, I checked out the $255/nite rate, incl. breakfast, at the Mauna Lani. Unfortunately, that promotion ends at the end of June. If we could go in July, we would save a considerable amount of money, since the only summer month considered high season is August. I am only able to get away in August though. My kids also like to relax by the water, pool or beach, just reading and listening to music. It sounds like you all had a wonderfully relaxing vacation at the Mauna Lani Bay.

rmc, your detailed information is wonderful! Thanks for clearing up your feelings about the Orchid. Quite frankly, I don't know how anyone ever chooses between the Orchid and the Mauna Lani Bay. The rates are fairly comparable, and they both seem like wonderful resorts, albeit, for slightly different reasons! I will be looking forward to reading your trip report on the FS Hualalai. The resort looks truly amazing!

Bob, thanks for sharing your feelings about the Orchid! Enjoy your upcoming trip. It is great that you are able to take advantage of the Mauna Lani's special rate! I second rmc's request for a trip report. I would love to hear about your vacation and about how you liked the Mauna Lani and Kahala Mandarin. Reading a comparison between the Mauna Lani and Orchid, written by you, would be extremely helpful since you will have stayed at both.

Thanks again!

Lisa