Looking For Specific Accommodation Recommendations
 

About 15-20 years ago I had the opportunity to visit Hawaii on two occasions. But my wife has never been. We have discussed going, probably in 2016, but she has some very specific requests. She wants to be able to walk from our room directly on to the beach. And because of the specific places that we want to visit, it will need to be either on the Big Island or on Oahu. (We will make a day trip to the other island.) The location on the islands isn't that important. The only place that I have been able to find that might fit the bill would be the beach cottage at Turtle Bay Resort on the north shore of Oahu. No problem with the idea of staying there, but was interested in any other suggestions of similar places on either of these two island.

Thanks!

Depending on how one defines the term "directly" I can think of several Waikiki hotels which afford the opportunity of walking directly onto the beach.

Not many choices on the Big Island to meet your wife's requirement. It would help to know your price range, and whether she's willing to trade 20 or 30 seconds of walking for much better resorts and beach quality.

The Kohala Coast is spotted with resorts that have their own strands of beach, e.g. Mauna Kea Hotel, Hapuna Beach Prince, Four Seasons Hualalai, Mauna Lani etc. Sand and water quality at the first two in that list are orders of magnitude better than the rest, but I think even oceanfront units at these places require ridiculously short walks down a small bluff to the beach. If you wife is unwilling to compromise, stick to Oahu imo and tell her to please enjoy the traffic.

To define "directly" she means leave our room in be on the beach - without the use of an elevator - within 2-3 minutes at the most. Direct - like 30 seconds - would be even better. Waikiki hotels are not what we had in mind.

As for our comfort level on price, the cottages at Turtle Bay are in the $550-600 a day price, so I would say that would be our budget.

What time of year will you visit Hawaii?

We enjoyed a cottage at Turtle Bay twice, but many years ago. North Shore Oahu is lovely -- except in winter.

My DH and I also prefer low-rise, low-density lodging. We enjoy the privacy and space of a condo and spend a couple of months in South Maui in winter.

On Big Island, only the Kohala Coast has sunny, vog-free beaches, but few lodgings are directly ON the ocean. On Oahu, would you like one of the lower wings at the Kahala Hotel and Resort?

I suggest you investigate Kauai and 'the ends' of Maui: Kapalua/Napili and South Kihei/Wailea.

This site has aerials, reviews and rates on almost every lodging in Hawaii: www.hawaiirevealed.com

On the Big Island, you could probably meet this requirement with a ground floor room at the Four Seasons but the nightly rate is double your budget. I believe at the Mauna Kea, Mauna Lani and Hapuna Prince you would need an elevator.

What about the condos at Kolea, Hali Kai or Mauna Lani Terrace?

Are you open to condos or does it have to be a hotel? On Kauai look at the Sheraton in Poipu, remodeled a couple years ago.

I know you said not Waikiki, but have you looked at Kahala?

http://www.kahalaresort.com/oahu_hotels/

The Big Island does not have many white sand beaches, it is a very young island. There is a group of small cottages on
A-Bay which is one of the few beaches, and is small. It is run by the Lava Lava restaurant and bar. I have not stayed in them, but they look cute. They are about $500 per day for 500 sq feet. I liked the restaurant too.

The Hapuna beach is one of the nicest on the island and there is a hotel nearby, I think it is the Hapuna Beach Prince and maybe the Mauna Kea has a nice beach. However a friend just stayed at the Mauna Kea and was disappointed in it. She said that it has seen better days but is still quite expensive.

Hilton Hawaiian Village is right on the beach in Oahu, but it is a high rise hotel. Too bad you are not going to Maui or Kauai where you might find more of what you want.

> I believe at the Mauna Kea, Mauna Lani and Hapuna Prince you would need an elevator.

All three properties have oceanfront units that do not require an elevator for beach access, but the hotels are on small bluffs above the beaches, or are otherwise very short distances from them.

The beach at the Mauna Kea, Kuana'oa, is one of the most beautiful in the entire state of Hawaii. I would explore that option first if you are priced out of the Four Seasons.

Agreed with taitai. Also the HBPH has larger rooms and lower rates, and as with the MK, first floor rooms have direct beach access. The MK is slightly closer to the beach, so the walk is maybe 15 seconds shorter.

A few photos might explain it better than words:

MK:
http://www.hawaiigaga.com/Images/att...a-beach-s4.jpg

HBPH:
http://www.scientificsymposiums.com/...t1_large_2.jpg

Note the absence of lava rock in the water and sand. At the Four Seasons water shoes are required just for swimming.

On the big island we LOVED the Marriott Waikoloa Beach. It is on A-Bay as mentioned above. We have been to Hawaii about 8 times and this is our favorite hotel.

"The location on the islands isn't that important."

I really wish you had added the words, "But it CANNOT be on Waikiki" which would have saved some time and energy.

Typing a sentence sure tapped your time and energy.