David

another update:

I have booked 6 nights at the Hyatt in Kauai and 5 nights at the Reneissance Wailea in Maui.

Thanks All!

Michelle

A CONDO for a HONEYMOON??
Gimme a break!
Honeymoons are supposed to be about pampering and being taken care of....BOTH husband and wife.
That's what resort hotels provide.
Condos are for saving money or family vacations, not for honeymoons!

Linda

Yes Michelle ... a condo for a honeymoon!!! Don't knock it till you've tried it. A condo can't be beat for privacy...who says one has to cook just because one is in a condo...people staying in condos aren't forbidden from eating in restaurants!!!!

girl

If my new hubby wants to stay at a condo on our honeymoon so "we can cook", guess who will still be single?

deb

That made me smile! But I'd also like to mention that we got a suite when we visited Hawaii because I was worried about jet lag and our independent adjustments to it, and I'm glad we had more than one room at first. When one wanted to rise earlier, that person didn't disturb the one who wanted to sleep later. A condo would accomplish that.

Don! If you're still here, go back and read Kathleen's post again! I wholeheartedly agree! DEFINITELY go to the Princeville, even if you're not staying there, and experience the sunset view and ambience. It has a world-class golf course; if you two are golfers, go play. If one of you is not a golfer, let the other go to enjoy a day at the beach/pool there while the other golfs -- I don't know their policy on that, but I would definitely check, especially since you're on your honeymoon. The snorkeling is even fun there. My husband and I are both divers and dived Molokini (great) and Lanai (not as great) before going to Kauai, and we enjoyed snorkeling off of the beach at the Princeville. If I were you, I would pick a day when the weather is good on the North Shore, and plan to go there for the majority of the day. Spend the afternoon there, golf or pool/beach (if they allow it), then definitely drinks in the living room, listen to music, see an incredible sunset, then hightail it out while there's still some light in the sky back to your place. We had an amazing dinner on the balcony during the sunset, but we were staying there and didn't need to drive anywhere. If you want to spend the whole day at the Princeville, brunch/breakfast is incredible, although expensive. I think we spent $65 for breakfast the first morning we were there. (Although that included champagne.)

Good friends of ours have stayed at the Hyatt and loved it. We loved the Princeville and it didn't rain once while we were there, but that's not always the case. You are smart to stay somewhere you can be more assured the weather will be good, but please do NOT MISS at least one day in the lush beauty of Princeville and wonderful ambience of the hotel as you celebrate your life together.

Kauai is the most romantic place I've ever been. I'd put it higher than Paris and Venice for romance -- can't wait to go back!

Congratulations, and please let everyone know how your trip went! Good luck.

Lori

We stayed in a Condo in Maui on our honeymoon and LOVED it. It was secluded, we have more than enough room, and we payed much less than staying at a resort hotel. You forget that most couples on their honeymoon are young, in debt (in our case, I had just finished law school) and adventurous. A condo was perfect. We stayed at the Mahana.

Mo

If you decide to stay at a Marirott or Renaissance, make sure to get a Marriott Rewards number. When you make the reservation, put in promo code M11. You will save $20-$50/night over their "best posted" rates, or rates you will see on the internet (expedia, travelocity, etc.).

We are going in July. $263/night at the Maui Marriott for an oceanview. The Renaissance Wailea is around $240 for oceanview, $190 for terrace view. Kauai Marriott $219/night for pool/oceanview.

If you can afford the extra $30-$50/night for oceanview over terrace view, I HIGHLY recommend it. We've been to Hawaii (Maui, Oahu, Big Island) only once, but there is nothing liek waking up to an ocean breeze & the sound of the ocean. We never turned on the A/C in 2 weeks.

"Terrace View", from what I've seen, means you're overlooking the parking lot.

Don

Hi all,

I am still up in the air concerning the resort on Kauai. I have standing reservations at the Hanalei Bay Resort (Oceanview Hotel Room) as a failsafe, but I am keeping an eye out for a great price on one of the starwood properties (Sheraton Poipu or Princeville Hotel) since I am a member of their rewards program. I could use points for dinners, room upgrades, etc. and that's attractive. I mean the deal I got at the Westin on Maui, a Starwood resort, couldn't be topped. Plus, all the posts of long walks to get anywhere and spotty service at the Hanalei Bay Resort have me slightly worried.

The pros and cons of the North vs. South shore of Kauai are still on my mind, but I figure: stay at the best deal I can find for the money since with the other factors alone I can't discern a true winner.

I have taken into consideration the suggestions above of renting a condo instead of staying at a resort, and have decided I agree with Michelle in that I think a resort is better suited for a Honeymoon. I want the amenities a hotel provides readily available to me, and I definately don't plan for either of us to have to cook. Just my preference I guess.

I suppose at this point I'll research Hanalei Bay resort, Princeville hotel, and the Sheraton Kauai a bit more to try and decide on where to stay there.

I know our visit to Hawaii isn't till September, but I am growing more and more excited with each passing week!

Don

[email protected]

Don saw good deals for HBR on Hotelsonale.com

HBR can't be compared to a Westin, HBR an older property with many units that are condos. Think people were belly aching about walks. You don't stay at the same beach everyday anyway. I liked my time at HBR in 2000 but return to a condo in Hanalei. Princeville Sheraton would be my first choice for honeymoon if condos were out.

September will be fine for clear skies on the North Shore. Grand Dame of the island is North Shore. If I only had 4 days base yourself on N.S if you feel at all like sight seeing out of this area head to the Canyon in Waimea maybe stop off an canoe the river leading to fern grotto. Anything else is not as impressive and you can certainly see on the dry sides of Maui.

Most rain impacts people in winter months I go every August and rarely have a problem.

Don

Thanks Bill. My main hold backs to settling on the North shore are the rain, and the distance to other sights and restaurants as compared to the South shore area. But as people like yourself say that the end of Sept. is a relatively good month for weather on the North shore, I am starting to lean that way. Seems to be the side of Kauai for a romantic honeymoon anyway.

Don

Bill

Don I will bet if you find that it is too stormy you could cancel and switch hotels to South Shore, that time of year. If you wanted to play it safe. Two days Princeville and two days Poipu actually I think that would be a nice contrast. The canyon and kokee national park are amaizing. I think there is 1.5 hours driving between these places but that is three hours round trip so it might be nice to sample these hotels and enjoy the attractions on both sides. I am always caught between the beauty of the North Shore and the West Coast Canyon area and Kokee National park. Just love the Kaulalau lookout but you should find the very short walking path instead of the overlook accessible to tour buses and the like.

Alisa

I think the idea of splitting your time on Kauai is great. Mind you--there is no nightlife on either side of the island. Really-it is dead at night all over the island.

I thought that the HBR was beautiful. The best sunset view from a bar in all of Kauai. It is not as much of a "resort" as the bigger name hotels but it is so gorgeous. And the North Shore is stunning. Go to the Lumahali Gardens. Tunnels beach for snorkeling. I would not miss staying on the North side. Don't worry about the rain! It's romantic!

Go for two days to the South Shore and take in the sights there. Check out the beaches for each hotel as some of them are not swimmable.

Although Kauai is a small island, driving from one side to the other at night is a drag.

Tony

Has anyone stayed at the Hotel Hana-Maui at Hana Ranch?

M

We have stayed and will be returning to the Renaissance Wailea Beach. We traveled Oahu, BIg Island and Maui last year and Wailea is by the far the most private and romantic. We stayed in the Mokapu Beach Club Renaissance Wailea which is directly on the beach- private grounds and small pool with balcony overlooking ocean(second floor view)and your own. Get the entertainment card and you can get half price if the rate is still available. It is located within walking distance of Grand Wailea, Four Seasons, Outrigger and KeaLani. Thee Westin is further down and more remote. We stayed 5 nights at Renaissance Wailea last year and will be staying 7 this June. The hotel is well maintained and the grounds are gorgeous. The other hotels are set on narrow grounds so you have less privacy. Maui has alot to offer- as does the Big Island but for romance I choose Maui.

Mike

How does one become a member of a Rewards program or get involved with the Starwood incentive deals? We are in the midst of planning an August honeymoon. Feeling a little overwhelmed but are focused on Maui or Oahu for about a week and Kauai for the other. Suggestions are appreciated especially as it relates to Maui vs. Oahu. Never been to Hawaii. Stayed at the Westin in Cabo San Lucas last year which was quite nice. What would be comparable on these islands?

dana

Hello Everybody.

I'm just back from Maui as of 4 days ago and we stayed at the Hyatt REgency once again (last time in '98; Sheraton Maui in 2000) and we really, really enjoyed the Hyatt so much! One of the reasons is that they've recently refurbished all of their rooms and they have a nice Hawaiian feel! Everyone was so friendly. The service was great
At check-in they upgraded us from a golf/mountain view to a partial ocean view. It was actually akin to a full-on ocean view in the Napili tower looking north. Anyway, I've posted in rants and raves already.
As for the Kauai ordeal, it's just no contest (having been to Kauai several times) If one is on a honeymoon, I can't think of anywhere on this earth more serene and beautiful than the north shore of Kauai. Keep in mind, if you dont wish to splurge for the all important ocean view, even if you get a mountain view, it will be a beautiful view. There are no bad views in Hanalei or Princeville resort area!
That will be our next trip, the North Shore.
Although I think that the princevill hotel is a lovely place to have an evening drink, I'd definitely recommend staying in a condo or a private house in the princeville resort.
We stayed at HBR in '98 and loved it.
It's my understanding, however, based on posts on this site, that the units aren't or weren't being kept up too well.
Maybe the situation has improved.
It really was a lovely resort. You get all the same great views as you do if you stay at the Princeville hotel.
There's Pali Ke Kua condos, the Cliffs
(not too fancy but all right)
and another condo complex which eludes me right now, but it's practically right next door to the Princeville Hotel on the ocean side of the street.
South shore is nice, but north shore superb!

As for the WEstin Maui, they're converting a large part of it into a time share right now, just like Marriott Maui, and the Westin was the only crowded hotel out of all the hotels on Kaanapali
beach. There were hoards of people around their pool. They also were very busy trying to corral people in for the "time Share presentation"
My friend at work is going to the Westin on their time share presentation,
and she's paying only $100 per night for 5 nights, so keep in mind, if you go there on a Honeymoon or something, it's not likely to be very peaceful.
It was downright LOUD when we walked around there last Tuesday evening.
If you like lots of activity, then that's the place for you.
I apologize for such a long post.

karen

I personally, much prefer Kauai to Maui (Maui is Ok but nothing special). We have done both the hotel route with stays at both the Sheraton and the Marriott in Maui and at the Radison in Kauai as well. These are all very nice properties, but would highly recommend one of the 5 star (maybe through RCI- gold crown properties) condos. You'll have more privacy and nicer accommodations...double the space of a hotel room. The extra sq. footage is really nice plus after a few days, it's nice to be able to do a quick load of laundry without leaving home! Go to RCI.com and they show photos of available properties. I've rented ours all through ebay.com and never been disappointed. Good Luck Karen Byron

Lil

I have to also recommend the condo route, even if it is your honeymoon. I would highly recommend being 1/2 way between North and South on Kauai. This way you have access to both north and south as both areas have a lot to offer. Don't be worried about the airport. This will not bother you and it will cut off 1/2 hour driving time (easily) between going north or going south. We stayed near a shopping center that had the name Coconut in the name...about 15 minutes north of the airport (sorry I can't remeber the exact name) but it was north of the airport and a great location. It was a 5 star RCI property that was absolutely gorgeous, lots of privacy, nice lanai. I'd stay there again in a heartbeat! Lil

Steve

Hey, go with the condo. My wife and I never cooked one meal on our honeymoon (ok we bar-b-qued one night on a grill right in front of our unit). Our condo only cost us $120 per night and it was spectacular....far better than any hotel. We'd sit out on our private lanai each night just watching the sun go down. A memory that is wonderful for starting your marriage off right. A lot more privacy than even a top notch hotel! After this, I can't imagine ever staying in a hotel again if I can help it...even a 4 Seasons! We did go to the Hyatt in Poipu Beach for breakfast and they have beautiful grounds (played golf next door as well), given the choice though,I would opt for our private condo again even over the Hyatt or the Princeville hotel(had cocktails there). Happy Marriage. Steve

Renee

The Hyatt was beautiful but the beach is not for swimming. I vote for H Bay - great outdoor bar, great pool. The North Shore can't be beat - I agree don't miss the Lumahali Gardens - sooo romantic. Bring a picnic for sure.