Message: Hello everyone! Please advise on best hotels on the Big Island and in Maui for Christmas. We are taking our sons, 13 and 12. We want very nice clean rooms, lots to do without Disney World theme, been there - waited in lines, done that! Thank you in advance for any input!!

Sounds like you're describing the Grand Wailea on Maui...lots to do for kids, very nice place. I think you'll be very happy there from the little bit that you've described about your goals.
On the Big Island there are some very nice hotels but none which are like the GW. The Four Seasons is my favorite there but you may find it a little quiet for the teens. The Orchid is also very nice, and the Mauna Kea and Mauna Lani and Hapuna Prince are the other top end choices. I've only stayed at the first two, but the others are certainly in the same league.
The best thing about the BI in my opinion is Volcanoes National Park, and I think just being able to spend time there will leave your kids' need for activity satisfied. The drive is kind of long, so it takes up a whole day to see it all.

Clare,

How long will you be staying on the BI? If you'll have had your fix of beaches, snorkeling, & whales on Maui, you may want to consider spending at least a couple of nights near the Volcano. We LOVED Kilauea Lodge (stayed in a wonderful cottage down the street from the main house) and wished we had stayed at least 2 nights. You need at least one night to fully explore Volcanoes Nat'l Park.

If you're not into the "volcano thing", I would recommend the Orchid or Mauna Kea. Yes, probably quieter than Maui (the whole island is), but at the setting are beautiful and the service top notch. If you and/or your kids have any interest in tennis, the Orchid as a fantastic tennis facility. If a great beach is your main concern, I'd choose Mauna Kea.

Kelly and Kelly:
Thanks for your responses! We will be staying five nights in Maui and five nights on the BI. Like I said earlier, I do not want a huge resort. We want to see as much of the ilands as time allows. Am familiar with the properties you both suggested except Kilauea Lodge. I will look into that one. Thanks again, it is difficult to make a selection from a travel brochure with tiny pics and descriptions. Fodors and Frommers have been a huge help! Aloha!

We stayed on Maui and the big Island back in November 2000. I don't know what type of budget you have but, I don't like wasting money on expensive hotels. On Maui we stayed at the papakea resort. A rental condo operated by aston hotels. you can see their hotel at astonhotels.com .It was quite comfortable and clean. I also found it quiet. I live in Orlando and know what you mean about getting away from the mouse! It is about $180 a night for a two bedroom condo,has a full kitchen, washing machine and dryer( small stackables) but worked. Has 2 pools and hot tubs and a cute putt putt golf course. the grounds were kept nice and the staff were friendly. The beach is nice to look at but, is not for swimming, lots of rocks and a strong current.
On the big Island we stayed at a nice Bed and breakfast just outside the Volcano's national park. they had a great breatfast. Three rooms in the main house with two baths. A hot tub and all this nestled in a rain forest. we also stayed at another aston hotel in Hilo that was nice. I don't recall the name but, could find it for you if you were interested. It was a 2 bedroom condo, 1200 square feet, kitchen, full size washer and dryer, and sofa bed. and close to everthing. If you need more info write me back. John

Thanks John! I have heard similar remarks about the Papakea Resort. I am going to keep researching this week. It is next to impossible to decide, since this trip is based on blind faith. Your input was helpful!

Clare:
When you say you want to avoid 'huge resorts' but you want 'lots to do', I'm a little lost as to what to suggest.
Is it that you perceive that the larger resorts in Hawaii will have lines like at Disney World? (They don't, by the way).
The better resorts in Hawaii almost without exception are very laid back, relaxed, slow paced, and low stress when it comes to daily activities.
The cheaper options like condos and B&B's, of course, will not offer a whole lot in the way of activities.
Care to expand on what your goals are?

I would recommend Embassy Suites for you in Maui. They are huge suites, comes with free breakfast, and is perfect for families with kids. I stayed there before and we liked it very much. Not as fancy or elaborate as some of the other hotels, like Hyatt Regency, but I think it would be perfect with kids.

At the Big Island, we stayed at Keauhou Resort, and we really liked it. It was not too far from the center of town(like 4 miles), and the hotel was pretty nice. The price is reasonable too.

Check these hotels out. I think you may like them.

On the BI we stayed at the Royal Waikoloan which is now an Outrigger. It was such a nice place that we would go back. It was quiet but offered activities. The best part is that it's on a beautiful secluded bay with a nice beach. While the boys take advantage of the activities you can lounge in the hammocks stretched between the trees (hope they still have them). If you want extra action you are very near the Hilton Waikoloan. Have a great vacation!

I think the Outrigger Waikoloa (Royal Waikoloan previously), as Suzie mentioned, would be perfect with the two boys on the Big Island, and they can walk down to the Hilton if they want a little more man-made action. Buy an Entertainment Book, and get in there half-price. On Maui, I'd vote for one of the hotels on Kaanapali Beach with kids that age, and they can ride the Sugar Cane train into Lahaina to enjoy the neat shops and restaurants there. You'll have a ball!