I also suggest that you split your time between Maui and Kauai, especially if you plan on returning to Hawaii in the future. If you see both islands this time, you will know for future reference which island you prefer. And yes you can go wrong by choosing just one island. For example I much prefer Maui and would not go back to Kauai. However, many others feel just the opposite. Find out for yourself about BOTH islands !!

Well, here comes what seems to be a rare thought............but I ENJOY my interisland flights, and would split the time 4/Maui - 3/Kauai, and look at the II flight as part of the adventure. The islands are so beautiful from up above, and I wouldn't want to miss that. By the way, Fred, the rainy season on the North shore of Kauai is November through April.......when you can have days of rains. The rest of the year you might have some rain here and there, but nothing that's ever bothered me!! You'll have a wonderful time at the Kea Lani in Wailea.........I LOVE the Wailea resort, though we stay at the Renaissance. Have a great trip, and don't forget that trip report!

Aloha,
Lani

Once you see your room at the Kea Lani, you won't want to change hotels! The Waliea area of Maui is very pretty. There is a walkway that goes around this cliff to the Four Seasons. Also, the Kea Lani is just a wonderful resort with good food and service. I would relax and enjoy your 7 days at one island. Our interisland flight did not leave until 2:00 and we had to land at Honolulu to get from Kauai to Maui. We finally arrvied at the Kea Lani around 5:00. So that took up a whole day in paradise. Whatever you decide have a great honeymoon!

How does Kea Lani compare to Princeville as far as hotels] quality?

If you stay on the north shore you should definitely stay at the Princeville and just visit the Hyatt. Also, if staying at the Princeville, be sure to reserve the Jr. Suite, not the regular room which is not that great. The Jr. Suite is not really that expensive comparatively speaking, but do keep in mind that there is NO BALCONY in the room (they might not tell you that), just floor to ceiling windows (great view, though)! (I know--it seems rather bazarre to build a hotel in Hawaii without a lanai!!)

ttt

Fred, don't second guess yourself. You will have a great honeymoon at the Kea Lani for 7 nights. You surely can return for another visit to Kauai in the future! I agree with above poster about the importance of a balcony--especially in Hawaii!! Relax, enjoy, congrats!!

Fred, don't second guess yourself. You will have a great honeymoon at the Kea Lani for 7 nights. You surely can return for another visit to Kauai in the future! I agree with above poster about the importance of a balcony--especially in Hawaii!! Relax, enjoy, congrats!!

I just did both the Kauai and Naui thing. Resorts? Stayed at the Princeville, Rennaisance and four Seasons (maui). The rec.? Go to Kauai.
Maui has nothing Kauai doesn't have except more Mcdonalds, Burger Kings, Pizza Huts and crowds-the type that are all from NYC and LA complete with cell phones and arrogance. Kea Lani did look neat though so I'd stay there if you must do Maui.
Kauai does have the surreal feel, in its right in your face-not a 3 to 4 hour drive away.
Mark

Well- after a lot of deliberation I think I'm going to likely stay with the Kea Lani. It just seems like for our honeymoon it is the best hotel on either of the two islands. I agree with several of the posts that having a balcony and suite will should a big difference for those 7 nights.

Fred you made a great choice. This is a very beautiful part of Maui. All of the resorts are beautiful and there are a great choice of restaurants. Make sure you check out all of the resorts. The Grand Wailea has great artwork that will probable bring smiles to your faces. Also try to do one luau for fun. God Bless your marriage.

Walk up to the Renaissance, and have lunch at the Maui Onion one day - the BEST onion rings! Ask at their desk if the guy who sings JUST LIKE JAMES TAYLOR is still playing at night in the lounge there. He is amazing, and has been there for years, a couple nights a week! You'll love Wailea .....don't forget the trip report!

I agree on the Maui Onion-great onion rings, good hamburger.
I'm not sure why so many people think Wailea is so beautiful. Yes-the trendy resorts are there with great facilities, restaurants, sunsets, and nice little quaint beaches-Ranaissance's beach-Mokapu-is better than Wailea beach, but the area is somewhat flat. How can you compare that with the North Shore of Kauai?
I guess that if you live in a landlocked part of the country, those beachfront resorts score high. But to me, they only resembled nice beachfront resorts on the California or Florida coasts.
So they didn't appear so SPECIAL. Hence, go to those continental-US spots and spare yourselves the miles, extensive jet-lag, etc.

I think the north shore of Kauai is the most beautiful thing I've seen in four trips to the Islands (stayed on four majors), but I still LOVE Wailea, particularly the gardens at Renaissance, and think the resort area is beautiful in it's own way! JMHO!

Kea Lani is an amazing resort, but there were a lot of families with small kids there too which was great for us with 2 toddlers. However they do have an adult's only pool and the resort is very romantic at night. We loved the ocean front walk. I think if I was going on my honeymoon (again), I would choose the Four Seasons, Maui (next door to the Kea Lani). I have never been to Kauai but I hear that it is a honeymooner's paradise.

How easy is it to find secluded beaches near the Kea Lani.. or anywhere else on Maui? By the way.. saw pictures of Kauai and Maui on those "revealed" books tonight at Borders. Both looked really nice. Also, how long of a drive is it from North shore on Kauai to the East side of island?

North Shore to East side fo Kauai about a 45 minute to an hour drive.

Fred, I'll throw out even one more suggestion to you: Split your time on Maui, i.e., stay for 3 nights in an ocean front suite at the Ritz-Carlton in Kapalua (beautiful property, more private and secluded than Wailea, etc.), and then just drive over to Wailea for the remainder of your stay (no planes, no hassles)!

Thanks again everyone for all of your thoughtful responses! I appreciate it so much! My fiance does not yet.. but she will soon (the honeymoon location is a surprise to her). I'm pretty much planing to go to the Kea Lani for the 7 days at this point. I'd love to see Kauai, but we'll have to come back for that- or maybe if we get really adventurous we'll fly there for a day trip. Also- has anyone gone on day trips to Molokai from Maui? Is it worth it?

Molokai is certainly worth while if you want to see a completely different aspect of Hawaii. You can get to Molokai by air or by ferry. I feel that flying is too expensive for one day. The fare is the same as flying to Oahu (about 100 miles) as it is to Molokai (10 miles off the coast of Maui). If you go by boat you only have about five or six hours on Molokai because of the ferry schedule. This is not enough time to even drive the length of the island.