throwmeaway27

We are thinking about doing 5 nights in Maui and 4 night in Kaui this March for our honeymoon. We will be renting a car and there are plenty of hotels available but I am looking for recommendations of anything I may have missed (rentals/bed and breakfasts) or specific areas we should stay in (especially in Maui).

I think we want to split up our time in Maui. Right now I am looking at a couple days at the Travaasa Hana and a couple nights in Lahaina but a quick google search suggested that Wailea, Kihea, Kaanapali (this is actually part of Laihana?) were good areas as well so I am lost again.

The Honua Kai in Lahaina looked nice but maybe it’s too much of a family resort for a honeymoon? The Hyatt also looked nice but they had a minimum night requirement for our dates.

Any suggestions are appreciated…thanks

Kathie

You are doing a lot of moving around for such a short trip. I can understand not wanting to spend all of your time on Kauai at Hana, but each time you change locations, you will lose time you could be using to enjoy these marvelous islands.

Maui: If it was me (and it isn't) I'd stay at Wailea, no question. Lahaina is busy with lots of tourists, so there are plenty of cute shops and lots of restaurants. Wailea is more upscale and has better restaurants. Kaanapali is not part of Lahaina, and I found the traffic to be just terrible. And it's the one place on Maui where you will see high rise hotels. Kihei is a good place for families, with less expensive lodging.

On Kauai, I'd choose a hotel in the Poipu area (sunnier, less rain, and lots of good restaurants) or the north shore. The Hyatt is the best hotel in the Poipu area, though there are condo rentals and such. There are a couple of honeymoon-worthy hotels in Hanalei. There is also the Ritz in Princeville. I know lots of people love Princeville, but you are far above the beach (so it isn't very accessible) and the whole development feels like suburbia to me with the golf course. But if you are golfers, it might be perfect for you. Be aware that the north shore area is much wetter than the Poipu area. In March you will get rain - don't let it bother you.

Congrats and happy planning!

suze

I wouldn't want to stay 3 different places on 2 different island for only a 9 day trip... but that's me.

Feliz luna de miel!

throwmeaway27

We really don't mind packing/unpacking, checking in/checking out. We do it often on trips as a way to maximize our opportunities to see different areas

I posted this question on the TA forums as well and they are steering me away from Hana. Is traveling to Hana with luggage in the car really that dangerous? How else does one get to Hana if they intend to stay for a few days?

I will definitely check out Wailea. For Kauai we were looking at the Hyatt or the Koa Kea. Do you know anything about the Koa Kea? We like the Hyatt but were worried there would be too many kids...

Thanks

sf7307

In Kauai, I'd also recommend the Poipu area over the north shore, especially in March --- the north shore is more lush and beautiful (stunning really) but I like being ON the beach, rather than ABOVE the beach (and all the upscale hotels in the north are high up above the beach), and I also agree with Kathie about the very nature of Princeville - it's just too manicured for my taste. Also, the weather in the north is much iffier in the winter.

That said, it depends on the type of lodging you want. If you're not looking for an upscale hotel, you might find exactly what you want in Hanalei.

In Maui, we liked Wailea and would probably recommend it for honeymooners, but we also like Kaanapali Beach (which is also a "development", but unlike Princeville, most of the hotels and condos are right on the beach) and its proximity to Lahaina (the town). Don't be fooled though - the Hyatt Regency is 4 miles from the town of Lahaina, and Honua Kai (which, yes, is a family resort) is 5 miles. Not far, but not IN Lahaina either.'

What kind of atmosphere are you looking for?

fishee

If you leave nothing visible in your car and all luggage is in the trunk, there's absolutely no reason for thieves to pick your car over another with a visible cell phone or backpack.

There was a theft of tourist luggage in the parking lot of Walmart the other day but the trunk had been accidentally left open.

Inakauaidavidababy

If Hana calls you - GO! We have been blessed with 4 stays, in private rentals and adore it. Never enough time.

RE: Hana
Yes you should beware where you park, never open your trunk to stow things in open view and be aware of your surroundings. We usually just provision up and head straight to Hana and then venture out. Yes that will mean not stopping at guide book must hikes, but Hana has many to offer.

Beware the Tripadvisor Hawaii Experts. They can be bully know it alls. I know first hand. When someone has been named and expert and has 40,000 posts, and speaks with utter authority - well often times they haven't been out of their cacoon, haven't driven the road in years and rely on weather and news to give their opinions.

Other Perts will tell you equally false information on flights and times due to their own personal style.

Yes there is a possibility of a landslide or car break in. But with due caution you should be fine or adjust. I mean you are jumping off a cliff to marry someone and make lifetime vows. Why play it safe now.

All that said, I have visited Hotel Hana many times but never stayed. Not a fan of the new Travassa. But oh how we have loved all our private rental stays.

Kathie

On Poipu, the Koa Kea is lovely. Low rise, nice grounds, excellent restaurant. And you won't have many kids around. We stay right next door at the Waiohai every year.

jamie99

I'd pick the Hyatt, kids or no, beautiful grounds and many pools and in March likely kids (except real littles) will still be in school, Easter break is in April.

Scootoir

Grand Hyatt Kauai. We have stayed there perhaps 4 times in the past 10 years and have never found there to be too many kids. It is quiet and relaxing. There is a large pool and lagoon with adult only areas. Can't wait to go back.

FaceInTheCrowd

I wouldn't be so much concerned about traveling with luggage to Hana as I would the weather there at that time of year. Because if it's raining, it'll likely be at Hana, and it would be a shame to spend any of your precious few nights on Maui in the rain if you could avoid it. So I'd choose Wailea, which has some beautiful beaches and is more reliably dry.

Ditto to others' recommendation of Poipu and perspective of Princeville. If we were to stay anywhere on Kauai's north shore at that time of year, it would be here - http://www.halemakaicottages.com/orchid-cottage-3/ - or another vacation rental property on a beach from Hanalei west.

charli47

We just returned from 8 nights at the Hyatt on Maui. I agree with the traffic issue of Lahaina. Would not stay in Kannapali again for that reason. I would stay near the area of the Four Seasons. Our weather was iffy (rainy and windier than usual I am told).

My brother and his family did the road to Hana. They thought it beautiful but it was very hairy and it can put a strange on a marriage..

If I had to do over again I would go back to Kauai for the 8 days. Maui is nice but I prefer Kauai. I didn't like the traffic into Lahaina. You must have a car.

Hyatt was very nice and I do recommend but not sure for a honeymoon.

I would highly recommend Merrimans for a romantic dinner and Duke's is a fantastic restaurant as well and suited 15 of us very well.

throwmeaway27

I actually had originally wanted to do just Kauai but the fiancé wants to do another island as well so we figured Maui. He’s been to Oahu (does not want to go back) as well as The Big Island.

Just wondering, would there be enough to do in Kauai for 7 – 8 days? What are the pros and cons of each island?

Prior to this all of my “island” trips have been to the Caribbean and I usually just go for 3/4 night trips…I honestly can’t imagine being on a smallish island for more than 4 nights. We went to Turks & Caicos last year and I was fairly bored by day 4 but the activities there are limited.

Kathie

Of course there is enough to do to keep you busy and interested on Kauai for 7-8 days. We go for a month every year, and we always find new things to see and do. In general, Kauai is lusher and greener than the other islands. It is also more laid back, not as many tourists. It is not a place to go if you are looking for nightlife, but it does have a goodly number of excellent restaurants.

sf7307

I love Kauai because of its natural beauty, but if you were bored in the T&C after 4 days, I think you'd be bored on Kauai as well. I like to "veg" and go beach-hopping so I can "handle" a longer trip.

cruisin_tigger

The Grand Hyatt is a beautiful property. Not sure if you are into great walks, but if you go out to the beach area of the Hyatt and turn right, you can walk all the way down the beach and up onto the rocks to see the crashing surf, and always lots of turtles. If you keep going until you reach the 'lighthouse' on the point, [http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=896] you can turn right and go through the parking lot of Makahuena to the street. Turn left and then its just a another short walk to Poipu Beach and Brennecke's restaurant. Pretty average food, but the view from the upper deck is awesome.
http://www.brenneckes.com/

If you want a great meal, (but its $$$$), the Sunday brunch at the St. Regis is ridiculous. The view is outstanding.
https://www.stregisprinceville.com/d...akana-terrace/
I would at least stop in for a cocktail.

Enjoy - we're headed there in September.

Inakauaidavidababy

I disagree with sf7307. T&C simply is no comparison to Kauai. I stayed there for a week last year. Although our villa wowed us, the island didn't. (Mizo Villa)

Added up over the years, we have spent many months on Kauai and still have much to explore when we go back. Just as we've spent a dozen nights in Hana and still have much to explore.

fishee

I agree that Caribbean, and T&C, are nothing like HI -- there's much more hiking and natural beauty (and away from beaches) in HI than the Caribbean. I feel like you have to dive or fish in the Caribbean to have lots of daily activities because the interiors of a lot of the Caribbean islands are pretty unattractive.

jamie99

I've never had a problem spending a week on Kauai. Figure one day exploring the North Shore beaches and visiting the Kileaua lighthouse and maybe Limahula gardens, one day visiting Waimea Canyon and Koke'e State Park, and a third day taking a morning tour of the Na Pali coast, add in maybe a drive out to Polihale, and there is almost half your week right there. I still have not been to the Hindu monastery or the Blue Hole, or visited the Kauai Humane Society to "adopt" a dog for the day.

fishee

My interpretation of TA Hawaii forum experts: they actively encourage people to stay in tourist zones in an effort to minimize the negative/annoying impact of tourism on local residents & infrastructure. Hana is a refuge of sorts for many indigenous farmers and indigenous families & I think the TA experts try to minimize tourist impact on the area by telling people to skip it. It's an interesting strategy and I'm somewhat sympathetic as I know local people can feel their spaces get overrun with tourists.