monalua

Hello all,

My husband and I are considering a trip to the Big Island this August for our 1st anniversary. As we have just started researching it, we are trying to find out the best area to stay in (maybe we should split our time in more than one area)? We are also budget-minded on this trip and would like to try to find a place to stay that is affordable, but still clean/safe/nice. Any advice or places to look at would be greatly appreciated! Any tips on getting the best price for airfare would be appreciated too! Been checking all the usuals (expedia, travelocity, united, etc.). Thanks so much!

lcpc22

My husband and I spent our honeymmon in Hawaii almost 6 years ago. We split the time between 3 islands. I would absolutely recommend going to Kauai and Maui if you get a chance. Kona was great but the Main island was nothing short of being in a place like New York. Kauai is laid back, plush, romantic, less children (always a consideration, especially when you are "newlyweds" again), and really just plain beautiful. We rented a cottage near Spouting Horn. There a beautiful B&B there with the name as well and rented the cottage through them. Also, the Hilton is there and that is quite a site as well.

Maui. Lots of fun, lots to do and see. Absolutely go there if you can. We stayed in Kapalua Bay but being budget-minded, you may want to check out another place. But go to the restaurant there if anything just for the view.

Also, while on Maui, take a pineapple tour. Corny but fun. The beaches are wonderful there as well. Kona; that was where we started out. We only stayed at the Kona Resort and had all of our needs met there. It's georgous anywhere on the islands but I would stay away from the main island for the true Hawaiian experience.

lcpc22

Oh, one more thing; don't book tours from here. They are expensive and once you are on the islands, ask the locals what expereinces are the best. As far as airfare, well, it's a toughie. It'll cost you either way, but get the tickets now. Try to go non-stop and then book all tours or excursions when you are actually there. Look into Jet Blue airlines and see if they fly there or else jsut go United. Be sure to tell them what you are celebrating...champagne will accompany your flight often!

monalua

Thanks for the advice so far! I visited Kauai in 2002 and LOVED it, but we want to try a new island this time. Husband wants to see the volcano! Any other advice regarding the Big Island would be appreciated!

GloriaE

With a budget in mind . . .For resorts, the Marriott and the Hilton regularly come up on priceline. IF you have never bid on priceline before, check out www.biddingfortravel.com for bidding help. The major resorts are mostly on the Kohala Coast north of the airport. You can probably get less expensive accomodations in Kona. Check out the condos there. www.VRBO.com is good source of condos that are rented by individual owners. Both Kona and Kohala are on the west side of the island. IF you want to see the volcano, it is about a 2 1/2 hour drive from the west side. You might consider staying a couple of nights on the east side in Hilo or near Volcano National Park. For airfares, check www.mobissimo.com. It gives you rates from all the carriers, except Suntrips. I love the big island. There is so much to see and do there and it is not crowded. Have a great time!

fdecarlo

First make a list of the activities and sights you want to see on the island, and let that determine which area(s) to stay in. Picking up a copy of "Hawaii: The Big Island Revealed" is a very good idea if you don't know where to start.

The major concentration of clean/nice but affordable condos and hotels on the Big Island is in Kailua-Kona southward to Keauhou, and further south to B&B's in Captain Cook and other small towns along the west coast. If you could be more specific about your price range I can give you specific recommendations.

North of Kona are the Kohala resorts, which range from pricey to very pricey. But with some searching you can usually find a great deal, e.g. the Hapuna Beach Prince often runs specials at $199/nt.

monalua

Thanks for the great info. Hadn't thought about using Priceline - I'll go check out biddingfortravel right now! Used it before to bid on rooms in NYC and worked out wonderfully. We're hoping to find something under $150 including taxes, although closer to $100 would be even better.

turn_it_on

I stayed in Hilo, Keauhou, and Kohala last September. I got great deals in Hilo and Keauhou, and you can find specials for the fancy Kohala resorts, usually on their own websites. My detailed trip report is here: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34542623

Splitting your time is a great idea, the various areas of the island are all so different and wonderful! Let me know if you have any questions!

love
roxy

regalada

For our three days on the Volcano area we stayed at the Volcano Guesthouse for $95 a night plus taxes in August of 2003. We had a pretty cabin with full kitchen, separate bedroom and huge bathroom, tv, lanai, in a beautiful setting with lots of vegetation right outside the window. The owners have a common area with goodies for breakfasts and snacks, including fresh fruit. It is located two miles from the Volcano National Park entrance. We did the hike to the lava flows two days in a row and it was great to have our cabin so close at the end of the day! We don't care too much for hotel amenities and were watching our budget too so this was a perfect choice for us.

After we explored the park, we headed down to Kalapana, the drive was gorgeous and it was interesting (yet sad) to see the lava covering the ground where houses used to be. Since we were so interested in the volcano stuff we enjoyed our stay in the Hilo side much more than the Kona side.

tweekerz

I recommend to sign up with a points earning credit card, like the American Express Hilton Honors Platinum. You can earn 5 points per dollar on most purchases, and 3 points for other non qualified puchases. We racked up 220,000 points and are using them at the Hilton Waikoloa Village 7/31/05 to 08/07/05.

We have also been upgraded to their Gold VIP program, which entitles us to Free Continental Breakfast and afternoon snacks.... The free food alone can save you a lot of bucks. We are renting a car, ($22 day.. hotwire or through the free, no fee www.wailuabay.com website), and going to Costco to buy stuff to eat and drink throughout the day, before heading into town with our Entertainment Book! Kimo's is a great place for Prime Rib on the bone. Pluse Kona Brewing Co. offers free wifi for your laptop, as well as the lounge insided the Hilton Waikoloa Village.

I cannot stay at any other location in this are due to the extreme value that the trip is offering us

ChristieP

I agree with staying on both sides of the BI if you are interested in doing a lot at the Volcano. Personally, I'd stick to just the BI for this trip. There are more than enough activities there to keep you busy for a whole week!

In Hilo, the Wild Ginger Inn would probably fit your budget. It is the worker's quarters of an old sugar plantation. The rooms are not fancy, but they are clean, with comfortable beds, ceiling fans and refrigerators. The hotel serves a nice fruit and bread breakfast each morning. I think we paid $50 a night for a double room. www.wildgingerinn.com

In Volcano Village, we stayed at the Country Goose B&B. It was $75 a night and the room had all of the comforts of home! The breakfast in the morning was very good, too. www.countrygoose.com

Sarah

I enjoy all of the Islands. I live in Manhattan so I can tell that Oahu is not anything like New York City LOL. Honolulu and New York are both cities this is true but the buck stops there. The island of Oahu is not a city. Honolulu is a city on the island. Just to be clear.

You do go to Honolulu for cultural and intellectual stimulation. It also offers the best food of any island. There is also easy access to festivals, community events. If you are looking for isolation, yeah you don't stay in Honolulu. But then I would not go to any city when seeking a completely rural experience. There are areas on the North Shore and Windward sides that do provide a more rural experience. What is nice about staying on Oahu is that you can blend a city and country experience. I don't know that to be true of any other island. I just went with my sister's family, they liked Oahu best for this reason. Oahu is the most visited island of any. I think that says something about what it has to offer.

Just stayed on Big Island for 9 days. A new find on the hilo side in Volcano Village was this property. http://reservations.marylvacationsha...rmSearch&pos=7

I was not sure how long you were staying but I would not visit the big island in under 9 days. I have visited it many times for a weekend or even a week and I was astonished on this trip how much I missed on all those trips years ago. Just a thought can't miss with any island you choose.Its very easy to spend your vacation driving if opt for 5 days one island, 3 days another island.

Sarah

PS if you do opt for a stay on Big Island. Remember to arrange your tickets flying into one end of the island and out of the other. You don't want to have to back track in the car to fly home to the mainland. We also loved the Haipuna Prince and Mauna Kea restorts but I am not sure what budget options are out there at these resorts.

Stay away from the Hilton Waikoloa during school break season. Too many guests and not enough employees here.