Oahu Help -- Where to Splurge for Two Bonus Nights?
 

Aloha, Hawaii gurus. We're staying in a bargain-ish condo on Waikiki (with our 7 year old daughter) for five nights in April, and would like to spend two nights at a really nice hotel before we leave. Any recommendations for someplace fairly special, maybe outside the urban setting of Honolulu? (I don't mind driving). We tend to like smaller properties, so I'm a bit skittish about Turtle Bay and the Marriott -- but those seem to be the primary choices in the luxury department. What do you think? Anything else come to mind (other than the Aulani -- characters scare me). Does it make sense to leave Honolulu? And if not, what's the best call for a place that is beautiful, elegant and reasonably tranquil? Thanks a million, Ken

How about this one?
http://www.kahalaresort.com/
It's close but not in Waikiki.

If you do want to stay in Honolulu/Waikiki there are many luxurious hotels: Halekulani, Royal Hawaiian, Moana Surfrider, to name a few.

There just aren't many luxury choices outside of Waikiki. Between you and suze, I think you've named them all.

You can get cottages at Turtle Bay that are just great - and it has a nice beach. Otherwise - try Pat's at Punalou on the east side - not 5 star but nice -http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g29222-d1169468-Reviews-Pat_s_at_Punalu_u-Oahu_Hawaii.html

or even a B&B at Lanakai - which is a georgeous beach, and you can go into Kailua for dining, etc. Here are a few I just googled and can't remember the one we stayed at - a block off the beach and very nice.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...hu_Hawaii.html

http://www.lanikailuabeachrentals.co...chbungalow.htm

http://www.ahawaiibnb.com/

One of my friends has a guest home for rent on the North Shore - right on the north side of the big Waimea bay - and check VRBO also for things like that.

And here is the page for the beach cottages at the Turtle Bay Resort - about an hour from Hono - if you go straight up the middle of the island - through Haleiwa - and a little longer if you drive up the beautiful east side - via Kailua. http://www.turtlebayresort.com/Accom...h_Cottages.asp

And the Paradise Bay resort in Kanaoehe (sp) - just north of Kailua - also had some good reviews. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...hu_Hawaii.html

Think I have sailed past there on a friend's boat and the shoreline is nice.

Actually - I think we stayed at this one in Lanakai - and the host and hostess were great. If it's the same couple - they lived in the Phillipines at one time.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...hu_Hawaii.html

Just randomly checked April 19th for 2 nights at a beach cottage at the Turtle Bay resort - and it was only a little over $200. That IMO - is a great deal.

If price were not an object, my first choice would be the Moana and second the Royal Hawaiian.

I would stay at the Kahala, the Halekalani or the Ala Moana - in Honolulu or check out the Kailua places suggested-

Get thee out of Waikiki is my best advice - and even the Kahala is too close - but it's at least somewhat secluded - and very nice.

Check out the Kahala website. I am currently looking for a 2 night splurge in Waikiki also. I got totally sucked in by their intro. Not planning on staying though as the splurge would be a little much but I think the kids would like the Dolphin room and that rate was within reach.

I love Waikiki. The Royal Hawaiian or the Moana Surf is probably where I'll end up. Love both those properties. I can picture them as the only 2 hotels on the beach as they once were.

The Kahala is a good suggestion. It is the smaller than the Turtle Bay and Ihilani resorts and while it is still in Honolulu, it is quite secluded and quiet. It sits at the end of a mostly residential street in Kahala, next door to the Waialae Country Club. While the beach in front of the resort is not private (there are no private beaches in Hawaii) for all intents and purposes it sort of is, as pretty much the only people on the beach directly fronting the resort are staying there.

The Halekulani is also a smaller hotel but right in the middle of Waikiki.

Turtle Bay Resort is larger than the Ihilani, but being out on the North Shore it will offer very different surroundings than the previous 5 nights in Waikiki. The Ihilani is also very nice - besides its pool there are 5 lagoons that are great for kids.

Thanks, all, these are great suggestions.