Oahu Hotel Advice Needed
 

Hi,

I will be visiting Oahu from 9/6-9/12 and I'm having a hard time deciding where to stay. I'm considering either the Kahala Mandarin Oriental or the Turtle Bay Resort. Both look beautiful and I've read pros/cons about both places. Any advice from those who have stayed at or seen these resorts will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for the help!

If you don't get any responses here, try www.tripadvisor.com. Start with a search on Oahu hotels and click on Oahu lodging. A list comes up of hotels and those are both on the first page. There are several reviews of each. Good luck.

It depends on the kind of setting you want. The Turtle Bay is on the North Shore so it is away from the hustle & bustle of the city. I stayed there quite a few years ago when it was a Hilton and we enjoyed it alot. The north shore is beautiful, more unspoiled than the Waikiki area. I like both areas for the different things they offer.I have not stayed at the Kahala but it looks great on the website. It is away from the Waikiki area but still closer to the "action". Have you considered splitting your time to get a taste of both worlds?

I've stayed at both but which you'd like better is up to you:) Hubby and I like quiet resorts and found the Mandarin too congested and the pool entirely too small. You'll have to drive through lots of traffic to get into Oahu proper and other tourist attractions. The room was gorgeous (ocean view rooms of Diamondhead are amazing) and food was good as well as service. I liked the Turtle Bay because it was remote with lots of natural beauty abound. The north shore beaches are also spectac. The pool is much larger and a quiet place for R & R. Not many choices for dining in the area, you'll have to trek a little to neighboring towns, 15 mins or so. Any more ?'s just let me know :) Hope this helps.

PS, turtle bay is about an hour's drive from the airport.

Kahala is more about spoiling the guests. Lots of luxury in a small area. Turtle Bay is more of a large resort.

Kahala - pros: beautiful room, great swimming beach, outstanding service, close to other dining options and oahu sights

cons: pool area can be crowded

Turtle Bay-pros: more remote, private, quiet, on north shore
cons: long drive to dining and oahu sights. Beach can be rough

Are you going to Oahu just to relax or do you want to see more of the island? I loved,loved the Kahala, and would not hesitate to stay there again, however we were visiting family in Oahu and not simply going there to veg on the beach....