Our family wants to stay in Oahu for 2 nights, but not right in the congested part of Honolulu. We don't want to spend too much money either. The Ihilani is too expensive and we will spend a lot of time touring around the island with the kids anyway. Anyone know anything about the Turtle Bay Hilton? I hear the rooms need rennovating. Is that true? Have any other suggestions? Thanks.

You may not want to stay at Turtle Bay Hilton for this trip. One of the roads leading to Turtle Bay has been closed due to rock slides. I'm not sure if it has been reopened. Check out http://starbulletin.com or http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com to find out latest info.

Rae- Thanks for the tip, but that still doesn't leave me with a recommendation for where to stay on Oahu (outside of Honolulu) without breaking the bank. Is Ihilani the only nice choice?

LS,

The Kahala Mandarin Oriental (Diamond Head Area), Ihiliani Resort & Spa, and the Turtle Bay Hilton are the 3 hotels out of the Honolulu/Waikiki Area. The Turtle Bay is accessible by driving around the east side of the island. It is in need of good make over, but it hasn't stopped people from staying there when they want to be out of the busy Honolulu area. The Ihilani is a beautiful resort and is quite pricey. Its a beachfront property with 4 man-made lagoons that take your breath away. The Kahala Mandarin is also beautiful, emphasized by their dolphin residents, and in a secluded, quiet area of Diamond Head... also a quite bit more in price than the Ihilani.

While we did not stay at the turtle bay hilton, we did drive out there. Grounds were nice, can't comment on the rooms. There were nic small towns near the hotel with some small galleries and shops but the beaches out there were very beautiful and ver uncrowded. At the time we were there surf was wasy up and it was nice to watch the surfers right n back of the hotel. You will love Hawaii. enjoy

LS,

Why don't you stay down at the quiet end of Waikiki Beach, across from Kapiolani Park at the Diamond Head Beach Hotel//condos? You Have the wonderful San Souci Beach right in front of the new Otani Kaimani Beach hotel, where you could stay for about $125, but the rooms are so tiny at that price. I'd stay at Diamond Head Beach Hotel, and walk next door to the beach. It is a much less congested area than the main section of Waikiki, and you can walk 10 minutes up if you do want more excitement! Just a thought - we love that area and that beach!

There are a lot of reasonably-priced private house/apt. rentals available outside of Honolulu on Oahu. Manh of these will come-out to be much cheaper than staying at a hotel for a family.

The official website of the Hawaii Convention and Visitor's Bureau (HCVB) has a long listing under the 'Accomodations' section:
http://gohawaii.com

Here is one site which I recall listing several options which looked very nice and like a very good value:

http://www.allerstorfer.com/

Best wishes and Keep us informed.