Noooooooo (not Seattle!)

I've gone to Honolulu (from Seattle) for a 5 day trip. It was fabulous. I'm surprised anyone thinks that's is not a great idea.

I'm surprised anyone thinks that's is not a great idea.

Except now it's a 3-night trip. Plus traveling so soon (in November) the airfare is going to be very high for trips that short. I was going to recommend the Big Island as it offers so much in the way of sightseeing - rain forests, Parker Ranch, coffee country, volcano... but not for that short a trip.

Thanks so much for the responses. With a 3 night trip, HI isn't an option : (

They are not very outdoorsy unless it's more like driving through the outdoors. (Driving through Sequoia National Park and getting out awhile for photo ops, stuff like that.) Any thoughts on those dramatic arches and desert areas in Utah? They could fly to Vegas or SLC and drive anywhere from there. He's an engineer and is fascinated in things like Hoover Dam, etc.

I'm checking in with him tonight, thanks again for the suggestions.

Any thoughts on those dramatic arches and desert areas in Utah? They could fly to Vegas or SLC and drive anywhere from there. He's an engineer and is fascinated in things like Hoover Dam, etc.

Many of the red-rock national parks are at quite high altitudes, thus prone to icy conditions, and some are quite a schlep from Las Vegas or SLC. I'll repeat my suggestion of Joshua Tree and Palm Springs. Joshua Tree is an ideal national park for drive-throughs; many of the sights are roadside. They could also ride the aerial tramway up to the maybe-snow country.

Joshua Tree - http://gardyloo.us/20110205_55a.JPG
Aerial Tram - https://www.pstramway.com/

OK, here is what I would do if the dates line up. On Thursday, Dec 1, the Beautiful 5 star Princess ship, Crown Princess, is doing a 3 night cruise out of LA. If those dates don't work, look at vacationstogo to see if anything else works.

Gardyloo, You are absolutely correct I hadn't noticed the cut back in time.

<With a 3 night trip, HI isn't an option>

Why?

With a nonstop from SFO I don't see why not. The other destinations are all nice enough, Napa, Palm Springs, etc. but they sure don't scream "truly memorable honeymoon" to me like even a quick trip to Honolulu does. That's 3 nights of sunsets, dinner on the beach, a circle tour drive around Oahu, maybe a historical site, sight, or museum.

But sounds like it's already nixed for sure. Call me crazy but what does the new wife think about Hoover Dam? -lol-

I think Santa Fe is a reasonable target that isn't overrun by society.

Though IF going there from the Bay Area, going Oakland-to-Albuquerque is the right move, especially for cost reasons.


I'm also quite fond of Salt Lake City and surrounds - would be a nice fit for a 4-night trip, with things to do and see during the days, and nothing too demanding... leaving the nights free for honeymoon stuff.

Or even flying to Denver, and then driving into the mountains somewhere... Vail, if all else fails.

I have miles to fly them to Honolulu the weekend after their wedding (unfortunately nothing in Business class is avail) but he has yet to give it the OK. Just holding the tix for them. I've been to Maui and Big Island but never did any sightseeing in HNL.

So Waikiki isn't tacky? (LOL - I know, when Plan B is Hoover Dam, this sounds like an absurd question.....)

The quality of their experience in Waikiki will depend on staying in a nice hotel. So if they find a cheap hotel online or an AirBnB with a very low price, I expect they will come away unimpressed. But if they stay somewhere nice, they can enjoy walking the busy Waikiki area, watching surfers, shopping and eating. They want to be right on the beach, not a block or two away - this makes a big difference.

OK -- that's very good to know. My husband has Hilton points so maybe we can put them up in an oceanfront room, I will check now.

Any recs on best hotels in Waikiki -- Hyatt Regency, Ritz-Carlton, Aston Waikiki Beach Tower? We could do the Hilton but the rooms don't look great. I like the way the Four Seasons looks but it's a bit out of budget.

My faves are the Royal Hawaiian and the Moana Surfrider. The Hyatt is right across the street from the beach, so not a bad location, but not, IMO, a honeymoon location. The Aston is well-located right on the beach.. The Ritz-Calton is NOT on the beach so while I'm sure it is lovely, I'd cut it from my list. The Hilton Hawaiian Village is on the beach, but is a large resort, sort of Disneyesque, so not a place I'd ever stay, but I know there are many people who love it.

I think the "best" hotels in Waikiki are: Halekulani, Royal Hawaiian, Moana Surfrider.

<so Waikiki isn't tacky?>

Not to me it isn't. It is "classic". But like anywhere, mostly depends where you stay, what you see & do with your time.

Of the hotels you just mentioned, I like the Hyatt Regency best.

>>so Waikiki isn't tacky?

Jr Suite at Royal Hawaiian is available and I can book an oceanfront room at the Hyatt for 400 but the room looks so small. Do you have any guess as to what might impress a young bride?

Royal Hawaiian*!*!*!*!*!*!*! It's totally gorgeous.

The Hyatt is a nice hotel but looks like a hotel pretty much anywhere (high rise). And across the street from the beach.

Royal Hawaiian ("the pink palace") is historic, a tru classic, with a gorgeous tropical gardens setting, and direct beachfront setting.

Absolutely go for the Royal Hawaiian!

OK, Deluxe Ocean View room in historic wing at Royal Hawaiian is on hold.

Some of your questions and comments made me realize that focusing on the (likely) expectations of the bride might be the wisest way to go. Thanks so much for your help!

First class costs twice as much as coach. I think he should he cough it up, even if domestic first isn't exactly the material of Bride magazine.