Unless they have money to blow, save the money on first class to buy something else they would like or to put towards another trip later when they have more time. Just my being thrifty though.

Domestic First isn't really much of a treat. I agree with Sassafrass.

How very generous of you. We paid for first class back in the heady days of yore and found out that all first class is not first class. It depends on the plane. We would have rather slept in an empty row at the back of the plane!

Although you are on a track now, I don't understand how Hawaii direct and NYC direct are that much different in travel time for a quick visit.

What a lovely gift you are giving them.

"I don't understand how Hawaii direct and NYC direct are that much different in travel time for a quick visit." The difference is that when you get to Hawaii you are in a different world - the tropics are beautiful - even the air feels different.

Domestic first is a lot more comfortable than coach.

Kathie, you surely don't need to school me on Hawaii or NYC. I was curious about similar flight times and what the groom was considering.

Halekulani or Royal Hawaiian? There's no lanai in the historic Royal Hawaiian room although there are lanais available in their tower. Halekulani seems to offer a slightly larger room?

Inakauaidavidababy, I guess I didn't understand your comment. Sorry.

I've not stayed at the Halekulani, though I have eaten in their lovely restaurant a number of times and have looked at the rooms. To be honest with you, I wasn't that impressed with the rooms (especially at that price point!).

The Royal Hawaiian is a wonderful place. You are correct there are not lanais in the historic wing. I once stayed in a junior suite there that overlooked the gardens and it was lovely. But it depends on what the honeymooners like. They might prefer having a lanai and being in the tower. I love old, historic hotels, so wanted to be in that part of the hotel.

The Moana Surfrider has a tower that has wonderful oceanfront rooms with a large lanai, so that might be another option worth considering.

I am loving these plans! Hooray for all of us for convincing you/them of a romantic Hawaiian honeymoon :-)

No need for first class. Save the money for nicer meals or whatever after they arrive. But DO try for a Hawaiian Airlines flight. That way it's like you are "in the islands" from the moment you get on the plane. They have great in flight entertainment featuring island topics, wonderful cabin crew in Hawaiian print uniforms, mai tais on the beverage cart, and so on.

Everyone consideres Halekulani the #1 hotel in Waikiki. It's so far above my price range, I've yet to even visit for a drink -haha.

I prefer the historic look of either RH or Moana Surfrider myself.

Suze, I'm guessing we might have similar tastes in hotels.

Their trip just got extended to 4 nights which is great for them and not as great for my bank account..... : ) Halekulani is pricing out at almost the same price as Royal Hawaiian ($200 difference total -- the room rates are $500-ish which is more than twice as much as I've ever paid for my own hotel). Young bride has never been to HI. Personally, I would love the RH but I'm thinking they would be more "impressed" by the Halekulani. I'll decide by this afternoon.

Suze, your question about Hoover Dam was crucial, LOL!

Thanks to all for helping to shape how this couple will remember their first days of being married.

<Suze, I'm guessing we might have similar tastes in hotels.>

Perhaps but unfortunately I have champagne taste on a beer budget!



fishee~~ Happy to be of service. The least I could do to save the lovely Bride from camping out (or whatever!).

I know you are focused on the top 3 hotels right now (Halekulani, RH, Moana).

You might look at what $500 would get you somewhere like Outrigger Reef? I'm just thinking perhaps there you could get one of the best rooms with balcony and direct ocean view. Where that same money at the fancier hotels would get you a lesser or regular class of room??

This has been FUN, thanks for letting us help :-)

I like suze's idea of staying at a less expensive hotel like Outrigger Reef and use the money saved for a rental car or maybe a nice dinner.

Actually I was suggesting spending the same/similar amount of money on the room... only getting the best room at a mid-range hotel instead of a lesser room at a high-end hotel.

>>The least I could do to save the lovely Bride from camping out (or whatever!)<<

. . . Or 'whatever' like spending the honeymoon visiting Hoover Dam or Salt Lake City >)

Me personally I'd either get the best room I could afford at the Royal Hawaiian or what suze just suggested - a very upscale room in one of the more mid-range properties.

I'd opt for the bast room I could get in budget from either the Royal Hawaiian or the Moana Surfrider. Having seen the regular rooms and the larger rooms at the Halekulani, I wouldn't bother. Also, the views from the Halekulani aren't as nice as the views from the Royal Hawaiian and the Surfrider. But I would have dinner one night at the Halekulani.