hjjityler

Going to Honolulu in a few weeks. Wanted to take the tour of Shangri La house. Has anyone gone on this tour. Let me know the Pro's and Cons.

Thanks

Can't wait to get to Hawaii

suze

I almost never take tours or do organzied activities, but LOVED loved loved this one!!

You need to get tickets ahead of time so do it online now or by calling them. They will mail tickets if there is time or you can pick up the day of your appointment.

You meet at Honolulu Academy of the Arts and can view a short video about her life (allow time to do this it is very interesting and helpful before seeing the house). Then in two vans each with a guide you are driven out to the property, down near Diamondhead.

It is a fantastic and amazing property, absolutely gorgeous. They do a very good job with the tours and telling you the background of things. I went maybe a year or so ago and it was a highlight of the trip for me.

I can't think of any "cons". But if you have a specific question, feel free to ask. I'll check back here.

trippinkpj

This is cool to hear about Suze. I want to do this tour sometime, and DH is negative about tours. How long did it take including watching the video?

trippinkpj

I think I got my answer: 2 1/2 hours:
http://www.shangrilahawaii.org/page.asp?pageId=5

suze

I'd allow an extremely pleasant 1/2 day.

Because I wasn't sure where I was going in Honolulu, I took a taxi. But I easily found a bus and returned to my hotel that way, end of day.

So maybe 1/2 hr to get to the museum, 1/2 to watch the film (plus the art museum there is very very nice and worth seeing, you get in free with your other ticket, either before or after the tour, so there's another 1/2 hr). Van down to the property takes maybe 20 mins each way. The tour itself an hour or so, not sure I lost track of time because I found it quite magical.

Tell your hubby it will be worth it. I am very "tour" adverse, and it was painless. I hate to schedule anything on a trip but was glad I did. btw- the people were a low-key and interesting mix of tourists and even locals the day I went.

trippinkpj

Sounds great Suze, and I will share that info with my hubby.

hjjityler

Thanks Suze

I am adding it to my trip to do.

It looks beautiful.

vivi

I have been to Shangri-la, loved it! Gorgeous home and grounds, so unique.

PS I went alone, my husband would probably not have enjoyed the tour.

suze

i'll consider the advise above about husbands, since i don't have one! i didn't do this, but you end up back at the museum near Chinatown in Honolulu, so I thought planning a lunch or dinner there after the tour would work out nicely.