Hi everyone!

DS will have a short honeymoon in Hawaii in July. He was very attracted to the Kahala, but has been put off by some reviews on Trip Advisor that say it is "outdated." Is this an exaggeration? Is there a better place for honeymooners to stay? He wants everything to be perfect of course.

Many thanks for your input!

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Bump

Well, it's not a newer hotel by any means....however, it is a nice hotel outside the craziness of Waikiki, without being too far from the activities of the city. I guess it depends on what they'd like to do on a honeymoon that would make another hotel a better choice?

We stayed there when it was still the Mandarin and the pool definitely needs to be redone, way too small for the size of the property. There is major traffic going back and forth from HNL also, just in case driving time is a factor.

We checked out after 1 night, just felt there wasn't enough space for the number of hotel guests. We dined last year at Plumeria Beach House as my spouse's best friend only lives a few miles away. The food was very good but prices were $$$ for lunch. The aoli spread for the breads were wonderful, I'd go back just for that.

The Ihilani is our favorite hotel on the Island though it has slipped from a 5* luxury hotel to more of a 4* since Marriott took over. But still nice peace and quiet with dining and movie options nearby. Driving during traffic to HNL could take 45-60 mins at peak times but sitting in traffic at a standstill from the Kahala can be frustrating also. Have stayed at the Ihilani about 8 times, and the Turtle Bay cottages once (very nice but far away from HNL > 1 hour with traffic), the beaches are awesome in the area with sea turtles and awesome surfer watching when tides are high.

Share what you're looking for and perhaps travelers can help with the hotel that best suits your needs. July will be packed with families, just so you are aware. The Ihilani has an adults only spa pool and a main pool ususally filled with young ones. I am not trying to diss kids but if you want more quiet you want to be further from HNL. Turtle Bay would be the most remote. If you can afford the splurge the cottages are wonderful.

Hi everyone -- thanks for the replies and sorry for the lapse (it's been a crazy week!)

I think they are looking for something memorable -- my ds word's were, "this is not something I want to cut corners on."

Of course they can't afford the Four Seasons -- but something with a more upscale feel than, say Holiday Inn or Super 8.

I think they are attracted to the Kahla because it was advertised as private, but not as far from Wakiki as Turtle Bay. I think they would like a nice stretch of beach and fairly upscale surroundings. They will probably snorkle some and maybe scuba dive (they are both certified.)

Their top priority is to visit the Volcano sites. My first question was, "Then why not stay on the Big Island?" They only have 6 days. They figure they will stay on Oahu and catch a shuttle or something to BI, etc.

It's been hard -- I don't want to be the meddlelsom mom -- but they have already purchased their tickets to HNL - hotel(s) are all that's left to pin down.

I appreciate any suggesitons on how to help them plan and how they might arrange soem of the aforementioned acitivities. Thanks so much!

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Bump

The Kahala Resort & Hotel is in a good location. Its isolated yet close to Waikiki/honolulu.

I don't know how the rooms are though.

www.visit-oahu.com Free brochure. There are over 400 websites for lodging, restaurants, attractions in the brochure & on the site. Click on: OVB Yellow Pages

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34812564

The current lava flow on the Big Island is in an area unaccessible by foot or vehicle. So they would need to take a helicopter tour to see the live lava.

I don't think it would be worth it to fly to Big Island & then take a helicopter tour just to see the lava. The lava has been flowing steady for over 20 years. It also changes direction quite often so a few years from now they can take a trip to Big Island & perhaps hike to the lava flow.

With only 6 days, stay on Oahu. There is plenty of things to do & see there.

Lots of info:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34812564