The Perfect Hawaiian Honeymoon
Aug 9th, 2004, 12:49 PM
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The Perfect Hawaiian Honeymoon
Can someone give me the breakdown in their opinion of the perfect hawaiian honeymoon from New York JFK. We were thinking 2 or 3 of the islands. WE love to explore and love the beaches. We like 4-5 star hotels with nice pools and rooms. We are thinking 10 days.
Any advice would be great.
Thanks!
Any advice would be great.
Thanks!
Aug 9th, 2004, 01:09 PM
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I'm sure you will get many opinions on this, but I feel like I've done my fair share of research, so I'll chime in. I am going to Hawaii for my honeymoon in 48 days 
. We are going for 18 days - doing 3 islands - Kauai, the Big Island and Oahu.
IMO - here are the best places to stay on those islands:
Kauai:
Hyatt (south shore - could be good or bad depending on the time of year you're going)- I think this one has more families, but the grounds are supposedly incredible.
Princeville Resort(north shore) - a little more adult atmosphere.
Non-resort place: (and let me say that I would have stayed here if I thought we could have afforded it - we decided to go a longer time instead of spending a lot on hotels) - Secret Beach Hideaway. This place is just amazin - you have to check out the Web site - http://www.secretbeachkauai.com/.
We are staying at the Sheraton in an oceanfront room.
There is too much to do on Kauai - buy the Kauai Revealed book and read all about it.
We are then going to the Big Island. We are staying at the Fairmont Orchid, which people have said good things about. I think most people would agree that the best hotel is the Mauna Lani Resort. The Hapuna Prince is supposed to be really nice too and on the best beach.
We are going to play golf, go horseback riding, snorkeling and visit the volcano.
Then, on to Oahu for the rest of the trip. We are staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, but the top rated hotel, at least on Waikiki is the Halekulani. If you want north shore, check out Turtle Cove.
We are going to go the north shore and check out the surferes, do Pearl Harbor and snorkel.
. We are going for 18 days - doing 3 islands - Kauai, the Big Island and Oahu.IMO - here are the best places to stay on those islands:
Kauai:
Hyatt (south shore - could be good or bad depending on the time of year you're going)- I think this one has more families, but the grounds are supposedly incredible.
Princeville Resort(north shore) - a little more adult atmosphere.
Non-resort place: (and let me say that I would have stayed here if I thought we could have afforded it - we decided to go a longer time instead of spending a lot on hotels) - Secret Beach Hideaway. This place is just amazin - you have to check out the Web site - http://www.secretbeachkauai.com/.
We are staying at the Sheraton in an oceanfront room.
There is too much to do on Kauai - buy the Kauai Revealed book and read all about it.
We are then going to the Big Island. We are staying at the Fairmont Orchid, which people have said good things about. I think most people would agree that the best hotel is the Mauna Lani Resort. The Hapuna Prince is supposed to be really nice too and on the best beach.
We are going to play golf, go horseback riding, snorkeling and visit the volcano.
Then, on to Oahu for the rest of the trip. We are staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, but the top rated hotel, at least on Waikiki is the Halekulani. If you want north shore, check out Turtle Cove.
We are going to go the north shore and check out the surferes, do Pearl Harbor and snorkel.
Aug 9th, 2004, 01:09 PM
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I'm sure you will get many opinions on this, but I feel like I've done my fair share of research, so I'll chime in. I am going to Hawaii for my honeymoon in 48 days . We are going for 18 days - doing 3 islands - Kauai, the Big Island and Oahu.
IMO - here are the best places to stay on those islands:
Kauai:
Hyatt (south shore - could be good or bad depending on the time of year you're going)- I think this one has more families, but the grounds are supposedly incredible.
Princeville Resort(north shore) - a little more adult atmosphere.
Non-resort place: (and let me say that I would have stayed here if I thought we could have afforded it - we decided to go a longer time instead of spending a lot on hotels) - Secret Beach Hideaway. This place is just amazin - you have to check out the Web site - http://www.secretbeachkauai.com/.
We are staying at the Sheraton in an oceanfront room.
There is too much to do on Kauai - buy the Kauai Revealed book and read all about it.
We are then going to the Big Island. We are staying at the Fairmont Orchid, which people have said good things about. I think most people would agree that the best hotel is the Mauna Lani Resort. The Hapuna Prince is supposed to be really nice too and on the best beach.
We are going to play golf, go horseback riding, snorkeling and visit the volcano.
Then, on to Oahu for the rest of the trip. We are staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, but the top rated hotel, at least on Waikiki is the Halekulani. If you want north shore, check out Turtle Cove.
We are going to go the north shore and check out the surfers, do Pearl Harbor and snorkel.
If you have any questions, let me know. I've been researching this for over a year now. I can't wait to go!
Have a great honeymoon!
Jen
. We are going for 18 days - doing 3 islands - Kauai, the Big Island and Oahu.IMO - here are the best places to stay on those islands:
Kauai:
Hyatt (south shore - could be good or bad depending on the time of year you're going)- I think this one has more families, but the grounds are supposedly incredible.
Princeville Resort(north shore) - a little more adult atmosphere.
Non-resort place: (and let me say that I would have stayed here if I thought we could have afforded it - we decided to go a longer time instead of spending a lot on hotels) - Secret Beach Hideaway. This place is just amazin - you have to check out the Web site - http://www.secretbeachkauai.com/.
We are staying at the Sheraton in an oceanfront room.
There is too much to do on Kauai - buy the Kauai Revealed book and read all about it.
We are then going to the Big Island. We are staying at the Fairmont Orchid, which people have said good things about. I think most people would agree that the best hotel is the Mauna Lani Resort. The Hapuna Prince is supposed to be really nice too and on the best beach.
We are going to play golf, go horseback riding, snorkeling and visit the volcano.
Then, on to Oahu for the rest of the trip. We are staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, but the top rated hotel, at least on Waikiki is the Halekulani. If you want north shore, check out Turtle Cove.
We are going to go the north shore and check out the surfers, do Pearl Harbor and snorkel.
If you have any questions, let me know. I've been researching this for over a year now. I can't wait to go!
Have a great honeymoon!
Jen
- accidentally hit send before I was done typing.
Aug 9th, 2004, 01:32 PM
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I would definately agree with above poster about choices in Kauai. I have stayed at both hotels and enjoyed both. The Hyatt's pool is outstanding but the beach is not great.
On Maui, great choices are the 4 Seasons Maui for awesome service, beautiful room with a luxury bathroom, and a great beach location (only so-so pools) and the Kea Lani for rooms that are suites and a better pool (slides and swim up bar area).
On the Big Island I would also include the 4 Seasons, although it is quite pricy, but beautiful with several wonderful pools, great service, and the bottom floor rooms have private outdoor showers. The only downfall besides the price is that the beach is not the best.
Good luck with your plans!
On Maui, great choices are the 4 Seasons Maui for awesome service, beautiful room with a luxury bathroom, and a great beach location (only so-so pools) and the Kea Lani for rooms that are suites and a better pool (slides and swim up bar area).
On the Big Island I would also include the 4 Seasons, although it is quite pricy, but beautiful with several wonderful pools, great service, and the bottom floor rooms have private outdoor showers. The only downfall besides the price is that the beach is not the best.
Good luck with your plans!
Aug 9th, 2004, 02:25 PM
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Hi belle,
Just got back from Hawaii yesterday. It was my second time in Hawaii. For this trip, I spent some time in Oahu for business and 1 week in Kauaii (for pleasure). Originally I was concerned that this would be too much time in Kauaii. However my friends stated how much there was to do there - I am glad I stayed a week and could have stayed longer. I would highly recommend Kauaii. We stayed at the Princeville which was in an incredibly beautiful location. While there was plenty to do for the outdoor type (kayak, hike, horseback ride, etc.). You may also want to have time to enjoy the beautiful and relaxing atmosphere. I was originally concerned that our room ( junior suite) did not have a lanai. But if you opened the large picture window, the view was incredible and we heard the waves as we slept. v. romantic. Overall, we were surprised at the large number of children in Hawaii especially at the Hilton Hawaiian Village - ALaii tower. The Princeville was more romantic and had less children which made for a more relaxing holiday. Good luck in your plans
Just got back from Hawaii yesterday. It was my second time in Hawaii. For this trip, I spent some time in Oahu for business and 1 week in Kauaii (for pleasure). Originally I was concerned that this would be too much time in Kauaii. However my friends stated how much there was to do there - I am glad I stayed a week and could have stayed longer. I would highly recommend Kauaii. We stayed at the Princeville which was in an incredibly beautiful location. While there was plenty to do for the outdoor type (kayak, hike, horseback ride, etc.). You may also want to have time to enjoy the beautiful and relaxing atmosphere. I was originally concerned that our room ( junior suite) did not have a lanai. But if you opened the large picture window, the view was incredible and we heard the waves as we slept. v. romantic. Overall, we were surprised at the large number of children in Hawaii especially at the Hilton Hawaiian Village - ALaii tower. The Princeville was more romantic and had less children which made for a more relaxing holiday. Good luck in your plans
Aug 9th, 2004, 06:24 PM
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On Kauai, I agree with the above posts. Plenty of outdoor activities. Best resorts are the Princeville (most breathtaking scenery but can be overcast/rainy) and Hyatt (big and busy, rooms not quite as nice as P-ville, but beautiful grounds and good beaches (Poipu close by).
On Big island, the Four Seasons is easily the best resort. It is often the highest rated resort in the USA.
I haven't ever stayed in Waikiki area. If I had to, I would look into the Mandarin Oriental (away from the hubbub).
On Big island, the Four Seasons is easily the best resort. It is often the highest rated resort in the USA.
I haven't ever stayed in Waikiki area. If I had to, I would look into the Mandarin Oriental (away from the hubbub).
Aug 9th, 2004, 06:39 PM
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On the Big Island, ff a decent beach is important then definitely skip the Four Seasons. Their beach is narrow and very rocky -- you'll need water shoes for ocean swimming and snorkeling.
The Hapuna Beach Prince and Mauna Kea Hotels sit on the best white sand beach on the island, and their service like the Four Seasons is top-notch. I especially recommend the Mauna Kea for honeymoons, because the atmosphere there is very quiet and romantic.
The Hapuna Beach Prince and Mauna Kea Hotels sit on the best white sand beach on the island, and their service like the Four Seasons is top-notch. I especially recommend the Mauna Kea for honeymoons, because the atmosphere there is very quiet and romantic.
Aug 10th, 2004, 03:52 AM
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We went to Maui for 7 nights and Kauai for 7 nights. I wouldn't shorten the time on either island in order to get a third in (too much packing/unpacking and airport hassles to go to three, for me). I'd recommend the Fairmont Kea Lani on Maui, Sealodge condos on northshore Kauai, and Marriott Beach Club on Poipu Kauai.
Aug 10th, 2004, 04:11 AM
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Hi,
I went to Maui and Kauai and they are great for a honeymoon. We also visited Oahu for a day just to see Pearl Harbor. If you want a relatively quiet resort vacation, I'd avoid Oahu. We drove around it and it seemed like NYC parked on a beach. I was so glad we didn't spend more than a day there. Just MHO.
Karen
I went to Maui and Kauai and they are great for a honeymoon. We also visited Oahu for a day just to see Pearl Harbor. If you want a relatively quiet resort vacation, I'd avoid Oahu. We drove around it and it seemed like NYC parked on a beach. I was so glad we didn't spend more than a day there. Just MHO.
Karen
Aug 10th, 2004, 05:03 AM
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If you were on Oahu for only one day I think you probably drove around Honolulu and Waikiki. But I don't think you drove around Oahu. Saying that all of Oahu is like NY City on a beach is like saying all of New York state is like New York City.
Aug 10th, 2004, 06:21 AM
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"If you want a relatively quiet resort vacation, I'd avoid Oahu."
I disagree! This is a misinformed opinion. It has been posted correctly here over and over again that Oahu is much, much MORE than Waikiki and Pearl Harbor. This is not an opinion, it is a fact.
belle1031 states that she and her fiance "love to explore and love the beaches." The Windward and North Shore areas are great places to explore and have some of the best beaches in the state! Some think that Oahu offers the best of all Hawaiian worlds without having to island hop. Look into the Turtle Bay Hotel and the Kahala Mandarin.
-Bill
I disagree! This is a misinformed opinion. It has been posted correctly here over and over again that Oahu is much, much MORE than Waikiki and Pearl Harbor. This is not an opinion, it is a fact.
belle1031 states that she and her fiance "love to explore and love the beaches." The Windward and North Shore areas are great places to explore and have some of the best beaches in the state! Some think that Oahu offers the best of all Hawaiian worlds without having to island hop. Look into the Turtle Bay Hotel and the Kahala Mandarin.
-Bill
Aug 10th, 2004, 06:57 AM
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Aaahhh!!! These negative comments about Oahu, and the erroneous statements indicating it's merely "a city on a beach" are really getting to me. Heck, at this point I feel like the Oahu Avenger! lol Belle - PLEASE don't listen to anyone when they say Oahu isn't worth seeing, that it's only a "city on the beach", blah, blah, blah. My hubby and I have been to Kauai, Maui and Oahu, and Oahu beats the other two hands down, IMHO. Oahu has everything, including serenity and seclusion. But you have the OPTION of going into Waikiki for a ton of action, great restaurants, bars and shopping. The other islands are beautiful, too, but I like having options on vacation, and I don't like an island that rolls up the sidewalks at 8:00 or 9:00 p.m. If you don't want that, then you can stay on the beautiful North Shore. I HIGHLY recommend the JW Marriott Ihilani, on the west side. Most beautiful, calm lagoons that make up the beach. It's about 35-40 min outside Waikiki, and it's truly paradise, and definitely a 5-star resort. The pool is too small for the hotel, but once you see the lagoons you won't care a bit about a pool. And the beaches are not at all crowded. We just returned 2 weeks ago. Be sure to go up to the North Shore and visit Turtle Beach, where huge sea turtles swim in the water with you and ccrawl up onto the sand to sun themselves right by you. Be sure to eat at Giovanni's White Shrimp Truck on the North Shore for the most garlicky, delicious shrimp scampi over rice. Don't forget shave ice at Matsumoto's! Then there's breathtaking, serene Lanikai beach on the east. And Hanauma Bay for wonderful snorkeling. Oh, I could go on and on about Oahu. Can't believe I have to wait another year to go back. Have a great time wherever you end up going, just don't listen to the naysayers re: Oahu. It's just as much a paradise -- when you explore beyond Waikiki/Honolulu -- as any of the other islands.
Aug 10th, 2004, 11:35 AM
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I agree that you should spend some time on Oahu. Hanauma Bay was my favorite place to snorkel on Hawaii (have also been to Maui & Kauai). I also stayed at the JW Ihilani and thought it was fantastic. The lagoon is so tranquil. Oahu has a great mix of restaurants/nightlife and nature.
As for a second island, I would choose Kauai. The Princeville's setting is just paradise. And Ke'e Beach, at the end of the road before the Na Pali coast, is also so magical.
As for a second island, I would choose Kauai. The Princeville's setting is just paradise. And Ke'e Beach, at the end of the road before the Na Pali coast, is also so magical.
Aug 11th, 2004, 10:24 AM
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Hi! you sound like me about 1 year ago! We went to Hawaii last July on our honeymoon from Newark and had 10 days there as well. we had the delima of how many islands, how long do you stay, etc. It totally depends on what type of traveler you are as a couple and what type of honeymoon do you want (I have friends that had a total adventure honeymoon rather than the stereotypical "laying on the beach" honeymoon). So after you do your research of what each island has to offer and what activities interest you the most, you can figure out how long you will need on each island. Maybe you will find out that a certain island isn't for you based on what you like to do as a couple.
we did 2 islands in 10 days. we landed in Oahu and spent 5 days there and then flew out to Maui for another 5 days. We loved the 2 islands because it provided a good change of scenery for us. Oahu is definitely more of an action packed, activity filled island with lots of people, crowds, traffic, etc. But we still totally enjoyed ourselves. Then Maui was the opposite and was more relaxing, slow paced, BEAUTIFUL, and romantic.
We wouldn't change a thing about the honeymoon and loved the fact that we chose Oahu and Maui (which are total opposites) because we would've been too bored on 1 island and too hectic if we squeezed in another. Don't forget, getting to the airport, checking in, security check, waiting for the flights (which are always delayed), boarding the plane, landing, getting your luggage, getting to the hotel, etc - takes up a lot of time. Something you don't want to be doing on your honeymoon.
Also - one last thing - don't forget the time difference - we were totally wiped out on our first day since Hawaii is 6 hours behind us and therefore, plan accordingly. It will be easier to do an early morning event on the 1st morning there (since you will be up at the crack of dawn!).
Have fun!
we did 2 islands in 10 days. we landed in Oahu and spent 5 days there and then flew out to Maui for another 5 days. We loved the 2 islands because it provided a good change of scenery for us. Oahu is definitely more of an action packed, activity filled island with lots of people, crowds, traffic, etc. But we still totally enjoyed ourselves. Then Maui was the opposite and was more relaxing, slow paced, BEAUTIFUL, and romantic.
We wouldn't change a thing about the honeymoon and loved the fact that we chose Oahu and Maui (which are total opposites) because we would've been too bored on 1 island and too hectic if we squeezed in another. Don't forget, getting to the airport, checking in, security check, waiting for the flights (which are always delayed), boarding the plane, landing, getting your luggage, getting to the hotel, etc - takes up a lot of time. Something you don't want to be doing on your honeymoon.
Also - one last thing - don't forget the time difference - we were totally wiped out on our first day since Hawaii is 6 hours behind us and therefore, plan accordingly. It will be easier to do an early morning event on the 1st morning there (since you will be up at the crack of dawn!).
Have fun!
