paige719

My husband and I are returning to Hawaii for a second time. We stayed at the Outrigger Waikiki last year and felt it was a little too crowded (although we loved Duke's and the beautiful views of Diamond Head!). We are considering Turtle Bay Resort but read some reviews that the carpets were dirty and the rooms weren't up to par. In addition, the pools were small for the size of the resort. We have a voucher for approximately $3200 through Yahoo Travel (hotel/airfare) so we could certainly consider another island as well; it would have to be a package offered through Yahoo. Any ideas or feedback?

travelinwifey

Is the Ihilani offered through Yahoo? We stayed at the Turtle Bay around three years ago in a cottage. We loved the cottage but there are several reasons we would not return. Those are:
- large numbers of feral cats around the resort. That really broke my heart as it's hard to see hungry animals not being relocated. This may have changed in the past few years though. Perhaps someone that's been there more recently could address that issue. Not many dining choices in the area and the ones we traveled to didn't serve what we felt to be good meals. One movie theatre with 2 movie choices. The hotel always had non hotel guests using the pools on the weekend which overtook up the warmer minipool.
Plusses-
The north shore with amazing, one of the best beaches on the island with sea turtles just a few miles away. The hotel's beach is also amazing. I thought the main pool was large enough but the water was too cold to swim (we were there in Dec.). The breakfast buffet was good which was included in our package. We loved the cottage and we just had to pull up a chair outside our room to enjoy panoramic ocean views.

That said our friend that lives in Hawaii often sends their friends that like to golf to stay at this resort.

I think if the Ihilani is a choice that would be the better of the two. It is away from the congestion of Waikiki but you can still visit the nearby town of Kapolei with an 8 or so movie screen theatre and more inexpensive dining choices.

It took us approx. one hour and ten minutes to get back and fourth from Honolulu to TB and anywhere from 35 mins to an hour to HNL to reach the Ihilani.

I suspect you will get answers suggesting the Turtle Bay over the Ihilani. Just know the TB is more desolate than the hilani and it just depends on your personal preferences. I love pace and quiet but the spot was a tad too desolate for us though the North Shore was amazing.

paige719

Thank you for your response! You sound like my kind of girl...loves animals and movies! Yes, I admit that would definitely break my heart. I have stayed in St. Marteen several times, always feral cats but they are well fed. Have you stayed anywhere in Waikiki? Have you travelled to Maui?

travelinwifey

Hi, yes, we've stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village last year. It was very nice and well laid out. The penguins were the best attraction for us At the Turtle Bay we purchased two 25 pound bags of cat food and hid them in the bushes by the beach away from the public eye but where the cats would hide and sleep. I was going to send a letter management but then I was afraid they'd be put to sleep. Some were fed and some weren't because there were so may and saw two pregnant mommy cats.

Anyhoo, yes, we've been to Maui 4 times. Stayed in Lahaina twice Wailea once. One Four Seasons, and the two others were Aston properties and once at the Kapalua Bay hotel that has since been turned into time shares.

Maui is also a good choice but traffic can be terrible going back and fourth to Lahaina. More to do though than the BI and Kauai. If you are looking for total quiet I'd suggest the Big Island or Kauai, the Hyatt on Kauai is still close to activities but also quiet if you are just planning on staying at the resort with an awesome sanded pool.

travelinwifey

Ps, I'd love to see St Marteen one day, I hear the beaches are so nice.

kerikeri

i think a $3200 credit will get you a lot more relaxing time on kauai maui or the big island at a resort there. is that not an option?

paige719

Yes, actually, we can go anywhere in Hawaii with this voucher. We are torn...to say for sure.

paige719

travelinwifey, st. marteens is beautiful and everyone is very friendly. You can drive around the entire island in about an hour; we would plan a different beach every day. There is an local artist's studio on the island which is interesting. His name is Minguet (not sure if he is still alive but his daughter was working with him as well). I'm like you..I would have fed those cats as often as I could. It would have ruined the trip for me. Have you also stayed in Waikiki Beach? Which tower did you stay at the Hilton Hawaiian Village? If you could return to one place on Hawaii, where would it be (remember my budget)?

Devonmcj

It may seem like a kind-hearted thing to do to leave food in the bushes for the cats, but you do realize you're also keeping the rats fat and happy, don't you?

travelinwifey

Hi Paige, at the HHV we styed in an ocean view room in the Ali'i tower, our travel agent was able to get us a room around $100 off per night discounted rates. The nice thing about HHV is that every tower has their own pool. The beach is still busy though but the hotel itself was very nice, we'll probably stay there again but not for a full week, just 1-2 nights like last time.

I would consider the Big Island or Kauai with your voucher and I think you could do quite nicely with the credit. The Orchid offers pretty decent deals off season. It also has some of the best views on the Island and neighboring island of Maui(?) and turtles along the shore. You can definitely snag the Hapuna Beach in that price range but the Fairmont Orchid to me is more upscale and has covered canopy beach chairs. We had a beach massage at the Orchid, it was the best in my life as the chairs were directly next to the ocean with turtles swimming in view with the sound of the waves. Some people prefer the Hapuna's beach but I like the Orchid hotel better. The BI is unique because one part of the island is unique with the lava rock but if you travel 20 mins away it is quite lush with different colors of green unlike what we're used to in Las Vegas!

Alternatively Kauai is the lushest of the islands, it is really beautiful with the smell of the flowers and so much vegitation. The Hyatt is a great hotel. We did not have an ocean view room and didn't regret it at all because it was very lush just outside our room and there were wild chickens and roosters roaming just under our window. Room rates have gone up significantly since we stayed there though. Not sure what kind of deal you can get. There is a Roy's nearby and more activities than the Princeville area. We also stayed at the Princeville which we loved but there aren't as many activities. A famous actor has a home near there and is said to frequent the hotel bar often, I saw him with his wife at the airport. Hint: prior oo7 The Princeville has since been sold since we've stayed there but I read on Fodors the hotel will now be going for more of a Hawaiin feel vs. the prior European design. The Marriott also gest high remarks but I haven't styed there.

Are you coming from the east coast? My parents will be getting to visit St. Marteen for a day in March though only on a cruise ship. It is nice to live by the Caribbean islands, one day.

Let me know what you think about the islands. Good luck whatever you decide. If you've already been to Oahu I think another island would be nice as they are all different from each other.

paige719

We live in Atlanta. My husband owns a little neighborhood tavern in the city and we have won this trip from Coors (second year in a row - whoohoo). We have a 3 year old and it breaks my heart to leave her, although it is so good to get away. I actually bought Fodor's 2007 Hawaii and have been researching tonight. If you are talking about the most recent 007, I actually saw him filming his second-to-the-last Bond film in the London studios. He walked right by me and I must say I almost fell down. He's gorgeous and looked at every single person as he walked by. He and Denise Richards were filming. You have done lots of traveling and have stayed at some BEAUTIFUL places! Gotta run and read my baby girl a new book I bought her tonight.

travelinwifey

Yes, I was startled by how handsome he was in person, movies don't do him justice. WTG on the trip! Have a great time in paradise whatever you decide

Swaying_Palms

I can sympathize with the dilemma over feeding the cats.

There is someone in my apartment building who leaves food for stray cats. The cats would come into the basement and...relieve themselves...

The management put some kind of mesh wire barriers over the basement windows to keep the cats from entering. Shortly afterward, mice were seen in the building.

But the really relevant issue here is that food left for cats attracts all kinds of vermin as well.

There are also people who leave bread on fire escape landings for birds.

acaigirl

I was at the turtle bay resort last year and didn't notice any cats (and I walked around the grounds a lot) but I'm not saying they weren't there. Just that I didn't see any...

I loved it there. Even though the weather was yucky, the ocean water brown from all the rain, and so windy at the pool that my completely full pina coloda knocked over... it was still gorgeous. I can't imagine how beautiful it is when the conditions are just right. I had booked a standard room and they oops gave it away, so they had to oops upgrade me to a bungalow which was sweet. Seriously, very nice... personal concierge etc. I enjoyed walking/jogging the trails, having lunch at the restaurant at the golf course, taking a yoga class with Paul in the morning on the terrace and receiving a pineapple pedicure outside.

Personally, I LOVE the north shore and would find it completely satisfying but it's not for everyone. I love that the shrimp trucks are right there... I loved Ted's Bakery a few miles down the road... all of the north shore beaches, and visiting Haliewa. I guess the Dole place wouldn't be too far if you were looking for an activity like that, the Polynesian Cultural Center would also be an option, as well as exploring the windward coast of the island one day. Beautiful! There is also the Audobon Gardens & Waterfall across from Waimea.