My husband and I got married 5 years ago in Maui. We had a wonderful time and are thinking of returning to Hawaii sometime over the next year. We loved Maui and did a bunch of activities (Road to Hana, Helicopter Ride, Biking down Haleakala.) We now want to go back to simply relax... lay by the pool or on the beach all day and have nice dinners. Which island would be best for this? Which has the nicest beaches? Also, when you give me your opinion, could you also recommend a hotel for the particular island? Thank you so much.

I know this probably isn't the answer you're looking for, but I do nothing in the heart of Waikiki and love it! It's all in your travel style not so much the location.

For pure beauty and tranquility, try Kauai. My husband and I went to the Hyatt Kauai for our twentieth and just totally enjoyed the pleasure of our own company surrounded by paradise. We did dinner out each evening at a different restaurant, sometimes just a lite dinner of fondue in Stevenson's lounge at the Hyatt listening to some great live jazz, or other times going to the Princeville Hotel for a different view of the island. The Hyatt is glorious and spread out enough to find hidden places to just lay out all day alone, or if you want they had the Yankee Game on at the poolside bar! I would recommend this highly, also breakfast at the golfclub was excellent. Hope this was helpful. Aloha.

Having been to Kauai 12 times, I think you can guess my answer to your question! Of the 4 major islands in the chain, it is definitely the quietest and most laid back. Mind you, there are many eco-activities and tours to enjoy, if that's your thing, but also easy to enjoy the simple pleasures of trying the many wonderful beaches and restaurants. Agree totally with Justrav on the merits of both the Hyatt and Princeville Hotels. Also, the Happy Talk Lounge at the Hanalei Bay Resort is a great place to enjoy a MaiTai and listen to local music, with a backdrop of Bali Hai.

I vote for Maui. The swimming and snorkeling beaches there are terrific. There's plenty of luxury if you want it. And, the dining scene is pretty good if you don't want to eat at the hotel all the time.
Condos are even more quiet than hotels and offer more privacy and almost all have pools.

My vote is for Kauai. If I were just going to lie on the beach, I'd probably stay at the Sheraton on Poipu Beach. You can walk out of your room and into the water. Roy's is near there, and they have great food.

Well jennymary, again I have to agree with suze. Waikiki is where I have completely relaxed and chilled out. And yet the great thing is there is a ton of restaurants, places to visit etc. if and when you are in the mood.

I agree with Waikiki for jus relaxing by the water all day and nice dinners. Everything is right there - and you won't need a rental car unless you want to drive around the island one day.

I know this is going to sound snooty to some people, but Waikiki? Are you serious? Not only is it an average Hawaii beach at best, but you are essentially in an urban setting. Just my opinion I guess.
I think Maui is the best, but since you have done Maui, Jenny, I too would consider Kauai for just lying by the pool/beach. And if you liked the helicopter ride on maui- you must try it on kauai. It is even more amazing, and you will recognize several areas from some well-known movies (Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jurassic Park, etc.). Maui definitely has more choices as far as restaurants, so make sure when going to Kauai you make reservations days in advance at the more popular eateries. As far as Kauai hotels, I also stay at the Hyatt. It's not cheap, but the grounds are beautiful. By searching Kauai hotels on this site, though, I think you'll find it is hard to go wrong.

Well, since you've explored Maui, then it is the logical choice to return to your favorite area and hunker down. The island has great food and grand hotels and pools and beaches. Lanai would be another choice as there is little to do but travel between the 2 resorts and savour the seclusion. Love Kauai, but think you would want to explore its beauty, rather than do nothing! We should all have such hard decisions!!!

Also if you really want to go off the beaten path Molokai is beautiful. Staying at Molokai Ranch is a must, the only upscale option. There are sometimes auctions for this resort on luxurylink.com. The beach is amazing (only accessable by private road) and the scenery is unsurpassed. There is a monk seal that hangs out daily by the shoreline. The drive along the southseast coast up to the waterfall is one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen. You are pretty much stuck eating dinner $$ at the ranch, the only 4* dining on the island and it is quite expensive but worth it.

Other than that I agree with the above posts regarding Kauai. The Hyatt can be quite busy with families during the summer, if time of year is important.

Lanai is a very sleepy island with two beautiful, luxury hotels -- one a mountain lodge and the other a beach resort. For a Hawaiian place to do nothing in absolute luxury and quiet -- this is it!

See more info at: www.islandoflanai.com

What about heading in a different direction - St. Lucia? A stay at the Hilton Jalousie would be perfect for what you describe. Wonderful beach nestled between the Piton mountains. Private cottages with plunge pools scattered up the hillside. Beautiful pool and snorkeling preserve right off the beach. No reason to go anywhere but relax on the beach or at the pool. Good restaurant choices right on property or an island treat at Bang on Wednesdays just outside the property. Shuttle up to Dasheene at Ladera resort on the ridge overlooking the incredible Piton view. Water taxi to swim and snorkel at the black beach at Anse Chasenet - or have dinner there too. Incredible place for a "simply relaxing" pool / beach vacation with nice dinners. Perfect match. The scenery is incredible. Kauai comes closest - but not quite as incredible as those Pitons.

In my experience the Sheraton Maui was incredible in this regard (lying around at awesome beach and getting just great luxurious aloha treatment). The beach right there is dreamy and the restaurants at the place are even great (especially the teppan yaki one). Location is not far from the hustle of lahaina for nightlife stuff..but i'd far recommend it for it's proximity to the much underpublicized west maui mountain coast/pali drive. The natural history of the island just leaps to life here.

For an even quieter time, you might prefer kauai. It has become the island of choice for my family. It is more local and less mainland seeming and if ya haven't been there i'd recommend it even more, although you might be tempted to do more active stuff as the lure of the adventuresome landscape is pretty strong (like hiking to hanakapia'i falls on the rugged na pali coast or visiting the waimea canyon and exploring the native upland forests in koke'e state park.
We have had a most luxurious time staying at the Princeville hotel(the views are absolutely to die for makes you feel like you're in sparkly/rainbow/waterfall/reef/ mt. makana/endless ocean horizen sunset heaven), and have heard that the hyatt is also really nice but in a more traditional "tropical" fashion.

The truest "hawaiian" island to visit, in my opinion, would be Molokai. I have not been there yet, but a close friend has a condo there that he says just beats all! For utter privacy and freedom from crowds. Not alot of fancy food choices, but sure what's local is da bomb. Whatever you choose..should be awesome, i'm sure. aloha!

I've been to Kauai and Maui, and we did more laying around and sipped more Mai Tais poolside on Maui. Kaui is gorgeous and very scenic...we were out looking around most of the time we were there. By the time we got to Maui a week later, we only wanted to go to the beach and relax. There were a few touristy things we did (snorkeling, luau, Road To Hana, Lahaina) but by and large we spent a lot of time doing nothing on Maui.

Suze you should not feel that way, city people love Waikiki. It is the best place to get a lot of stimulation without getting into a car.

I can't say too much about doing nothing though, I need to do something everywhere. Hiking is what I would be doing on any of the islands. If I could not hike I would probably drive and snorkle.

The best place to do nothing for me is home. Unless you are talking about extraordinary hotels or sun bathing? I guess this is what you mean yeah. I love the big Island for hotels.

Maui is nice for its beaches and hotels but you already did that yes?

I would go to the Four Seasons on the big Island if it were me. I have not stayed there but it will cater to the experience you sound like you want most.

I've had the pleasure of staying at the 4S Big Island and it is absolutely wonderful. But, the beach isn't that great.

For a "lay on the beach and do nothing" vacation with nice dinners I still think Waikiki would suit beautifully. When I was planning a big Hawaii trip a couple of years ago I let the "snob factor" (?) on this forum for Waikiki influence my decision. I spent too little time there, before heading to the Big Island for 7 days at the Hilton, 4 days at the 4S and a side trip to Kauai. I spent over a week on Maui many years ago.

When I go back to Hawaii, I DO plan to spend several days in Oahu.

Good luck with your planning, Jenny. Everyone who loves Hawaii has their favorites. The good news is you can't go wrong any place you choose!

For aspalm-

<We now want to go back to simply relax... lay by the pool or on the beach all day and have nice dinners.>

That's what they asked for, and that's what I do in Waikiki! They didn't specify the need for Jurassic Park, isolation in the jungle, or deserted beaches in their original question.

didn't mean to offend, suze.
My point is simply that if you are going all the way to Hawaii, I would want a beach that feels "Hawaiian". To me, Waikiki, although convenient, and near great restaurants, feels too much like a beach you can find anywhere in the world (Mexico, Florida, etc.). Just an opinion, which is what was requested.

We're going to try do do "nothing" on Kauai. I know we'll end up doing something, but looking forward to doing "nothing" most of the time.

The only "something" we have planned is the Kauai GTG -- but that'll be fun!!!