Which two islands?
Jul 7th, 2005, 09:47 AM
#21
aloha, and a question for you lovers of the Big Island... any tips for me on the beginning stages of planning a trip to BI? Suggested websites or guidebooks you like best?
Since my family knows travel planning is my favorite hobby of mine, last weekend I was "volunteered" to plan a 7-10 day vacation on the BI and need to get started (this would be for 5 adults traveling together, 2 70-ish and 3 40/50-ish).
They were thinking Kona coast for the most part with a couple days actually staying at Volcano.
Any tips greatly appreciated and hopefully will be helpful to our OP as well.
Since my family knows travel planning is my favorite hobby of mine, last weekend I was "volunteered" to plan a 7-10 day vacation on the BI and need to get started (this would be for 5 adults traveling together, 2 70-ish and 3 40/50-ish).
They were thinking Kona coast for the most part with a couple days actually staying at Volcano.
Any tips greatly appreciated and hopefully will be helpful to our OP as well.
Jul 7th, 2005, 09:53 AM
#22
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One thing to keep in mind when planning any trip to Hawaii is that all the major islands have a dry side and a wet side. The dry side of course has more reliable weather (sunnier, warmer, and USUALLY with calmer water), and tends to look a lot like Southern Califoria. The wet side tends to have frequent showers and often rougher water, but is more lush and tropical feeling (more like most folks imagine Hawaii to be). North and East shores tend to be the wet sides, while the south and west shores are the dry sides. Mountains in the middle of each island tend to squeeze the rain out of the prevailing winds as they cross over, resulting in this RADICAL difference in climate and appearence.
Consider these facts when you are planning your trip and deciding where to stay on each island.
Ken
Consider these facts when you are planning your trip and deciding where to stay on each island.
Ken
Jul 7th, 2005, 12:34 PM
#23
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Suze, if you're looking for a condo on the Big Island, there's a complex there that I highly recommend. It's called Sea Village. The units are individually owned, the property is managed by Sunterra. We've stayed there three times over the past 15 years, in a two bedroom/ two bath unit, on the top level with an amazing, sweeping view of the water and the coastline up to Kona. We've rented through Donita's Vacations, in California (I think).
Sea Village is a small complex, probably 8 three-story buildings clustered around a central garden/barbeque area, with a small pool on the ocean side of the property. There's free tennis courts, too.
The coast is rocky there, so no sandy beach, but that's because it's close to Kona. Just a short drive up to Kona, and good snorkel beaches close-by, too.
The oceanviews are beautiful from Sea Village. Do a Google on "Sea Village", "Sunterra Properties" and
"Donita's Vacations Unlimited" and you'll find several that are for rent, complete with pictures.
The times we've been there, we've always looked at other condo complexes and nothing suited us like Sea Village. Plus, it's always been very reasonably priced. The last time we rented, I kid you not, we paid $500 for the entire week. It was funny, because Donita quoted that price to me over the phone, and I said, "Oh, no, that's too high for my budget"-- because I thought she meant daily! She thought I was nuts because I said $500 was too high. It took a couple of minutes for us to get on the right track, and of course I rented it immediately.
It's well-managed, so the common grounds are immaculate and pretty. They have barbeque pits available for guests, which is nice, too.
Sea Village is a small complex, probably 8 three-story buildings clustered around a central garden/barbeque area, with a small pool on the ocean side of the property. There's free tennis courts, too.
The coast is rocky there, so no sandy beach, but that's because it's close to Kona. Just a short drive up to Kona, and good snorkel beaches close-by, too.
The oceanviews are beautiful from Sea Village. Do a Google on "Sea Village", "Sunterra Properties" and
"Donita's Vacations Unlimited" and you'll find several that are for rent, complete with pictures.
The times we've been there, we've always looked at other condo complexes and nothing suited us like Sea Village. Plus, it's always been very reasonably priced. The last time we rented, I kid you not, we paid $500 for the entire week. It was funny, because Donita quoted that price to me over the phone, and I said, "Oh, no, that's too high for my budget"-- because I thought she meant daily! She thought I was nuts because I said $500 was too high. It took a couple of minutes for us to get on the right track, and of course I rented it immediately.
It's well-managed, so the common grounds are immaculate and pretty. They have barbeque pits available for guests, which is nice, too.
Jul 8th, 2005, 04:04 AM
#25
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ggrtist...I'm with you on that one.
swtjen7
Everyone about has said it all, but just remember that when you visit the BI, if you want to see it all you'll need to change hotels. It's not a good plant to (for example) do a day trip from Kona to Hilo. You'll spend the day in the car and won't get to see any of the great things the island has to offer. I suggest that if you can't get reservations at the volcano for a couple of days, you set yourself up in Hilo and visit/day trip from there for a few days to be able to see all the east coast sights. Remember that the Hilo side is the rainy side, but don't let that deter you. Also, it's where you'll get a look at a less touristy side of the island. Aloha.
swtjen7
Everyone about has said it all, but just remember that when you visit the BI, if you want to see it all you'll need to change hotels. It's not a good plant to (for example) do a day trip from Kona to Hilo. You'll spend the day in the car and won't get to see any of the great things the island has to offer. I suggest that if you can't get reservations at the volcano for a couple of days, you set yourself up in Hilo and visit/day trip from there for a few days to be able to see all the east coast sights. Remember that the Hilo side is the rainy side, but don't let that deter you. Also, it's where you'll get a look at a less touristy side of the island. Aloha.
