need HM advice- Hawaii or Aruba? UPDATE!! We're going w/ Hawaii! Still have ?'s though!

Obviously Hawaii is the more expensive of the two, but FH (who is usually not a flyer) agreed to going if thats what I want to do.......I'm just worried about how expensive everything would get with excursions & food/drinks.

Has anyone been to Hawaii that can tell me about how much they spent while they were there? And what was your length of stay?

This is what we're considering:

Hawaii- $4500 total including airfare & cars- staying a total of 8 nights- at Turtle Bay in Oahu for 2 nights, and 6 nights at the Hyatt in Maui (which includes breakfast).

OR

Aruba- $3800 total for 8 nights at the all inclusive Occidental

I know Hawaii has a lot more to see & do.....which I happen to like having more to do while on vacay, FH is more into R&R......but then again while on our HM, I might need more R&R then usual!!

Any advice is greatly appreciated!!!

***********UPDATE!!!!!*********** We talked about it, and FH knows my heart is set on Hawaii......SO, I spoke to Dawn Dorr today (she is an awesome travel agent btw!!!), and I told her to give me a price for something more budget friendly......she came up with a great deal!!!!

$3600 FOR 8 NIGHTS!!!!! 2 nights at the Sheraton Princess in Oahu and 6 nights at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel in Maui.

Does anyone have info on these two hotels?? We might trade up on the Sheraton Princess for the Hilton Hawaiin Village.......and we're also considering the Kaanapalli Beach Club Resort (which would add around $500 to the total).

Any thoughts on any of these?? Thanks!!! I'm soooooo excited we decided to do Hawaii!!!!

Re: need HM advice- Hawaii or Aruba???

Hawaii all the way!! I've been to both. While Aruba was gorgeous, the town was eh...Also, since it is extremely windy, the beaches are very rocky. Aruba is nice, but i'd say take a cruise there and go to Hawaii for ure honeymoon. The food is pricey, but honestly, really not more so than NYC. It's the only time when u can throw caution to the wind and just go for it!!

Re: need HM advice- Hawaii or Aruba???

Helen:
Hawaii I would say because to me it is a once in a lifetime chance. I say it is you honeymoon and go to somewhere different. I feel like you can go to Aruba anytime but Hawaii not to sure you can just pick up and say lets go to Hawaii you know because the difference in price.

FM if you want more info. Me and FH are going to Hawaii, Im booking tomorrow. Also you may want to look into the Hawaii cruise you get to go to all the big islands its like one stop shopping.

Good luck

Re: need HM advice- Hawaii or Aruba???

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Posted by lisalisa27

Helen:
Hawaii I would say because to me it is a once in a lifetime chance. I say it is you honeymoon and go to somewhere different. I feel like you can go to Aruba anytime but Hawaii not to sure you can just pick up and say lets go to Hawaii you know because the difference in price.

FM if you want more info. Me and FH are going to Hawaii, Im booking tomorrow. Also you may want to look into the Hawaii cruise you get to go to all the big islands its like one stop shopping.

Good luck

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I was going to say the same exact thing.

Ultimately you have to make the decision. If you have to save the $$$ then go with Aruba.

Good luck!

Re: need HM advice- Hawaii or Aruba???

Date twin I would definetly do Hawaii b/c you might as well do it now. Aruba is reasonable where you can go at another time, maybe your one year anniversary. We are going to Hawaii and then planning on going to an Island for our anniversary!

Re: need HM advice- Hawaii or Aruba???

thanks Lisa & Michy for your advice.....and everyone else too!!!!

this is really helping me feel justified to spend more since its a once in a lifetime trip!!! The only reason I was thinking of our budget is b/c we're going to be doing work on our house (if you remember my leaky roof post lol) BUT at the same time, I have a 0% amex card that is good through December 07, so at least I feel like I can splurge a little and just try to pay it off with our wedding gifts! And normally FH won't go on flights that are more than 5 hrs....so I really feel like I should take advantage!!

you guys are the best!!

Re: need HM advice- Hawaii or Aruba???

I own a time share with Occidental and actually we are going to use it and stay at the Royal Hideaway in Riviera Maya. I to was thinking about going to Hawaii, but we decieded that instead of paying over 7k to go to Hawaii, we would save it and go with the less expensive one. I honestly love Occidental resorts. The ones I have stayed at are great, but if its your dream to go to Hawaii then go, its your HM. I hate to flight and I also wanted a more relaxed HM instead of 2much site seeing. FM me if you have any questions about Occidetal.

Re: need HM advice- Hawaii or Aruba???

BUMP for more advice

Re: need HM advice- Hawaii or Aruba???

I voted Hawaii only because this would probably be the only time you'd be able to go... Once you have kids (if that is in the future for you) a vacation to Hawaii is highly unlikely.

Re: need HM advice- Hawaii or Aruba???

That budget you have for Hawaii is very doable!!! We just booked our HM to Hawaii for 10days 9 nights for a little bit more than your budget!! I booked it through TravelTom. His cell number: 301 755-4641
Tell him that Berman recommended you!!!
He was so patient and willing to work with our budget!!! Definitely worth the phone call!!
FM me if you have any specific question!

Re: need HM advice- Hawaii or Aruba???

There is not a huge difference in the price. I went to Aruba and I didn't love it. Yeah the weather is great,, but it is not a lush green place to visit - it was all brown and flat. I say Hawaii!

Re: need HM advice- Hawaii or Aruba???

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Posted by HelenZ

thanks Lisa & Michy for your advice.....and everyone else too!!!!

this is really helping me feel justified to spend more since its a once in a lifetime trip!!! The only reason I was thinking of our budget is b/c we're going to be doing work on our house (if you remember my leaky roof post lol) BUT at the same time, I have a 0% amex card that is good through December 07, so at least I feel like I can splurge a little and just try to pay it off with our wedding gifts! And normally FH won't go on flights that are more than 5 hrs....so I really feel like I should take advantage!!

you guys are the best!!

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Break the flight up for him. That is what Im doing that way you are not on the plane for so long. Go and eat and stretch legs and walk around. We are going to have like a 2-3hr layover in LA. So we will get food and just relax.

Re: need HM advice- Hawaii or Aruba???

It sounds like you really want to go to Hawaii but are concerned about the cost. Honestly, it's only a $700 difference which I think is totally worth it to go where you really want to go. This is your HM, don't have any regrets!!!!

$4500 is a great deal for 8 days in Hawaii, you'll be so glad you went!!!!!

Check this out! This is who we used.

http://aloha-hawaiian.com

Re: need HM advice- Hawaii or Aruba???

I went to Aruba on my honeymoon and loved it. We stayed at the Radisson but I saw the Occidental and it is a beautiful hotel. We didn't go to Hawaii because I am not a good flyer and I didn't think I could handle that long of a flight. It is windy in Aruba but we adjusted quickly and it didn't bother us after the first day there. There isn't as many things to do as Hawaii but I mostly wanted to relax without feeling like I was missing something. We did go on an ATV excursion and tour of the island, play golf and go into town but the majority of the time relaxed by the pool or beach. Aruba does have amazing resturaunts and we ate out every night. I don't know where the other poster stayed when they said the beaches were rocky but the beach by the Radisson & Occidental are beautiful (the beach connects all the hotels in that area). Your honeymoon is a once in a life time trip so you should spend it in a way you feel comfortable spending it. I did and had a great time in Aruba but Hawaii is an amazing place, it just wasn't what I wanted my honeymoon to be. I hope this helps and hope you figure out which place is right for your honeymoon!

Here are some pics of the beach:

Re: need HM advice- Hawaii or Aruba???

My DH and I have been to Aruba 3 times and we are going again in July.

We have stayed at the Radisson, Hyatt, Wyndham (all inclusive) and in July we are going to stay at the Occidential - I love all inclusives.

Aruba is beautiful. It's relaxing and the restaurants on the island are great!!!

But.....

If Hawaii is your dream hm then you should go to Hawaii. I have never been to Hawaii I can't fly that long, but we all know that Hawaii is beautiful. Hawaii to me is a place people always dream about going to and if you really want to Hawaii you should!!!

Good luck!!

Re: need HM advice- Hawaii or Aruba? UPDATE!! We're going w/ Hawaii! Still have ?'s though!

BUMP for my update!!!! Hawaii here we come!!!!

Re: need HM advice- Hawaii or Aruba? UPDATE!! We're going w/ Hawaii! Still have ?'s though!

Helen!!! I'm so glad you chose Hawaii!!!
P.S. We're going to be in Hawaii at the same time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: need HM advice- Hawaii or Aruba? UPDATE!! We're going w/ Hawaii! Still have ?'s though!

Congrats on 'getting' Hawaii!!!!!!!!

Do you mean the Sheraton Princess Kaulanai (sp?) in Oahu?? We stayed there!!!! It was really very nice and right across the street from Waikiki beach. We had an Ocean View room. I have some pics if you want to see.

I was never in the Hawaiin Village but it looked really nice from the outside!!!

Re: need HM advice- Hawaii or Aruba? UPDATE!! We're going w/ Hawaii! Still have ?'s though!

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Posted by cindyandkevin

Congrats on 'getting' Hawaii!!!!!!!!

Do you mean the Sheraton Princess Kaulanai (sp?) in Oahu?? We stayed there!!!! It was really very nice and right across the street from Waikiki beach. We had an Ocean View room. I have some pics if you want to see.

I was never in the Hawaiin Village but it looked really nice from the outside!!!

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thanks!!! I'd love to see your pics!!! and yes it's definitely the same Sheraton Princess.

Now I'm just having a hard time deciding between either the Kaanapali Beach Hotel (would be $3600 total w/ Oahu) or the Kaanapali Beach Club (which would be around $4100 total). They both look nice, but the Beach Club looks a little more updated, and its definitely larger.

Re: need HM advice- Hawaii or Aruba? UPDATE!! We're going w/ Hawaii! Still have ?'s though!

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Posted by Pinkiegirll07

Helen!!! I'm so glad you chose Hawaii!!!
P.S. We're going to be in Hawaii at the same time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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YAY!!!! date twins and we're going at the same time!!! I think Mooshyboo is also going to Hawaii!!!!

What islands are you going to? and where are you staying? we'll have to meet up for a cocktail!!