need Hawaii help!

If you've been to Honolulu, or specifically this hotel Aquos , care to comment? It seems like its a few blocks from a beach but I cant seem to get a good idea of the area. I am so confused about HI, but we would stay 2 nights here then 4 nights in Kona. I know its quite short but this is our last hurrah before TTC. TIA!

Re: need Hawaii help!

we've only been to maui, sorry!

good luck planning!!!

Re: need Hawaii help!

Thanx
Did u like it? How long did u go for?

Re: need Hawaii help!

I have heard mixed reviews about Kona. I think Maui is the way to go in Hawaii. It is the perfect mix of relaxing and fun things to do.

Check out my Wedding Review for a details Maui review! :)

Re: need Hawaii help!

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Posted by cateydee

Thanx
Did u like it? How long did u go for?

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Maui is AMAZING!!! We were there for 2 weeks and it still wasn't long enough.....

Re: need Hawaii help!

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Posted by Michi

I have heard mixed reviews about Kona. I think Maui is the way to go in Hawaii. It is the perfect mix of relaxing and fun things to do.

Check out my Wedding Review for a details Maui review! :)

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thanks, great review. Can you guys tell me why you decided to only do Maui and not go to other islands?

Re: need Hawaii help!

We went for our HM and we were very close to doing Maui and Kauai. We ultimately decided to do Maui only because there were so many things we wanted to do there. We stayed at 2 hotels - for a week each - on different ends of the island which was awesome in the way of variety.

We were really happy with our gameplan but now we need to go back to see Kauai!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: need Hawaii help!

I'm going to be really honest so please don't hate me, but we really did not like Kona. We went to Honolulu, Maui and Kona. Maui was by far the best, and we are already planning a trip back early next year. I've mentioned this before that Kona is a very different type of beauty. Since its a volcano island, everywhere you look (literally on both sides of the road) is black lava rock, so theres no lush greens or pretty flowers. Also, its the least developed so there really isn't anything to do. We stayed at the Fairmont, its gorgeous but we only left the resort a few times. We went to the volcano, its pretty cool, but thats it. FM me with any questions.

Re: need Hawaii help!

During our honeymoon we went to both Honolulu & Kona. Honolulu to me is like being in Manhattan. Very populated, lots of little shops & restaurants to go to at night & while we were there DH & I even went shopping at Macys. DH needed some more socks. Our hotel was across the street from the beach & it was the most beautiful beach I have ever been to.

We decided to go to The Big Island because DH wanted to see the volcanos. I felt that since we were spending time in Honolulu & Kauai first, if DH wanted to see volcanos, then why not. (my DH is very much into science & the environment) To this day, almost a year later, DH says, we spent way too much time looking at volcanos. We both agreed that we have no plans to go back to The Big Island. Our other problem was that we flew into Hilo airport, meanwhile the hotel we stayed at & the majority of the hotels on the island are in Kona. Which ment in order to get from one end of the island to the other it was a 94 mile drive around the top of the island. With the rental car you are not allowed to drive straight across the island. We stayed at Hilton Waikoloa Village, which is a very family oriented hotel complex.

Re: need Hawaii help!

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Posted by stinenandy2010

I'm going to be really honest so please don't hate me, but we really did not like Kona. We went to Honolulu, Maui and Kona. Maui was by far the best, and we are already planning a trip back early next year. I've mentioned this before that Kona is a very different type of beauty. Since its a volcano island, everywhere you look (literally on both sides of the road) is black lava rock, so theres no lush greens or pretty flowers. Also, its the least developed so there really isn't anything to do. We stayed at the Fairmont, its gorgeous but we only left the resort a few times. We went to the volcano, its pretty cool, but thats it. FM me with any questions.

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I couldnt hate you!! Thanks for your honest response, thats why I asked. We are really confused about this. Apparently Kona and Oahu are the ones that are in our budget.

Re: need Hawaii help!

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Posted by cateydee

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Posted by stinenandy2010

I'm going to be really honest so please don't hate me, but we really did not like Kona. We went to Honolulu, Maui and Kona. Maui was by far the best, and we are already planning a trip back early next year. I've mentioned this before that Kona is a very different type of beauty. Since its a volcano island, everywhere you look (literally on both sides of the road) is black lava rock, so theres no lush greens or pretty flowers. Also, its the least developed so there really isn't anything to do. We stayed at the Fairmont, its gorgeous but we only left the resort a few times. We went to the volcano, its pretty cool, but thats it. FM me with any questions.

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I couldnt hate you!! Thanks for your honest response, thats why I asked. We are really confused about this. Apparently Kona and Oahu are the ones that are in our budget.

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Lol thanks! The Fairmont at Kona was beautiful, I loved it there, its just there wasn't anything to do and not really a lot of restaurant options. Not far from our hotel was a residential complex and in there were a few shops, fast food type places and a chain italian restaurant. Literally one night we ate at subway and the other at the chain italian place, so thats what bothered us. We've been looking at hotels in Maui that aren't named brand (hilton, marriott, etc), more places that are smaller and family run that have a great reviews to make it more affordable.

Re: need Hawaii help!

We went to Kona (Big Island) for 3 days, Maui for 5 days & Kauai for 4 days, and I have to say we like Kona (Big Island) the best!!

It is a totally different landscape, which is so cool. Everywhere is like black and white lava rocks. Very barren, desert-like, however when you get closer to the water there's more vegetation & flowers. It's SO relaxing, we stayed at the Fairmont Orchid which was totally gorgeous. The property is to die for, plus the pool & grounds were just immaculate. We got an ocean-side couples massage which was amazing.

It's definitely more of a total chill island - we also went on a one-day excursion to see the active volcano, and we walked through a lava tube and saw waterfalls, etc.

We flew into Kona, which was a short drive via cab to the hotel.

LMK if you have any other questions!!

Re: need Hawaii help!

I'm a little bit late on this, but DH and I JUST got back from The Big Island on Saturday - yes, we were there for the tsunami scare, as all of our friends and family called us frantically. meanwhile we would've slept through it!

In any case - DH LOVED this island because it is so different and had the volcanos. As for me, I thought it was nice, it had it's own kind of beauty, but I would be okay if that was our only trip to that island. We flew into Kona, rented a car, and we stayed for 5 days at the Hilton Waikaloa Village. I agree that it is more of a family resort (and waiting for the tram around the property got annoying, so we walked everywhere), but it was nicely located near some shops and food, so that was convenient.

We drove from our side of the island over to Hilo (about 2 hrs) and took a helicopter tour around the volcanos - couldn't get too close since one had erupted on the day we got there!! we went on this boat out of a harbor south of Kona-Kailua and they took us out to a reef and we snorkeled a lot. One day we drove up to the north shore of the island, got massages and drove to this beautiful lookout point with a black sand beach. We stopped at Hapuna beach on the way back to the resort (a little north of the Hilton) and it was SOOOOO windy we couldn't even stay... but it was such a beautiful beach.

I think that the trip will be what you make of it. If you're up for a little adventure and exploring it will be fun. If you're in it for the relaxation, just make sure you choose a resort with a nice beach and more of an adult atmosphere and you'll get that experience as well.

HTH!!!