Hawaii Marriott Resorts

Any suggestions on which ones are best and any feedback you can offer would be great since we are just starting to research.

THanks

We stayed at the Marriott in Kauai. It was my favorite hotel of anywhere I've ever been in the world. That's saying something, because I travel a lot.

The grounds were GORGEOUS - the whole place smelled like fresh flowers, and had a totally open and beautiful floor plan. Lots of little places to explore and be alone. The beach was stunning, on a private bay so the only people there were staying at the hotel. We were there in July and there were times when there were maybe 50 people on the whole large beach. The pool is the largest in the state of Hawaii, so it's really easy to find spots in the pool where you aren't anywhere near anyone else. Oh, and the food - YUM! There's a restaurant on the grounds called Duke's where we ate 3 times.

We stayed at other chains on the other islands so I can't speak for those. But honestly, we were just at the Kauai Marriott in July, and we're trying to figure out a way to get back there this summer.

We were looking into going to Maui for 7 days and then going to another island for 4 or 5 days and Kauai is our second choice.

Which islands did you like best and why? any feebdack you can offer would be great. I would love to hear about your experience!

I loved Kauai. It was my favorite of the 3 islands we went to. So gorgeous and 'unspoiled,' but so much to do and there were great restaurants as well.

We also went to Maui and the Big Island (the island of Hawaii) for 5 days each. Maui was my least favorite, but that's only because it was the most developed of the three. Besides, calling it my least favorite Hawaiian Island is like calling something 'my least favorite hot fudge sundae' - it's still one of the most wonderful, perfect places I've ever been. But after the peace and lush scenery of Kauai (where we went first), Maui seemed so busy in comparison. Plus, i had food poisoning while on Maui so it wasn't really a 'fair fight' - I spent a lot of those 5 days indoors. But we took the Road to Hana - a crazy, scenic drive up north through rainforests, past waterfalls, through towns with populations of like 30 people - and it was one of the best days of my honeymoon, if not THE best. Don't be scared away by people who tell you the drive will get your carsick or that the roads are crowded... it was not a scary drive and it was just some of the most beautiful scenery you will ever see in your life.

I liked the Big Island a lot too, but I'm more of a 'relax and look at pretty stuff' girl than a 'stay out late at night' girl. We stayed at the Hilton there, which was huge and spectacular - had a snorkeling lagoon and dolphins living in the hotel, waterslides, art galleries, a monorail to take you from place to place because the resort was so big... it was incredible. The island itself was wonderful, especially for the Volcano - on the other side of the island from the resorts (a 3 hour drive or so), but it is breathtaking. Really moving to see a volcano continuously erupting and Hawaii actually GROWING BIGGER right in front of your eyes. It's awesome if you're into hiking and exploring and stuff.

If I could only go to two islands, I'd definitely go to Kauai, and... from there, it's a toss-up. Maui if you want to be more active - snorkeling, boat trips, shopping, staying up late. The Big Island if you are more into Nature/hiking/exploring/quiet. If I HAD to choose one or the other, I'd choose the Big Island but that's just me - I'd probably advise most of my friends to go to Maui, knowing them.

Whatever you end up doing, you're going to have the time of your life!

Oh, and get these books when you decide where you're going. They were our Bible over there. Great recommendations and advice about beaches, scenic drives, restaurants, shopping... you name it, it's in here, and it's written by locals who really know their stuff. There is one for each island.




Kauai Revealed