I'm planning my honeymoon and it's going to be a 17-day trip to Hawaii. Right now I have 3 nights in Waikiki (Oahu), 7 nights in Kauai and 7 nights in Maui.
I heard Oahu is just like a big city, and since we live in the best in the world (NYC!) I've been told not to spend too much time there -- just see Pearl Harbor and the markets and then move on. Maui is a must, since it's a great mix of the lush tropical with some fun mixed in. My concern is Kauai. I heard it's beautiful, but can get boring. Has anyone been? I definitely want to see it, but heard Kona could be an alternative. I don't know if 4 islands in 17 days is too much though.
Any advice? I definitely want to relax, but don't want to be bored after 3 days either.
Any advice would be appreciated. We don't need to be partying all night long every night, but don't want to be twiddling our thumbs either.
Novembergirl
Posted:
Member since
Re: KAUAI vs KONA
We only had 12 days so we skipped Kona but with 17 days I would definitely include it. I actually loved Oahu since I like cities and we stayed at an amazing hotel -- the Halekulani. I would stay 3 nights Oahu, 4-5 nights Kauai, 5-6 nights Maui, 4 nights Big Island. I hear in Kona you will spend one full day driving to Hilo to see the volcano. Wish I could go again!
Niecey
Posted:
Member since
Re: KAUAI vs KONA
I only spent 3 days in Kauai (I had heard that was all you need and you get bored after that) and I wish we had more time there! There is plenty to do. Most things (like water activities, helicopter rides, etc.) you can do in Kauai - just like any other island. It is the most tropical and lush island (out of Maui, Kauai and Oahu). But I only went for a total of 10 days (7 Maui and 3 Kauai) and totally wished I would have done 5 and 5. Both islands have plenty of restaurants. In both Maui and Kauai - I didn't find much nightlife - it is more like early to rise, early to bed type place but that didn't bother me...although I would have liked a little more at night...we did venture to the city in Maui to go out one night - supposedly there was this Mardi Gras like celebration for Halloween but we went and it was interesting but not much fun...
...with 17 days and looking at your schedule - I think I would have considered cutting a day or two off of Kauai and Maui and heading to Kona - for a 4th island...not sure if that is an option for you...but no matter what - don't skip on Kauai!!!
dawnie
Posted:
Member since
Re: KAUAI vs KONA
This is what we did: (14 nights)
Flew into Oahu and spent 2 nights. We stayed at the Halekulani which was amazing. I would have added another night if I could. We never got to go to the North Shore like I wanted to. I did get to see Pearl Harbor and look around the shops but I think another full day there would have been great. We did 4 nights in Kauai and stayed at the Hyatt. I think 4 nights was perfect. It really is a beautiful island and you can spend a few days exploring and the other days resting. We saw waterfalls, visited Princeville, & took a helicopter tour. We did 3 nights on the Big Island and stayed at the Four Seasons. Amazing hotel! We had a little bungalow sitting on the 18th hole of the golf course (you could see the ocean too!) We went to Volcanoes National Park. I think 3 nights is good. We spent 5 nights in Maui and stayed at the Grand Wailea. Great hotel, great pool..lots of teenagers! Since it was the end of our trip..I think we were all pooped out! We did the bike tour, lauau, aquarium, Lahaina. I think 5 nights was good!
Hope this helped.
2003fallwedding
Posted:
Member since
Re: KAUAI vs KONA
Kauai can be very quiet but Kona (the Big Island) is quiet too. The main reason I went to the Big Island is so I could go to Volcano National Park. If you think that is too much time in Kauai, split the time between Kauai and the Big Island. Check out the website www.101thingstodo.com. These are books I found in the airports in Hawaii and they were so helpful. (The website might be under construction but keep checking back to it)
merf99
Posted:
Member since
Re: KAUAI vs KONA
I just spent 12 nights in Hawaii and we did 4 islands. It was a little annoying to keep packing but was manageable and I'm so glad we did it. We did 3 nights in Kaui and I'm so glad we did NOT skip it- it was so beautiful here. But after 3 nights we were ready to move on- we don't love the quiet so much. Then we did 3 nights in Waikiki and we loved it there. We are in NYC everyday but there's just sometrhing different about it. Then we did 2 nights in Kona- we saw the Volcano Park and drove around. We liked Kona but I wouldn't really do more than a few days there- it's very quiet too. Then we did 4 nights in Maui- it was perfect!
If we could have extended our trip any longer we would have- Hawaii was beautiful!!!!!
AMinNYC
Posted:
Member since
Re: KAUAI vs KONA
It is such a LONG flight to the Hawaiian Islands, I would see as many of the Islands as possible. You have the luxury of almost 3 weeks, take advantage of it. We were there for 13 days. 5 Kauai, 3 Kona, 5 Maui. Kauai was beautiful, lush, but 5 days was one day too many for us. We wish we had one more day in Kona, trip out to the volcanos is long and we also loved the Four Seasons resort there. 5 days in Maui was perfect. If we had more time in Maui, I would have taken the ferry over to Lanai, just to see the old Dole plantation. Our one regret was not stopping in Oahu to see Pearl River. To be honest, you probably can't go wrong no matter what island or how long you stay. Food is fabuolous, the views are breathe-taking and the resorts are luxurious! Hope this helps.
LauraPete
Posted:
Member since
Re: KAUAI vs KONA
How is the lodging/hotels in Hawaii? We really want to go somewhere warm and tropical but we kinda dismissed Hawaii b/c we are also looking for a place that will provide us with more than your standard 4 walls and a bed room. I travel for a living so its terrible to say but even the Ritz doesn't appeal to me anymore b/c it makes me think of work (ughhhh! ) We want to stay in a bungalow or hut on the water or a garden etc. Tahiti is our first choice but may be too expensive.
So, having said that, Kona and Kauai sound perfect (lush and tropical yeah!) but when I look at pictures of the accomodations they look just like any hotel anywhere. Am I just looking at the wrong pictures? Any opinions on out of the oridinary places to stay? Or does it really not matter b/c everything else is just so beautiful. Please tell me if I am making too much of this hotel thing.....
Thanks.
dawnie
Posted:
Member since
Re: KAUAI vs KONA
I thought that Four seasons on the Big Island provided a little different type of room. It was like a little bungalow and it was overlooking the 18th hole of the golf course. It reminded me of my own little apartment. The bottom floor rooms have access to a private outdoor garden shower. They give you a tour of the grounds by golf cart. There are people that live on these million dollar homes on the property and have access to the same services as the hotel guests. I thought it was great and I kind of felt rich for a little while. They have place where you can go snorkeling in a made made pond, we went to a beach BBQ and they were making smores over a beach fire..it was great!
AMinNYC
Posted:
Member since
Re: KAUAI vs KONA
THe Four Seasons in Kona is right up your alley if you want a resort, but not your conventional hotel. Rooms are bungalow style. They have garden view rooms that overlook the golf course, ocean view rooms that overlook the pool area and ocean view deluxe rooms overlooking the beach. You have an option of top floor or bottom (I would go with the bottom, they have an outdoor lava rock shower - WE NEVER USED THE INDOOR SHOWER!) You will love it!
LauraPete
Posted:
Member since
Re: KAUAI vs KONA
AMinNYC - that outdoor lava rock shower sounds perfect! Do you have any pictures?
Is it called the 4 season resort Hualalai? I am trying to find the website so i can see pcitures...not sure if thisi s it.
jenny2penny
Posted:
Member since
Re: KAUAI vs KONA
Did you girls book your vacation yourselve of use a travel agent. I so want to go to hawaii but don't know where to begin. I am leaning towards a crusie too. (AHHHH THIS IS WORSE THAN THE WEDDING PLANNING!)
cw0904
Posted:
Member since
Re: KAUAI vs KONA
We are going to Big Island for a half a day via the NCL Star. I would LOVE to stay at the Four Seasons. But we are not staying in BI pre or post cruise. I booked everything individually b/c I had enough miles for my airfare and enough miles for our interisland flights. The hotel stays I booked on my own as well.
