Maui vs. Kauai

PlanningFromATL Posted: Oct 06, 2003 09:37 AM

Maui vs. Kauai

What is the difference? What one did you like better? If you had to choose one or the other, which one would you choose, and how many days would you stay there?

Teri Posted: Oct 06, 2003 09:41 AM

Re: Maui vs. Kauai

Maui is more commerical, touristy but with a ton of things to do. Kauai is naturally beautiful, serene and quiet. It totally depends on what you are both looking for. DH and I wanted to relax in an awesome resort so if we had to do it all over again, we'd spend most of our time on Kauai. If you're looking for more action, Maui.

We spent 4 nights on Kauai and 6 on Maui.

dandj Posted: Oct 06, 2003 09:43 AM

Re: Maui vs. Kauai

I agree with Teri. We did 5 nights on each island, but could have used more time on Maui to relax. All we did was sightsee... there is much more time to relax on Kauai. Less touristy, more green, etc. Depends what you are looking for.

Diane Posted: Oct 06, 2003 09:51 AM

Re: Maui vs. Kauai

why not do both???

I have talked to many friends who went to both and prefered Maui. They said Kaui is a nice place to go and visit, but not much of a night life.

My brother stayed on both islands.

PlanningFromATL Posted: Oct 06, 2003 09:58 AM

Re: Maui vs. Kauai

Through a family connection, we might get a GREAT deal on Maui, so I'm trying to figure out if the cost of going to Kauai as well is worth it, or if we would be happy just staying on Maui.

Teri Posted: Oct 06, 2003 10:10 AM

Re: Maui vs. Kauai

IMO it would be a real shame to go all the way out there without visiting Kauai, but that's just me.
We stayed at the Hyatt which was pricey but we splurged, and we were glad we did

cw0904 Posted: Oct 06, 2003 10:57 AM

Re: Maui vs. Kauai

We are going to both and also going to Oahu. From what my Kauai now living in Maui friend tells me: Hawaii really doesn't have a night life like the mainland so the HI meaning of night life is not the same. If you are looking to have a more fun HM then Maui is better than Kauai for that. Of all the islands, Oahu is the best for nightlife (bars & clubs). Kauai is beautiful with the waterfalls and greens but Maui does have that too. It depends on what you plan on doing and your tastes. All the islands have an area that has more action, people, traffic. But they all also have the beautiful scenery, quietness....

Scoop Posted: Oct 06, 2003 02:38 PM

Re: Maui vs. Kauai

we stayed 5 nights on each island....both were beautiful but quite different as mentioned on the above posts. personally, we liked kauai much better. It was smaller and so we got to enjoy the whole island. It was also more quite and relaxing.

tanbride Posted: Oct 06, 2003 02:48 PM

Re: Maui vs. Kauai

I just got back from Maui and Kauai - 6 nights in Maui and 4 in Kauai- both were amazing but I loved Maui a bit better - more to do and see although Kauai was perfect to end the trip for some heavy R&R! I can't rave enough about the Grand Wailea in Maui and the Hyatt in Kauai - amazing, amazing! I promise a full Hawaii review tomorrow when I get the photos back. I told everyone that I want to quit my job and sell coconuts in a stand on the Road to Hana!

Maribelle7777 Posted: Oct 06, 2003 05:20 PM

Re: Maui vs. Kauai

I am going to HI with my FH for our honeymoon.
We are doing 6 nights Maui, 4 nights Kauai and 1 night in Oahu to see the Pearl Harbor tour.

From what I'm told Maui is more commerical but not as commercial as Oahu (more precise, Honolulu which is located there). But it's not totally commercial. Just more to do and more touristy.
If you like to do things then Maui is probably better. There's things to do on Kauai but since it's less touristy/commerical it's just not as much. If you like to just lay around on the beach or hike, then Kauai is more your thing. But both are very nice I am told.

AMinNY Posted: Oct 07, 2003 11:17 AM

Re: Maui vs. Kauai

We just got back from our honeymoon. We arrived in Kauai for 4 nights. Perfect place to land after the wedding and plane ride. There is definitely less to do so we didn't feel any pressure to go sight-see. Although the north is pretty (we stayed at the Princeville), I would recommend staying on the south side, it's sunnier and I heard the Hyatt is fabulous too.

We spent 5 nights in Maui, it was awesome! Great food, lots to do, and after 7 days on Kauai and the Big Island, we welcomed the livelier scene.

GOOD LUCK!

reallybehind! Posted: Oct 07, 2003 11:21 AM

Re: Maui vs. Kauai

kauai is definitely the place to go for r&r. we spent our entire honeymoon there at the sheraton. it was perfect we had enough time to see everything, but also enough time to spend a couple of days on the beach doing nothing. i recommend going to see it purely for the beautiful scenery and relaxed atmosphere. if you do go, buy the ultimate kauai guidebook (blue cover) when you arrive. it'll tell you everything you need to know.