Hawaii - Looking for advice: Kauai vs. Maui

The Mrs. and I are travelling into Kauai and out of Maui for 7 nights in November. Using SPG resort nights we'll be staying at the St. Regis Princeville on Kauai and the Sheraton Maui. I haven't booked the nights yet because I can't decide how to break up the trip. I figure one day for golf/spa, 2-3 days relaxing poolside or on the beach and the remaining time doing cool hikes, seeing sites, etc.

For those that know the islands well, how should we break up our time between Maui and Kauai?

Congrats Azeckel,

We just got back from Maui a couple of months ago. To me, you can't go wrong with any of the islands.

But I think it depends on what interests you and the Mrs. more.

First, I would start off by going to http://www.hawaiigaga.com/best-hawaiian-island.aspx and trying the quiz there. This will give you an idea of some of the activities that you can do and will help narrow down your choices.

We love Maui for the mix of activities, shopping, dining, but more important to us are beaches and snorkeling (we go about 5 hours a day when there).

Kauai, while I haven't been there, is more back to nature, less touristy, more of the Hawaiian culture than Maui. My officemate has been several times and while she enjoys it, she told me that after 3 or 4 days, she is ready to island hop. But I do know someone that goes there for two weeks, and they love it and wouldn't go anywhere else.

Since you are there for seven days, maybe a 3/4 split. You listed golf/spa and beach time as the first items you want to do, that would be more Maui. But hiking is definetly more a Kauai thing, even though you can do it in Maui, you can't beat Kauai for unspoiled nature.

Good luck in your decision. I don't think a wrong choice could be made.

Sorry, double post.

Maui is cool. I did only spend like 4 days there, but it was by no means an inactive visit. I enjoyed ziplining and a helicopter ride plus a bustrip to Paia and the drive to Hana. Well Maui is the only place I have been robbed in Wailuku while waiting for the bus to downtown Kahului... :rolleyes:I think I got half of the Maui County Police Department on the case.

There are more "things to do" in Maui and more places to chill out in Kauai. But I believe you could be active or chill out for 4 days at either one and not run out. I typically spend 5-7 days per island and after 2 to Kauai and 3 to Maui am just starting to repeat activities.

From the very minimal description - hiking instead of zipline/waverunners, I'd say the extra day should be in Kauai.

If you plan on coming back in the future, you might even consider just hanging in Kauai for 7 days and catching the interisland flight either just in time to connect or for just a day on Maui. That saves you a pack/unpack/check-in/out cycle.

When I go to the islands with the whole family, my first choice is Maui. When I go for alone time with Mrs. tigre, our top choice is Kauai. I personally would choose to spend the bulk of your time at Princeville. The Sheraton Maui is a very nice hotel, but it doesn't compare to the St. Regis.

For one day of golf and spa, the St. Regis is the clear choice for that day. Both have good pools and beach. I'd prefer lounging at the St. Regis pool. While snorkeling is fine there too, the snorkeling at the Sheraton's Black Rock wins. The North Shore of Kauai has the best hiking, including the mother of all Hawaiian hikes in the Kalalau Trail (at least do the 4 mile trek to the inland waterfall - to go further than the beach, you'd need a permit).

A helicopter tour would be much better on Kauai. I've done the zipline at Princeville Ranch in Kauai, which was very cool, but have yet to do it in Maui.

The biggest issue with Princeville is that your trip is in November. I have only been there in the summer and even then the weather can be a bit more sketchy. It can rain almost non-stop for days on Kauai's North Shore in the winter. That won't happen on Kaanapali Beach.

I agree with tigre - if you have not been to Kauai before I would spend the extra day there.
The St. Regis Princeville on Kauai is one of my favorite hotels - as they put me in one of the top 5 best suites for a view. The hotel is just like the pictures they show. The pool was very relaxing and was not very busy. I had a great time exploring the island with hikes and in the car. When I went to a beach on the east side of the island there was three people on the beach - it was peaceful. I took a helicopter ride and even though it was expensive it was well worth the money.
Maui was nice and had better shopping but for a relaxing trip with fewer tourists I prefer Kauai.

Will be trying Kauai in the next few years if not next year.. trying Oahu for sure for my first time next year..

Can't go wrong with Maui.. Pretty much each of the Wailea, Kaanapali and Kapalua beaches have won best beach in the world..

I would highly recommend Wailea for the ultimate stay.

I figure one day for golf/spa, 2-3 days relaxing poolside or on the beach and the remaining time doing cool hikes, seeing sites, etc.

For those that know the islands well, how should we break up our time between Maui and Kauai?

don't have suggestions on how to break your trip up, but some thoughts:
- the spa at the st. regis wins hands down - not even sure the sheraton maui has one- iirc, my wife went down to the one at the westin.
- the beach at the sheraton is nicer, while the pool at the st. regis is nicer. i think snorkeling on maui is better in general (and there's some decent snorkeling right at the sheraton, at black rock), while beaches on kaui are better in general.
- hiking... i'm not sure there's a clear winner. great hikin on both.

getting robbed is part of the tropical sparkle

don't have suggestions on how to break your trip up, but some thoughts:
- the spa at the st. regis wins hands down - not even sure the sheraton maui has one- iirc, my wife went down to the one at the westin.
- the beach at the sheraton is nicer, while the pool at the st. regis is nicer. i think snorkeling on maui is better in general (and there's some decent snorkeling right at the sheraton, at black rock), while beaches on kaui are better in general.
- hiking... i'm not sure there's a clear winner. great hikin on both.

Gee.. If beaches are better in Kauai.. like better than Polo Beach in Wailea (award winning).. its time for us to visit..:eek:

Gee.. If beaches are better in Kauai.. like better than Polo Beach in Wailea (award winning).. its time for us to visit..:eek:

Stick with Kamaole I Beach and south on Maui. Kauai has little that compares with the southwest Maui beach quality and choices (and weather).

Stick with Kamaole I Beach and south on Maui. Kauai has little that compares with the southeast Maui beach quality and choices (and weather).

Have to agree.. Maui South and for that matter South West is very nice as well..^

I heard its quite rainy in Kauai.. although there is a side of the island that is more dry..

Have to agree.. Maui South and for that matter South West is very nice as well..^

I heard its quite rainy in Kauai.. although there is a side of the island that is more dry..

Thanks for pointing out my "southwest" (Maui) typo. The evidence for dry and warm has to be the cactus. :cool:

Thanks for pointing out my "southwest" (Maui) typo. The evidence for dry and warm has to be the cactus. :cool:

Wailea is very nice.. I was in the valley looking at Haleakala this past spring break..

All the clouds on the east was sheltered by Haleakala.. thus you get Hana which is wet.. and Wailea which is dry with less rain.. Beautiful.. Sort of like the extreme of Kohala Coast on the Big Island..

Thanks for pointing out my "southwest" (Maui) typo. The evidence for dry and warm has to be the cactus. :cool:

Not really. There are cacti within a mile of Poipu Beach (Kauai). I don't quite understand why that is - I'm guessing the soil in that particular spot is very sandy.

Puka Dog and Bubba Burgers are a huge plus for Kauai! ^ I find the shave ice is better on Kauai!

I was in Maui in '10, Kona in '11 and heading to Kauai in '12. I have been to all of them before. Oahu is my least favorite followed by Kona. Kauai and Maui are my go-to islands. Kauai is low key, kick back and relax.. Maui you can relax but there is more going on and more traffic. You can't go wrong with either.

Puka Dog and Bubba Burgers are a huge plus for Kauai! ^ I find the shave ice is better on Kauai!



FYI, there is now a Bubba's in Poipu.

Puka Dog and Bubba Burgers are a huge plus for Kauai! ^ I find the shave ice is better on Kauai!

I was in Maui in '10, Kona in '11 and heading to Kauai in '12. I have been to all of them before. Oahu is my least favorite followed by Kona. Kauai and Maui are my go-to islands. Kauai is low key, kick back and relax.. Maui you can relax but there is more going on and more traffic. You can't go wrong with either.

Interesting..

I like KOA.. Kohala Coast as there's only 8 inches of rain per year.. so desert like conditions.. so that means guaranteed sunny weather for at least part of your trip.. and most likely destination out of all the islands to get some sun..

OP

You mentioned using SPG points for your stay in Kauai.... I see they have 3 proprety and the Sheraton kauai seems to be cheapest ..It needs at least 12000 points for one free night. How much are you redeeming for free nights at the St Regis Princeville ?

OP

You mentioned using SPG points for your stay in Kauai.... I see they have 3 proprety and the Sheraton kauai seems to be cheapest ..It needs at least 12000 points for one free night. How much are you redeeming for free nights at the St Regis Princeville ?

I'm actually not using SPG points, per se, but rather free resort nights as part of the Q2 promo. For every 3 stays SPG grants 1 free resort night. So traveling weekly on business staying at a different hotel each night, I amassed these free nights quickly (in addition to normal points). I should add that they expire before Christmas, which is why we're going in November.

Puka Dog and Bubba Burgers are a huge plus for Kauai! ^ I find the shave ice is better on Kauai!


That's interesting... I love almost everything about Kauai except for the shave ice. Tried two of the more popular places and both were mediocre at best.

That's interesting... I love almost everything about Kauai except for the shave ice. Tried two of the more popular places and both were mediocre at best.

+1 I'll take coldstone any day over what is essentially a sno-cone.

When I go to the islands with the whole family, my first choice is Maui. When I go for alone time with Mrs. tigre, our top choice is Kauai. I personally would choose to spend the bulk of your time at Princeville. The Sheraton Maui is a very nice hotel, but it doesn't compare to the St. Regis.

+1

For one day of golf and spa, the St. Regis is the clear choice for that day. Both have good pools and beach. I'd prefer lounging at the St. Regis pool. While snorkeling is fine there too, the snorkeling at the Sheraton's Black Rock wins. The North Shore of Kauai has the best hiking, including the mother of all Hawaiian hikes in the Kalalau Trail (at least do the 4 mile trek to the inland waterfall - to go further than the beach, you'd need a permit).



We attended a wedding in Princeville in early December. I believe it rained every day, however it didn't rain ALL day. But rather just a short afternoon thunderstorm that cools everything off, and then the sun popped back out.

If you are pool people you might be better off at the Westin Maui, the Sheraton has a better beach but the pool is nothing special. However IMO the rooms are much nicer at the Sheraton - you can check the master threads for more opinions. The Westin is often packed with children.

Finally if you want nightlife go to Maui, Kauai is pretty dead. But there will also be fewer children running around the pool at Princeville, the families tend to stay at the SVO timeshares up the road.

We're going to use our free resort nights at Princeville, it's a much better value as it normally requires 2x SPG points v. the Maui properties. And you can often find an SVO "preview" deals that offers a cheap rate for the latter.

There is only one good shave ice place on Kauai unfortunately, and it is not convenient. Jo-Jo's clubhouse in Waimea is great, but it's a drive. The rest of the places are, in fact, sno-cones.

We spend a month every summer there, and now we stay in Poipu every year for the weather, and drive to Hanalei to see our friends up there.

I pretty much have the Hyatt cc just to earn points for the Grand Hyatt Kauai...

There is only one good shave ice place on Kauai unfortunately, and it is not convenient. Jo-Jo's clubhouse in Waimea is great, but it's a drive. The rest of the places are, in fact, sno-cones.

We spend a month every summer there, and now we stay in Poipu every year for the weather, and drive to Hanalei to see our friends up there.

I pretty much have the Hyatt cc just to earn points for the Grand Hyatt Kauai...

Jo-Jo's was one of the ones I was alluding to earlier and I honestly thought it was terrible compared to shave ice places on Oahu. Maybe I just came on the wrong day, but I won't be going back.

[QUOTE=Boraxo;16793532]+1 I'll take coldstone any day over what is essentially a sno-cone.

Don't get me wrong, I love GOOD shave ice! I just don't know that it exists on Kauai.

[QUOTE=Boraxo;16793532]+1 I'll take coldstone any day over what is essentially a sno-cone.

Don't get me wrong, I love GOOD shave ice! I just don't know that it exists on Kauai.

What makes shave ice good? I mean it really is a snow cone.

BTW, I've had the concoction with shave ice, root beer syrup, vanilla ice cream and sweetened condensed milk from the Shave Ice place next to Bubba's in Hanalei. That was pretty amazing.

[QUOTE=saacman5033;16794536]

What makes shave ice good? I mean it really is a snow cone.

BTW, I've had the concoction with shave ice, root beer syrup, vanilla ice cream and sweetened condensed milk from the Shave Ice place next to Bubba's in Hanalei. That was pretty amazing.

Sure, shave ice is a glorified snow cone and is incredibly simple but I have a major soft spot for a good shave ice.

For a shave ice to be good it should be very fine and powdery and the syrups should be excellent (and ideally homemade). Those are the keys, and as simple as it sounds, not many places do it right. Some of the best on Oahu are:

Matsumoto's (Haleiwa); Island Snow (Kailua); Kokonuts (Hawaii Kai): All have great syrups and very good consistency. Waiola's (Honolulu) is a favorite for some but I don't care for their syrups.

My personal favorite:
Tat's (Kailua/Kaneohe): Great syrups and the ice is one of if not the most finely shaved. These guys get around as they are in a truck so to find them you need to be on their email list: whereistats@gmail.com

Back to the original topic, I would prefer to spend more time on Kauai as I love the beaches and hikes there as well as the potential for solitude although I don't think you can go wrong with Maui either. Enjoy the trip.

Seriously, someone has asked for help in deciding between the many splendors of Maui and Kauai, and half the thread is devoted to the merits of various vendors of shave ice on those islands?

Seriously?

I agree. Lappert's is a much better idea than shave ice. Mini peanut butter cup and fudge ice cream! ^

Seriously, someone has asked for help in deciding between the many splendors of Maui and Kauai, and half the thread is devoted to the merits of various vendors of shave ice on those islands?

Seriously?


Ahh..the romance!!:D

I spent 4 days on Kauai on my honeymoon in November before heading out to French Polynesia and I can tell ya, we absolutely loved Kauai! The North is rainy but the southwest, Poipu, is just gorgeous. The island really has 3 different terrains and if you like variety you can't go wrong.Best of luck to you and I can't wait to go back to Hawaii although this time we'll stay a week or two and visit different islands.

Kauai if you want more beauty and solitude, Maui if you want more organized activity options and more social scene.

Now that we got through shave ice, best mac nut pancakes-- gotta give a shout out to the seemingly ex-mental institution now restaurant Tip Top Cafe in Lihue. Best oxtail soup on the island too.

I love going to TripAdvisor and reading the reviews for their motel too--priceless.

Seriously, someone has asked for help in deciding between the many splendors of Maui and Kauai, and half the thread is devoted to the merits of various vendors of shave ice on those islands?

Seriously?

Have you had it before? It will change your life :)

But seriously, having good shave ice is within my top 10 list for visiting Hawaii as I've never found anything close in the Cont. U.S. (Ululani's in Lahaina is my personal favorite). We get it everyday we are there - nothing like some good mango shave ice with a snow cap :)

Have you had it before? It will change your life :)


Yes, I have had it a few times. My life remained unaltered.

Yes, I have had it a few times. My life remained unaltered.

Agree with that. To me, a 'sorta' glorified snow cone. Yeah, I know, noda snow cone, it's Shave Ice. One every five or six years there is quite enough, thank you. I agree, I too, have not had my life altered.

Yes, I have had it a few times. My life remained unaltered.

Agree with that. To me, a 'sorta' glorified snow cone. Yeah, I know, noda snow cone, it's Shave Ice. One every five or six years there is quite enough, thank you. I agree, I too, have not had my life altered.

Only thing with a sno cone.. I noticed that the artificial coloring changes tongue in color..

In Disneyland.. for a nice cool down the last 3 or 4 days.. lemonade slush hit the spot..^

Have been to Maui about five times and to Kauai probably twice that. Like many people, I love them both, but my personal favorite is Kauai. Love the north shore of Kauai! I prefer the slower pace of Hanalei/Princeville, especially if I've come from a few days of driving Maui. I'm usually white knuckled after sightseeing Maui, except for the Upcountry roads, which I love. As for the shave ice? I can take it or leave it, but my husband adores it. I consider Maui and Kauai more different than alike, despite the common denominators of water activities/golf/tennis/culture/dining/shopping. My recommendation since you want to split time between both, is to absolutely do that with an accompanying agenda of knowing you're doing personal research for a future concentrated longer visit to whichever one becomes your favorite.