First time in Hawaii - where to?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: UA 1K, LH silver --> nothing, LY gold --> nothing
Posts: 363
First time in Hawaii - where to?
Hi FTers,
Started thinking about going with the family to Hawaii April/2012, for some 5-7 days.
Kids are 4.5 & 6.5, love swimming and water activities.
Which island / beach would you recommend?
Hotel / Club / VRBO / AirBnB accommodation?
Thanks,
Started thinking about going with the family to Hawaii April/2012, for some 5-7 days.
Kids are 4.5 & 6.5, love swimming and water activities.
Which island / beach would you recommend?
Hotel / Club / VRBO / AirBnB accommodation?
Thanks,
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: PHX and LIH
Programs: AA: 2 MM
Posts: 85,392
If you do a search in this forum, you'll find lots of ideas. Kauai might be a good choice for little kids since there is no nightlife - and the parents won't be tempted.
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
Budget no problem? Go Grand Wailea where they have Disney type water park with slides..
While we've never stayed (as we usually stay at Fairmont Kea Lani), my friends have, and their 5 kids love it there.. For family accomodations in a one bedroom suite in an all suite hotel, we always choose the Kea Lani..
Wailea, Maui is the nicest area in all of the island to vacation.. Their real estate is also out of this world (2,800 sq ft condo in a four plex configuration ocean front priced at $4 million), so be prepared to pay some coin for accomodations in Wailea..
While we've never stayed (as we usually stay at Fairmont Kea Lani), my friends have, and their 5 kids love it there.. For family accomodations in a one bedroom suite in an all suite hotel, we always choose the Kea Lani..
Wailea, Maui is the nicest area in all of the island to vacation.. Their real estate is also out of this world (2,800 sq ft condo in a four plex configuration ocean front priced at $4 million), so be prepared to pay some coin for accomodations in Wailea..
#4
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Woodside, CA, USA
Programs: United Platinum
Posts: 517
Poipu, Kauai is a good option
And there are still some very good restaurants if you do get a sitter for a night or two.
Lots of good options on all the islands, for us the deciding factor is the lack of crowds and mellow atmosphere of Kauai.
Bob
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: UA 1K, LH silver --> nothing, LY gold --> nothing
Posts: 363
Big island seems preferred now
So it seems big island is preferred now, flying in/out of KOA.
Stay there? Move around?
Budget IS an issue, so no fancy $zillion hotels for us
Stay there? Move around?
Budget IS an issue, so no fancy $zillion hotels for us
#6
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Woodside, CA, USA
Programs: United Platinum
Posts: 517
I would bet that even if you pay a bit more for a condo than a hotel, you'd end up saving money overall by virtue of doing most of your own cooking.
Bob
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: UA 1K, LH silver --> nothing, LY gold --> nothing
Posts: 363
Thanks, good point
I don't have any specific suggestions on the Big Island, but would strongly recommend condo/house rental vs a hotel. Especially with kids, I find having a real kitchen saves us a lot of money vs eating at the hotel or in restaurants for every meal.
I would bet that even if you pay a bit more for a condo than a hotel, you'd end up saving money overall by virtue of doing most of your own cooking.
Bob
I would bet that even if you pay a bit more for a condo than a hotel, you'd end up saving money overall by virtue of doing most of your own cooking.
Bob
However, I might be able to use points for hotel, but I'll keep that in mind.
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: UA 1K, LH silver --> nothing, LY gold --> nothing
Posts: 363
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
You can get a decent condo in Kona for less than $100 per night.. some of them with an ocean view..
I've heard you can get a hole in the wall hotel in Kona for $140 per night with ocean view as well.. just got to shop around a bit and see what's out there..
#11
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Ko'Olina, HI
Programs: HA Gold, Wn CP, US Silver, Marriott Plat, Hertz Pres Circle*, HH silver,
Posts: 246
Have you looked at the Aulani Disney Resort @ Ko'Olina on Oahu? Great lagoons for swimming and lots of family activities. Easy flight direct to Oahu from S.D.
#12
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: USA
Programs: AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 652
^ I was going to suggest that also. Kids would enjoy it. Reviews on other sites seem favorable. Might start a thread here to see if anyone has stayed. We booked a short stay there this summer (want to check it out. No kids. So figure a 3-4 days will be plenty) and then will head to Waikiki to a more adult location. The JW Marriott Ihilani is right next door and shares the lagoon. Aulani is expensive-- standard room is around $450 - since it is so new haven't seen any discounts yet.
#13
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
^ I was going to suggest that also. Kids would enjoy it. Reviews on other sites seem favorable. Might start a thread here to see if anyone has stayed. We booked a short stay there this summer (want to check it out. No kids. So figure a 3-4 days will be plenty) and then will head to Waikiki to a more adult location. The JW Marriott Ihilani is right next door and shares the lagoon. Aulani is expensive-- standard room is around $450 - since it is so new haven't seen any discounts yet.
Still its $60K to buy a week peak season.. plus $2,800 a year for maintenance (point fee annual)..
and at $450 to $500 booking outside as public, may as well get other accomodations.. We'll just visit the site at those prices..
There was a 25% off introductory sale.. but I couldn't get spring break, as it was far off in the horizon.. and not bookable..
#14
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 12
Family Travel to Hawaii
Hi ranshe,
I travel to Hawaii every year with my kids (ages 5/9). Hawaii is a great place for families. You'll love it. If you haven't been to Hawaii before each island is very different. I'd suggest visiting the Hawaii Tourism site; GoHawaii.com. They do a great job explaining the differences.
Given your kids are younger I'm guessing you probably won't be straying too far from the resort. I've found a great beach, pool and a condo/villa with a kitchen can really make the trip.
Here are the family friendly hotels/resorts on each island:
Kauai:
Westin Villas - New concept resort in Hawaii. You can rent studio/one bedroom villas with kitchen and washer dryer. Great network of pools. They also offer grocery service.
Sheraton Kauai - Only hotel located right on Poipu Beach. Gentle surf perfect for kids. There are only a few beaches on Kauai that I'd recommend for kids. This island is more about scenic beauty and a laid back vacation. If you want beaches, Maui has the most with over 80 beaches.
Oahu:
Aulani - Disney service done in an authentic Hawaiian way
Kahala - They have dolphins and green sea turtles right on the property. You can pay a little extra for a dolphin encounter where you get in the water with them.
Outrigger Reef - located in Waikiki. Completely renovated and a great value right on the beach.
Maui:
Westin Villas - New concept resort in Hawaii. You can rent studio/one bedroom villas with kitchen and washer dryer. Great network of pools. They also offer grocery service.
Grand Wailea - incredible network of pools. They also have an elevator that is pushed up by water. Very cool!
Big Island
Marriott - has a nice protected sand beach perfect for kids Not all hotels on the Big Island have a beach. You'll want to ask that question before booking. A lot of ocean front isn't friendly for kids or swimming.
Hilton Waikoloa Village - Huge network of lagoons perfect for snorkeling. They have a Dolphin Qwest program on property where you can see the Dolphins and pay extra to interact with them. This is a big property with a lot to explore. It has a tram and water ferry to take you around the property.
Hope this helps.
Aloha,
Jim - owner - Travel Beyond
I travel to Hawaii every year with my kids (ages 5/9). Hawaii is a great place for families. You'll love it. If you haven't been to Hawaii before each island is very different. I'd suggest visiting the Hawaii Tourism site; GoHawaii.com. They do a great job explaining the differences.
Given your kids are younger I'm guessing you probably won't be straying too far from the resort. I've found a great beach, pool and a condo/villa with a kitchen can really make the trip.
Here are the family friendly hotels/resorts on each island:
Kauai:
Westin Villas - New concept resort in Hawaii. You can rent studio/one bedroom villas with kitchen and washer dryer. Great network of pools. They also offer grocery service.
Sheraton Kauai - Only hotel located right on Poipu Beach. Gentle surf perfect for kids. There are only a few beaches on Kauai that I'd recommend for kids. This island is more about scenic beauty and a laid back vacation. If you want beaches, Maui has the most with over 80 beaches.
Oahu:
Aulani - Disney service done in an authentic Hawaiian way
Kahala - They have dolphins and green sea turtles right on the property. You can pay a little extra for a dolphin encounter where you get in the water with them.
Outrigger Reef - located in Waikiki. Completely renovated and a great value right on the beach.
Maui:
Westin Villas - New concept resort in Hawaii. You can rent studio/one bedroom villas with kitchen and washer dryer. Great network of pools. They also offer grocery service.
Grand Wailea - incredible network of pools. They also have an elevator that is pushed up by water. Very cool!
Big Island
Marriott - has a nice protected sand beach perfect for kids Not all hotels on the Big Island have a beach. You'll want to ask that question before booking. A lot of ocean front isn't friendly for kids or swimming.
Hilton Waikoloa Village - Huge network of lagoons perfect for snorkeling. They have a Dolphin Qwest program on property where you can see the Dolphins and pay extra to interact with them. This is a big property with a lot to explore. It has a tram and water ferry to take you around the property.
Hope this helps.
Aloha,
Jim - owner - Travel Beyond
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: UA 1K, LH silver --> nothing, LY gold --> nothing
Posts: 363
Thanks Jim, this is great info.
I'll head to the web site you provided later.
How's the Sheraton on the Big Island (beaches / other aspects)?
Any other beaches / cities to explore on the Big Island?
Thanks,
I'll head to the web site you provided later.
How's the Sheraton on the Big Island (beaches / other aspects)?
Any other beaches / cities to explore on the Big Island?
Thanks,