We have a trip planned at the following resorts:

- FS hualalai - golf ocean
- FS Maui - garden view
- FS Manele Bay - garden view
- St Regis Princeville - ocean front
- Hilton Hawaiian Village - ocan front

Does anyone have any suggestions on room preferences I should request (i.e. certain floors, views, etc) I have booked with a FS PP for the FS stays but think it might be unlikely that we will get an upgrade considering its peak season.

It all depends on how much you want to spend, how long are you going for and how long at each hotel. Is this your first trip to Hawaii? What time of year are you going? That could make a difference as to what I would suggest for a view (re: whale season I would recommend ocean front). FS, as you are aware, are expensive. I have never stayed at any of these resorts but I know where each are located. Some will say a view doesn't matter because your not in your room. It does make a difference in my opinion.

For my wife and I, if we can swing it, we prefer ocean front rooms. I love resorts but we are in a phase now of doing resorts as well as condo's. Condo's are great. Alot more room and amenties such as a washer and dryer and full kitchens. We just completed our 9th trip. Alot of others have done more.

On Oahu, a view of Diamond Head is a must! Ocean front is great but if you don't have a view of the iconic Diamond Head crater you miss out on something special. I know each time we get off of the plane in Oahu, even seeing Diamond Head at the airport sends chills up my spine. You know your in Hawaii!

On Lanai, if this is your first trip to Hawaii, you may want to do just a day trip to Lanai. It is a great island but there is alot to do on the other islands that you may miss out on if you spend several nights on Lanai. You can catch the ferry out of Lahaina for a day trip.

Alot of info thrown at you so I will stop for now. Any questions just ask.

Cannot speak for most of those, but I'll comment on 2 that I've been to: at FS Hualalai, you want to avoid the King's Pond and Sea Shell areas, unless you're taking kids - then you want one of those. Also, the ground floor rooms have very neat little gardens with a lava rock outdoor shower (upstairs has a better ocean). I prefer downstairs. As for HHV, the rooms are not that much better, but the Alii Tower has better amenities plus its own pool. Pretty much all rooms have ocean view, but you want to be on Diamond Head side, toward the ocean, and above 3rd floor (to see over palms). Second choice would be Rainbow Tower, with the same preferences as in Alii Tower.

FS Hualalai - echo deubster re: the crescents, which wrap around each of the resort's pools. Sea Shell is the family pool. King's Pond has a mix of kids and adults. Beach Tree is the "quiet" pool. Palm Grove is the adult's pool. The ideal crescent is the one nearest your favorite pool. Of course, if you get no upgrade, you won't be in any of the poolside "crescents"; you'll be along the golf course.

FS Maui - The hotel is shaped like a 7- or 8-story "U," opening toward the ocean. The best rooms are closer to the ocean, especially on the inside of the "U," since those also have a nice view of the resort below. The rooms are priced based on view, so the quality of your view will depend on the level of upgrade you get (if any).

FS Manele Bay - Never been, but if your trip is not yet set in stone, I echo the thought that you may want to skip this, unless you have TONS of time in the islands. There just isn't much going on on Lanai, and the Hualalai is too good a place to miss time at (if it can be afforded).