Suggestion for a 3 week Trip, first timer..
Jul 2, 2015 | 7:06 am
#16
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,639
Thanks again for the input. So far Big Island is set due to the diversity, active volcano etc. Still deciding for Kauai or maybe staying longer on the BI and a shorter stay on Oahu (as we arrive there after a very long trip).
Allow me another question for the experts: As we will arrive just before christmas: Where would you get the most "christmassy" feeling? I am guessing Oahu? Nice decorations, maybe even surfing santas etc?
Thanks, W
Allow me another question for the experts: As we will arrive just before christmas: Where would you get the most "christmassy" feeling? I am guessing Oahu? Nice decorations, maybe even surfing santas etc?
Thanks, W
Both have some great natural features - beaches, hiking, etc. - which you've said are important to you. While I'm sure there are hundreds of differences, I'd sum it up this way:
Oahu - more crowded, traffic, but Honolulu is a great city with good restaurants and shopping, and it has Pearl Harbor
Kauai - more laid back, relaxed, sometimes you may have a beach nearly to yourself, more limited options if you want to get back to "civilization" for a few days.
Oahu has a lot more tourist options, but more headaches to deal with. Kauai is kind of make-your-own-vacation island. In the end, you really can't make a wrong decision. You'll have a great time on either island.
Jul 2, 2015 | 9:10 am
#17
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,201
Christmas
The Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, across the street from your hotel, has an award winning gingerbread village at Christmas time. Just Google Princess Kaiulani Christmas for lots a web sites.
https://www.google.com/search?q=prin...gQ7Ak&dpr=1.25
http://www.discoverhawaiitours.com/b...cess-kaiulani/
https://www.google.com/search?q=prin...gQ7Ak&dpr=1.25
http://www.discoverhawaiitours.com/b...cess-kaiulani/
Jul 2, 2015 | 11:19 am
#18
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: HNL & SFO
Programs: UA MM/Gold
Posts: 295
If you do end up staying on Maui, make sure to do the Trilogy tour to either Lanai or Molokini. Best time ever.
www.sailtrilogy.com
www.sailtrilogy.com
Jul 2, 2015 | 11:52 am
#19
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: PHL / KOA
Programs: DL PM / MM Ex UA & US Gold Starwood & Hilton Gold
Posts: 232
Christmas Time in Hawai'i
If you are planning to Rent a Car during this time of year no matter which islands you choose I suggest that you book your car / cars ASAP.
Hope that you enjoy your trip as Christmas is always a Great Time to visit the islands.
Hope that you enjoy your trip as Christmas is always a Great Time to visit the islands.
Jul 2, 2015 | 3:43 pm
#20
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,639
If you do end up staying on Maui, make sure to do the Trilogy tour to either Lanai or Molokini. Best time ever.
www.sailtrilogy.com
www.sailtrilogy.com
I'm going with 6 other family members who have never been to Hawaii so I'm hesitant to take a chance on something that might not be as good. Mostly what I've found are people who love the trip they took but no comparisons.
Jul 5, 2015 | 12:56 am
#22
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: PHX
Programs: AA Peon Gold
Posts: 2,939
That's a great way to explain Kauai. If you're the type that wants your vacation spoon fed to you, Kauai is definitely not the place. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but to truly see Kauai's beauty, you're going to be driving from one corner of the island to the other, and if you just want to stay at your hotel 24/7, I wouldn't even bother going to Kauai, as Oahu is fine for that purpose.
Jul 10, 2015 | 3:53 am
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Beautiful Switzerland
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 511
Okay, I think we will be settling for Big Island and Kauai! These Islands sounds exactly what we are looking for. Great scenery to explore, fun things to do and shop etc.
Now does someone here has a nice house that he is willing to hand over?
W
Now does someone here has a nice house that he is willing to hand over
?W
Jul 10, 2015 | 10:37 am
#24
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Captain Cook, HI, USA
Programs: BA, DL, HA, etc
Posts: 987
http://www.vrbo.com/450590
Jul 17, 2015 | 4:29 pm
#25
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 645
Island Hopping
Great thread and posts. I was looking exactly for something such as this being that I'm planning a surprise wedding anniv for 9/15 for 2 wks. I want to do Oahu for about 4 days: Pearl Harbor-I'm a Disabled Vet, Kaui: 3 days,Maui: 4 days and back to HNL for 3 days.Thinking of doing the Hyatt Diamond Challenge between Kaui and Maui on "pts+cash."
What I would like to know is when it comes to car rentals,what do you have to do: turn them in each time (of course). And which inter-island airline is the cheapest?
What I would like to know is when it comes to car rentals,what do you have to do: turn them in each time (of course). And which inter-island airline is the cheapest?
Jul 20, 2015 | 6:53 am
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: New Jersey
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, UA Silver, dirt elsewhere
Posts: 47,407
You do realize that you will waste a ton of time going between islands. Figure half a day at least.
Yes, you have to turn the car in.
The fares between islands is on the high side - as in around $75-$100 each way.
Yes, you have to turn the car in.
The fares between islands is on the high side - as in around $75-$100 each way.
Jul 24, 2015 | 4:04 pm
#28
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 645
With that much time (very jealous!), I would definitely split between 2 islands. If you do want a taste of Lost/5-0, I'd staple 2-3 days on in Oahu at the end if you are set on that (as you'll most likely be flying in/out of HNL if you are coming internationally). Aside from that, definitely take a look at what Kauai, Maui, and the Big Island have to offer. I haven't been to Kauai for a long time, so my memory may be rusty, but it is definitely less populated and more remote than the other two. Whereas Maui and the Big Island both have some population centers, Lihue (which is the city you fly into on Kauai) is a pretty sleepy town with not much to do. Gorgeous scenery to see, and lots of outdoorsy stuff to do, but if you're looking to trek into 'town' at all, Kauai isn't the island for that.
If you do consider spending all your time on one island, the Big Island is the place to do it - so many different parts of the island to see, and the farthest you'll ever have to drive in one shot to get somewhere is ~2-2.5 hours.
If you do consider spending all your time on one island, the Big Island is the place to do it - so many different parts of the island to see, and the farthest you'll ever have to drive in one shot to get somewhere is ~2-2.5 hours.
Island Air currently has specials for $59.
Jul 25, 2015 | 12:16 am
#29
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Captain Cook, HI, USA
Programs: BA, DL, HA, etc
Posts: 987
I would say Oahu for Pearl Harbor, Kauai for a few days and the Big island.
I think Kauai is great for its beauty and the Big Island for a contrast. The Big Island would need at least a week.
See if you can do a stopover or open jaw to cut costs.
I think Kauai is great for its beauty and the Big Island for a contrast. The Big Island would need at least a week.
See if you can do a stopover or open jaw to cut costs.
Jul 26, 2015 | 8:01 pm
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
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Posts: 10,699
Would you say that Kauai is better for a wedding anniversary setting (scenery, dining,etc) than Maui? This is for a surprise wedding anniv (9/24-10/8. Will be in Hawaii for 2wks, the 1st 4 in HNL (Disabled Vet trying to see Pearl Harbor). The next 4/5 days (9/28-10/2 or 3) I was thinking about the GH Kauai b4 hopping off to Maui for maybe 4 days (depending on Kauai) and 2 more back in HNL.
Island Air currently has specials for $59.
Island Air currently has specials for $59.