| bocastephen |
Nov 8, 2006 9:57 am |
Honestly, I am not a fan of bed and breakfasts - here is why. Even with good reviews, one man's palace is another man's fleabag. For example, one of the highest rated B+Bs on O'ahu is the "Hawaii's Hidden Hideaway" at Kailua. When looking at the photos, I find the decor uninspired and average...but another reader might look at the photos and proclaim it 'paradise'. Reviews and ratings of many B+Bs are mixed, or often a visitor is disappointed because their taste or expectation differed greatly from what they found on arrival.
In addition, the nightly cost of a premium bed and breakfast (generally renting a private home or suite) can equal or exceed the cost of a very nice hotel like the Hotel Hana Maui, Halekulani, Grand Wailea or Four Seasons Maui. Many B+Bs also require minimum stay lengths.
One thing a B+B does insulate you from - crowds. If you want a quiet, romantic place to yourselves and are not hung up on appearances, you can have a look at the Hawaii's Hidden Hideaway B+B ( http://www.ahawaiibnb.com/). Maybe it will be to your liking. The location is in Kailua, on the opposite side of Diamond Head from Waikiki.
On Maui, I would suggest the Hotel Hana Maui - with the caveat that rainfall is far more likely down there than Ka'anapali or Waimea. You can redeem Hilton points for the Grand Wailea now, but the redemption is quite steep and depending on the time of year you visit, the property might be abit crowded - but it remains my favorite hotel on Maui in the sub-500/night category.
You can never satisfy everyone, though - I have even read negative reviews of the Four Seasons Hualalai, which is considered among the top resorts in the world and often rated as the best hotel in the USA for quality and service.
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