Where to go in Oahu?
 

helping family plan a getaway to Hawaii. They booked plane tickets for 8 days flying in and out of HNL. They did that primarily because flights were convenient and cheap.

They have spent extensive time in maui, and a few days at the Hapuna Prince on the big island and a few days at the marriott on Kauai. They are thinking of flying to Lanai for 4 days and staying at four seasons manele bay.

They are thinking 8 days in lanai might be a bit much. We have always thought if HNL as more of a bustling city with less nature and less seclusion. I guess I don't really understand what the attraction is to Honolulu. Why are most flights there and most hotels too.

Are my perceptions of Honolulu wrong?

Is there anywhere else on oahu that would offer more seclusion. They can probably go to $500 per night or higher if necessary.

Woudl 8 days on Lanai be crazy as opposed to 4 in Oahu and 4 in Lanai.

Could it make sense to spend 8 days in Oahu if your primary goal is to spend some time at the beach, soaking up rays, in secluded luxury?

Travelling with an infant so nightlife is of no consequence. Great restaurants are nice but no big deal.

Lanai is my favorite place in the world but YES 8 days is a but too much for Lanai unless you have a house and can/want to cook. Restaurant selection on Lanai for 8 days gets boring.

Honolulu is great but its a different vacation. Its like people going to Miami Beach, or San Juan crowded beach area.

Places to consider staying for a calm within the rush:
*Kalaha MO
*Halekulani
*Hilton Hawaii Villiage Alii Tower (and only Alli Tower)

Honolulu also offers some awesome restaurants, museums, surf, beaches, snorkling, and sights.

Best way to do this trip is 4 and 4 not 8 in one place.

Aloha

What about Turtle Bay or Marriott Ilihani?

I started doing some research and see that the vast majority of hotels are all on Waikiki which I imagine is fairly crowded and bustling.

I noticed that Turtle Bay and Marriott Ilihani are in the middle of no where. They must be fairly secluded. Are they good choices.

It looks like Kahala is a little bit past Waikiki but still fairly close. Would you call it secluded.

based on my limited research I would have guessed Ilihani, Kahala, Turtle Bay, and Marriott Ko Olina would fit the bill best and in that order.

The JW Marriott in Ko Olina is more secluded than the places I've stayed in Ka'anapali or Poipu. It's not Hana, but it's out of the core of Waikiki/Honolulu. It also has access to the North Shore beaches without going through the heart of the traffic.

You can certainly spend 4 days on Oahu and not even touch Waikiki, Diamond Head, Pearl, and the other "crowded" spots. 8 might be a bit much though. 4/4 or 5/3 sounds right.

Kahala has a resort feel athough not secluded. Its within reach of shopping, restaurants, and other goodies.

Turtle Bay bad news. For a night or two OK if you want to hang on north shore a bit. Otherwise I'd stay at Marriott and drive to north shore for the day. Waikiki is fun and the beach at Hilton is not crowded.

I've stayed at all these hotels. I would recommend the Kahala first because it is outside crowded Waikiki but is geographically convenient to other attractions on Oahu. The Halekalani is a wonderful hotel but is smack in the center of Waikiki. Ihilani is a resort - once you are inside the property it is quite beautiful but there is not much in the immediate area that you would want to see. Unless the Turtle Bay has been recently updated, I would not recommend it. The rooms, food and service are not of the same quality as the others.

While there, take advantage of the island hopping flights available. You can go to the different islands and really see the sights.

We went for 2 weeks and stayed on Oahu for 5 days and then the rest of the time on Maui.

Stayed at the Beachcomber on Oahu and rented a condo just off the beach on the Southern end of Maui.

Hoping to go back next year. :)

I think 8 on Lanai is too much. Oahu certainly has plenty to offer and has the best beaches overall. Hanauma Bay is a must and Waimea Bay on the north shore is a great swimming beach. The drive in the hills behind Honolulu has some great views and hikes...the rule in Hawaii is drive to the end of the road and walk about 10 more minutes if you want a place that's not crowded. Perfect example of that is Kaena Point at the far northwest, which is about 60-90 minutes on foot from the end of the road. Albatrosses, Hawaiian seals, the place where the current meets and the mountains end...it's quite nice.

Of course, there's also a whole network of touristy things like the Polynesian Cultural Center, glider flights, luaus or anything with promotion in the weeklies. My budgets usually rule that stuff out even if I wanted to do it, but thankfully there's a whole network of more-downscale restaurants, stores, bars, parks and sights, etc., where you see mostly locals but that can be a better experience.

Check out www.beachvillaresort.com for an additional option in Ko Olina. High end luxury two and three bedroom Villas that are private homes. Some homeowners take bookings when they are not in residence.