alexaqui

Hi all. I'm getting married in July this year and will be spending 10 nights in Hawaii. I have the St. Regis in Princeville reserved on Kauai for 5 nights, and have 2 nights at the Marriot Waikoloa reserved (on points). We may extend that to 3 nights at the Marriot for the days where we will be exploring the island. We will need another hotel for 2-3 nights. I'm really struggling where else to stay for the remainder of the time. Is the FS really that good and worth the splurge? With all of the other wedding expenses (self-funded wedding) I need to be 100% sure the FS will live up to expectations.

Also, where is the best place to stay in the FS? I'm torn between requesting Palm Grove and King's Pond.

Any recommendations are greatly appreciated!

Thanks.

mktozd

FS Hualalai will exceed your expectation is well worth the expense, even if you shorten you trip to do so. We have stayed at Palm Grove, King's Pond and Golf Ocean and liked them all.

Palm grove has a very hawaiian feel while being close to the ocean, we liked it there and it is commonly requested by couples looking for privacy. King's Pond offers more clear vistas for the ocean and is very lovely mainly adults. Golf ocean is actually a very private pretty setting, my wife hopes that we stay there the next time in that you can sit on the terraces in the morning in full privacy. if is also significantly cheaper than the others, but a very nice view. Perhaps the only drawback of these rooms is that they are a little further from the action, but you will not mind walking around the resort.

Three recommendations I might offer:
1. Stay longer at Hualalai, perhaps 5 nights, especially if you can get the 5th night free promotion
2. Book through a virtuoso prefered provider and get free brekafast and upgrades. We have worked with DavidO on this board for many years, he is absolutly great. Luxury and others also come highly recommended.
3. Consider a golf ocean view room, ideally on the ground floor to get an outdoor lava shower.

alexaqui

Thank you for the response and the suggestions. I think we will book it. Sadly, the 5 day promotion is not available and neither are the golf view rooms. I will reach out to the two providers you mentioned; is there an additional cost or are they pretty much in-line with the standard FS rates? I normally book directly with the hotel/website.

Thanks again.

mktozd

Sorry to hear that the fifth night free is not available or are the golf view rooms. DavidO does not charge extra and booking through him will earn you (i) free breakfast for two everyday worth about $85, (ii) a free lunch once during visit, (iii) upgrade upon check-in and extra attention from hotel. Indeed, we booked our honeymoon @ Hualalai and many trips with David since, you will not be disappointed.

alexaqui

Thanks for the recommendation. I called DavidO and reserved 3 nights. He's fantastic to deal with. I'm really looking forward to my stay!

mktozd

Congratulations, you will enjoy Hualalai. A few things I might recommend.
1. No need for a rental car, most people stay on the resort property and enjoy.
2. Request a ground floor room, so that you can try the outdoor lava showers
3. Visit Lava Lounge for a light dinner and/or drinks. If you are there Saturday night, try the Star, Surf and Sand
4. Try King's pond for a safe protected snorkle experience
5. Walk the path both ways along the ocean. Towards King's pond will take you to the grounds of the Kona Village, beyond Palm Grove will take you to see the rest of resort and golf course.

trojanman

You'll have a great time. My wife and I loved it at Hualalai.

I will offer a slightly different opinion about the rental car, however. The Big Island has so much to offer in the way of sightseeing, natural wonders, activities, and off-site restaurants. If you're even the least bit active and like exploring, I cannot imagine visiting Hualalai without a car.

If you're a beach bum who doesn't want to leave the sand and you don't mind paying $200+ per person per day for Four Seasons meals, then you can get by without a car.

mktozd

Congratulations, you will enjoy Hualalai.

mktozd

Agree on exploring the Big Island, perhaps they do so their first few days while at Waikoloa. As for meals, we found that with the breakfast buffet, we were full until dinner or had a light lunch. I believe they are booking through DavidO, so breakfasts will be covered as will one lunch....and I would guess meals would be much more affordable.

NYBanker

I posted a report from my recent stay at FS Hualalai Kona over in the Trip Report forum.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...plus-more.html

obscure2k

Thanks for the link, NYBanker. I really enjoyed reading your report. It isn't often that one posts a report about an experience at a luxury resort and includes a description of actives for children. When our kids were young, we had to rely on word-of-mouth or call the hotel directly to find out what amenities were available for them. This is how we wound up taking our kids to Kona Villa Resort, year after year after year. (KVR ,now shuttered, is right next to Hualalai). They loved KVR and the kids' activities were always great fun. They particularly enjoyed "fishing" in the very well-stocked fish pond. KVR had a beach which was great for kids. It was a protected cove; no waves, warm water and no deep drop-offs. Thus, it was safe and the perfect place to learn to snorkel. Our kids still love Hawaii and they cherish the memories we shared as a family. Happy New Year.

pancakex

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NYBanker

Thanks for the kind words. We did not leave the property the entire time! You will have a great trip! Check out Part 5 in a few days which will have thoughts on room crescents and other details.


Thanks for your thoughtful comments and for sharing your experience. Kvr sounds great. I understand it is the original property in the area and is very (too?) close to the sea now in some spots. The staff all thought it would reopen, but would take a few years to sort out.

This trip was the right balance of kids/adult time for us. Like most FS properties, Kona was a great proposition for kids. My son commented that, " the hotel manager must really like kids."

mktozd

NYBanker - Wonderful trip report and great pictures. Having returned from our sixth trip to FS Hawaii and forth from Hualalai, I found your report one of the best written and most informed.

pancakex - If you have not been on the property lately you will see some changes since the Tsunami, including:
1. the addition of an adults pool area in the Palm Grove crescent, similar to Maui's, but without the private cabanas or underwater music
2. More of the beach by beach tree grill is now grass.
3. A "kau kau" cart runs along the shore every afternoon offering snacks, beer, etc. The closest thing I have seen to an adult good humor truck.

Some things that remain and I would recommend is a visit to the Lava Lounge, particularly if you want a light dinner or a couple of drinks with a great view and a very personal experience.

Kagehitokiri

http://twitter.com/#!/FSHualalai/sta...00756063068162
http://twitter.com/#!/FSHualalai/sta...00467167793152
http://twitter.com/#!/FSHualalai/sta...00290025562112


http://blog.travelandtourworld.com//...nk.asp?id=4757