chobby100

DC based and love Hawaii but think we may have done it all there. Would you mind helping me out and recommendation a good fit for this upcoming Christmas / New Years? Kids are 10 and 7 and my wife and love Hawaii despite being East Coast US based. We did Hualalai for many years and found it is extraordinarily expensive for what you get and know it gets mixed reviews here, but we liked it . Tried the Fairmont in Wailea last year and were disappointed. It is not imho close to a Four seasons. The Wailea Four Seasons in Maui is meh over that period of time as I think it is overrun and not relaxing and the Andaz was fine and we checked out their rooms and they were tiny and fine. Concerned about the rain and clouds in Kapalua. Every time over that period of the year I have been there it has been raining. Not sure if anything is actually luxury in Kaanapali (and have stayed at the Westin, Sheraton, Hyatt and Hyatt residences there). The new Timbers on Kauai is in a ok place but not sure I want to gamble that it is up and running properly by then. Kukui’ula is promising but we can not get in there then and not on the ocean. Have stayed at the Hyatt on Kauai and not really luxury imho. And it just rains too much up in Princeville IMHO. On the Big Island, I have had meh reviews from friends and otherwise of the Fairmont, Mauna Lani is closed for a year or so. Not sure the refresh of the Hapuna will be luxury and the never a huge fan of Mauna Kea with a huge premium for ocean facing rooms and the tiny tiny pool. The residences up there are interesting but you really have to drive to the resorts every day which seems a bit much. Do not want to do a full ten days on Lanai right now. So at least Hualalai luxury in Hawaii or Mexico (Punta Mita or Mayakoba maybe) or the Caribbean. I think SE Asia is probably pushing right now. Would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks in advance.

bhrubin

KatW

Pausanias

Since you seem to favour large chain resorts, take a look at the Four Seasons Anguilla. The architecture will be familiar and the beaches there are totally world class. There was significant hurricane damage last year but I think it's fully up and running now.

Kagehitokiri

FS holiday rates get crazy, although all have been raising some
st regis holiday rates have run $4,000+ which make FS cheap

jamaica is one of the few in area without same holiday premium
without going farther, only option may be avoiding bigger chains

even some asia/etc have added holiday rates, though better value
closed sep 6 - mar 23 = 6.5 months, and only that long because >
robbreport.com/travel/destinations/how-luxury-hotels-rebuilding-caribbean-2834345/
edit >
i have seen since 2013, both in advance and at last minute, $4,000 and $5,000 in online reservations for entry level room at st regis in north america, possibly due to how SPG works

outside of maldives where entry rate can be very high, i have not seen similar holiday rates at any other hotel (only event rates, which often include nonluxury chain hotels)

looking right now, seems marriott has changed (dropped) some
FS also up more, not seeing entry available at either right now

increases make aman caribbean less crazy, especially amanera

bhrubin

That's quite a prejudicial statement about StR vs FS. I do believe that the FS holiday rates can be as high or usually even higher than those at most StR. Heck, in many to most markets, FS rates are usually higher than those at StR regardless of occupancy.

I could be wrong, but I think you might be referencing an outrageous Dec 2016 post from TPG on the StR Punta Mita (https://thepointsguy.com/2016/02/st-...-hotel-review/). You'll notice my comments in that post taking the author and most of the commenters to task.

(That particular StR Punta Mita property is one that can have (but usually doesn't have) slightly higher rates than the FS since it's better than the FS according to many--including me.)

5khours

We did a residence at Mauna Kea earlier this year. Really nice. 10 minute walk to either resort/beach (and some residences are even closer.) IMHO much nicer than Hualalai in every respect and a lot cheaper. One of the few beach resorts in North America that I have ever really enjoyed.

You could also look at Mustique but the kids might get bored.

From D.C., Emirates to MLE, HKT, or DPS is a super easy trip, and if you haven't done SE Asia, it's definitely worth considering. Aman makes FS seem like a dump, and seeing a foreign country would be fun for the kids.

chobby100

Much appreciated all. Let me take some time at look at the recs.

juuceman

I don't believe that this is true. Jamaica increases significantly.

Kagehitokiri

FS & st regis extremely high (amanera can be same/less)
caribbean very high, last i looked jamaica was not as high
by "same premium" i meant as in price, if not price jump
not sure but FS may not be 'as bad' in hawaii / lanai
but then lower level room categories may sell out earlier

st regis was event-like premium for 'rooms' vs low season
SPG would pay hotel almost full ADR when almost sold out

if not the best, mauna kea beach is one of best beaches in hawaii
several here were mauna kea regulars, over FS, because of it

obscure2k

IMHO, Mauna Kea is the best beach in Hawaii.

BESVISOR

Share the same feelings as others here that Hawaii just doesn't do it for me...Inspected all Four Seasons properties in Hawaii in October and only walked away liking/loving FS Lanai! FS Maui was terrible!

I'd also suggest Rosewood Mayakoba, Amanera to be great options to consider being on the east coast. You must remember that Amanera's entry Casita is basically a suite at other resorts, so when comparing prices, that variable should be taken into account. I had trouble booking clients for Christmas last year during August as they only have about 25 Casitas and it fills up quickly during Christmas so if it appeals to you, I wouldn't wait too long.

Many people love Amanyara but I personally prefer Amanera's hard product and service over Amanyara's. You can't really compare Amanera and Amanyara's beaches...completely different. Amanyara is calm and turquoise. Amanera's beach is much more active, in terms of waves and wind. Amanera's beach club is much better than Amanyara's, IMHO and it's a really enjoyable location for evening dinners with family. I found the food to be better at Amanera as well. I have had clients praise and complain about Amanyara, but 100% positive (overall) feedback on Amanera.

Another option for you to consider might be renting a villa in Turks and Caicos. Just visited Beach Enclave's new villas (set to complete/open in Nov). I spoke with their management about an opening promotion and they were 100% open to it. Below is a review of my visit from early June.
Beach Enclave- Private Villas in Turks and Caicos

Cheers!

Kagehitokiri

by price >
- amanera / BT mayakoba / st regis punta mita
- rosewood mayakoba / esperanza / (las ventanas?) / beach village at the del
- maroma / (las alamandas?)

yara was doing well in 2013, nera doing well recently

does FS have public page like this for 2018?
fourseasons.com/landing_pages/corporate/2017-festive-season/

nobu ryokan says "begin at $2,000 per night during preferred travel periods"

KatW

chobby100

Argh. Last year we did the Baha Mar and burned Hyatt points. IT's fine but it is MEGA BIG and with the waterpark yet to be completed it was very very crowded. Still looking for this upcoming Christmas - New Years.

Smaller more low key luxury vibe toping out at say $2k a night and able to get four us in a suite? Caribbean? So many great places are already sold out or $2k a night and on up.

Love to have thoughts.