CPRich

I agree, pick the island you want to visit and let the hotels fall where they may.

I've stayed at all the non-Oahu properties, and the JW on Oahu, and all of them are perfectly fine vacation properties, only varying by small degrees in the big picture. Unless you plan on hanging at the hotel all day and not visiting they island (which would be a tragedy, IMHO), the differences are swamped by the variety of the islands.

Family vacation, first time in Hawaii? I'd recommend either Oahu, if you need to see Pearl/Arizona/Mo/etc, or Maui if you don't feel the burning need to see these historical sites. But you really can't go wrong with any of the big four islands - for a vacation over 8 days, I'd suggest getting to two islands.

hhoope01

I have to agree with this, especially the "over 8 days" part. The first time my wife and I visited Hawaii, we used a Marriott Hawaii Sampler award that came with 2 2-night hotel awards and 1 3-night award. They could be used at any of the Marriott hotels in Hawaii. And at the time, Northwest had a very nice unlimited inter-island flights for 8 consecutive days award.

We had the bright idea of trying out a few different islands to see as much of Hawaii as we could. All we really ended up doing was spending most of our time traveling between the islands. So we really didn't get to really "see" any of the islands. So if you are staying for 7 nights or less, pick what you really want to see most in Hawaii and go with that. If you are staying longer, then its a lot easier to move between the islands.

AICML

I just came back from a stay at the Marriott Ko Olina Beach club and I thought it was great. The grounds are really goregous and the staff was super friendly and helpful. They have a lagoon where you can snorkel and see fish and sea turtles. They also have several pools, one of which has a really cool water slide. For a family you can get a one or two bedroom which would have plenty of space and a place to cook meals.

The hotel is kind of far from Waikiki so if you wanted to spend a lot of time there I wouldn't recommend this hotel. You also would definitely need to have a car to get around the island since there's not much to do near the hotel unless you just wanted to hang out at the lagoons and pool.

Starprincess

I have stayed at the Ko Olina last year and I think it is spectacular. I do not like the overcrowded beaches in Honolulu, so this was right up my alley.

If you want to go to a luau, Paradise Cove luau is right next door and they do a nice "tourist type luau" with decent food.

On of the things that our stay so nice was the staff. They were wonderful. I let them know in advance we were celebrating a B Day and they sent up chocolate covered strawberries after we arrived.

We were upgraded to a junior suite, ocean view, but even the smaller rooms are pretty nice. They are clean and have marble and granite floors/counters.

The beach is nice and there are several lagoons. One thing I liked about the hotel is you can call for your car to be pulled around, from your room, pretty nice.

I loved it there.

qlabdad

Hi,
I've stayed at many Marriott's in Hawaii but just achieved Gold status this year. Next summer I have the Waikiki and Kauai Marriott's reserved on points. I know these are Marriott resorts so I'm curious if I can expect any recognition of my Gold status? I understand resorts don't have lounges so I'm curious if they do anything for elite members. I know Silver was nothing and, in fact, had a terrible experience in Maui last summer on points.

Thanks.

aaupgrade

Upgrade to the best available room (suites excluded). Behind Plat Premiers and Plats obviously. If you are not upgraded then you are guaranteed the Room Type you reserved.

Details of benefits may be found at Marriott Rewards T&Cs:

jayer

Hawaii is a tough place to upgrade. So many people want the ocean rooms and are willing to pay. So many other people with kryptonite status to trump gold are waiting for the leftovers. Hope for the best, you will love Hawaii (especially Kauai) and occupancy is down, but don't factor an upgrade into your minimum expectations. The best room available many not be the one you really wanted. Just be extra happy if you get it.

miles_navigator

There are no guarantees, but as low Silver I have been upgraded every time at all Hawaii properties. You may have to haggle for the upgrade a little bit but they will try to work with you. Another option is to ask them to move you a better room the 2nd day if you are willing to move your things.

For the Waikiki Beach Marriott ask for the 1st tower/K tower (closest to the beach) as the rooms are bigger. Just be careful if you have a Diamond Head view because the band at Tiki’s restaurant (on 2nd floor of adjacent Resort Quest hotel) can be loud if on a lower floor.

debbiebones

We're thinking of going to Hawaii as a family in 2011 (our first time there.) Our kids will be 11 and 13 at that time. Does anyone have any suggestions for the best Marriott property (all islands) that we should consider? We'll be using points.

Thanks!

Deb

gardener

My family enjoyed the LIH property. The kids boogie boarded right there at Kalapaki beach.

Pool is largest in all of HI. Grounds are spectacular with gardens and koi pond (daily feedings popular with kids).

Fitness classes were like $5 and free instructor led fitness walk every AM.

And the Duke's Canoe Club has excellent, reasonably priced food - try the Hula Pie! and can charge to your folio for extra Marriott points!

AceAirspeed

I agree - Kauai Marriott was great for the kids. Awesome, big pool and a decent beach adjacent to the hotel. Our kids had a great time there last October and keep asking when we are going back!

hhoope01

My personal favorite island is Kauai. There are three facilities on Kauai (though two of them are actually together.) The Kauai Marriott Resort is the only "hotel" there, but it is very nice and has possibly the nicest and biggest pool on any of the Hawaiian islands. Personally, I like the Waiohai Beach club a little better. It is an MVCI (timeshare) property, but has some very nice pools, facilities, and the beach there is perfect for kids.

Overall, Kauai just seems to have more to do and see than most of the other islands (Waimea Canyon, numerous beaches, the only navagateable waterways on any of the islands, numerous waterfalls, etc.) We took our kids on an all day hiking/kayaking/swimming/hayriding excursion. That is now what they compare any other vacation activity against. They truly loved it.

If you are planning on spending any time on Oahu, then the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko Olina is probably the nicest Marriott. For a family there is the Ko Olina Beach club right next door to the JW. It is another MVCI property and if you reserve a 1 or 2 bedroom suite you will have a lot more room. Both of these are about 30 or so minutes outside the hustle/bustle of Honolulu.

Below are some past threads covering some of the various Hawaiian properties. They may be of help:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...-marriott.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...rt-review.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...-marriott.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...-marriott.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...ater-park.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...m-ilihani.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...ii-points.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...iki-beach.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...each-club.html

debbiebones

awesome...thanks for sending those threads! I did a search but didn't find all of those. Appreciate it, as well as everyone's suggestions!

PHLGovFlyer

IMHO the island you choose is more important than the hotel. Unless you plan on forcing your kids to hang at the hotel the entire time (which I know my kid would never tolerate, even now that she's older) choose the island first and then the lodging.

My personal favorite island for Hawaii travel with kids is Maui. There is simply more to do there than any other island, and the activities are enjoyable for adults and kids.

Unfortunately, the one true MR hotel on Maui (Wailea resort), while good for adults, is slightly below par for kids. The timeshare properties are on option on Maui but I've never tried them.

jerseygirl

I would absolutely go for any of the 2 BR tmeshares with kids Nice to have separate sleeping areas, living full kitchen, washer dryer

As for islands they are all beautiful

I like KoOlina on Oahu the most [too many people think of Oahu as only the city of Honolulu but in my opinion the scenery in Oahu is great], then Maui