Need some advice on Hawaii hotels
Jun 6, 2016, 1:04 pm
#16
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott BonVoy Titanium Elite, Marriott LT Plat.
Posts: 1,717
Thanks for the tips as well all. In the planning stage for a possible Hawaiian vacation myself in September.
Our "spot" has always been the Villas in Maui. Was thinking of trying Princeville but am "afraid" it will be too quiet. We love the Villas and we kid ourselves "staying up late when it's 10 PM. But we get up around 5 AM and just walk along the beach and enjoy a slow morning crawl as the rest of the guest start to mill around.
Our "spot" has always been the Villas in Maui. Was thinking of trying Princeville but am "afraid" it will be too quiet. We love the Villas and we kid ourselves "staying up late when it's 10 PM. But we get up around 5 AM and just walk along the beach and enjoy a slow morning crawl as the rest of the guest start to mill around.
Jun 6, 2016, 3:17 pm
#17
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 286
Stayed at St Regis Princeville and I loved it. Kauai is my favorite place on earth. I'd def give the Westin Maui a shot too. The location was great, the pool area was fun, and the plat breakfast can't beat beat (except by St. Regis).
I did both for New Year's this year and will likely do the same when I go back to see VCU in next year's Maui Invitational.
I did both for New Year's this year and will likely do the same when I go back to see VCU in next year's Maui Invitational.
Jun 6, 2016, 3:25 pm
#18
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: New York City
Programs: AA,BNV,HIL
Posts: 879
Having gone to HNL many times over many years and see how its changed, agree with the rest, don't waste your points there and the Royal Hawaiian is definitely no longer the 5 star experience it once was, nor is there any beach left to speak of in waikiki.
Jun 6, 2016, 5:44 pm
#19
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: SBP
Programs: SPG-Platinum
Posts: 120
Would be great to have some advice here on Hawaii hotels since during the last category change I remember that there was a significant amount of category increase for Hawaii hotel redemptions...
I myself and my wife plan to go to Hawaii for vacation from 7/25 to 8/6 and we plan to leverage our points to maximize their values, but we are okay to pay cash as well if needed. We have in total about 250K starpoints and 100K Hyatt points and 200K Chase points which should be easily transferable. Due to the merger, preference is to burn starpoints first. We want to go to Island of Hawaii, stay in Honolulu for sure and maybe another island if time allows.
Any suggestions on good redemption values?
I myself and my wife plan to go to Hawaii for vacation from 7/25 to 8/6 and we plan to leverage our points to maximize their values, but we are okay to pay cash as well if needed. We have in total about 250K starpoints and 100K Hyatt points and 200K Chase points which should be easily transferable. Due to the merger, preference is to burn starpoints first. We want to go to Island of Hawaii, stay in Honolulu for sure and maybe another island if time allows.
Any suggestions on good redemption values?
Sheraton Kauai at 12,000 points per night
Sheraton Maui at 20,000 points per night
Royal Hawaiian at 20,000 points per night.
As others have indicated, Princeville is wonderful but it's 30,000 + points per night.
Jun 9, 2016, 3:04 pm
#21
Join Date: May 2003
Location: CA
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 2,879
No reason at all to go to Honolulu - it is just a big city with lots of activity but none of the Hawaiian feel.
As for the other islands, go to Maui for activity and Kauai for peace and quiet. If you can get reservations at the Andaz it is great. If not, try and stay at the Grand Wailea and upgrade to the Napua rooms. Fantastic food and drinks. On Kauai, the Grand Hyatt is our favorite.
As for the other islands, go to Maui for activity and Kauai for peace and quiet. If you can get reservations at the Andaz it is great. If not, try and stay at the Grand Wailea and upgrade to the Napua rooms. Fantastic food and drinks. On Kauai, the Grand Hyatt is our favorite.
Jun 9, 2016, 3:46 pm
#22
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Malibu, CA
Programs: AA CK / Marriott Worthless Ambassador
Posts: 1,158
Kids
Any thought on best for small kids? Kids club?
Looks like Westin Princeville has a kids club? Any others?
Looks like Westin Princeville has a kids club? Any others?
Jun 9, 2016, 9:05 pm
#23
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Tennessee
Programs: SPG, Marriott, United, SWA, AA
Posts: 700
And as far as going to Kauai for peace and quiet... I agree and I don't. Kauai can be a most relaxing escape, if you want that, or it can be an adventure filled marathon with all the spectacular hikes, ATV's, Helicopter and boat tours. That's how our trip was. We did all of the above. You want to get your adrenaline running, hike out onto any one of several ridges up in Kokee State Park that have out of this world views and 2000- 3000 foot drop offs towards the Napali coast
Jun 9, 2016, 9:19 pm
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: FLL -> Where The Boyars Are
Programs: AA EXP 1.7 M, Hilton Gold, Hertz 5*, AARP Sophomore, 14-time Croix de Candlestick
Posts: 18,669
For some of us who are urban oriented and who have a small tolerance for isolated areas, there is every reason to visit Honolulu. Different strokes, and all that.
Jun 9, 2016, 11:47 pm
#25
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: YVR - Vancouver, with most winter weekends in Whistler.
Programs: Aeroplan 35K, Alaska MVP, Marriott Titanium / Lifetime Platinum, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 4,609
It's nice to have a walk around, or through, but I doubt I would stay here again unless it was needed.
Lounge was memorable however. . .
Jun 10, 2016, 5:51 pm
#27
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 331
Everyone who has been to Hawaii more than once thinks they're the definitive expert on what the "real" Hawaii is. To some, it's the perfectly manicured properties of a luxury beachfront hotel they rarely leave; to others, not so much. In my opinion a good place to start to understand the "real" Hawaii would be to read the autobiography of Lilioukalani.