CurioiusG1

We're taking our first trip to Hawaii in February (celebrating my 50th)and planning on spending 4 days in Oahu and 4 days on either the Big Island or Kauai. The hotel choices are overwhelming! We're looking for someplace small (not a megaresort), casual but nice (clean, updated, etc) in the $200 (+/-)range (maybe with a kitchenette?) on the beach if possible. here's the rub - preferably a place that does not appeal to families or kids. (I know, it's break time so I have really limited myself!) I read alot of mixed reviews about the Aqua hotels - mostly negative. Any familiarity with this chain? Also, the Outrigger on Waikiki - they have a decent rate (I think) of $185 - worth it?

Also, any info (opinions) on the Hapuna Prince on the Big Island? (thought we might spurlge here). Another option is to stay somewhere more low key - any ideas?

I appreciate any info or links. Thanks so much.

suze

These are a couple blocks from the beach, but you could look at The Breakers or The Hawaiiana Hotel. These are 'old school' places, low-rise, small, with a lot of aloha spirit (and kitchettes).

There's really not that many hotels actually ON the beach in Waikiki (i think less than a dozen) and most of them are large complexes.

Some others I think of (example, New Otani) fit what you seek but are a higher price.

dusty56438

www.visit-oahu.com Free brochure. There are over 400 websites for lodging, restaurants, attractions in the brochure & onn the site. Click on: OVB Yellow Pages

Resortquest has a lot of decent properties including Waikiki Sunset & Waikiki Banyan. They are across from each other about 1 block from the beach.

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34812564

CurioiusG1

thanks for the info on the breakers and the hawaiiana. I'm a little concerned about some of the reviews - they sound dismal. I will check out the Resortquest properties, too.

Also, do we need a car to get around or are things walking distance? we would like to tour the island one day, but that's about as much driving as we'd lke to do, if possible.

Also, is the polynesian cultural center still there doing a show?> (I went 40 years ago). Is it worth it or totally tourist trap?

thanks again!

suze

oh well, i guess "dismal" is in the eyes of the beholder; I've stayed at Hawaiiana twice & love it... but you know your own style best.

kauai_aka

pcc is a tourist trap. it has changed after 40 years but it's still crowded.

dusty56438

Polynesian Cultural Center is the best Polynesian entertainment in Hawaii.

It is no more of a tourist trap than any other luau in Hawaii.

Rent a car on Oahu. You can get out & see the island much better with a car. By the time you pay for shuttles, cabs, buses, you won't have saved any $$ by not renting a car.

CurioiusG1

oh my! Suze - it didn't mean to suggest that they were dismal - just that some of the reviews make them seem so. I hope I didn't offend.

I know that luaus and the like are tourist events, but we would like to see and experience some traditional hawaiian culture - through food, music, dance, etc. How else would one do that if not by attending one of these luaus or other events hosted by some group? Are there other venues that are more authentic? Let me know.

Also, I had heard that the PCC was owned and operated by the Morman church. Any truth to that?

thanks again.

suze

Yes the Mormon own and run the PCC. It is what keeps (among other things) some of us away.

No worries about the hotel. I'm not easily offended. But it is hard to find a hotel on the beach, with a kitchen, no kids and families, in Waikiki for under $200. If you find one, please post her, CuriousG, cuz that's something I really would want to know about

hrtb

My husband and I LOVED the Big Island - we stayed for 4 days in an amazing little condo community in Kona (there was the most incredible restaurant onsite where we ate on the beach). The condo was 2 bed/2 bath with a full size kitchen and living room. We then transferred to the big mega resort Hilton for 4 more days and we really missed our condo... which was half of the cost of our Hilton room! The condo was very quiet and peaceful. I think it ran about $170 a night (this was in 2003 so I am sure the price has gone up).

hrtb

This was our room... I forgot it had a jacuzzi tub and a balcony off the bedroom in addition to the one facing the water off the living room:

http://www.alohacondos.com/kanaloa/k...frontpage.html

Here is the main website - I am not sure if the restaurant is still there:

http://www.alohacondos.com/kcr/

Have fun!!

hrtb

Oops - the last link should be this:

http://www.alohacondos.com/kanaloa/

Sorry!!!

Beatle

Can I pop in with a question here- Any personal preferences as to the north end or south end of Waikiki? For some reason I was leaning toward the South toward Diamond head, but the Aloha condos on the north end sound nice. Thanks..

suze

Beatle~ I like both but prefer not to be toooo far out because I walk everywhere. So for me wouldn't want to be beyond the general area of Fort de Russy or Queen Kapiolani park at either end.

Beatle

Suze- That's very helpful since I also like to walk everywhere. Thanks...

CurioiusG1

Thanks for the info on PCC; are the any other luau events that are worth attending?

Re Waikiki hotels - what is the area on the other side of diamond head like? I think perhaps we have to go with the flow and find a place that suits and not worry too much about particulars. Quiet beach would be nice.

Re big island - is the Kona area too built up? Is it better to stay near Hilo? Finally, are most of the accommodations on the island condos or are there traditional motels and hotels? beaches?

fdecarlo

CurioiusG1: Quiet and Waikiki can't be put in the same sentence. Or the same paragraph. It's wall to wall noise, traffic, crowds, and is about as far removed from "South Pacific" as one can imagine. But the north shore of Oahu is relatively undeveloped and lots of condo choices are there. If you go, don't miss Lanikai Beach.

As for the Big Island, Kona is developed (although nothing like Waikiki), while Kohala -- where the Hapuna Beach Prince is -- consists of high-end resorts spaced miles apart, a few shopping centers, huge lava flows, and not much else. Steer clear of Hilo unless you want lots of lushness and don't mind daily rain. The two go hand in hand in Hawaii.

If the goal is to "get away from it all" it's hard to beat Kauai. It has an excellent compromise of scenery and infrastructure. Poipu is a bit overdeveloped for my tastes, but the north shore (like Oahu) has lots of condo choices.

With all that said, we've been going to Hawaii every year for the last 20 years and usually stay at the HBPH or Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on the BI, but the latter is currently closed until next year. This part of the BI gets much less rain than Kauai, and service at these two hotels has been consistently good. Just remember that there's nothing for miles surrounding these Kohala resorts, except barren lava flows.

CurioiusG1

Thanks for the info. We will spend three nights on Oahu - probably at the Hilton or the Outrigger. Not exactly small, quaint or quiet, but as the last poster noted you can't put quiet and Waikiki in the same sentence!

We've decided on Kauai as our second island - staying four nights. Since we will be be there in February, is it best to stay on the south coast (Poipu?) or the west coast? Please advise. I know alot of folks stay at the many condos, but those don't appeal to me. I don't need a mega resort, but a like some of the amenities of a nice hotel. I've looked at the Sheraton and the Hyatt (astronomical at the Hyatt) and was wondering if there were any other nice hotels (not condos) on the south coast (best beaches?). I'd like to keep it in the $300 range if at all possible (less is better of course!). It seems as if the condos are priced about the same.

What might we expect for weather in February?

thanks again,

ttt

volcanogirl

We stayed at the Hapuna Beach Prince on the Big Island and loved it. Nice comfortable room with a great view; the beach is beautiful there.