Island hop or stay on Maui?
Sep 18th, 2002, 06:57 PM
#1
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Island hop or stay on Maui?
Me, my husband and 19-month-old son are travelling to Maui at the end of december for a wedding. we have 5 more vacation days and are wondering if we should stay on Maui or go to another island?
We're interested in staying in a condo where we can cook some of our own meals but be close enough to the beach and/or bay for snorkeling and sand castle making.
Pre-baby we would have preferred some funky, off the beaten path location over a resort. But with the whippersnapper--who gets terribly car sick--we'd prefer to stay somewhere that offers all the amenities one would want with a toddler (i.e. maid service, safe location, etc) but doesn't require us to drive too far to get a decent plate lunch at a reputable greasy spoon (i.e. not fake hotel food).
Any suggestions?
We're interested in staying in a condo where we can cook some of our own meals but be close enough to the beach and/or bay for snorkeling and sand castle making.
Pre-baby we would have preferred some funky, off the beaten path location over a resort. But with the whippersnapper--who gets terribly car sick--we'd prefer to stay somewhere that offers all the amenities one would want with a toddler (i.e. maid service, safe location, etc) but doesn't require us to drive too far to get a decent plate lunch at a reputable greasy spoon (i.e. not fake hotel food).
Any suggestions?
Sep 19th, 2002, 05:20 AM
#2
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I'd stay in Maui if I were you, you can easily fill 5 days with sightseeing and relaxing, and it would be so much easier on everyone, expecially whipper. Save Island hopping for next time, when (s)he can understand and enjoy why you're unpacking, getting on another plane, getting used to another place to sleep, etc...have a great trip!!
Sep 20th, 2002, 06:21 PM
#4
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We did the island hopping on our first trip and regretted not having more time in Maui. So, our next trip was straight to Maui for 11 days and enjoyed every day of it.
In Feb., we will again spend 11 days there, before getting a taste of Kauai.
Check our www.maui.org to see what they have to offer with an AOA card. We called from the airport in CA, charged it on our card and they left it under the door mat for us. Got some good discounts with it.
In Feb., we will again spend 11 days there, before getting a taste of Kauai.
Check our www.maui.org to see what they have to offer with an AOA card. We called from the airport in CA, charged it on our card and they left it under the door mat for us. Got some good discounts with it.
Sep 21st, 2002, 05:58 AM
#5
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Been to Hawaii Islands 7 times. First couple times we did island hopping because we thought we had to see it all in one trip. Very tiresome and stressful - also DID NOT get to see everything we wanted anyway. The last few trips we stayed on 1 island the whole trip and that worked out much better for us. No airport hopping, no packing and unpacking, no rental car switching, much less stressful. We also got to do a lot of activities plus lots of "taking it easy" time - we get to know each island much better and learn what we really like to do on each island. Buttom line - we enjoy a stressfree vacation much better...
Sep 21st, 2002, 06:01 AM
#6
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Definitely stay in Maui. We've been there twice in the past 3 years and have enjoyed our stays at the Kamaole Sands which is in the Kihei section, an area that's not chi-chi resorty, but more "middle brow" with family restaurants and supermarkets. We rented a modern one-bedroom condo at Kamaole Sands with a full kitchen very reasonably. The condo had daily maid service and, best of all, was right across the street from Kamaole Beach, a beautifully maintained beach with picnic tables, immaculate restrooms and some of the best "beginner" snorkeling on Maui. Get you little one a raft with a clear plastic window--instant toddler nirvana watching the all the fish!
Sep 21st, 2002, 10:28 AM
#7
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It seems to me that when people go to Hawaii for the first time they have trouble deciding on which island, or maybe they feel they need to see a lot, so they invariable plan a trip with 2-3 days on 2-3 islands.
BIG MISTAKE!! Almost as soon as you get there, you find yourself on island time, and you will absolutely not want to pick up and move several times in a week or two.
The very essence of the Hawaii experience is to relax and enjoy just being there. Stay put. You won't regret it, and you will almost certainly be back to explore another island one day.
BIG MISTAKE!! Almost as soon as you get there, you find yourself on island time, and you will absolutely not want to pick up and move several times in a week or two.
The very essence of the Hawaii experience is to relax and enjoy just being there. Stay put. You won't regret it, and you will almost certainly be back to explore another island one day.
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Sep 29th, 2002, 08:36 AM
#8
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I, too stayed in Kehei on Maui. We stayed at the Mana Kai condos. The condo rooms (versus the hotel rooms)have a beautiful oceanfront view. I will stay there on my next trip.There is a pool but I don't think they had a wading end for your little one. The snorkeling right in front of the hotel is better than any snorkeling tour that we've gone on. Kehei is a beautiful peaceful area to stay in. You should just stay on Maui and not island hop since you will not be able to do everything there is to do in five days. If you stay in the Lahaina area there are things to do that don't require long car trips. It's hotter in that area though.
