Going to Hawaii for Honeymoon ... would like some advice please!

[mugs]

Since you're flying from the east coast, I suggest a flight that has a layover on the west coast. Our first time we had a layover in Chicago, and the 9 hour flight from Chicago to Maui sucked. I know someone who flew from Newark directly to Honolulu, then took a short flight to Maui... that would really suck. I need a break in the middle to walk around and not be confined. If you have a PSP and/or a DS, bring it. And if you have a portable video player, bring that too.

 

[Lola]

... it may sound silly, but my favorite thing is listening to the local radio stations there. I love Q103 the most which (I believe) broadcasts from Maui. A great way to bring back feelings of being there is by the music they play. It is not the "typical" Hawaiian you would think of but contemporary Hawaiian. Even now, half of my ipod is filled with Hawaiian artists.

Try it.

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: purbeast0
so what part of the island is most of the night life on such as the bars or clubs?

also, how far mileage/time wise is it to drive from say, Napil to Hana (as seeing as they are on the exact opposite sides of the island)?

Lahaina (west Maui) and Kihei (south Maui). West Maui (Ka'anapali) and south Maui (Wailea) are the two big resort areas.

from checking stuff out it looks like we'll probably be staying in a touristy area probably in Kaanapali, which doesn't seem to be too far from Lahaina which seems to be a good night life area. Is it easy to take public transportation between those areas? Or how much is a cab ride?

And about the flights, so far yea it looks like all the flights i've found seem to go from MD to CA,, and then to HI, with each flight being about 5.5 hours (ugh that is so long on a plane)

 

[RbSX]

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: ockky
you should go snokling/scuba diving at Molokini Crater, it's super clear with plenty of fishes to gawk at

woah i just googled that, looks awesome!

Thats what I was talking about for the catamaran from the Maui Prince, it takes you to Laparuz Bay and Molikini.

 

[RbSX]

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: purbeast0
so what part of the island is most of the night life on such as the bars or clubs?

also, how far mileage/time wise is it to drive from say, Napil to Hana (as seeing as they are on the exact opposite sides of the island)?

Lahaina (west Maui) and Kihei (south Maui). West Maui (Ka'anapali) and south Maui (Wailea) are the two big resort areas.

from checking stuff out it looks like we'll probably be staying in a touristy area probably in Kaanapali, which doesn't seem to be too far from Lahaina which seems to be a good night life area. Is it easy to take public transportation between those areas? Or how much is a cab ride?

And about the flights, so far yea it looks like all the flights i've found seem to go from MD to CA,, and then to HI, with each flight being about 5.5 hours (ugh that is so long on a plane)

There is more or less no public transportation in Maui.

Cabs are expensive because of the cost of fuel.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: RyanSengara

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: purbeast0
so what part of the island is most of the night life on such as the bars or clubs?

also, how far mileage/time wise is it to drive from say, Napil to Hana (as seeing as they are on the exact opposite sides of the island)?

Lahaina (west Maui) and Kihei (south Maui). West Maui (Ka'anapali) and south Maui (Wailea) are the two big resort areas.

from checking stuff out it looks like we'll probably be staying in a touristy area probably in Kaanapali, which doesn't seem to be too far from Lahaina which seems to be a good night life area. Is it easy to take public transportation between those areas? Or how much is a cab ride?

And about the flights, so far yea it looks like all the flights i've found seem to go from MD to CA,, and then to HI, with each flight being about 5.5 hours (ugh that is so long on a plane)

There is more or less no public transportation in Maui.

Cabs are expensive because of the cost of fuel.

Last time I went it was $70 between the airport and Wailea. :Q

You're probably going to want to go up Mt Haleakala and over to Hana, so you'll probably want to rent a car. You can take tours to both places, but when you add that to the cost of your cab rides to and from the airport it's worth it to rent a car. Plus you seemed interested in Molokini; not sure if any of the snorkel trips start in Lahaina, but Molokini is down by Kihei. Also if you're interested in whale watching (overrated IMO), you'd need transportation... you're not going to want to stay in one place, so you need a car.

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: purbeast0
so what part of the island is most of the night life on such as the bars or clubs?

also, how far mileage/time wise is it to drive from say, Napil to Hana (as seeing as they are on the exact opposite sides of the island)?

Lahaina (west Maui) and Kihei (south Maui). West Maui (Ka'anapali) and south Maui (Wailea) are the two big resort areas.

from checking stuff out it looks like we'll probably be staying in a touristy area probably in Kaanapali, which doesn't seem to be too far from Lahaina which seems to be a good night life area. Is it easy to take public transportation between those areas? Or how much is a cab ride?

And about the flights, so far yea it looks like all the flights i've found seem to go from MD to CA,, and then to HI, with each flight being about 5.5 hours (ugh that is so long on a plane)

"Good night life" is relative here. The only busy nightlife I saw the whole time I was there was when there was a concert on a Saturday night at the hard rock in Lahaina. Things settle down around 10ish in Lahaina usually in my experience.

 

[BoomerD]

Public transportation on Maui is pretty limited, but there is the Ka'anapali Trolley with limited service into Lahaina, or if you stay in one of the Starwood properties, (sheraton maui, westin maui, westin kaanapali ocean beach resort(s) (there are two next to each other )they offer a free shuttle into Lahaina as well.

here's some FREE stuff to do on Maui...the land of the hemorraghing wallet...

http://www.mauihi.com/mhfree.htm

We've gone to Maui at least once per year for many years. We prefer Maui to Hawaii or O'ahu. (STILL haven't made it to Kauai...maybe this year)

Definitely heed the previous advice about leaving ANYTHING in your rental car...it WILL get stolen.

 

[Homerboy]

Lanai
you can do anything and everything and be secluded from the tourist trap.
If it was good enough for Bill Gates, its good enough for you.

forgot to mention /thread

 

[RbSX]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: RyanSengara

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: purbeast0
so what part of the island is most of the night life on such as the bars or clubs?

also, how far mileage/time wise is it to drive from say, Napil to Hana (as seeing as they are on the exact opposite sides of the island)?

Lahaina (west Maui) and Kihei (south Maui). West Maui (Ka'anapali) and south Maui (Wailea) are the two big resort areas.

from checking stuff out it looks like we'll probably be staying in a touristy area probably in Kaanapali, which doesn't seem to be too far from Lahaina which seems to be a good night life area. Is it easy to take public transportation between those areas? Or how much is a cab ride?

And about the flights, so far yea it looks like all the flights i've found seem to go from MD to CA,, and then to HI, with each flight being about 5.5 hours (ugh that is so long on a plane)

There is more or less no public transportation in Maui.

Cabs are expensive because of the cost of fuel.

Last time I went it was $70 between the airport and Wailea. :Q

You're probably going to want to go up Mt Haleakala and over to Hana, so you'll probably want to rent a car. You can take tours to both places, but when you add that to the cost of your cab rides to and from the airport it's worth it to rent a car. Plus you seemed interested in Molokini; not sure if any of the snorkel trips start in Lahaina, but Molokini is down by Kihei. Also if you're interested in whale watching (overrated IMO), you'd need transportation... you're not going to want to stay in one place, so you need a car.

Jesus, it's only 45 to our place in Wailea.

This is why I recommend staying at the maui prince, most whale watching, snorkling and diving things are within a 10 minute drive.

The snorkel trips from Lahaina are terrible because you have to get up earlier and it's about 2 hours longer to get to Molikini, where as the one from the Maui prince only takes an hour, the provide fantastic food, and because you spend less time transiting they take you more places.

 

[purbeast0]

when staying at the maui prince, what type of stuff is there to do in the evenings though? it seems like it's in a pretty secluded area. we just don't want to be couped up in our room every night at 10pm.

 

[Homerboy]

Originally posted by: purbeast0
when staying at the maui prince, what type of stuff is there to do in the evenings though? it seems like it's in a pretty secluded area. we just don't want to be couped up in our room every night at 10pm.

you're on your honeymoon dude. I've seen your wife. Stay cooped up!!!

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: Homerboy

Originally posted by: purbeast0
when staying at the maui prince, what type of stuff is there to do in the evenings though? it seems like it's in a pretty secluded area. we just don't want to be couped up in our room every night at 10pm.

you're on your honeymoon dude. I've seen your wife. Stay cooped up!!!

yes but there is OTHER stuff to do other than just boning 24/7

 

[Homerboy]

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: Homerboy

Originally posted by: purbeast0
when staying at the maui prince, what type of stuff is there to do in the evenings though? it seems like it's in a pretty secluded area. we just don't want to be couped up in our room every night at 10pm.

you're on your honeymoon dude. I've seen your wife. Stay cooped up!!!

yes but there is OTHER stuff to do other than just boning 24/7

you said AFTER 10pm. There's LOTS to do during the day. I'm saying save the "in our rooms at 10pm every night" for the designated boning time.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: RyanSengara
Jesus, it's only 45 to our place in Wailea.

Maybe my memory of the cost included tip, but I know it was over $50 without tip to Wailea last time I went (which I think was January 2007).

 

[5to1baby1in5]

<---Self defined cheap bastard.

Find one of the 'activity booths' and sign up for a timeshare presentation. You will get a free/heavily discounted activity. The presentation only sucks 1-2 hours out of your trip, and if you are straight foreward with them and say there is no way you will buy, they will let you out quickly in order to move on to the next person. There are two different companies that operate there, so you can do it twice. Got a helicopter tour and a Molokini snorkle trip for the family last trip.

I recommend renting snorkle stuff at on of the local shops and going to Honolua Bay for the day. Much better than the Molokini Crater.

If you're into hiking, the WAIHEE RIDGE TRAIL is a nice short hike.

 

[BoomerD]

We've never stayed at the Maui Prince, but we have stayed at the Hapuna Beach Prince on the Big Island. Pretty nice places:

http://www.princeresortshawaii.../maui-prince-hotel.php

(if you stay there, be sure to sign up in advance for their "preferred program," it should get you an automatic upgrade (if it's available) when you check in. It's worked for us twice.)

It really doesn't matter if the resort is "secluded" or not. Most of them are within half-hour or so from most of the "touristy activities" anyway. MOST of the boat-related trips we've taken have been out of Maalea harbor, which is about 30 minutes from Lahaina, and 20 minutes from Wailea. (or there about...depending on traffic, YMMV) That's also where the Maui Ocean Center is located if you like public aquariums. By far, not one of the biggest or best I've been to, but still pretty nice.

:thumbsdown: on the timeshare presentation idea posted above. MOST require a 3 hour committment to get the tickets, and you ain't gonna get out early. (usually anyway) Not if you want the cheap tickets. They push and cajole, theytry everything and everything to get you to buy...(been there, done that) IMO, why waste 3 hours of prime vacation time sitting in a sales office listening to some asshole (or a couple of them) trying to get you to buy something you don't want, just to save a few $$$.
I got talked into it once...never again, and we wanted to buy a timeshare...but not the ones they were hawking.

 

[BoomerD]

[BTW, IF you go to Maui, and IF you decide you want to go to a luau, (and I highly recommend that you do) make sure to go to the Old Lahaina Luau in Lahaina town. Hands down, the BEST luau on the islands. We've been to several on Maui, Hawaii, and O'ahu, and none compared to the OLL. Best food, best show, and best bar. (many luaus have "no host" bars and expect you to pay for your drinks, others have free bars, but they're self-serve. OLL has "drink-boys" (basically your waiters) who will bring you what ever you want, and ours always brought drinks I hadn't ordered. "Here, try one of these...you'll like it." :roll:

Oh yeah, one more thing...if you do drink there, don't drive. The local cops LOVE to bust ha'oles from the mainland for DUI. (and don't count on Dog to get you out!)

 

[Kanalua]

Haleakala Sunrise...it's like a living postcard...

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

OP - Your hotels are in Wailea... very nice. You can't go wrong with either. If you stay there your night life spots will be in Kihei during the week and at Mulligans on Sunday nights. In Kihei the place to be is Kalama Village (aka the Triangle). There are a half dozen clubs there and they are all a blast. Look for the big whale sculpture on the ocean side of the road and you're there.

Lahaina is the other hot night spot place. Tons of bars and restaurants on Front Street. Lahaina is my favorite place anywhere but it's on the West side. Might as well be on the other side of the earth if you're going out to party. I live in Kihei so I tend to hang out here.

I would recommend staying away from Ka'anapali for a hotel. If you want a neat place with large rooms, on the beach, on Front Street and relatively cheap for what it is... check out Lahaina Shores. I've stayed there a million times and love it.

There are a gazillion things to do. Most of the 'touristy' things are on the west side (Lahaina/Ka'anapali area) but there are lots of things to do on the South side (Wailea/Kihei) Do you golf?

Originally posted by: RyanSengara

Originally posted by: OdiN
If you rent a car, insure it.

DO NOT leave ANYTHING in the car EVER. It will likely get stolen by the tards that don't like mainlanders.

If you go to Hana, especially don't leave anything anywhere it can be stolen.

And make sure you don't take the back route around from Hana as your car is not insured to take that route.

If you do go to Hana you have to check out the 7 sacred pools.

Ok...

1. It's not that bad here.
2. The back route past Hana has been closed since the earthquake two years ago. But even still... most cars would make it through if you don't drive like an idiot. (when it was open)

Originally posted by: Lola

have sex on the beach at least once while there (PS, be discreet, espcially since I just said a sentence or two back to respect the location. All beaches in Hawaii are public.).

^^This^^
I highly recommend it. There are many places you can accomplish it especially after dark. :evil:



Other stuff...
1. Time share stuff... three hours of your life isn't worth a half price snorkle trip.
2. If you're going from the south side to the west side or vice versa, have a plan in place to get back to your hotel. (one of you should stay sober)
3. Come during the winter when the whales are here.
4. Helicopter tours rock
5. Don't agonize over which snorkle tour/whale watch to take. Just pick one and go. They're all the same.
6. Go to Front Street at least once. Plan on staying for a few hours and walking a LOT.
7. Definitely do the Atlantis Submarine trip. Best boat ride you'll ever take.
8. Stop in and say 'hi' to Whoozyer and take him out for a beer.

 

[AreaCode707]

We stayed at Kaanapali, Maui Hilton I think. Nice spot, really enjoyed it. I highly recommend getting up early one morning and snorkeling - 6am allowed us to see several sea turtles, which was really cool. Horseback riding was a good activity too, but whale watching was the most awesome thing. We had the unusual experience of having a whale come right up close to us, almost touching distance.

 

[purbeast0]

So I'm leaning towards the Maui Westin Spa and Resort. I was just wondering if anyone has any experience there, and if so, what do they think about it?

Also, do most places charge you to park at the hotel? It seems from the reviews on expedia and what not that some places make you pay to park your rental car at their resort.

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: HotChic
We stayed at Kaanapali, Maui Hilton I think. Nice spot, really enjoyed it. I highly recommend getting up early one morning and snorkeling - 6am allowed us to see several sea turtles, which was really cool. Horseback riding was a good activity too, but whale watching was the most awesome thing. We had the unusual experience of having a whale come right up close to us, almost touching distance.

I hadn't even looked into the Hilton. Our wedding is going to be at a Hilton so that's giving us a lot of Hilton points, so I will look into the Hilton over there as well.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: purbeast0
So I'm leaning towards the Maui Westin Spa and Resort. I was just wondering if anyone has any experience there, and if so, what do they think about it?

Also, do most places charge you to park at the hotel? It seems from the reviews on expedia and what not that some places make you pay to park your rental car at their resort.

We've stayed at the Maui Westin a couple of times. It's OK, but IMO, pretty dated. IIRC, it was built in the 80's by another hotelier, then bought by Starwood in the 90's. The overall resort experience there should be pretty nice. They have a great pool, their "Tropica Restaurant" is very good, the other restaurant (can't remember the name) has a great breakfast buffet, the grounds are usually immaculate, and of course, you get the Westin Heavenly Bed...IMO, the best bed in the hotel business.
We also like the Sheraton Maui, just a short ways from the Westin. Also somewhat dated, great restaurants, nice pool, the best beach in Ka'anapali, (black rock has EXCELLENT snorkeling) and the Sheraton Sweet Sleeper bed is great too.

The two Westin condos at Ka'anapali are pretty nice, (that's where we owned) but IMO, the maintenance sux. (which is a big part of why we sold our unit) Aimed more for families with kids, I think one of the other places would probably suit you better on a honeymoon.

 

[purbeast0]

Thanks for the opinion BoomerD

On another note, if you guys had to pick, would you pick Maui over Honolulu and if so/not, how come?