Thinking about a vacation in Hawaii: Need Advice

[iamwiz82]

After seeing the rather cheap prices of flights/rooms/car in hawaii recently, Actprincess and i have decided to look into a nice vacation. We were thinking of 5 nights, hopefully on an island other than Hawaii itself, since we dont want to be in a touristy area. I would really like a condo-like hotel, with private entrance and such to the beach.

My questions:

What island is best to see/do things? We both enjoy driving/walking in remote places.

Will car rental places rent to a 21 year old? Expedia doesnt mention much about it.

Any hotel suggestions?

How is Hawaii in Sept/Oct? That would be Hurricane season, right? Bad idea?

Any other suggestions in general?

 

[integratrix]

I just went to Maui a couple of weeks ago with my sister. We rented a condo on the beach at Napili Bay Resort (for a beachfront condo, it was only $100 a night, which was a good deal). Maui was really beautiful and nice - a lot less touristy than Honolulu. It all depends on what you want - if you just want to lie on the beaches, then Maui is great. Also, there are a lot of cruise/boat operators who will take you out to places like Molokini to go snorkeling, whale watching, turtle watching, etc. If you want to go shopping and do more of that kind of stuff, perhaps going to Oahu would be a better bet. Yes, most rental car companies will rent to 21 year olds, but there will most probably be a surcharge.

 

[Kerouactivist]

1. All of the islands have much to do with Oahu being the most with Maui and the big island tied for a close second.

2. Some won't, I think it is either one/both dollar and budget do but, they charge you quite abit extra per day. If you go to oahu I suggest that you both just get mopeds, FUN FUN FUN

3. On Oahu for Waikiki, I suggest the Sheraton Waikiki, excellent fun small laidback bar, (many celebs stop by their, I've seen Brian Wilson their numerous times.)
For the condo thing, I would try doing some searches, I know their are numerous places in the kailua kaneohe area which rent out beachhouses (the beach in kailua is consistently in the top 5 in the world) etc... on a weekly/nightly basis.
LMK how much your wanting to spend a night and I'll try and help you as much as possible (to many nice places).

4. I definitely would not worry at all about hurricanes.

No matter which island you choose you will have an excellent time.
LMK if I can be of further assistance.

 

[iamwiz82]

Anyone else?

 

[iamwiz82]

sigh

 

[blade]

We both enjoy driving/walking in remote places.

Then you'll love Kauai. Is has the greatest place to go hiking, all along the Nai Pali coast. Most of the hike is along the coast and you see some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable. Total heaven! Good hiking shoes are needed.

Kauai also has a grand canyon like place, but more green than the grand canyon. Many waterfalls there and last time I was there you could go to most beaches and no one else would be there. Pics

Jurassic park was filmed there too. Beware the raptors.

 

[GeneValgene]

Originally posted by: blade

We both enjoy driving/walking in remote places.

Then you'll love Kauai. Is has the greatest place to go hiking, all along the Nai Pali coast. Most of the hike is along the coast and you see some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable. Total heaven! Good hiking shoes are needed.

Kauai also has a grand canyon like place, but more green than the grand canyon. Many waterfalls there and last time I was there you could go to most beaches and no one else would be there. Pics

Jurassic park was filmed there too. Beware the raptors.

i totally second that suggestion...Kauai is really nice and quiet; great if you want more privacy and to get away from the more 'touristy' areas.

 

[apoppin]

ANY island if you haven't been there before.

I'd suggest Oahu for a "first timer". It's compact and once you get out of Honolulu you can see the rest of this beautiful Island by car or bus (NOT a moped unless you like "real adventure" - it's dangerous).

Especially if you only have a week.

 

[Lola]

which island has the nicest scenery? What about getting the most "bang for your buck"? Are there any sights, tours, locations we shouldn't miss?
I have also heard that hawaii is quite expensive... how much do you think we should reserve for food?

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: ActPrincess
which island has the nicest scenery? What about getting the most "bang for your buck"? Are there any sights, tours, locations we shouldn't miss?
I have also heard that hawaii is quite expensive... how much do you think we should reserve for food?

IMHO, if you want bang for the buck, don't go to Hawaii....go to the Virgin Islands.

 

[vi edit]

Don't want to be nosey - but what's your budget?

 

[ROTC1983]

Actually, on Oahu, the area near Pali Lookout is gorgeous. I doesn't even seem like you are near a city anymore

 

[MikeMike]

do not stay on the big island!! all the island is is a city. Traffic jams and everything there, and i was only there for a day.

When i went, we stayed at the Maui Marriot, and it was sweet, that same year they redid the whole hotel and put water slides and everything in.

If you want to have a relaxing and fun time, do not go to the big island, try and find a spot on one of the smaller islands, as they are not nearly as crowded and city like as the big island, the smaller the island, the better.

oh yeah, have a fun and boring plane ride too, it was 12 hours from ohio, and it wasnt even fun cuz you had to see BLUE the whole way, no towns or anything to look at.

 

[gentobu]

Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
do not stay on the big island!! all the island is is a city. Traffic jams and everything there, and i was only there for a day.

When i went, we stayed at the Maui Marriot, and it was sweet, that same year they redid the whole hotel and put water slides and everything in.

If you want to have a relaxing and fun time, do not go to the big island, try and find a spot on one of the smaller islands, as they are not nearly as crowded and city like as the big island, the smaller the island, the better.

oh yeah, have a fun and boring plane ride too, it was 12 hours from ohio, and it wasnt even fun cuz you had to see BLUE the whole way, no towns or anything to look at.

I think you mean Oahu.

 

[Ameesh]

i would highly reccomend kauai, it sounds like just what you are looking for.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Don't want to be nosey - but what's your budget?

well, we are pretty open, i was thinking between $2000-$3000 for flight, room, and car. Most hotels offer a $100 dining expense per night for free right now. Expedia's mid level seems to be around $2400 for 2 people.

Should we go to a really really nice hotel and get an ok room or should we go to a mid level hotel and get a really really nice room?

As for the plane ride, i found a Delta flight that goes from detroit, to cinci to LA to Maui, with a nice enough lay over to stretch our feet.

 

[iamwiz82]

ok, possible hotels:


JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa at Ko Olina
Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel
The Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach
Castle Waikiki Shore
Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort

The prices range from $2000 to $2500 with flight and 5 nights

 

[imported_Tomato]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
ok, possible hotels:


JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa at Ko Olina
Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel
The Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach
Castle Waikiki Shore
Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort

The prices range from $2000 to $2500 with flight and 5 nights

Per person, or for 2 people?

 

[iamwiz82]

2 people.

 

[Supahfreak]

Originally posted by: gentobu

Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
do not stay on the big island!! all the island is is a city. Traffic jams and everything there, and i was only there for a day.

When i went, we stayed at the Maui Marriot, and it was sweet, that same year they redid the whole hotel and put water slides and everything in.

If you want to have a relaxing and fun time, do not go to the big island, try and find a spot on one of the smaller islands, as they are not nearly as crowded and city like as the big island, the smaller the island, the better.

oh yeah, have a fun and boring plane ride too, it was 12 hours from ohio, and it wasnt even fun cuz you had to see BLUE the whole way, no towns or anything to look at.

I think you mean Oahu.

Oahu is the "main" Island. Pearl Harbor is located here, and so is Waikiki. If you head out of Waikiki you can see lots of scenery. Haleiwa(North Shore) is really nice also, plus the City is going through a major unmodernization(is that a word) to make it more like it did back in the day. I notice tourists walking around in my neighborhood, which is about 6 miles outside of Waikiki. We do have afternoon traffic and other problems that most Major cities do though. I think you'd enjoy it on Oahu, but any of the Major Islands would be cool. You can't make a mistake...

FreAk

 

[iamwiz82]

how big around is Oahu? I would like to drive around the entire place.

 

[Supahfreak]

Actual miles around Oahu, I have no idea but you could do it in a day assuming you dont hit traffic. That would give you more then enough time to stop and look around during the trip.

FreAk

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
how big around is Oahu? I would like to drive around the entire place.

3 hours

 

[AUMM]

i went to maui a couple weeks ago, i lovvvvvvvved it there. Ouahu is nice, but its way more commercialized

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: AUMM
i went to maui a couple weeks ago, i lovvvvvvvved it there. Ouahu is nice, but its way more commercialized

If we went to Oahu, we would probably end up going to the more remote spots on it some days and stay in the city other days