<p>For stays in Oahu - New Otani is by far the best. Close to Waikiki, but not in Waikiki. Great beach, near Outrigger Canoe Club. Good to have a car there and do a day drive around the island.</p>
<p>For Big Island - no way you can do this in one day. Too much to see and do. Stay at Hualalai or Mauna Lani (several very nice, semi-private). Fairwinds morning sail/snorkel to Kealakekua something not to miss. If you try to drive around this island in one day, you will be exhausted and just be rushing.</p>
<p>Any time of year is good to go. Maui a little too crowded though. </p>
<p>I have lived in Hawaii 20+ years (near Honolulu) and it really depends on the above. There are different classes of hotels but if you are talking of the top hotels (Wailea comes to mind) the Halekulani on Oahu is truly a world-class resort.</p>
<p>I agree with other posters that the New Otani (Kaimana Beach Hotel) is very nice. Hau Tree Lanai there is one of my favorite restaurants. The fish is exquisite!</p>
<p>August can get a little hot (depends on the trade winds) but that seems to be when the water seems to be the most refreshing! Crowds? It depends on what you are doing (e.g., schedule golf during the week instead of a Saturday, have dinner early, etc.). After labor day things slow down a bit. . .</p>
<p>““If you try to drive around this island in one day, you will be exhausted and just be rushing.””</p>
<p>I did not have that experience. I got that one day trip recommendation from either “The Big Island Revealed” or trip advisor. I spent a total of 7 days on the Big Island, and yes, we drove a loop around the Island in one day on our trip to Volcano National Park – of course, we didn’t see every detail of the island in that one day, but enough sites for a one day trip for anyone. We started early in the a.m. at the Hilton Waikoloa, north of the airport, drove around the top of the island to Akaka Falls, off to Volcano National Park for most of the day. Stopped by black sand beach on the way home for photos, and then off to dinner in Kailua.</p>
<p>If you only have one day, it’s a nice tour of the island and quite doable and you won’t be exhausted or rushed. Technically, you can fly into Hilo and just do what you can on the Hilo side of the Island if you have limited time., but I enjoyed the ride around the entire Island. Just don’t start your day at noon! ;-)</p>
<p>There is currently a special $40 for 40 hotel rooms for the next 40 days (or something) for the 40th birthday of the Ala Moana Hotel. It’s connected to a large shopping center & there are other rates if you don’t get one of the 40 rooms for the special.</p>
<p>August is a fine time to visit the islands, tho yes, sometimes it can be warm and humid, but these days, it has been cool and there are many “microclimates” of our state and islands as well. There are a considerable number of students & families visiting in August, since that’s when folks are on vacation.</p>
<p>In Oahu - look at Outrigger Reef on the Beach. On the beach but a much more manageable size than HHV. Free internet - a rarity in Oahu. Also packages with breakfast buffet which is excellent. The hotel has been recently renovated. Go to trip advisor for pricing. One of the windows that pops up will be from a local HI travel agent. Pick that one - you will see that pricing is much better. Close to everything - we had a great stay here last Oct.</p>
<p>So I have a question regarding hotels on Oahu. It looks like we will have a choice between the Hilton Hawaiian Village, the Sheraton Waikiki, the Royal Hawaiian and the Westin Moana Surfrider. </p>
<p>Anyone know anything about any of these places?</p>
<p>Unfortunately, I can’t remember the name of the place we stayed at many years ago on Oahu. I think it was sort of attached to a mall that had the name Ala Moana in it, and it was within walking distance of the International Market Place.</p>
<p>Hilton Hawaiian Village–have stayed here several times with my extended family. It’s a HUGE resort on the beach. Has a lot of conventions & tour groups, weddings, banquets and parties. It is a longish walk to the Ala Moana Shopping Center or International Marketplace. Different rooms & wings vary as to how recently they were renovated. Many local families stay there for a nice getaway. Toward far end of Waikiki. One of the largest hotels on Oahu (like a mini-town; can get confusing as to which tower you’re staying in). They do try to do some Hawaiian craft and/or volunteer talk about Hawaiian culture at hotel. They had games you could borrow & when we stayed there, they had gift backpacks for the kids under some age (10?)</p>
<p>Sheraton Waikiki–have not stayed here; more centrally located in Waikiki, right next to the Royal Hawaiian. Have never stayed there, so don’t have personal experience on their hotel rooms. Their food is OK. Near the International Marketplace but a bus ride from Ala Moana Shopping Center. Their lobby & banquet facilities were recently renovated but I don’t know about their hotel rooms. Lots of banquets & local parties held in their banquet rooms. Smaller than HHV. On beach.</p>
<p>Royal Hawaiian–next to Sheraton Waikiki. Recently renovated and has lots of historic roots. It has a very nice buffet lunch. Have never stayed there or looked at their rooms but my sister said it was a nice hotel when she stayed there with a friend. Their lobby, common areas and restaurant are nice. On beach.</p>
<p>Westin Moana Surfrider–have not stayed there and have no personal knowledge. Not quite sure where this hotel is.</p>
<p>Wish I could be more helpful, but this is about all the info I have about these places.</p>
<p>We stayed in the Moana Surfrider in Dec’ 08. It’s located right across the street from the Int’l Marketplace. It is a gorgeous, stately hotel and the holiday decorations were spectacular. Many people stopped by just to take pictures by the tree in the entrance! The rooms were nicely appointed and the restaurants are right on the beach shaded with huge banyan trees. There are rockers on the front and back porches that are great for enjoying your morning coffee, reading a book or having a nightcap. We loved our stay there.</p>
<p>I should have added that I wasn’t necessarily looking to stay next to the Ala Moana shopping center, but it’s the only thing I could really remember about the place we stayed last time we were there. It was convenient, considering the ages of the kids at the time, but with this just being me and H, I really don’t care about a mall. But it helps put distances into perspective for me. Based on the above reviews, it sounds like I’d lean more toward the Moana Surfrider and the Royal Hawaiian at this point.</p>
<p>So far, the reviews I’ve read from TripAdvisor about most places have been helpful (if you discount the really odd reviews). They can give you a sense of the experiences others have had at the hotels. All the hotels you listed are generally very highly regarded by local folks (& pretty much everyone). As my-3-sons has indicated, the 3 hotels you listed other than HHV are near the “heart” of Waikiki, if that’s where you would like to be located, across from the International Marketplace. That’s a fun and busy location.</p>
<p>The New Otani Hotel is located at one far end of Waikiki and the Ala Moana Hotel & HHV are located near the other end.</p>
<p>I’m sure you’ll have a great time, no matter which of these hotels you pick. :)</p>
<p>To NYMama Yes, you can drive the Big Island in one day. But it sounds like you missed so much. From Hilton to Akaka and then to Hilo is a lot (orchids farms, etc). From South Point back to Kona there is so much to stop and see. If you have the time, don’t rush. </p>
<p>If anyone is a scuba diver, this is the best of all islands. As it is the newest island to be formed, there is not as much sand. The entire Kona coast is full of wonderful dive spots. If you are not certified, try snuba or snorkeling. </p>
<p>Great artist colonies all over the island, from woodturning to painting. </p>
<p>Also, both Oahu and Big Island host numerous free concerts. Really worth checking out.</p>
<p>For Oahu, I still recommend the New Otani, unless you want to be in the middle of Waikiki. My personal preference is just to be a little away from the masses of people. You can certainly walk down there or take a taxi, but nice to be away from it at night or on a less crowded beach.</p>
<p>Again, any time of year is good. It is fun to be there from December to March when you can go whale watching!</p>
<p>Yes, the New Otani is the hotel where they often put guest speakers who are in town. It is near the aquarium and at the edge of Waikiki; much quieter (& less traffic) than being in the center. Have not stayed there but have put a guest there; he said he enjoyed his stay there. Their rates are fairly reasonable as well. They have a beautiful open air lanai where they serve meals under a huge, ancient hau tree (lovely for sunsets).</p>
<p>I love the Royal Hawaiian just for the retro glamour. I attended a wedding there in 2005 and was impressed with the guest rooms as well as the public spaces. They also have a private beach area with hotel services. I usually stop by their oceanfront bar for a drink when I am in Honolulu (I am far too cheap to stay at a luxury hotel, but I love to spend $12 and pretend!)</p>
<p>HImom gave a very nice overview of the hotels you asked about. Personally, I love the Moana Surfrider. Right on the beach, lovely Hawaiian elegance, and the rocking chairs in front are wonderful when you want to read the paper, sip a tall glass of plantation ice tea, or simply people watch :)</p>