<p>Every year in early February, when the winter doldrums really hit, I dream of spending a few days by myself enjoying warm ocean breezes while catching up on my reading. Maybe a few hikes, but no nightlife, no fancy dinners out, no tourist activities, and no stress.</p>
<p>This was a pretty bleak summer in the Great Northwest, so this year I’m going to try and make it happen. I have no idea where to go, though. Hawaii?</p>
<p>There are sometimes some amazingly good fares to HI, including some very attractive package deals. Personally, a bad day in HI beats a pretty good day most other places! 
Let me know if you have any questions about Oahu–sorry don’t have much experience with the outer islands, which are lovely and less crowded & developed.</p>
<p>My two favorite quiet beach vacations have been the Big Island in Hawaii and Sanibel Island in Florida.<br>
Waikoloa Beach Marriott on the Big Island
Sanibel Inn on Sanibel Island. You can fly to Ft. Myers, then a short drive to Sanibel Island.</p>
<p>A friend and I are renting a 2 bedroom condo on the water (not just ocean close, but the lanai is on the water!) in Kona for less than a decent hotel in the area. We will be cooking for ourselves and are walking distance to town. We plan on planting ourselves on the lanai and just chilling out. The airfare was high, but the condo rate pretty much makes it a “reasonable” trip. There are a TON of cottages and smaller condos for rent on the Big Island (island of Hawaii). Consider a reputable site like Vacation Rentals by Owners (google it) and look around. Occupancy tax in Hawaii is high, so factor in about 18% above the room rate when you look at hotels. I adore the Big Island.</p>
<p>Kona can get busy, and there are no quiet sandy beaches to enjoy, so bookiemom’s suggestion is a better option, although the Waikoloa area has been built out significantly, as we discovered during our recent trip to the Big Island. We stayed at the (Fairmont) Orchid and absolutely loved the peace of this relatively secluded area. There is a lagoon for swimming with turtles and tons of tropical fish, and if one simply wants a quiet area, there are plenty of secluded spots along the coastline not too far from the hotel.</p>
<p>Our favorite Oahu spot is Ko Olina. I’m not sure what the completion of the Aulani did to the area, but I doubt it turned the entire peaceful resort into a mini-Disneyland. Unless you are staying in Honolulu or the Whalers Village in Kaanapali, it is really hard to find nightlife in HI (even restaurants close by 10 pm) - a big bonus for us.</p>
<p>Poipu on Kauai is lovely – generally sunny and I understand it’s pretty quiet. I have been to Princeville on the other side of the island but can’t remember my last visit to Poipu. I agree that Ko Olina is nice and pretty relaxing. Turtle Bay on the North Shore of Oahu is nice and relaxing and would probably be less busy than Ko Olina with the Disney resort, Aulani that was just completed and opened. Do like Ko Olina.</p>
<p>Have also liked Keahou Beach Resort on the Kona side of the Big Island. My sister loves Hapuna Prince on the Kona side of the Big Island as well. There are some B&Bs in Kailua on Oahu (a residential suburb) with nice quiet beaches, no nightlife and pretty low key.</p>
<p>When I stayed at Poipu several years ago during Thanksgiving, the waters were too rough to go in - North Kauai was calm and much nicer, I thought - would definitely stay north if I return. Maui was great, but I preferred Kauai.</p>
<p>I love Hawaii but you have described Sanibel exactly. I went there for a few days last February and by sheer luck managed to miss the blizzard. It was the first time I went on my own and had a perfect relaxing time lying on the beach reading and taking long shelling beach walks.</p>
<p>“There are some B&Bs in Kailua on Oahu”</p>
<p>HImom, do you happen to know the name of a good one?</p>
<p>The Yucatan: Playa del Carmen, Akumal, Tulum. A stunning part of the world.
[Riviera</a> Maya](<a href=“http://www.rivieramaya.com/]Riviera”>http://www.rivieramaya.com/)</p>
<p>2 very quiet places in FL are St George island (N Fl) and Anna Maria Island, near Sarasota/Bradenton. Its very quaint- like being back in time.</p>
<p>No, I really don’t, as we just drive from our home when we go to Kailua beach. It’s a nice area and the last time we went snorkeling their with my BIL in December, he snorkeled very near a large sea turtle. He was awed by being able to be that close to such a magnificent animal! It was one of the highlights of his trip.</p>
<p>I like Club Med Columbus Isle for very relaxing beach vacation. The rooms are not 5 stars. You get 3 meals a day with unlimited drinks. The best part is the beach, you could pull a beach chair right up to the water and it is crystal clear. A lot of people go there to dive, so during the day the club is very quiet. There are some enterntainment at night, but most people do go to bed pretty early. Club Med is the only hotel on the island, very safe and quiet. You could walk on the beach for miles without seeing too many people, and no one would try to sell you anything either. We used to go every year, sometimes more than once a year, but last time we were there was a year ago and we miss it.</p>
<p>We haven’t been back in HI in 10 years. My family is lobbying to go there in 2012. We have been to most of the islands, I would like to go back to Kauai(Princeville) and Kona.</p>
<p>My mother used to live across the bridge from Sanibel. February is very iffy for visiting there. Yes, the beach will be lovely, but it could be cold or it could be warm, it could be rainy or sunny. In any case, the water won’t be very warm.</p>
<p>We go to the Big Island and rent a condo there through VRBO. Late January is a slow season; it picks up again when the west coast schools let out for February vacations. The Kona-Kohala Coast is reliably warm and sunny at that season. Be aware that there has been a serious vog (volcanic fog) problem in Kona for some years now. The last time we stayed in Kona we were miserable as a result; we stay further out the Kohala Coast now. And, no, I’m not telling you exactly where, I like it secluded and a bit unknown where I am.</p>
<p>LOL, dmd. We won’t crash your place :)</p>
<p>Yes, the Big Island does have some Volcanic Fog or VOG. The amount & where it ends up does vary by wind direction. There are a LOT of rentals available throughout the state. </p>
<p>Princeville is very lush, lovely and WET. I do love the Jurrasic Park feel and some of the beaches near there are where much of South Pacific was filmed. Even if the water is cold for us, it is probably fine for most visitors.</p>
<p>JYM: it’s not you, it’s the millions of other people who get their information on the interwebs.</p>
<p>Ahh - understood, But for the loyal and close friend cc’ers-- party at DMD’s hawaiian getaway!</p>
<p>And let me add, for the general public, that Sanibel in July is a terrible idea. That’s when the stingrays come in to mate. Being stung by a stingray is not fun. However, it’s easy to treat: just plunge your foot into water that is 112 degrees F or hotter (yes, that is very hot) and it will deactivate the toxin. Ask me how I learned this. (For the record, the pain from the stingray was worth than childbirth. By a lot.)</p>
<p>OUCH!! </p>
<p>Sanibel is also hot and humid in July, isn’t it?</p>