<p>Rememebr the mosquitoes in *Lilo and Stitch *? :)</p>
<p>Bumping this thread as S and I will also head to Hawaii. It seems in a week, only 2 islands doable. CC people seem to prefer the big island and Maui, staying near Hilo. Any hotel suggestion?</p>
<p>Irishmary, have you settled on itinerary?</p>
<p>What Kei-o-lei says…ditto.</p>
<p>Hilo is on the Big Island.
Kona is the dry side of the Big Island. </p>
<p>On the Kona side of the Big Island, in Kona itself, the Royal Kona is clean and decent, with a small beach, good views, local restaurants that are convenient–and not very expensive. (The last time I stayed there I paid $800 for 9 nights as part of a flight/hotel/car package that cost $1500 coming from Seattle.) These days I prefer to stay in Kona because there’s more to do there in the evenings and I usually go with my son. </p>
<p>I have also stayed at the King Kamehameha in Kona and it’s okay but inconsistent on the clean and decent part. It’s declined in recent years.</p>
<p>Out on the Kohala Coast (where I’m mostly too cheap to go), the Mauna Lani Hotel, the Orchid, and the Mauna Kea are all lovely resort-style hotels. After my bone cancer surgery three years ago I happened upon a deal at the Orchid–ten nights for $2200, with air fare included (no car)–and spent the days there recovering from the surgery. It’s a lovely and accommodating hotel. My cheap deal got me a room across the hall from the child care center. That was fine; they didn’t open until 8:30 and closed at 6. </p>
<p>The Mauna Lani has two wonderful beaches. The cove has some of the best snorkeling on the Island (I’m not alone in thinking this). The hotel is great but I never seem to find deals there anymore so I haven’t stayed there in about six years. They just finished a major remodel.</p>
<p>The Mauna Kea is the oldest hotel on the Kohala side. It’s lovely. Their beach is beautiful for swimming but the snorkeling is boring. They have a collection of old Hawaiian quilts that are hung in the halls of the hotel. It’s worth a trip just for that–and have a drink in the bar and walk through their gardens.</p>
<p>Many friends have stayed at Kona Village. Out of my price range.</p>
<p>Second the comments above. We have friends with a place at Mauna Lani Point and have stayed there several times…the point are condo units so you save on food costs. I don’t know what the rates are because we have always stayed in our friend’s place…
dmd, Jealous of your Orchid stay. I’ve had drinks and meals there, it’s beautiful.</p>
<p>bookworm, still working on details but spending 4 nights each on Maui, Hawaii and Oahu.
I appreciate the comments about how that is not enough time but the reality is when you are from the East Coast the chances of returning to any of the Hawaiian Islands will be slim to none. Hard decision but I have been formulating ideas for specific activities that we would like to do and while I won’t have the ability to tour all over each island, 4 nights on each will give us a flavor. Flying to and from islands either early or late in day to maximize time on each island. My husband and I have been before, so this is a trip tailored toward my teenagers, trying to give them a taste of all that Hawaii has to offer. As for the hotels, I am unsure at this point. Looking at the Orchid in Hawaii, the Hyatt or Westin in Maui (want to stay in Lahaina area) and Oahu that is up for grabs still. Have to book something soon though so I will post when I do.</p>
<p>seriously, whatever you arrange will work out just fine</p>
<p>prediction: the flying and 3 islands will - by later in your vacation - will feel like you are rushing around some</p>
<p>but that’s a personal/family dynamic: the value of seeing and doing more things vs. the value of staying more in fewer places so that you do less unpacking/packing/flying on your vacation</p>
<p>besides, when when the kids are gone you and hubbie can go back to the island you liked the best</p>
<p>I’ve spent total of about 3 1/2 months in Hawaii on 3 different trips, with 2 weeks on Kauai, about 12 hours total on Oahu and the rest on Maui, so you see my bias</p>
<p>After reading your posts, I am rethinking my plans. Perhaps best to spend a week just on Big Island, maybe moving hotels from one side of island to other. You experts think 2 islands in a week will feel rushed, not relaxed.</p>
<p>Kei–If traveling with a son, would you still prefer Maui to Big Islnad?</p>
<p>We travelled with 3 kids, including a teenage son. We weren’t as thrilled with the Big Island. Oahu is a different sort of vacation: lots of sightseeing. My kids LOVE Maui: lots of sports, some nightlife, and lots of different aspects to the island.</p>
<p>It depends on the kids. Our teens loved the Big Island. We stayed at the Sheaton just past Kona, and the girls talked us into letting them go on a swim with manta rays thing offered at the hotel. We explored the Volcanoes national park, hiked down the lava tube (bring flashlights!), hiked through the lava fields, drove to Hilo. We also sighned up for a stargazing tour going all the way up to the observatory, but unfortunately it was cancelled due to stormy weather…</p>
<p>It really does depend on the kids. My son spent two years going to high school on the Big Island and I know he never got tired of it.</p>
<p>These are a BLAST but you have to be 16 to drive one.</p>
<p>[About</a> the Tour - RideTheRim Waipio Valley ATV Tours](<a href=“http://www.ridetherim.com/tour.html]About”>http://www.ridetherim.com/tour.html)</p>
<p>You are all so great to respond. Travel agent says Maui, since son wants relaxation, some hiking, snorkeling, scenic. Now will look for package.</p>
<p>DMD, I didn’t know your son lived on the Island for 2 years of HS. It was probably as difficult for your son to adjust to cold weather at his college in NE as it will be for my son (who will be going to same college, but for grad school).</p>
<p>If you like to have a place with a kitchen and a bit more room, I highly recommend Honua Kai for extended stays on Maui.</p>
<p>I second ATV tours - lots of dirt and fun! We used to ride the ATVs on Maui, but the place closed - the ranchers did not want ATVers on their pastures anymore.</p>
<p>Bookworm: my son was actually born in Boston. We lived there until he was almost 6. He spent summers in Maine until he was 15. But when he went east for college, January just about killed him, every year. It’s just so bleeping cold.</p>
<p>Honua Kai looks good. Will check rates/packages today. Hyatt also has a package, but would be nice to have a kitchen.</p>
<p>Dmd, my S also born in Boston, but left as 3 y.o. He’s never been thru a cold winter. I suspect he’ll finish and return to west coast.</p>
<p>I understand that in Kapalua (I am not saying stay there, its a Ritz Carlton sans kitchen) has fabulous snorkeling. Oh, and by Black Rock (Sheraton) there is a giant sea turtle who lives there. Napili has lots of condos (between Kaanapali and Kapalua). Kihei, although not my favorite (right next to Wailea) has lots of condos as well.</p>
<p>bookworm, even if you end up stying elsewhere, make a reservation for dinner at Dukes Maui (waterfront restaurant located at Honua Kai). The food and the service were fabulous when we ate there (February), and the prices were very reasonable ($100/2 with drinks and a Hula Pie - mmmm!). Warning: one slice of Hula Pie has 1800 calories and feeds 5!</p>
<p>Condo options in South Kaanapali include The Whaler and Kaanapali Alii. There are also the Westin Villas in Kaanapali North, but we weren’t too impressed with that property - too many rowdy, spoiled kids horseplaying in the adults’ hot tubs! Black Rock has great snorkeling, and Kaanapali North (by the Westin Villas) has even better snorkeling.</p>
<p>Again, thanks. I dropped off cookies to my travel agent, the sweetest gal. I haven’t used an agent in 30 years. I gave her the CC suggestions. She calls a central AMEX board, and they tell her all the specials. Since no one she knew had stayed at Konua Kai, she’s adding that to her list. The Sheraton has a special now, and a customer booked the Ritz for 25th wedding anniversay. </p>
<p>After packing and dealing with shipping son’s belongings, it will be nice to have a real vacation.</p>
<p>We stayed a few nights in Hilo with my wife’s friend (missed the night lava walk 'cause it closed early that particular evening), and then several nights in and around Honolulu (mainly with her relatives). Got to cut out a lot of cost that way. The Big Island was like a different world. Hilo had non-stop rain for 3 days (which I didn’t mind). Not a tourist trap, but some people prefer that. I enjoyed it myself.</p>
<p>Got to reunite with many of my wife’s family on Oahu (Honolulu and Waipahu area), so that made it exceptionally nice. Saw the Polynesian Cultural Center on the northeast side, Pearl Harbor, stayed on Waikiki for a few nights…and got a very detailed tour of Honolulu from one of my wife’s relatives. All in all, a wonderful experience.</p>