Q. My husband and I are thinking about taking a trip to Hawaii (from Texas.)
Can anyone give me recommendations on where to go? (City, hotels, anything) We're trying to be cheap. I know it's an expensive city, we expect to spend a lot but we'd still like to save as much money as we can.
How much did you spend overall on your trip?
Can anyone give me recommendations on where to go? (City, hotels, anything) We're trying to be cheap. I know it's an expensive city, we expect to spend a lot but we'd still like to save as much money as we can.
How much did you spend overall on your trip?
Answer
Oahu is the main island that most people think of as "Hawaii". It has Hawaii's only major city (Honolulu) and of course it has the urban beach district of Waikiki with its hustle-and-bustle and nightlife. There are five other "outer" islands, the most popular is Maui (the others are by popularity Big Island, Kauai, Molokai and Lanai). My brother lives in Texas (Houston) and he says most people there enjoy Maui as it is less international and more American in feel, and serenely tropical with impeccable resorts and service.
Can you include 2 islands? If this is your first time, you need to include Oahu (most restaurants, shopping, history, tourist sites, Waikiki, etc.) but inter-island hopping is not expensive (about $90 round trip out of and back to Honolulu airport). Plan on spending at least 4-5 days in each island, and you absolutely should rent a car.
One of the great things about hawaii is that even cheaper hotels are CLEAN, you don't have to stay in a 5-star Ritz or Four Seasons for good service and good hygiene. On Oahu, hotels are cheaper than the other islands as there is more competition, but consider renting a condo on Maui if hotels are too expensive. Right now though, hotels are offering incredible deals, I'm not sure are any more expensive than condo rentals.
On Oahu, you will definitely want to be right next to Waikiki Beach. There are great hotels 3-4 blocks away from the beach, but no offense I would rather have a hotel within throwing distance of the water! To get that ambience at a low price, you will have to sacrifice either level of luxury, room size or age of the hotel, here are some recommendations:
http://www.parkshorewaikiki.com/ (older hotel, but perfect location right across the street from the best part of Waikiki and Kapiolani Park)
http://www.kaimana.com/ (classy, low-key hotel in Diamond Head's Gold Coast, a sophisticated residential area of Waikiki. You are literally right on the beach, can walk right onto the sand, hear the coconut trees rustle from your lanai, but rooms are SMALL. And did I say how small the rooms are? Famous, romantic restaurant in the hotel itself, the Hau Tree Lanai).
If you can afford more than these, I like the urban mega-resort, the Hilton Hawaiian Village on the west end of Waikiki. There is also a benefit of having some great inexpensive coffee shops for breakfast nearby (Eggs 'n Things, Wailana coffee shop), as the price of food in the resorts will make your heart sink somewhat.
On Maui, the Kaanapali area will be less expensive than the Wailea/Makena area. There are a lot of condos in Kaanapali with ocean view and you should find a great price, starting at $130-$150/night, less if you stay an entire week. There will also be a lot of condos near Wailea in the town of Kihei, but I don't like that town as much (wall to wall condos along the beach). Kaanapali is a planned community so is pretty, Kihei is not.
http://www.hawaiianbeachrentals.com/search_results.php?Search_Min_Rate=0&Search_Max_Rate=0&Search_Text=kaanapali&searchSort=priceLoHi
If you absolutely want to stay in a hotel (I would!), you can check out the Kaanapali Beach Hotel. This was the original resort built in Kaanapali, is getting old and needs to be upgraded but will get you right on the main part of the beach. Service is impeccable and friendly. Again, this resort and others are offering GREAT prices right now.
http://www.kbhmaui.com/Main/Home/Home.aspx
If you want absolute privacy and romance in a classic south-seas getaway on Maui in a tropical jungle setting, you can check out staying in Hana. However, be warned it takes a few hours to get there on a narrow, winding road through the jungle (the road to Hana is famous), and there is not a lot to do once you get there except snorkel, hike to waterfalls, sit on the beach and admire the perfect tropical scenery. And definitely wear repellent!
http://www.hanakaimaui.com/.
Costs will be as follows:
1. My brother paid about $600 per person round trip on USAir from Houston to Honolulu, plus $90/person intra-island air.
2. Resort on Waikiki Beach, per night about $125 at the moment if you get a deal
3. Car rental in Oahu about $25-$40/day depending on if you rent by the day or rent for a week. Car rental on Maui is a lot more, perhaps $50/day. Check online for car rental discounts if you belong to Costco.
4.Food is variable, but there are a LOT of cheap restaurants if you look for them, and eat "local" food rather than food imported from the mainland USA. Try buying a boxed lunch (classic hawaiian tradition) and then take it to eat on the beach!
5. Resort on Kaanapali Beach per night about $150/night.
A lot of hotels are throwing in free buffet breakfasts, so make sure to include that in your hotel cost consideration.
Oahu is the main island that most people think of as "Hawaii". It has Hawaii's only major city (Honolulu) and of course it has the urban beach district of Waikiki with its hustle-and-bustle and nightlife. There are five other "outer" islands, the most popular is Maui (the others are by popularity Big Island, Kauai, Molokai and Lanai). My brother lives in Texas (Houston) and he says most people there enjoy Maui as it is less international and more American in feel, and serenely tropical with impeccable resorts and service.
Can you include 2 islands? If this is your first time, you need to include Oahu (most restaurants, shopping, history, tourist sites, Waikiki, etc.) but inter-island hopping is not expensive (about $90 round trip out of and back to Honolulu airport). Plan on spending at least 4-5 days in each island, and you absolutely should rent a car.
One of the great things about hawaii is that even cheaper hotels are CLEAN, you don't have to stay in a 5-star Ritz or Four Seasons for good service and good hygiene. On Oahu, hotels are cheaper than the other islands as there is more competition, but consider renting a condo on Maui if hotels are too expensive. Right now though, hotels are offering incredible deals, I'm not sure are any more expensive than condo rentals.
On Oahu, you will definitely want to be right next to Waikiki Beach. There are great hotels 3-4 blocks away from the beach, but no offense I would rather have a hotel within throwing distance of the water! To get that ambience at a low price, you will have to sacrifice either level of luxury, room size or age of the hotel, here are some recommendations:
http://www.parkshorewaikiki.com/ (older hotel, but perfect location right across the street from the best part of Waikiki and Kapiolani Park)
http://www.kaimana.com/ (classy, low-key hotel in Diamond Head's Gold Coast, a sophisticated residential area of Waikiki. You are literally right on the beach, can walk right onto the sand, hear the coconut trees rustle from your lanai, but rooms are SMALL. And did I say how small the rooms are? Famous, romantic restaurant in the hotel itself, the Hau Tree Lanai).
If you can afford more than these, I like the urban mega-resort, the Hilton Hawaiian Village on the west end of Waikiki. There is also a benefit of having some great inexpensive coffee shops for breakfast nearby (Eggs 'n Things, Wailana coffee shop), as the price of food in the resorts will make your heart sink somewhat.
On Maui, the Kaanapali area will be less expensive than the Wailea/Makena area. There are a lot of condos in Kaanapali with ocean view and you should find a great price, starting at $130-$150/night, less if you stay an entire week. There will also be a lot of condos near Wailea in the town of Kihei, but I don't like that town as much (wall to wall condos along the beach). Kaanapali is a planned community so is pretty, Kihei is not.
http://www.hawaiianbeachrentals.com/search_results.php?Search_Min_Rate=0&Search_Max_Rate=0&Search_Text=kaanapali&searchSort=priceLoHi
If you absolutely want to stay in a hotel (I would!), you can check out the Kaanapali Beach Hotel. This was the original resort built in Kaanapali, is getting old and needs to be upgraded but will get you right on the main part of the beach. Service is impeccable and friendly. Again, this resort and others are offering GREAT prices right now.
http://www.kbhmaui.com/Main/Home/Home.aspx
If you want absolute privacy and romance in a classic south-seas getaway on Maui in a tropical jungle setting, you can check out staying in Hana. However, be warned it takes a few hours to get there on a narrow, winding road through the jungle (the road to Hana is famous), and there is not a lot to do once you get there except snorkel, hike to waterfalls, sit on the beach and admire the perfect tropical scenery. And definitely wear repellent!
http://www.hanakaimaui.com/.
Costs will be as follows:
1. My brother paid about $600 per person round trip on USAir from Houston to Honolulu, plus $90/person intra-island air.
2. Resort on Waikiki Beach, per night about $125 at the moment if you get a deal
3. Car rental in Oahu about $25-$40/day depending on if you rent by the day or rent for a week. Car rental on Maui is a lot more, perhaps $50/day. Check online for car rental discounts if you belong to Costco.
4.Food is variable, but there are a LOT of cheap restaurants if you look for them, and eat "local" food rather than food imported from the mainland USA. Try buying a boxed lunch (classic hawaiian tradition) and then take it to eat on the beach!
5. Resort on Kaanapali Beach per night about $150/night.
A lot of hotels are throwing in free buffet breakfasts, so make sure to include that in your hotel cost consideration.
What do you think when someone says Hawaii?
Ellie
Just curious... im from Hawaii and I wonder what people think of when people mention Hawaii... some people think we dont even have phones!!! just voice your opinion
Answer
I come over to Hawaii 3-4 times a year, do I still qualify to answer?
It is definitely the most different and unique state in the USA with perfect tropical weather, perfect tropical and beach scenery, it's own unique music and culture, and great service. I love it, but it is not perfect. Let me answer with a series of "snapshots" that come to mind:
THE GOOD SNAPSHOTS
====================
* Getting off the plane and the first thing I smell are flowers from the tuberose or plumeria leis from the tour greeters. EVERYONE exiting the plane is smiling because they are in paradise!
* Trying to turn onto a busy street, and oncoming drivers actually stop and wave to let you turn almost immediately
* Shivering a bit from the cold in the morning because the temperature in December has dipped to 68F
* Spending $2.50 for lunch; two huge bbq pork-filled manapua from the Island Manapua factory in Manoa, and then going to sit on the beach under the coconut trees in Kapiolani Park to watch the surfers
* Getting Roy's signature misoyaki butterfish with two sauces
* Watching the kids shriek in laughter at the ferocious winds that funnel through the cleft at the Nuuanu Pali Point lookout.
* Staying at the perfect 5-star luxury beach resort in Wailea or Poipu and getting perfect service in the perfect tropical setting, but then staying at a cheap motel in Hilo and knowing it will still be clean with perfect service, because that is just the way it is in Hawaii!
* Getting up early and going to Hanauma Bay before everyone else, and jumping in the chilly water to look for sea turtles and moray eels
* Buying the next (same) repackaged songs from Iz each year
* Watching young military arrivals shocked at being in beautiful Hawaii
THE BAD SNAPSHOTS
======================
* Going to Boots 'n Kimos in Kailua for macadamia nut pancakes with coconut syrup and being called a "katong" from the hostess
* Driving along the Makaha coast and seeing the homeless that were relocated over here from Ala Moana Park
* Taking H1 back east into Honolulu and sitting in traffic near the Kahili exit
* Watching the faces of haoles from the mainland at Ala Moana shopping center Makai Food Court, a bit fearful of all the Asians around them, and wondering if they should have gone to Maui...
* Bored hula dancers at Waikiki resorts that don't even attempt to dance properly, or even think of bending their knees at all
* Coming back from a hike in Kailua or Manoa and seeing a car that has obviously been broken into.
I come over to Hawaii 3-4 times a year, do I still qualify to answer?
It is definitely the most different and unique state in the USA with perfect tropical weather, perfect tropical and beach scenery, it's own unique music and culture, and great service. I love it, but it is not perfect. Let me answer with a series of "snapshots" that come to mind:
THE GOOD SNAPSHOTS
====================
* Getting off the plane and the first thing I smell are flowers from the tuberose or plumeria leis from the tour greeters. EVERYONE exiting the plane is smiling because they are in paradise!
* Trying to turn onto a busy street, and oncoming drivers actually stop and wave to let you turn almost immediately
* Shivering a bit from the cold in the morning because the temperature in December has dipped to 68F
* Spending $2.50 for lunch; two huge bbq pork-filled manapua from the Island Manapua factory in Manoa, and then going to sit on the beach under the coconut trees in Kapiolani Park to watch the surfers
* Getting Roy's signature misoyaki butterfish with two sauces
* Watching the kids shriek in laughter at the ferocious winds that funnel through the cleft at the Nuuanu Pali Point lookout.
* Staying at the perfect 5-star luxury beach resort in Wailea or Poipu and getting perfect service in the perfect tropical setting, but then staying at a cheap motel in Hilo and knowing it will still be clean with perfect service, because that is just the way it is in Hawaii!
* Getting up early and going to Hanauma Bay before everyone else, and jumping in the chilly water to look for sea turtles and moray eels
* Buying the next (same) repackaged songs from Iz each year
* Watching young military arrivals shocked at being in beautiful Hawaii
THE BAD SNAPSHOTS
======================
* Going to Boots 'n Kimos in Kailua for macadamia nut pancakes with coconut syrup and being called a "katong" from the hostess
* Driving along the Makaha coast and seeing the homeless that were relocated over here from Ala Moana Park
* Taking H1 back east into Honolulu and sitting in traffic near the Kahili exit
* Watching the faces of haoles from the mainland at Ala Moana shopping center Makai Food Court, a bit fearful of all the Asians around them, and wondering if they should have gone to Maui...
* Bored hula dancers at Waikiki resorts that don't even attempt to dance properly, or even think of bending their knees at all
* Coming back from a hike in Kailua or Manoa and seeing a car that has obviously been broken into.
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