Where should we stay if we only have a 1 week vacation to Hawaii?

Question

My husband and I can stay in one of several resorts in Hawaii for 1 week. But we don't know anyting about the islands in Hawaii. Which one should we pick? We won't be able to do any traveling (from island to island) because we can only pick 1 resort for 1 week. Please help with any recommendations you may have. Thanks!!!

Answer 1

Funny how everyone has such different tastes and they all assume you will like what they like.

Of course, as in life, it all depends on what you want to do. So, I'll try to break it down a bit:

Oahu (the one with Honolulu) - 90% of the state's population. Big city sights, sounds, scenes, crime (theft), restaurants and night-life. But, also some of the best, remote scenery in Hawai'i. It has everything the others do, but an active volcano. I seriously doubt you would enjoy staying by the Polynesian Culture Center, as lioncourt recommended. There is NOTHING there. You will drive for miles and miles to get to a restaurant besides the one at Turtle Bay. Oh, there is a Brigham Young University campus...you look like just the type for a little Temple Time! ;-) I would stay in either Waikiki (big city and famous beach - close to great restaurants, clubs, shopping) or in a house/cabin/bungalow in Kailua/Lanikai (incredible towns of about 25000 people and the best beach on Oahu for everything except surfing).

Kauai - My favorite island, but what do you care? It is a small-town island. Even the largest city is not large. The scenery is some of the best in Hawai'i, although they all have something to offer in that department, just different. I like (and live part time) in the Hanalei Bay area on the north shore. The road ends at Ke'e beach. The famous Na Pali ("the cliffs") Coast is just beyond that but can only be reached by boat, chopper or a very long hike. I think those cliffs and the cliffs facing you when you are in Hanalei are the best sight in Hawai'i. After a rain, see if you can count the waterfalls. Some of my favorite beaches are on this road, Lumahai (Luma-DIE!) and Secret Beach. Some folks like the south shore, a place called Poipu. I don't care for it much but it has some decent snorkeling and OK beaches. Beyond that around the south side is the "Grand Canyon". Incredible scenery for a day trip.

Maui - A little bit of everything. Can feel like the most remote island (Road to Hana and Up-Country) or feel almost like Waikiki (the Western shore - lots of nightlife) and everything in between. There is a massive volcano you can drive up, hike down into, etc. Big waves if you want to watch some world-class windsurfers (North Shore) or some lazy resorts (Makena - Southeast shore). Lots to offer but can feel crowded when the traffic kicks in at rush hour, etc. A very nice place. I would not necessarily stay where you would so check out both Makena area and Lahaina/Kapalu'u.

Big Island (Hawai'i) - Very different than any of the others. Yes, there is an active volcano there (South side). It's awesome if you're into that. The only city life here for tourists is Kailua-Kona (or just Kona). It's not a big city, but it does have lots of condos, restaurants, hotels, etc. I think Hawai'i has the best diving if you're into that. Every corner is different from the rest, but stay off the southeast corner unless you are a Colombian drug lord looking to score big. Even the cops don't go there (Puna). This is not the island for beaches. They have some black sand ones, which look cool but will absolutely fry your feet or anything else that touches the sand in the summer on a sunny day. Check out Mauna Kea, the other volcano to the north. This is the best astronomy lab in the world. You can drive up most of the way and may be able to get a tour. Ask around. It's surreal (and may have snow!). The very large Parker Ranch is up there too. Nicest scenery of any ranch in the world. The hiking around the North shore is among the best rain forest hiking you're likely to encounter in this lifetime. Amazing. Ask around for the best trails. I'd stay in either Kona or along the west coast in one of the hotel/resorts. The Waikaloan is an entire city in one large hotel complex. Pretty cool, but not exactly natural Hawai'i. Not many beaches on this coast or on this island in general. There is NOTHING for you to see in Hilo, except how the locals live. A nice town, but not much of interest. The east coast between there and Waipio Valley is a must see.

I'll leave off Lanai and Molokai because I wouldn't personally stay there for a week. They're small and geared toward specific activities.

Have fun - this is probably the best scenery you will see, ever, and I have yet to find a place with better weather.

Aloha!

Answer 2

Go to the Big Island. It has the most diversity of the chain. Each Island is great but the Big Island has somthing none of the others have... an active volcano.

Must see list:
Vocano National Park - South end of the Island
Manta Night Dive - Jacks Dive Locker - Kona
Bad *** Coffee Co. - Kona
Valley of the Kings - Rent a Jeep and go to the bottom of the East Canyon and explore.
Saddle Back Road - The Highway between Mona Loa and Mona Kea - Check into an Observatory tour and see the Snow (yep Snow in Hawaii
Farmers Market - In Hilo
Rainbow Falls - Hilo

Plan to stay a few days it Kona on the West - in Hilo on the East and a day or so in the town of Volcano in the south - It's right by the National Park enterance and there are some great hikes and amazing things to see.

The Big Island is BIG. Plan accordingly.

There are lots of rentals that are cheaper than hotels. Last time I stayed I renta a house and the guy left the key under the mat.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

I lived in Hawaii for 3 years. I am from CA. Without a doubt... I would vacation on Oahu. Maui is nice too but I need some shopping and definately a lot of dining options and the only island that has all that is OAHU! Have fun!

Answer 5

Why not do the 7 day cruise and see all the islands?

If it is your first time you will not be disappointed in any Island. But my favorite is Oahu, I think you get the most of everything, from big city, to country, Waikiki beach, to Ko-Olina or the short shore beaches.

I would stay at Marriott Ko-Olina or Hilton Hawaiian village by buying a week from a owner at the time share on www.redweek.com for about $1,200 a week, add $100 for the escrow service, worked great for my wife and me.

Answer 6

"Big Island"......I've been to all Islands and the Big Island is our favorite. There is so much to do....read what Eric said! In my opinion stay away from Oahu....too big city! The town of Kona is a good place to stay. We always stayed 2 night there, it is close to the airport....then we would stay at the Hilton Wikaloa (North) for the rest of our trip. We always make a drive to Hilo and be sure to see the Volcano! Have fun! I've been there 11 times and we look forward to returning again soon!

Answer 7

What would you like to do in Hawaii? Which activities you would like to do will dictate which island would be the best choice for you.

If you want to see volcanoes or swim with dolphins then The Big Island would be your choice.

If you like history and museums, Polynesian Center, Pearl Harbor Memorial... then Oahu would be your choice.

All the islands have snorkeling tours and Luaus, surfing lessons, whale watching, sunset cruises...etc.

So pick some activities then study which island has "everything" you would like to do.

Answer 8

Would stay (and I come from Hawaii) near the Polynesian village on the northern side of Oahu....or go to Maui....I recommend googling it as i don't know what your preferences are.....Maui is stellar....other wize I would stay at the Sheraton, which has shuttles to many parts of the island where you have safety, room service and walking access to so many things to see and do.
Aloha!!!!!

Answer 9

Anywhere but Oahu. Oahu is the ghetto of HI. I lived there for 3 years and it is expensive and overcrowded. It isn't what you picture when you picture HI. Go to Maui or the Big Island.

Answer 10

Maui! So much to do and the restaurants are great...especailly in Wailea. Oahu is really bad. Someone called it the right name, Ghetto.