Hawaii - Kauai and Maui

DH and I finally decided on a destination for our anniversary trip... we're going to Hawaii and spending 5 days in Kauai and 6 in Maui... we booked our airfare now I just need to book hotels...

Where did you stay and would you recommend it?

Any excursion recos??

TIA!!!

Message edited 5/25/2011 8:39:00 PM.

Re: Hawaii - Kauai and Maui

They Hyatts are beautiful on both islands. I've also heard the Grand Wailea in Maui is gorgeous. On Maui I woul highly recommend a catamaran snorkel trip with a company called Trilogy. Also the Old Lahaina Luau is amazing.

Re: Hawaii - Kauai and Maui

We did the hyatts on both islands for our HM. LOVED Grand Hyatt Kauai. The Regency in Maui was ok, but was in need of a renovation. If you want that area of Maui and that price range, I'd go next door to the Westin. They have flamingos in the lobby!

Re: Hawaii - Kauai and Maui

When in Maui we staying in a resort for 5 days and then a small bed and breakfast in a really great little surf town. It was the best part of our trip there! and is perfect if you are planning to do the road to hana since it is really close. It is called the Paia Inn-i would totally recommend and the staff is super nice and friendly. Right on a small beach that is a big change from the resort feel with tons of people.

Have fun! Maui is my absolute favorite vaca spot.

Re: Hawaii - Kauai and Maui

We stayed at the Hotel Hanna Maui in a room with a tub with jets. It was the most romantic room I have ever been in. For one night it cost $800. We were on our HM. It was worth every penny. I would have shortened the length of time we were away to stay here longer. There are no tvs there. It is very remote.
(I loved driving the road to Hannah and thought that the hype was not as bad as reality.)
We also stayed at the Marriott in Kauai near the airport. It was FANTASTIC. It was a beautiful hotel. They had a great spa. I loved the koi pond. The pool was huge and there were small private pools you could swim to. I loved it.

We also stayed at the Four Seasons in Maui. I would NEVER stay in another Four Seasons property after my experiences there. It almost ruined my honey moon. They lied about multiple things, they stole things that belonged to us which we eventually got back a few days later when I threatened to call the cops (my camera with all of our candid wedding and other honey moon photos) and the bed was the most uncomfortable thing I slept on. We ended up sleeping on the floor. We tried to get out of staying there but had prepaid. Huge mistake on our part. None of the other hotels in the area had rooms. We were there a week. They ended up refunding about 2 nights worth of money to us when I complained to corporate. It was not a pleasant experience at all.

Oh pick up a copy of Maui Revealed and Kauai Revealed. We did a bit of hiking and found these amazing water falls.

Message edited 5/25/2011 10:12:19 PM.

Re: Hawaii - Kauai and Maui

I went to Maui on my honeymoon--this was my review from LIW :)

Maui

Message edited 6/5/2011 10:32:10 AM.

Re: Hawaii - Kauai and Maui

DH and I are heading back to Hawaii for the 7th time in September. This trip is just Maui but we usually do both Kauai and Maui.

In Kauai, we always stay at the Grand Hyatt. Very pricey but it's an amazing hotel. The area is being built up more and more, which is kind of a downer for us, but it's still beautiful.

We love the Hyatt in Maui. We've stayed at the 4 Seasons and honestly while I love the resort, we don't love the location and would much rather prefer to be on Ka'anapali Beach closer to Lahaina. This will be our 4th stay at the Hyatt. We've also stayed at the Sheraton which is always our backup place, but we always seem to get a better deal at the Hyatt. The Sheraton's beach is actually nicer though.

The Westin and the Marriott get VERY crowded.

The biggest tip I can give you is make sure whatever hotel you book at includes the daily buffett breakfast! Food on Maui is costly - especially around the hotel areas.

Let me know if you have any other questions..... I love Hawaii.

Re: Hawaii - Kauai and Maui

The Fairmont Kea Lani in Maui is AMAZING. I have numerous friends who took my rec on that hotel and I've never heard a bad word about it. It was a popular celeb spot too - the week we were there we saw Kevin Bacon & Steve Burton and chatted with Britney & KFed

For excursions definitely do:
Old Lahaina Luau
Bike trip down Haleakala

People rave about driving the road to Hana but I would have been OK with skipping that one

Re: Hawaii - Kauai and Maui

Absolutely the best place I have ever stayed was The Grand Wailea in Maui.

Look it up just to see the slides, pools, beach, and WATER ELEVATOR - the only one in the world. It was featured on the Travel Channel and the year before we went Oprah took her entire staff there. Then, Jon and Kate (before they split lol) renewed their vows there and it was featured on the show. Most recently Adam Sandler filmed his latest movie there with Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Kidman, and Dave Matthews -- I think it's called Just Go With It. It was in theatres recently.

It was the absolute most amazing place on earth

We stayed at the Grand Hyatt in Kauai - it was very nice too. The island itself is just beautiful - great choice!

But wow - I still dream about the Grand Wailea.

Message edited 5/31/2011 8:28:16 PM.

Re: Hawaii - Kauai and Maui

These hotels are amazing!!

Thank you for all of the suggestions!!!

Re: Hawaii - Kauai and Maui

I stayed at the Westin in Maui as well and loved it along with the spa.

You can get hula pie at Duke's Canoe club as well - there is one in Kauai too

We stayed at the Princeville in Kauai - now I think it's the St Regis Princeville. It is on the rainy side of the island but, the hotel is gorgeous. We also stayed at a timeshare in Poipu next to the Hyatt which was also beautiful.