Somebody talk to me about Hawaii

I want to surprise DH with a trip for his 50th. Key here being "surprise" which is making it difficult. He has been to Hawaii a few times, and has said his number one island to go to is Kauai, with Maui number two, then the big Island.

I priced out a trip from Saturday to Saturday going to Kauai and Maui, and just Kauai. There is a $1K price difference to add the second island. The two Saturdays are wasted traveling and there is no way around it.

I have never been to Hawaii and know nothing, and can't ask questions because it will look suspicious.

Should I bother trying to island hop with this short of a trip? I can't extend the trip b/c DH doesn't have the vacation time, and as it is his boss is helping to fudge it a bit.

Will I enjoy a trip to Hawaii with only a visit to Kauai?

Any insight would be helpful!!

Re: Somebody talk to me about Hawaii

I went to Hawaii for 10 days and only stayed in Maui so I can only speak from that BUT as far as Kuaui- I hear it is gorgeous, lush, a few things to do but I hear Maui may have more stuff to do overall? What is the goal of the trip, to relax? To do adventerous things? If you stayed in Kuaui for 7 days I dont think you could go wrong at all, but like I said I loved Maui. In Kuaui I hear the Hyatt is one of the best hotels to stay at.

Re: Somebody talk to me about Hawaii

Any trip to Hawaii is a good trip!

You'll basically have 6 days since you are losing the two Saturdays traveling, unless you book the last flight out of the day (around 10 pm).

I wouldn't island hop on that short of a trip. I know people who move islands every 3 days or so, but I think that's too much for us. You wouldn't get any relaxation time.

On our first trip, we stayed on Kauai for 6 nights 7 days; on our HM we stayed for 7 nights 8 days.

Kauai is definitely quieter than Maui (the sidewalks roll up at nightfall) but there is still plenty to do. Spend a day at Waimea Canyon; hang out at Hanalei Bay; hike the Kalalau trail; take a boat tour of the Napali coast; snorkel at Tunnels Beach; do a "mud bug" ride. You won't be bored.

Oh and the Grand Hyat --- That's all I can say.

Re: Somebody talk to me about Hawaii

I would either stick with kauai the entire time (since it is his #1) or do kuaui first and spend most of the time there and then do maui for 2-3 days at the end. since it is a week and there is lots of travelling, i would probably stick just with the one. he is going to love it either way!!

Re: Somebody talk to me about Hawaii

Since you only have 1 week I would probably stick to one island. Kauai is a beautiful island but much quieter than Maui. I think a week would be nice and relaxing. You will be tired just from the long flight there and back so with only 6 days I would stick with just Kauaai or just Maui. You can't go wrong either way.

Re: Somebody talk to me about Hawaii

Somebody talk to me about Hawaii

I went to Oahu, Kauai and Maui for our honeymoon and we absolutely loved Maui the best.

Unfortunately for us, it rained everyday we were on Kauai. So we didn't get to experience the island in it's entirety. Or the adventures that were available.

I would also pick the island based on the things that you like and things that you like to do. I believe Kauai was more adventurous than Maui in terms of outdoor activities.

Re: Somebody talk to me about Hawaii

We did two islands in 9 nights on our HM - Kauai and Maui. If I could do it over, I would've stayed on Kauai for a longer period of time. I did not care for Maui. It is very built up, commercial. Go to Kauai. Highly recommend Grand Hyatt.

Somebody talk to me about Hawaii

If this is a once in a lifetime trip, $1k in the grand scheme of things doesn't seem that much. Plus, it would cost a lot more to go back and see the other island(s) if you wanted to. I say go for it (but its not my $)!

Re: Somebody talk to me about Hawaii

I think you will absolutely be fine with a week only in Kauai. We were there for a week and then another week in Maui and wished we could have stayed in K longer. Good luck sounds amazing! Oh and I recommend the Hyatt...

Re: Somebody talk to me about Hawaii

I can easily go there & be happy with only a trip to Kauai. I'd want to stay in the Hyatt there again & would highly recommend it.

Re: Somebody talk to me about Hawaii

We went on our honeymoon to Kauai and had no trouble filling up a week there. Since that's his number one spot I think you are fine just going there and really relaxing and enjoying. The Hyatt was out of our price range at the time so we stayed at the Sheraton on the south side of the island and it was gorgeous.

Re: Somebody talk to me about Hawaii

We went to both Kauai and Maui for our HM. I would get the books Kauai Revealed and Maui Revealed to help you plan your trip.

The two islands have completely different feels to them. Kauai is really relaxing. It has fantastic nature trails and the beauty of the island is unparalleled.
We stayed at the Kauai Marriott next to the air port. It was fantastic. It was less expensive than some of the other hotels but still 5 stars. I would absolutely stay there again. Our room was great because you could walk right out on to the beach.LINK TO HOTEL

As for Maui, the island is much more cosmopolitan than Kauai. It has stuff to do i.e. luaus, and a volcano. We stayed at the Four Seasons in Maui - I would not stay there at all. We had a horrible experience at this hotel. We also stayed at the Hotel Hana Maui renamed the Travaasa and it is now an all inclusive hotel. We had our own sea ranch cottage and it was by far the best hotel I have ever been to hands down. We stayed there only one night because it was about 1000 for one night but I would stay there again. It was absolute paradise. You can stay in a less expensive regular room at the hotel too with a la carte pricing as well.Hotel

Message edited 7/7/2012 11:38:57 AM.