Taking DD to Oahu

[calgal Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close calgal]

DD (17) and I were going to go to Four Seasons Aviara for the week before Xmas while the guys ski in Park City. Somehow the plan did not generate any excitement for either of us and I just changed the plan to Oahu. I was able to get FF tix in one direction, which will lighten the mean airfare cost to an acceptable level. I do not have a timeshare or hotel booked yet. My main question is where to stay? Ko'olina area vs. Honolulu? Ko'olina has been on my bucket list for awhile, but would it be boring for a teen? Any advice would be appreciated!

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

My wife and I like staying right in Waikiki where all the action is. It depends on what you like to do. We stayed at the Wyndham Waikiki Beachwalk timeshare in April 2010 and 2011. It is a great location right in the heart of everything. We rented a week at the Wyndham in 2010 in a 2BR unit for a very reasonable rate. This year we exchanged into the Wyndham.

There is much to see and do within walking distance. We took tours to see the rest of the Island.

I think your daughter will be much happier in Waikiki than isolated from everything. Of course if you are just going to hang around the resort then it doesn't really matter.

We prefer being able in the center of all the restaurants, etc.

[calgal Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close calgal]

Well, checked with dd and she agrees. Waikiki it is! Once rci is back up I'll try for hhv and the Wyndham. I also will see what's available in II since I will have a replacement week to use once I cancel FSA.

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

Well, checked with dd and she agrees. Waikiki it is! Once rci is back up I'll try for hhv and the Wyndham. I also will see what's available in II since I will have a replacement week to use once I cancel FSA.

You and your daughter will love it. HHV and Wyndham are the 2 best resorts in Waikiki. I prefer Wyndham as you can walk right out the door and there are several good restaurants and stores right there. The downside to the Wyndham is the pool is not very large and it doesn't get any sun in the afternoon. To us HHV is much too crowded and is not in the center of the action.

[calgal Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close calgal]

A new wrinkle

I put in exchange requests with both II and RCI to hedge my bets, and this morning awoke to a confirmation for an ocean view studio at Ko'olina. It is for Fri-Fri and we are arriving and leaving on Saturday, so that would leave us the last day and night to stay in Waikiki. Maybe at the Outrigger right on the beach? I am waiting until she wakes up to run the plan by her.

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

I put in exchange requests with both II and RCI to hedge my bets, and this morning awoke to a confirmation for an ocean view studio at Ko'olina. It is for Fri-Fri and we are arriving and leaving on Saturday, so that would leave us the last day and night to stay in Waikiki. Maybe at the Outrigger right on the beach? I am waiting until she wakes up to run the plan by her.

Your daughter will like to stay the last night at the Outrigger on the beach.

Also, when staying at the Ko'olina, you have a shuttle several times a day to and from the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa which is closer to Diamond Head and the Zoo. It is in walking distance from the Outrigger but it is a good walk. It is an interesting walk on the main boulevard on the ocean with many shops, restaurants and hotels on your way. We love staying a few days in Honolulu because of the action there. Our friend's daughter liked it so much that they went back the next year again. They also stayed at the Outrigger in an oceanfront suite.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

I think there are quite a few developer weeks from Ko'Olina banked with II. I got my dad a two bedroom there last year, confirmed within 24 hours of requesting.

[calgal Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close calgal]

It took about 36 hours to get the confirmation, and that was using a replacement week from my Inverness at Walden deposit. I do not think this unit was ever under Marriott preference because I had been looking with a Marriott deposit several times a day and it never showed up.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Your daughter will like to stay the last night at the Outrigger on the beach.

I would say do 2 days at Outriger. We stayed across the street and saw this place rocking. Very crowded area and hotel. A bit to much if your looking to relax Beach is very crowded there since all the hotels share that area. The main town is with in a 3 block walking Distance.

[StressCadet Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close StressCadet]

I think you have a great trade. My last trip to Oahu-I stayed at Ko'olina with 2 teens. Son was 18 and daughter was 14. We never even saw Waikiki that trip..although my daughter probably would have liked it (read shopping, action) but she had not been to Oahu since she was 4 so she doesn't even remember what Waikiki is like. We have been too busy visiting the other islands...her favorite is actually Kauai.

Will you have a car? I'm going to assume so. You can do all the North Shore type stuff. Dole Plantation, Polynesian Cultural Center, Pearl Harbor. We enjoy just driving around the North Shore ourselves. You will be there in the winter-might be fun to watch the pounding (not safe to swim) waves.

The resort is very nice of course...and you have some shopping within driving distance as well as grocery stores. There is a luau on site for $$ but honestly-it's just out in the open grassy area and you can kinda watch for free if you position yourself correctly. There was live music some nights in the beachfront bar. There are other activities too. Plenty of pool choice and of course the beach/lagoons. No wave action here-but GREAT for bobbing We had no problem getting chairs on the beach.

Even if you have to slice your week up a bit-you will have the best of both worlds if you stay at Ko'olina and a night or two in Waikiki...and if you have a car-just time a drive over to Waikiki if you want. Here is great page for free/cheap parking ideas:

Free Parking Waikiki (Cheap Too)

I guess you know your daughter best but Ko'olina is lovely. It was a dream trade for me too..and now I've been and can mark that off my list

[calgal Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close calgal]

Thanks everyone. The trip is shaping up nicely. I am planning to rent a car and drive to the North shore, Polynesian Center, Honauma Bay (sp?), Palace, etc. and also into Waikiki to catch the action a couple of the days/nights while we are at Ko'olina. Then to Outrigger for the last day and night. Awesome!!!

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Be sure to do the Dole plantation and try your luck on there maze.

[d1950m Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close d1950m]

luau

paradise cove up the street from Ko'Olina is a good luau. The last time we were there, a free shuttle tokk us up and brought us back. There are things to do besides jusst eat and watch a show.

[calgal Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close calgal]

Ouch!

$363 for a compact car from Enterprise is the lowest rate I can find for the week.

[StressCadet Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close StressCadet]

$363 for a compact car from Enterprise is the lowest rate I can find for the week.

Hotwire.

Are your dates 10-17 or 17-24? Of course, 17-24 makes a big difference.

Keep plugging in your dates for Hotwire. It can change daily. Maybe let them email you..that's what I do and then I check everyday until I get a price I like. I got a mid size in Oahu for 9.95 a day...and that was summer.