Plan B: Hawaii!! Any suggestions?

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

Hi all,

I was wondering if you could provide some guidance on which resorts are the best in Hawaii... I have never been there before, so let me know which islands you prefer and why...

I am looking to stay at 2 gold crown resorts for 1 week each on 2 different islands~ love to eat out, go to shows/entertainment, and be on the beach!!

Let me know what you think

Thanks,

Amanda

[aliikai2 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close aliikai2]

Where to start....

There are 4 major islands plus 2 smaller ones. Making a recommendation to only 2 islands is tough,

to only 2 resorts is almost impossible,

but here goes:

If you have never been I would recommend the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Waikiki in Honolulu on Oahu for a week.
The gathering place is where the native Hawaiians used to meet for meeting, etc.
This island has many of the tourist items, i.e. Pearl Harbor, the Polynesian Center, the North Shore, Sunset beach, etc.

Since you used the term Gold Crown, I am assuming that you are using RCI, therefore the Marriott units won't be included in my suggestions.

Then, the Hiltons Grand Vacation Club on the island of Hawaii, in Waikoloa.

This will give you access to the volcano, the history of Hawaii with places like Captain Cooks bay, the place of refuge, the Parker Ranch, and all the Big Island has to offer.

This is a very small sample of Hawaii, but a good place to start for you 1st trip. Greg

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

These may be helpful:

http://www.timeshareforums.com/forum...ad.php?t=17339

http://www.timeshareforums.com/forum...ad.php?t=12195

When I was trying to decide, I looked at a few general HI tourbooks to help me pick islands (though people here and on TUG were probably more helpful in the end).

Maui had more nightlife than Big Island, from what we could see, as it was more commercial. While the bigger hotels on Big Island are in the Waikoloa area, the area is very dry and mostly lava desert. The only lush foliage is around the hotels. The beaches near there are very nice, though. Still, we found Kona to be convenient enough for the good snorkel spots like Captain Cook's monument and Honaunau Bay, and there were several beaches that we didn't make it to.

[T. R. Oglodyte Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close T. R. Oglodyte]

First - this is one of those situations where you can't make a bad decision. Any decision to visit any of the islands will be splendid.

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With that said, you should try to clarify what is most important to you. If youi want an island that fits the classic images of Hawai`i (white sand beaches, swaying palm trees, green forests and jungles, waterfalls), Kaua`i would be a good choice. If you want to see the volcanoes, then the Big Island is the best choice.

O`ahu, of course, has Honolulu and Wa`ikiki. Most people think Maui has a bit of the best of the other islands.

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For ourselves, we are among the people who return to Kaua`i year after year. We've visited all of the islands, but we keep coming back to Kaua`i.

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

For your interests- restaurants, shows, entertainment- I think Oahu and Maui would be best. I haven't personally been on Oahu but my impression is that Honolulu is a happening, urban location. Maui has a nice mix of beautiful beaches, activities, and good restaurants.

[talkamotta Member Find all posts View Profile Close talkamotta]

I too, have never been to Hawaii. Although I wont be able to say that in less than 3 weeks.

I personally will be going to the Big Island and Maui. I bought a timeshare in Maui and was given a free week by the seller. So I just took what SFX had available. Whats available during your time frame might help you decide. I figured with all the different tastes and opinions of Timeshare Forums and TUGs, I just wouldnt be able to get an official toll of what island was best. So I would have to do my own study.

Actually, after reading the threads of Hawaii for so long, it made me a believer and I made a committment to myself that I needed to visit Hawaii, often. So this year its the Big Island and Maui, next year its Maui and Kauai. The hardest thing I think will be how to say Hanhankakahanahanakanana.

You might want to check out some of the "Revealed Books" (Maui Revealed, the Big Island Revealed, etc), go to the library or spend some time in a book store.

[Lance Z Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Lance Z]

Before we went to Hawaii, the Fodor's travel books were very helpful.