kimber  
Barrel Filler
Posts: 1254
 | | 11-05-2003 04:15 AM |
| 2 queries:
1. IYO, what is the best Hawaiian island on which to vacation? We're looking for a combination of phenomenal beaches and a good mix of excellent dining options. We've been to Oahu (no thanks) and Maui (outstanding). What would you recommend?
2. IYO, what's the best Hawaiian resort at which to stay where cost is no object? We had a blast at Grand Wailea but want to try something new.
As always, TIA for your opinions. | | |
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skwid
Wine Connoisseur
Posts: 5452
| | 11-05-2003 06:09 AM |
| When I go I'm hangin' with Alohaj so I can drink the leftovers of his wine | | | |
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wineismylife 
Arlington, TX
Master of Wine
Posts: 12445
| | 11-05-2003 12:49 PM |
| I spend most of my time on Kauai. I have a friend there so that is an important reason but I also prefer the atmosphere. For lack of a better term I consider Kauai more "country" like. They have several dining options such as Gaylord's, Duke's, Roy's, etc... but none I would consider "outstanding" on the level with NYC or San Francisco. Good beachs., quiet, etc... I would consider Princeville the highest end resort on the island followed by the Hyatt Poipu and maybe the Marriott next to the airport.
After Kauai I generally stick with Maui for all of the reasons you already stated.
Third is the Big Island but I wouldn't consider it a dining mecca. Nice resorts north of the airport. A couple of really good restaurants on the island such as Merriman's in Waimea.
Oahu is dead last. However, I'm going to bet you they have the best dining options of all of the islands. It is the traffic of Honolulu I can't seem to get myself past.
I don't know much about Molokai and Lanai. I understand that Lanai has a world class resort and golf course but that is it; one. You basically go there to completely get away from it all and you basically hang right there the entire time. Maybe somebody like alohaj has more info. | |
| Joe-----Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
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ChangeMe
Barrel Filler
Posts: 1371
| | 11-05-2003 01:51 PM |
| My preferences are Maui and the Big Island. I like Kuaui as well, but found it somewhat boring.
The Ritz Carleton in Maui is phenomenal as is the Four Seasons.
I stayed at a house on the Big Island so don't know much about the resorts although the Four Seasons looked really nice. If you end up going to the Big Island, I strongly recommend going to the Ke'ei Cafe (I think that is what it was called). Very casual place that was filled with locals two years ago when we went. The food was outstanding and the wine list serviceable at best. Still a must try in my opinion.
The chocolate souffle at the restaurant in the Four Seasons was also among the best I have had.
Big Island also has the volcano and phenomenal beaches on the Kona coast and northward. | | | |
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Pool Boy
Laurl, MD (DC suburb)
Master of Wine
Posts: 13767
| | 11-05-2003 02:26 PM |
| Maui is still my favorite. After that, Kauai, for the same reasons WIML mentioned. We had some spectacular times spent on Kauai doing the zodiac boat and snorkel thing along the Na-Pali coast. I still remember the feral chickens (one pecked Mrs. TJ's toe!) and goats at this one tiny remote beach.
The Hyatt in Poipu was nice, and they had everything there and it was beautiful and all, but it was all just a bit too bloody stuffy for me. Wear some shorts and an aloha shirt for crying out loud! Nom, everyone was wearing nice slacks and golf or polo shirts. The rooms were very nice, but were decorated in a not too Island-like way (think lots of dark wood). This was 10 years ago, though.
Maui is still the best combination of all the islands though, IMO. | | | www.roguefood.com -- www.cellartracker.com | |
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Eric White
San Ramon, CA
Advanced Sommelier
Posts: 9456
| | 11-05-2003 03:48 PM |
| | IMO, it really depends on your interests. Teri and I are divers, so for us no island comes close to the Big Island (either scuba or snorkling). My second favorite is Kauai - a totally different type of diving, and on land the best hiking anywhere in Hawaii. | | | 2008: the end of an error | |
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love_cab_chard
Master of Wine
Posts: 12608
| | 11-05-2003 03:59 PM |
| | Maui: The Hyatt is great. That's the one with all the wildlife walking around on the territory & a garden inside the hotel. I mentioned this a few times here. There are a couple of Hyatts in Maui. Look for this 1. Very unique & many tourists that stay in Maui take tours to this hotel. | | | |
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ChangeMe
Barrel Sampler
Posts: 2098
| | 11-05-2003 04:13 PM |
| My reco's:
Big Island - Four Seasons Hualalai
Molokai - Molokai Ranch
Lana'i - Manele Bay Hotel (Ocean Mini Suite)
Kaua'i - Princeville Resort
Oahu - Kahala Mandarin Oriental
Can't go wrong with any of these. Your only choice is what kind of general atmosphere you want, other than the hotel. Kaua'i is my choice - but I like to veg out and take things slow. | | | |
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ChangeMe
Barrel Filler
Posts: 1371
| | 11-05-2003 04:19 PM |
| | We also had a great time on the Zodiac boat and the N'apali coast on Kuaui. It is highly recommended. | | | |
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love_cab_chard
Master of Wine
Posts: 12608
| | 11-05-2003 04:52 PM |
| | 1 more thing. Do the ride around the island of Maui...such beauty & an exciting ride. Bring LOTS of H2O. | | | |
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Bob Bressler
Napa Valley
Wine Lover
Posts: 4895
| | 11-05-2003 04:57 PM |
| | We like the Four Seasons on Maui. It is a small, exceptionally service oriented hotel. And, although I haven't been there is a few years, Lahaina had the best selection of good food and good wine lists. The only problem was the 45 minute drive home after dinner. | | | |
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love_cab_chard
Master of Wine
Posts: 12608
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Norb
Grape Stomper
Posts: 125
| | 11-05-2003 07:23 PM |
| | A vote for Kauai here. We've a time share at Lawai Beach resort so we go yearly. we've stayed at Princeville resort several times, and spent time at the Hyatt . Both are great. As you may know one at each end of the island. Takes about an hour between the two, then another 40min from the Hyatt to Keoke park which is above the waimea canyon and has great hiking and lookouts over the Napali cliffs. So a good choice would be to split the time between the two, to see all the sites adequately. | | | |
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Stefania Wine
San Jose, CA
Grape Puncher
Posts: 725
| | 11-05-2003 08:13 PM |
| My favorite island is Molokai. But it's pretty 19th century.
The Molokai ranch is the only thing close to being luxury or fine dining on the Island. Otherwise there's a pizza joint and a KFC. We rent a condo and cook everyday using the local stuff. Head down to the warf to buy fish off the boats, pick pineapples and coconuts from the condo complex, and get creative.
The beaches are worth it. If you walk down to a beach and someone is there, you walk to the next beach, because why share? It's a hiking, biking, swimming, surfing, diving, island as there's just nothing else there. | | Paul Romero - Owner/Winemaker Stefania Wine
www.stefaniawine.com | |
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jason
Napa Valley
Wine Addict
Posts: 6844
| | 11-05-2003 10:47 PM |
| My favorite islands are Moloka'i and Kaua'i. Molokai because it is what all these islands once were. Friendly people, no traffic, no stop lights, no building over two storys. However if you are lookng for resorts and good dining this is not the island for you. Personally I hope it never has either of these.
Kauai, because it is so beautiful. The Na Pali coast is stunning to hike or see from a boat. It has great surfing and just a great feel. It is not completely overrun by tourist, but is starting to. It has some good options for dining out and for accommodations. Byo is legal, and you can find some pretty impressive selections at the local Long's Drugs.
I enjoy the island of Hawaii because of the sheer size. It is nice to be able to drive for hours on end(instead of the normal 1-1.5hrs). You have Mauna Loa & Mauna Kea(with snow!!) and the Volcano's National Park. There are a lot of high end resorts available to stay at.
You have been to Maui so no need for any comments except that BYO is against the law in Maui County(Maui, Molokai, Lanai..not to say that people will not let you though).
As for places to stay...I am not too much help in that department. I usually stay with friends, or contact large land owners for the permission to camp on their property along the beach or in the mountains. Have done this on Molokai many times and it is just amazing.
If you have any other questions feel free to post and I will answer as soon as I see it. | | | |
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kimber
Barrel Filler
Posts: 1254
| | 02-17-2004 12:49 AM |
| After lots of research, we decided on the following in Maui:
6 nights at the Four Seasons - Wailea
5 nights at the Grand Wailea -- just couldn't resist returning -- the spa, slides, restaurants, lazy river...
3 months from today and counting.... | | | |
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wineismylife
Arlington, TX
Master of Wine
Posts: 12445
| | 02-17-2004 12:53 AM |
| | Wow, nice digs. | | | Joe-----Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
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David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
Master Sommelier
Posts: 15756
| | 02-17-2004 12:56 AM |
| | Is the Grand Wailea the place with the "lock" at one end of the pool that lifts you up to the top of the long water slide? | | | |
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jason
Napa Valley
Wine Addict
Posts: 6844
| | 02-17-2004 01:18 AM |
| | that is it David | | | |
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David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
Master Sommelier
Posts: 15756
| | 02-17-2004 01:29 AM |
| | When I was there right after it was first built it was a fantastic place. Lousy restaurants though. There was a very good Japanesse restaurant IIRC. | | | |
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