Just got back from Hawaii...added photos finally!

[DawnCt1]

The room rate is based on the rank of the military person that is sponsoring you. Anyone in the military can make ressies for family and/or friends.

The room rates are bads on rank but they are also based on location in the hotel. Ocean front are more expensive than ocean view and elevation in the building is more expensive than ground floor and garden locations. Anyone in the military can make ressies for their family and friends, (up to three rooms) but that military member or dependent with a military id better be at the front desk at check in or their guests won't be accommodated.

 

[momsgoofy]

Just want to say thanks for all the trip reports and photos! I loved looking at and reading them! We (DH 44, DS 13 and me 39) have decided our next big trip will be Hawaii and not...shall I dare say it...to WDW...but I'm sure we'll squeeze in a short one just for good measure. So, now I'm starting to research and figure out what to do, prioritize and such...determine when to go...it looks like Christmas is looking better and better for our travel plans for the next few years...but I'm thinking the rates might be higher then. Would you mind giving a ballpark figure for your accomodations? I've heard from a friend who lives in Hawaii that the place you stayed is one of her favorite places. Right now, I'm torn between staying at one location or doing one of the cruises where we can have a glimpse at all the islands...not sure...any thoughts?

Well, again, thanks for the reports and photos! I loved looking at them!

 

[luvflorida]

Now I promise not to take over LuvFlorida's spotlight......I mean this is HER thread and all.........but I will be more than happy to do research on places in Honolulu when I am there. I LOVE to research for people. I actually would "go out of my way" if it meant a quick research (photo, info ) for a fellow DIS'r!!! So if anyone has anything they want researched or photographed....let me know.....I will try to fulfill most requests.

Don't worry about 'taking over this thread'! I think it's very nice of you to offer to do research and help out others.

 

[DawnCt1]

Right now, I'm torn between staying at one location or doing one of the cruises where we can have a glimpse at all the islands...not sure...any thoughts?

Well, again, thanks for the reports and photos! I loved looking at them!

Personally, I would not do a Hawaiian cruise. Every island is so beautiful that I can't think of anything worse than getting on a ship and sailing away. One day in port is not enough time to even pursue one activity. I don't think you can get a flavor of what each island is like. For example; we were on a snorkel trip and there was a woman seated next to me who was on a cruise. I told her that we were enjoying our last day on Maui before we headed off to Kauai. She proceeded to tell me that she did not like Kauai at all. They took an "island tour" and didn't see anything of significance. In talking to her further, she hadn't even made it to Hanalei because the bus was too wide to cross the streams. The north shore of Kauai is undisputably beautiful, yet she never really left the east coast of the island. On the Big Island, well, its really big. There are 13 climates, rain forests, deserts, ocean, mountains, volcanos and even with two stops, how could you see that in two days? How could you see the lava flowing down the pali after dark? I would definately stick to the land and stay a few days in each place.

 

[luvflorida]

Just want to say thanks for all the trip reports and photos! I loved looking at and reading them! We (DH 44, DS 13 and me 39) have decided our next big trip will be Hawaii and not...shall I dare say it...to WDW...but I'm sure we'll squeeze in a short one just for good measure. So, now I'm starting to research and figure out what to do, prioritize and such...determine when to go...it looks like Christmas is looking better and better for our travel plans for the next few years...but I'm thinking the rates might be higher then. Would you mind giving a ballpark figure for your accomodations? I've heard from a friend who lives in Hawaii that the place you stayed is one of her favorite places. Right now, I'm torn between staying at one location or doing one of the cruises where we can have a glimpse at all the islands...not sure...any thoughts?

Well, again, thanks for the reports and photos! I loved looking at them!

We spent approximately $3,900. for six nights at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, but don't let that scare you. We had two rooms, and that figure includes taxes, occasional room service meals, in-room movies, and internet access in one of the rooms. Basic room rate for each room was $250. a night, and yes the rates were a bit higher because we were there over Christmas, and we stayed in the Ali'i Tower where the rates may have been a little higher. We had rooms with garden views which kept the price down a little. The rooms with ocean views would have been more than $250. a night.

Interesting note about being there over Christmas- I went with the idea that it was going to be really crowded, the beach would be packed, and people would be everywhere. I figured if I went knowing all this, then I wouldn't be disappointed when I encountered crowds and couldn't find a spot on the beach. Boy, was I wrong!!! We NEVER once felt like there were too many people around or that the beach was too crowded. I was very pleasantly surprised at that!! The times that we walked down the beach walkway toward the center of Waikiki, the beach seemed to be crowded and there were a lot more people around. Down at the HHV end, it was much less congested. And, the funny thing is, the beach is much wider and has a lot more room on it than at any other place along Waikiki.

As far as the other islands, I would like to go back some day and visit them, but I would also definitely return to Oahu. And I agree with DawnCT1, you really need to spend time on each island to fully appreciate them.

 

[kaygela]

Thanks so much for the detailed reports. They will be soooo helpful. It sounds like you had an amazing time and got to cover so much. Thank you again for sharing it so vividly.