Split stay - Aulani and ???

[Raya]

We're considering doing a split stay, with half of our trip at Aulani and other half at a more honeymoon-style resort, probably on a different island. Does anyone have any suggestions of what island or resort the other half of our trip should be? Looking at the details for Aulani is making it hard to be impressed by any place else. I'm thinking about the Fairmont Orchid, on the Big Island, but even that pales in comparison!

 

[kboo]

We are staying a few nights at the Royal Hawaiian on Waikiki *before* going to Aulani, and just got upgraded to a suite.

Originally had been looking at splitting with Maui or Big Island - we hadn't been to Maui in a long time, and we love Kauai and the Big Island. But, like you, we wanted something nicer than a hotel room, and something nicer than an inland vacation rental where we'd have to drive for everything and have it all self-catered. Ultimately, I decided that I didn't want to spend another day traveling between islands, so we opted to go to Waikiki first for a little taste of that before going to Aulani. Not gonna lie, we could have done the whole trip in a vacation rental with more space for a lot less and on another island, but it's our first time back to Hawaii with the kids out of strollers.

 

[WillGan]

We're considering doing a split stay, with half of our trip at Aulani and other half at a more honeymoon-style resort, probably on a different island. Does anyone have any suggestions of what island or resort the other half of our trip should be? Looking at the details for Aulani is making it hard to be impressed by any place else. I'm thinking about the Fairmont Orchid, on the Big Island, but even that pales in comparison!

Wailea on Maui. Traffic can be horrendous at times but it’s Maui! Congratulations on your honeymoon!

 

[Psymonds]

We're considering doing a split stay, with half of our trip at Aulani and other half at a more honeymoon-style resort, probably on a different island. Does anyone have any suggestions of what island or resort the other half of our trip should be? Looking at the details for Aulani is making it hard to be impressed by any place else. I'm thinking about the Fairmont Orchid, on the Big Island, but even that pales in comparison!

depends on what you're looking for:

Maui and the big island have big self contained resorts that can be what you want.

We often go to Kauai for the natural beauty so you could stay at Princeville (if it reopens in time for your trip) or the Grand Hyatt in Poipu for that but there's basically no nightlife outside of a few bars in Hanalei.

our budget is usually lower and we stay 2 weeks so I don't have good sense of the "nice" resorts.

 

[jimmymc]

Turtle Bay resort if you decide to stay on Oahu.

For a honeymoon style resort I'd recommend Maui. Black Rock Beach is a beautiful location.

 

[Iceman93]

It really all depends on your budget. If money is no object, go to the Four Seasons on Lanai.

 

[Raya]

It really all depends on your budget. If money is no object, go to the Four Seasons on Lanai.

I'm willing to splurge a little but I'd like to keep things under $600 a night. We've been kicking around getting a place with a kitchen, so that might not be possible.

 

[Iceman93]

Okay, $600 a night is going to be tough in Hawaii for a honeymoon-style resort. Take a look at the Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu which does offer units with kitchens around that price point depending on timing (and which proved to be a very nice place when I stayed there with my family). It's different enough from Aulani, and Kuaui itself is different enough from Oahu, that we avoided a lot of the inevitable comparisons people make when doing split stays.

 

[AstroBlasters]

I think others have laid out great options. I’ll add the following for room view for the price.

Hilton Hawaiian Village

ALII TOWER, CORNER OCEAN FRONT 1 KING BED​

 

[LilyJC]

My in-laws owned a one bedroom condo at Kaleialoha on Maui before they upgraded to a 2 bedroom. We used their unit for our 1st anniversary trip. I wouldn’t say honeymoon resort, but it’s crazy oceanfront! That’s one thing I miss at Aulani - hearing the waves crashing from our room/even the lanai. My kids were terrified their first time there thinking a tsunami would hit at any minute. All the units are 1 bedrooms with kitchens of course, and some are really nicely themed/remodeled. Just a random, quiet option if you’re interested in Maui.

 

[scoobdoo]

Probably next door at the Four Seasons

 

[monsterkitty]

I'm willing to splurge a little but I'd like to keep things under $600 a night. We've been kicking around getting a place with a kitchen, so that might not be possible.

We stayed at the Hanalei Bay Resort on Kauai for our honeymoon. We did island hop and this was by far our favorite resort and is still one of our favorite locations we've ever visited. Rooms do have a small kitchen and are incredibly reasonable.

We're going back at Christmas because we love it there so much. Not the best location in the winter in Hawaii, but we don't care because of the views!