Starting to Plan our Next Trip

[DizOz]

Starting our planning extra early this time (Xmas 2013).

At this stage we are planning

4 nights in LA - Grand Californian
12 nights in Orlando - Yacht Club/Wilderness Lodge (Want to try something different so we may split our stay)
4 nights in NY - The Vuse
3 nights in DC - ??
5 nights in Hawaii - ??

Has any one got any suggestions for a good hotel in DC?
In Hawaii thinking of staying at Aulani or Grand Wailea. Has any stayed at these hotels or suggest an other options?

We are right for restaurants in LA and Orlando. Need a few ideas to fill NY. Any suggestions in DC or Hawaii?

 

[australiankaren]

Starting our planning extra early this time (Xmas 2013).

At this stage we are planning

4 nights in LA - Grand Californian
12 nights in Orlando - Yacht Club/Wilderness Lodge (Want to try something different so we may split our stay)
4 nights in NY - The Vuse
3 nights in DC - ??
5 nights in Hawaii - ??

Has any one got any suggestions for a good hotel in DC?
In Hawaii thinking of staying at Aulani or Grand Wailea. Has any stayed at these hotels or suggest an other options?

We are right for restaurants in LA and Orlando. Need a few ideas to fill NY. Any suggestions in DC or Hawaii?

sounds like an awesome trip
I totally recommend Aulani,fantastic resort...worth the $$$$
you will need a car, as it is 30 min out of honolulu and there is no public transport.....

 

[PrincessInOz]

Sounds like another great trip DizOz.

 

[aussietravellers]

Sounds like a great trip!

Honolulu, we always stay at the Westin Moana Surfrider (for the last 15 years), we love it there, lovely resort, very central, great at night to get out and walk around the main drag. We have stayed at the Royal Hawaiian a few times, but that was years ago, when I was a child.

We do not go to Honolulu without going to the Royal Hawaiian Luau, it is fantastic, yummy and you are out on the lawn by the beach and it's beautiful. The spectacular pink sunset, is breathtaking (and then we walk back to our hotel along the beach That luau is a must do for us on a trip to Hawaii.

If you want out of Waikiki a bit, the Kahala Resort is absolutely divine. Although I haven't stayed there, we have been there many many times with my son doing the Dolphin Quest and we have eaten there to. It is a beautiful resort. It used to be a Mandarin Oriental, but I think it's just the Kahala Resort now

If you are out shopping at Ala Moana, the restaurant in Neiman Marcus (the one on the top floor) is lovely for lunch. The Pineapple room at Macys used to be really good too, but it's changed on our last visit and wasn't as good. Don't know if it's a one off.

I highly recommend an afternoon tea (High Tea) at the Moana Surfrider on the Verandah. Book early and request a beach side table (very hard to get). That Verandah restaurant is also lovely for dinner as is sitting outside around the pool bar (can't remember it's name) and having a cocktail, watching the sunset, under the massive banyan tree, with the hawaiian entertainment.

We love Benihana at the Hilton for dinner. There is a great gelati shop in Lewers street if you are out for a wander at night. Chucks steakhouse at the Outrigger Waikiki is also good and has been there for a hundred years (not really but a long time).

There is a cheesecake factory in the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Centre, I think there is a PF Changs there now too. There is a bubba gump at Ala Moana shopping center.

A drive around the coast and stopping at one of the grotty looking shrimp trucks is a must. The one we have had a couple of times I think is Giovanni's, mmmm, yummy!

 

[Mum from oz]

Sounds like a really great trip so far.

 

[Toy Story]

Sounds great, I would love to visit the US over Christmas.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Have you been to NYC before? If not, you will kick yourself that you didn't add a night or two here. 4nights won't feel like enough. We are heading back this Christmas for our 3rd time and the first time we did 5 nights, second time we did 7 nights, this time we are going for 9 nights and I still don't feel like it's enough . We have clearly fallen in love with that amazing city.

We are heading to Washington this January and will be staying 4 nights but I definitely think your 3 nights would work also.

 

[australiankaren]

Sounds like a great trip!

Honolulu, we always stay at the Westin Moana Surfrider (for the last 15 years), we love it there, lovely resort, very central, great at night to get out and walk around the main drag. We have stayed at the Royal Hawaiian a few times, but that was years ago, when I was a child.

We do not go to Honolulu without going to the Royal Hawaiian Luau, it is fantastic, yummy and you are out on the lawn by the beach and it's beautiful. The spectacular pink sunset, is breathtaking (and then we walk back to our hotel along the beach That luau is a must do for us on a trip to Hawaii.

If you want out of Waikiki a bit, the Kahala Resort is absolutely divine. Although I haven't stayed there, we have been there many many times with my son doing the Dolphin Quest and we have eaten there to. It is a beautiful resort. It used to be a Mandarin Oriental, but I think it's just the Kahala Resort now

If you are out shopping at Ala Moana, the restaurant in Neiman Marcus (the one on the top floor) is lovely for lunch. The Pineapple room at Macys used to be really good too, but it's changed on our last visit and wasn't as good. Don't know if it's a one off.

I highly recommend an afternoon tea (High Tea) at the Moana Surfrider on the Verandah. Book early and request a beach side table (very hard to get). That Verandah restaurant is also lovely for dinner as is sitting outside around the pool bar (can't remember it's name) and having a cocktail, watching the sunset, under the massive banyan tree, with the hawaiian entertainment.

We love Benihana at the Hilton for dinner. There is a great gelati shop in Lewers street if you are out for a wander at night. Chucks steakhouse at the Outrigger Waikiki is also good and has been there for a hundred years (not really but a long time).

There is a cheesecake factory in the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Centre, I think there is a PF Changs there now too. There is a bubba gump at Ala Moana shopping center.

A drive around the coast and stopping at one of the grotty looking shrimp trucks is a must. The one we have had a couple of times I think is Giovanni's, mmmm, yummy!

we were too scared to stop at those trucks/ shacks.....so taco bell all the waycant beat $1.09 soft tacos....gee I miss hawaii

but Aulani is a must as well, even if you just have lunch there....worth the effort

 

[WAMUMOF4]

your trip sounds great its what we would like to do for 2013 as well but adding a week of skiing for DS14's 16th birthday. Happy planning

 

[DizOz]

Thanks for the tip on the car Australiankaren I didn't realise it was so far out.

Thanks PrincessInOz, WAMUMOF4 and Mum from oz we are looking forward to it. DD's are excited already.

Thanks aussietravellers for all the tips. I have a bit of research to do on the web before we go. You have given me some great tips to look at.

Thanks Toy Story. We went Christmas time a few years back now and loved it. Last time we did Halloween and that was also special but much preferred Christmas theme.

Thanks Ms. Shuttergirl yes we went to NY last trip for 3 nights and DW and DD's loved it. Me I have been quite a bit on business so to me I can take it or leave it. There are a few things we don't need to do again such as Natural History Museum and Climb Statue of Liberty.