Unique Hawaii hotels?

[LadyyRedd]

Anyone have links to any really unique hotels in Hawaii? We're going next Jan and I want to stay somewhere really cool, not in a standard every day hotel high rise. While I do say that price doesn't matter, please keep in mind that I haven't won the mega millions yet!

Kimya

 

[meeskamouska]

We stayed at a home on the North Shore....maybe renting a house outside of the city will be a great way to escape.

 

[LadyyRedd]

I'd be up for that too. What are some good resources to find places in Hawaii?

Kimya

 

[Nala2007]

Well I live on Oahu, so if that is where you are staying, I'm guessing so since you mentioned the high rise hotels...I would definitely get away from icky downtown and go up to North Shore, try Turtle Bay resort, that ROCKS! Or Ko Olina, which is on the west side of the island aka Leeward Side...

they are probably two of the best out of 5 hotels on this island

 

[LadyyRedd]

We're actually hoping to stay a couple of days on each of the 4 main islands. I've just started my research and want to find some cool places. Is Waikiki on Oahu or the Big Island?

Kimya

 

[meeskamouska]

http://www.hawaiionthebeach.com/

The house on the left is where we stayed...it was amazing. I did not however make the arrangements...my DH's family made all the plans....we just showed up and enjoyed!!!!

Hope this site helps you have the most amazing vacation!!!

The little town near there Hale'eiwa was amazing!!! I think we only went into Honolulu once and we went to the Paradise Cove Luau and had a blast!!!

 

[LadyyRedd]

Holy cow that place is GORGEOUS! And unfortunately slightly out of my budget at $1000 per day (up to $2500 during holiday times!). It's for 8 people though, so if I had 8 going, it would be perfect, but there are only 3 of us.

Kimya

 

[WDWLVR]

Just came back from Ko Olina and loved it! It is on the west side of Oahu away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki. 4 great lagoons for snorkeling! You have the choice of the JW Marriott if you want a hotel or Ko Olina Beach Club if you are looking for condo type accomodations.

Here it is from the air. The JW is at the top by the first lagoon and the Beach Club is at the bottom by the 3rd lagoon.

 

[DawnCt1]

Gloria's Spouting Horn Bed and Breakfast, Kauai
Molokai Ranch, either the lodge or the tentalos, Molokai
Hotel Hana, Maui
Kilauea Military Camp on the Big Island (if you are qualified to stay there)
Anywhere in Volcano National Park

I would like to stay at the Molokai Ranch someday. We have stayed at the Hale Koa on Oahu. I love it. Great location for seeing Oahu, climbing Diamond Head, etc. Its military.
On Maui we liked The Marriott in Ka'anapali and Wailea but my favorite place to stay there is the Ka'anapali Alii. Great condos in between the Marriott and the Westin. Convenient to the Whaler Village and all of the restaurants at the hotels. On Kauai, we stayed at the Hanalei Bay Resort. Condos there are available from vbro and from HBR. They also have hotel rooms which I wouldn't be interested in. HOWEVER, the views are incredible and I would be happy in a tent on the grounds. We also liked the Outrigger Lae Nani Condos in Lihue, Kauai. On the Big Island, we love the Kilauea Military Camp, the Hilton Waikaloa Village and condos Kanaloa at Kona.

edited to at the Kona Village Resort is an all inclusive on the Big Island. Pricey but would be a nice experience. Most of the pricey resorts on the Kona and Kohala Coast are wonderful. Sometimes you can get great rates. My theory about Hawaii. Its such a great destination that a hotel will not make or break your vacation.

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

On Oahu we stayed at the Royal Hawaiian, "the pink palace", one of the original hotels on the island. It was fabulous.

http://www.royal-hawaiian.com/acc.htm

 

[DawnCt1]

On Oahu we stayed at the Royal Hawaiian, "the pink palace", one of the original hotels on the island. It was fabulous.

http://www.royal-hawaiian.com/acc.htm

that would be a great choice too.

 

[LisaB]

The Onion House in Oahu

 

[sha_lyn]

LisaB and Dawn beat me to it. while I haven't stayed at either, I have researched Hawaii a good bit

the 2 places I want to stay at are
A cabin in Volcanoes National Park- http://www.nps.gov/havo
The onion house-http://www.onionhousehawaii.com/

 

[Cindyluwho]

The Kaanapali Beach Hotel on Maui is the last standing original 50's hotel left in Hawaii. It is so kitsch and wonderful!! We stayed there last year and loved it. If you're looking for brand new, cookie cutter, sterile upscale - THIS IS NOT THE PLACE!! but if you're looking for a homie, charming place with amazing staff this place is perfect!! they still teach (for free) lei making, leaf printing, hula, etc. Totally fun!!

 

[sha_lyn]

Just found the link for a lodge in Volcanoes National Park
http://www.volcanohousehotel.com/

 

[RangerPooh]

We've stayed at the Turtle Bay resort on the North Shore of Ohau and it was fabulous. It's far from Honololu making it seem remote.

 

[MoniqueU]

I have stayed at the JWMarriot pictured above. We had a suite with a little pool/jacuzzi out front. Very nice. Also the Hilton on the Big Island looks great to me too.

 

[Nala2007]

Waikiki is here on my island, Oahu...it would be a drive if you stayed up in North Shore or Ko Olina, but I believe, worth it, because it really shows you what the island is about. If you wanted to stay in Waikiki, I would suggest any of the Outriggers or Hilton Hawaiian Village, they are nice and right on the water!

 

[disneyfan67]

The Kaanapali Beach Hotel on Maui is the last standing original 50's hotel left in Hawaii. It is so kitsch and wonderful!! We stayed there last year and loved it. If you're looking for brand new, cookie cutter, sterile upscale - THIS IS NOT THE PLACE!! but if you're looking for a homie, charming place with amazing staff this place is perfect!! they still teach (for free) lei making, leaf printing, hula, etc. Totally fun!!

It's funny you mention that hotel on a Disney fan website. That is the hotel where Disney modeled the Polynesian in WDW after. It's has been mentioned on many websites and Tikiman talks about it on his website as well. You can see where the planners of the Polynesian got some of their ideas from. When I go to Hawaii one day, that's one of the places I'm going to stay. It still looks nice to me and it seems they keep it up in good shape.

 

[beachbunny]

More information is needed to give you good suggestions. What is your budget per room per night? Do you like camping or is a five star hotel more your style?

Here are a few suggestions:
Volcano, Hawaii: Kilauea Lodge. An excellent B&B right outside the entrace to Volcanoes National Park. Some rooms have their own fireplaces and stained glass windows. The owner who has had culinary training in France does an excellent job at fusing local flavors with French cuisine. This B&B is several steps nicer and has way better food than Volcano House in the Park.

Lanai: Manele Bay Resort. Awesome dining and great golf. What more is there?

Wailea, Maui: Any hotel, but my favorite is the Grand Wailea. Lots of beautiful pools and beaches. And a great place to celebrity watch. A few years ago, I saw Gena Davis and Adrien Brodie on the same visit.

Kihei, Kauai: Lots and lots of condo rentals. White sand beaches and more white sand beaches.

Waikiki, Oahu: The Royal Hawaiian and the Moana are the grand dames of Waikiki. There's also the Hilton Hawaiian Village which is almost as fun as any Disney World resort. And if this is your first time, you really should experience Waikiki. Nice as they may be, I would not recommend the North Shore (Turtle Bay) or West Oahu (Ko Olina) - just too far away from the action - and the other islands are relaxing enough. Plus, if you're only planning on a couple of nights per island and you want to see the sights, it really is a very long drive to anywhere.