traveling to Hawaii with 4 kids on 9 flights, crossing 12 time zones

[Dan]

On the big Island I might rent, maui seems to be to expensive. Why are both resorts on wrong side, please explain...
I know the hotel's are not the nicest, but I need something that has a kitchen and washing machine. Chance of me going to the Hilton is small, but the resort looks quite nice for what I need. I didnt find anything better in maui and the Westin kaanapli has very nice 2 bedroom units and the reviews are very good... please explain what you don't like about it

On the Big Island the more exotic adventures are all on the Hilo side of the island.

On Maui the Kihei/Wailea area has better beaches, better weather, closer to RTH, airport, Haleakala, Costco, etc.
I've stayed twice in Kaanapali, once in Kihei, and twice in Wailea, and Kihei/Wailea makes for a much better trip.

[chuchem]

Hilo has more rain?! Or nothing to worry about in august?

I will have to look into the maui parts you wrote me, but a nice resort that fits what I need is also important

[Dan]

Hilo does have more rain. Just depends on your priorities though.
Buy the Hawaii Revealed and Maui Revealed books to know what interests you.

We had a condo with a pool in Kihei. For that many kids I have no doubt that it would be more comfortable, but then again you don't have daily maid service.

[chuchem]

It's not only the daily maid service, but I would like a nice resort with waterslides for the kids... infant pool... The Westin Kaanapali has all of that incl good big rooms with full kitchen

[Dan]

It's not only the daily maid service, but I would like a nice resort with waterslides for the kids... infant pool... The Westin Kaanapali has all of that incl good big rooms with full kitchen

If you want a resort I'd look into the Fairmont or Andaz.
Will cost you more, but both are much nicer resorts in a much nicer area.

[Tzadik Nistar]

I would love to see a TR for Singapore/Khao Lak
I'm looking now for some ideas to travel with 3 kids in the summer, maybe your TR will give me some tips

[chuchem]

Dan, i disagree. I just looked at the andaz and I would not go there with kids at all. The Fairmont is already much better, but way out of my league

You just started traveling with kids and and my boys are a few years older and a nice pool and slides make a big difference. I am probably one of the most seasoned travelers here with a few kids and a 4 year old and 9 year old doesnt compare

Yes, if money was no issue I might decide differently, but I am looking for the following combined. Nice pools, stuff by pool for kids, kitchen in room, 2 bedrooms, affordable

Until now the Westin Kaanapli makes the most sense of these things combined

[chuchem]

I would love to see a TR for Singapore/Khao Lak
I'm looking now for some ideas to travel with 3 kids in the summer, maybe your TR will give me some tips

Will try asap

[skyguy918]

Dan, i disagree. I just looked at the andaz and I would not go there with kids at all. The Fairmont is already much better, but way out of my league

You just started traveling with kids and and my boys are a few years older and a nice pool and slides make a big difference. I am probably one of the most seasoned travelers here with a few kids and a 4 year old and 9 year old doesnt compare

Yes, if money was no issue I might decide differently, but I am looking for the following combined. Nice pools, stuff by pool for kids, kitchen in room, 2 bedrooms, affordable

Until now the Westin Kaanapli makes the most sense of these things combined

You can earn free nights for the Fairmont with the Fairmont cc (2 nights per card). The Kea Lani is all-suite, but 1 room still won't quite cut it with 5 kids. They have villas, but you can't use the free nights for them, and otherwise they're pretty expensive.

The Grand Wailea takes the cake if you're looking for lots of pools, slides, etc. - but I don't know of a way to do it cheaply, especially with so many people.

Bottom line, the Waliea area is the crown jewel of Maui, but you pay for it.

[Dan]

Dan, i disagree. I just looked at the andaz and I would not go there with kids at all. The Fairmont is already much better, but way out of my league

You just started traveling with kids and and my boys are a few years older and a nice pool and slides make a big difference. I am probably one of the most seasoned travelers here with a few kids and a 4 year old and 9 year old doesnt compare

Yes, if money was no issue I might decide differently, but I am looking for the following combined. Nice pools, stuff by pool for kids, kitchen in room, 2 bedrooms, affordable

Until now the Westin Kaanapli makes the most sense of these things combined

The Andaz is brand new, has a wonderful zero entry pool, has suites with a full size dining room table, and has the best "commercial" beach on the island.

The Fairmont can be had with specials that come up often.

The Westin is a decades old property in a poor location with a middling beach.

[Dan]

Bottom line, the Waliea area is the crown jewel of Maui, but you pay for it.

Bingo.

[chuchem]

When I travel with kids, practical comes before luxury...
And the Westin is still a nice 5 star resort, maybe the furniture isn't new, but who cares...
Find me something in maui for 500 a night, that gives me 2 bedrooms and livingroom with a big kitchen and has nice big pools

I would love to rent a villa at the fairmont, but it's not going to happen with my budget

[skyguy918]

When I travel with kids, practical comes before luxury...
And the Westin is still a nice 5 star resort, maybe the furniture isn't new, but who cares...
Find me something in maui for 500 a night, that gives me 2 bedrooms and livingroom with a big kitchen and has nice big pools

I would love to rent a villa at the fairmont, but it's not going to happen with my budget

The 2 bedroom is $500/night? I'm seeing $719 for a random night in August.

Either way, the trick is not to pay at all . Or at least get as many free nights as you can with credit card rewards.

[Dan]

Tough if you dont have an SSN.

[skyguy918]

Tough if you dont have an SSN.

I hear that. What about buying free night certs? Still going to end up being much more than the Westin?

[chuchem]

The 500 is renting a timeshare from a owner

I don't want free and be at a place that doesn't suit me, after traveling around the world to get there. I am looking for a good price for what I need/wan

It's like going to the maldives and staying at the ph, because you think it's free

[chuchem]

So I moved on and alot is confirmed

Monday arrival with UA from Ewr in Hnl UA F
3 nights at the Aulani Disney resort

Thursday evening check out to Ala Moana
Friday Waikiki and Pearl Harbour
Shabbes at Chabad

Sunday 10:30 flight to Kapalua Airport with mokulele
one week Westin Ocean Villas Resort in a 2br unit
Sunday night Ogg-LAX UA F

Some of the reasons for this

-I could have picked the big island instead of Hnl, but this would have meant another flight and with no active volcano at the moment I figured the Aulani is a fun place for kids and I can have a great shabbes.
-Check out thursday night from Aulani, its expensive. Friday Pearl Harbour I dont need a fancy beach hotel and I am into history. Hotel is closest to Chabad for a nice shabbes experience
-sunday mokulele seems like a fun airline to fly and the airport is 5 minutes driving from the hotel.
-The westin seems like a very nice resort and a 2 br unit with full kitchen will make live much easier
-have a full week in Maui, should give me plenty of time to relax and sightsee


What do you all think?

[Something Fishy]

mokulele seems like a fun airline to fly

Oh yeah . Very much so.

[chuchem]

Especially if you almost have a private jet :-)
9 seats per flight. I have 7. Thinking of booking the other 2, just that i have a private jet :-)