Twelve Days In Paradise: Oahu, Maui, and The Big Island by PBaruch (2016)

[Yehoshua]

Great TR and stunning pictures! Do you have a points/cost breakdown for everything? It seems a fair bit was just with cash. I do hope to do TBI on our next trip to HI, so this TR can be very useful, especially the links.

[PBaruch]

Great TR and stunning pictures! Do you have a points/cost breakdown for everything? It seems a fair bit was just with cash. I do hope to do TBI on our next trip to HI, so this TR can be very useful, especially the links.

Here is a quick breakdown:

EWR to HNL J - 250k UA (unfortunately I couldn't get 5x40 as my initials aren't DE.  Ended up with 4x40k and 1x90k)
HNL to EWR - 200k

Interisland flights: Approximately 150K ish Hawaiian (too lazy to go back and calculate everything exactly)

Westin - about 110k SPG (for 10 total nights)

Ala Moana for 3 nights plus parking came out to about $634

Traavasa Hana was about $400 for a night

Kilauea Lodge was under $300 for the night.

Car rentals were paid for with cash as it came out cheaper than using points: HNL - $192, OGG - $333, KOA with return in ITO - $63

Shabbos meals in HNL - $250

Food purchased from Chabad in Maui - $180

Please don't ask me to calculate the rest.   

I'm glad I succeeded in doing a TR on Maui which convinces everyone to go to the BI. 

[Yehoshua]

Here is a quick breakdown:

EWR to HNL J - 250k UA (unfortunately I couldn't get 5x40 as my initials aren't DE.  Ended up with 4x40k and 1x90k)
HNL to EWR - 200k

Interisland flights: Approximately 150K ish Hawaiian (too lazy to go back and calculate everything exactly)

Westin - about 110k SPG (for 10 total nights)

Ala Moana for 3 nights plus parking came out to about $634

Traavasa Hana was about $400 for a night

Kilauea Lodge was under $300 for the night.

Car rentals were paid for with cash as it came out cheaper than using points: HNL - $192, OGG - $333, KOA with return in ITO - $63

Please don't ask me to calculate the rest.   

I'm glad I succeeded on doing a TR on Maui which convinces everyone to go to the BI.

Thanks! Just from this TR alone I wouldn't say you would have convinced me to skip Maui in favor of TBI, but having already visited Kauai and Maui I'd really live to see TBI, though I don't think we could afford a 6 hour helicopter ride, as cool as it seems. From your TR it seems like the Westin was a real let down, something we didn't experience at the Andaz or at the Airbnb place in Kula (upcountry).

[PBaruch]

Thanks! Just from this TR alone I wouldn't say you would have convinced me to skip Maui in favor of TBI, but having already visited Kauai and Maui I'd really live to see TBI, though I don't think we could afford a 6 hour helicopter ride, as cool as it seems. From your TR it seems like the Westin was a real let down, something we didn't experience at the Andaz or at the Airbnb place in Kula (upcountry).

I couldn't afford a 6 hour helicopter charter either.  A charter like that is in the range of 10k.  Only reason we got that was due to the tremendous generosity of Cal. 

As far as the Westin is concerned, we were not impressed.  My impression was that they just don't care because they get so many visitors per year.  Our experience on the BI is far different where we get upgraded every year at the Sheraton in Kona.  Plus, we are treated way better there as well.

[Yehoshua]

I couldn't afford a 6 hour helicopter charter either.  A charter like that is in the range of 10k.  Only reason we got that was due to the tremendous generosity of Cal. 

As far as the Westin is concerned, we were not impressed.  My impression was that they just don't care because they get so many visitors per year.  Our experience on the BI is far different where we get upgraded every year at the Sheraton in Kona.  Plus, we are treated way better there as well.

In that case we'll have to consider the Sheraton when we get to Kona. Do you have any actual TRs from TBI? What's the place you usually stay in when you visit Volcanoes? Airbnb place?

[PBaruch]

In that case we'll have to consider the Sheraton when we get to Kona. Do you have any actual TRs from TBI? What's the place you usually stay in when you visit Volcanoes? Airbnb place?

This is last years TR from the BI:

http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=60541.0

Our usual spot in Volcano is here:

http://www.volcanoplaces.com/

We like this particular cottage:

http://www.volcanoplaces.com/accommodations/kahimalu/

It's 2 bedroom for $150 a night.  You are minutes away from the splendors of VNP.

[Yehoshua]

This is last years TR from the BI:

http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=60541.0

Our usual spot in Volcano is here:

http://www.volcanoplaces.com/

We like this particular cottage:

http://www.volcanoplaces.com/accommodations/kahimalu/

It's 2 bedroom for $150 a night.  You are minutes away from the splendors of VNP.

Thanks!!

[efflpetzel]

In that case we'll have to consider the Sheraton when we get to Kona.

Dont get your hopes up, hotel is nothing to write about

Coming from the GHK it was a real downgrade for me

[Yehoshua]

Dont get your hopes up, hotel is nothing to write about

Coming from the GHK it was a real downgrade for me

Could be, but it really depends on what other points hotels there are. It may not be nice compared to the GHK, but it may be one of the nicer ones around  (I haven't looked into anything).

[PBaruch]

Dont get your hopes up, hotel is nothing to write about

Coming from the GHK it was a real downgrade for me

I suppose getting a large clean room with an ocean view and large lanai for 8k per night is a disappointment.     But yes, if you want glitz and glamour, then go elsewhere. 

I forgot to mention that the Fair Wind snorkel tour to Capt. Cook and the Manta Ray snorkel tour are located around the corner from the Sheraton.  You can leave all your stuff in the hotel and walk to the boat. 

[aeman1]

Nice TR,  thanks!

[efflpetzel]

I suppose getting a large clean room with an ocean view and large lanai for 8k per night is a disappointment.     But yes, if you want glitz and glamour, then go elsewhere. 

FWIW 8K is if you factor in the Fifth Night Free Award.

PB you're the last person I'd want to get in an argument with , so I'll just say this:

IMHO most people round here will be disappointed with this hotel at 10k a night.

[PBaruch]

FWIW 8K is if you factor in the Fifth Night Free Award.

PB you're the last person I'd want to get in an argument with , so I'll just say this:

IMHO most people round here will be disappointed with this hotel at 10k a night.

Although we certainly enjoy the luxury of a really nice hotel that is not the primary focus of our trips so I would agree with you there.    

[Denverite]

Thanks for the awesome TR!  I'm considering planning a Hawaii trip and also thought my kids might really enjoy the big island (and I've also never been to that island).  I have lots of HHonors point and they have good points+cash deals at the Hilton Waikoloa village.  It looks like a cool resort but I was just wondering if you have ever been there or have any info on that resort?

[PBaruch]

Thanks for the awesome TR!  I'm considering planning a Hawaii trip and also thought my kids might really enjoy the big island (and I've also never been to that island).  I have lots of HHonors point and they have good points+cash deals at the Hilton Waikoloa village.  It looks like a cool resort but I was just wondering if you have ever been there or have any info on that resort?

I'm happy to hear you are entertaining a trip to the Big Island.  If you need any help or advice in planning your trip send me a PM.

Unfortunately I do not know much about the Hilton as we have never stayed there.  We did swim with the dolphins at Dolphin Quest a few years ago which is located in the lagoon inside the Hilton and from what we saw the grounds look pretty nice.  They have a saltwater lagoon that is refreshed by sea water with lots of fish and turtles.  There are mesh grates to prevent sharks from getting in.  You can rent all sorts of water gear like kayaks and you can snorkel in the lagoon.  It's pretty nice for little kids.  The Hilton looks to be very kid friendly. 

[Denverite]

I'm happy to hear you are entertaining a trip to the Big Island.  If you need any help or advice in planning your trip send me a PM.

Unfortunately I do not know much about the Hilton as we have never stayed there.  We did swim with the dolphins at Dolphin Quest a few years ago which is located in the lagoon inside the Hilton and from what we saw the grounds look pretty nice.  They have a saltwater lagoon that is refreshed by sea water with lots of fish and turtles.  There are mesh grates to prevent sharks from getting in.  You can rent all sorts of water gear like kayaks and you can snorkel in the lagoon.  It's pretty nice for little kids.  The Hilton looks to be very kid friendly.

Thanks!  That lagoon did look cool and though my older ones would enjoy snorkeling.  And I know they'd all love the volcano.  Thanks again.

[Luvtotravel]

beautiful tr! the quality of your pics are awsome!

[Dan]

Great TR and pics.

Shame you picked the Westin over the Andaz...

Before the trip I was really considering a return to TBI, but the dengue fever reports scared me off.

If Maui felt too commercialized for you then you'll like Kauai. Have you considered Molokai or Lanai yet?

[PBaruch]

Great TR and pics.

Shame you picked the Westin over the Andaz...

Before the trip I was really considering a return to TBI, but the dengue fever reports scared me off.

If Maui felt too commercialized for you then you'll like Kauai. Have you considered Molokai or Lanai yet?

You know my story about the Andaz - they were playing games with me regarding availability.  I did later figure out how to get around it but decided that the Westin was a better deal at 12k SPG per night (less when counting the 5th night free).  In hindsight, it was a mistake to skimp and book the Westin.  Plus, they just upped the Westin to a Cat 6 hotel which I think is ridiculous because it really isn't.

As for Kauai, we were there for two days a few years ago when my Jeep incident happened - that pretty much soured the trip.  I did, however, like what I saw and am excited to go back.  I'm also sure we will make it to Molokai and Lanai one day but neither is high on the list at the moment. 

[Something Fishy]

Just finished reading this... great report! I especially enjoyed all the details about Pearl Harbor. Everyone else just says "went to Pearl Harbor, there were lots of Japanese" and leave it at that; I thoroughly enjoyed all the details here.