Hawaiian Honeymooner looking for advice?????

clavalley · August 2009

Hello! I am going to Hawaii for my honeymoon and need some advice on the following (we will be in Oahu for the first 4 nights and Maui for the following 5....leaving Sept 21st). The Parc hotel in Oahu? Can't afford Halekulani? The Four Seasons OOOOOR the Grand Wailea in Maui?????? Mama's fishhouse in Maui? Reservations? Roy's and Nobu in Oahu? Reservations? The Old Lahaina Luau in Maui? Reservations I've heard for sure!? Golfing on either island that is reasonable? Other MUST DO restaurants (we live in Chicago so we're major foodies!)? Road to Hana? Rent a car places that are cheap? Anything else that is a MUST DO but on a tight budget? We really want to relax, eat nice dinner's, do SOME excursions that are a must. TIA!

A.a.A. · August 2009

I'll just do a few while I have the time: The Parc Hotel - I've been in the lobby... it looks super chic/modern/minimalistic. Not sure what the rooms are like, but the hotel itself has a cool vibe! It's on the water but there's no beach in front of the hotel, but there are several within close walking distance. Nobu (in The Parc) is AWESOME! I highly recommend it... that and my dad's company did the whole interior. Everything I ate there was delicious! Definitely shoot for reservations well in advance if you can. Roy's - I'd recommend going to the original one in Hawai'i Kai. It's a little bit of a drive (25ish minutes) but you don't have the hustle-bustle of being in Waikiki and the view there is amazing! It's not on the water, rather across the street from it and it is just spectacular. I've eaten there a couple times. Some different restaurants you can look up in Honolulu: -Town -Chef Mavros -Shokudo (inexpensive Japanese - cool interior and get the Honey Toast for dessert! YUM!) -Diamond Head Grill (casual, great desserts!) on Monserrat Ave by Diamond Head -South Shore Grill (good fish tacos) on Monserrat Ave by Diamond Head - Bubbies (ice cream - all made on the premises... soooo good! get the mochi wrapped ice cream in all different flavors!) -Niniku-ya (The Garlic House Restaurant) off of Wai'ale Ave - inside a charming little house. Really good food! Another restaurant I HAVE to recommend (i'm a foodie as well and a current baking and pastry student) is Alan Wong's Restaurant (www.alanwongsrestaurant.com). He is another top chef in Hawai'i. I worked at the King Street location doing desserts a few years ago. If you can't get a reservation or want something less formal, check out his location inside Macy's at the Ala Moana Hotel - called The Pineapple Room. Delicious! Going on the Alan Wongs theme... he has a restaurant inside the Four Seasons Hotel on the Big Island. I was soooo impressed by the hotel! My mom and I went there for dinner (the Hualalai Grille by Alan Wong). It was one of the best meals of my life! And you can eat outside.. so fun! Road to Hana - my aunt and I did it - we started off early to beat the crowds and decided to drive all the way there without doing too many stops. We decided to make all our stops and photo ops on our way back. We had lunch in Hana - such a cute town! Stop at the Seven Sacred Pools - so beautiful! There are tons of little waterfalls and bridges along the road. If you are super adventurous, look for paths down to the beach. If you hike down, chances are you will be the only ones there! It's a pretty twisty-curvy road. Hope all that helps!

carrieoz_76 · August 2009

1. Buy Maui Revealed (kick*ass travel guide book) and the equivalent for Oahu. They do an independent (i.e. no advertisements from the same ppl they review) review of activites (including luaus and Road to Hana and what to stop to look at along the way), accommodations, and restaurants on each island.2. Maui Revealed recommends reservations at Mama's Fishouse.3. We saw the luau at the Sheraton b/c I wanted to see firedancers. The Old Lahaina is a traditional Hawaiian revue (i.e. no firedancers b/c they're from another Polynesian island). When we go back, I'd like to go to the Old Lahain one next. Depends on what you want to see.4. Road to Hana was *awesome* and totally worth it! It's what I imagine the island looked like before all the development, and you really get to experience its natural beauty. I loved it and would have missed out on something amazing if we hand't gone. But you need to know where you're going to stop, go on a non-weekend, and leave really early so you beat the traffic and have enough time to do what you want. Again (broken record, I know) we used Maui Revealed's recommendations for where to stop and look around and they never led us astray.5. You should probably do a Molokini snorkel trip.6. We also love the Nakalele Blowhole - it's awesome and makes everyone smile. :)Have a great time!Carrie

soontobemrandmrslee · August 2009

I had my reception at the Halekulani and we couldn't afford to stay there either except for the wedding nite bc it was free. We considered havig at group rate at the parc hotel across the street but I didn't like Joe the rooms looked old. I'd suggest the outrigger reef on the beAch hotel it is right next to the Halekulani it's newly renovated I'm big on new and nice looking rooms. Rates are resonable and it's right on the beach. Also Roys is right across the street you must eat there and have the chocolate soufflé it is to die for. For Maui we stayed a the four seasons hotel for our honeymoon and are so glad we did so worth the costs it's newer more quiet way less loud and busy compared to all the kids at the grand waliea. The hotel at thr four seasons is total luxury the rooms amazing they just opened an additional pool it is total relaxation! You GottA go with the four seasons in Maui hands down. Eat at sansei's killer Japanese restaurant! Eat at mamas fish market and the long named humu.... Restaurant located at the grand waliea. You gotta go zip lining so much fun we did it through skyline adventures! We loved it! Also go snorkeling at the molikini crater really cool. Hope that helps!

M&M's_Maui · August 2009

PP's all have great ideas and suggestions so I just wanted to add one that I think is a must do: Catch the sunrise at the Haleakala Crater in Maui. Free if you drive up yourself (great for tight budgets!) or you can go with a company and bike down the mountain after catching the sunrise (we went with Haleakala Bike Co 'cause you get to go down at your own pace) Have fun!

inamra · August 2009

I'm a major foodie, so I'll be focusing on food =PI LOVE Nobu BUT I've only tried the ones in LA, Las Vegas, and NY. If you really want the best Nobu, I'd highly recommend his first restaurant (Matsuhisa) in Beverly Hills instead. The original Roy's in Oahu is the BEST Roy's I've been to, so I'd go there if you had to choose between Nobu and Roy's. Definitely make reservations. It's a busy place.Road to Hana is a must IMO. Beautiful place. If you like volcanoes, I'd visit Haleakalā too (it's also very cool there compared to the rest of the island, so bring a jacket!). My favorite restaurant on Maui is Hali'imaile General Store (weird name, but fantastic food). Reservations are also a must here.On a side note, since you're a foodie from Chicago, I must say, I really enjoyed TRU the last time I was there =]

lelekay · August 2009

From another foodie from Chicago (hi!).....my personal favorite dining experience in Maui was Duo at the Four Seasons. They had an amazing 3-course prix fixe menu, and they bring you flavored cotton candy with your bill! Cotton candy AND champagne.....I was in heaven!