Hawaii on a budget

Hawaii is calling my name for a 2008 vacation.

Where should I stay? Maui? I%26#39;ve heard that%26#39;s the best!

Here%26#39;s what I like in a place:

Close to beach and nightlife, non-high rise, quaint sorroundings...and I guess that%26#39;s pretty much it for my must haves!

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Hawaii on a budget

As far as Maui being the best island, that%26#39;s very much a matter of opinion. It also depends on what you%26#39;re looking for. Are you going by yourself or with someone?? Also, if you%26#39;re looking for nightlife, there isn%26#39;t much at all on Maui.

Hawaii on a budget

The only real nightlife in Hawaii is in Honolulu/Waikiki. (Las Vegas is the most popular destination for locals.)

Maui%26#39;s much-diluted ';nightlife'; is mainly found around Kaanapali (hig-rise, high-density) and Lahaina in ';West Maui'; (actually the NW lobe of the island). Many lodgings are built on beaches, but many of those beaches are not the greatest for swimming.

South Maui has restaurants, bars, shops in the Wailea/S. Kihei areas, where there are low-rise, low-density lodgings and a coastline of beaches good for swimming and snorkeling that stretches from S. Kihei to Makena.

Hana has your ';quaint'; and low-rise and beaches, but no nightlife.

hmmm, well this info you just passed on changes things a bit. Maybe I should start off on the big island (honolulu??) and then wind it down in Maui. Yep, that works for me!!

I will be traveling with my husband and possibly another couple. We are in our late 30%26#39;s/early 40%26#39;s.

Where is this bike tour I%26#39;ve heard so much of?? The one where you get up really really early in the morning and start at the top of the mountain and ride downhill the whole time?? That sounds like a blast!!

I should go to the library or something and get a book on Hawaii. I really don%26#39;t know much about it but find it fascinating!!

Thanks again people!!

Laura

Aloha Laura - I think your getting a book on Hawaii would be a great idea - each island is unique and has different things to enjoy. It%26#39;s great to read and discover what you would enjoy the most. Oahu is where Honolulu is . . . and where most flights land. It%26#39;s not the largest island, but it has largest population of the Hawaiian islands. This is where you%26#39;ll find Pearl Harbor, etc. The Big Island is actually called Hawaii and that is the island with an active volcano. It%26#39;s also known for having the best diving/snorkeling on the islands due to their water clarity.

The bike ride you are referring to is the ride down Haleakala . . .Haleakala is a National Park with an extinct volcano to explore and it%26#39;s located on the island of Maui. Maui is a great happy medium for most folks and consistently rates as one of the most popular islands to visit.

Kauai is my favorite island, but it%26#39;s one of the most rural islands. It%26#39;s also one of the most inexpensive islands to stay on, but zero nightlife. Kauai is where many movies are filmed due to it%26#39;s lush scenery/tropical paradise look. You would quaint places here with incredibly beautiful surroundings.

There is also Lanai and Molokai, but I don%26#39;t think they would work with your interests.

Someone posted this not to long ago - it%26#39;s a test to help you figure out which island would suit you best - give it a go!

…about.com/od/…island_scores.htm Best of luck - no matter which island you choose, you can%26#39;t go wrong with Hawaii! :)

';Nightlife'; is very different on each island, and it depends on what you%26#39;re looking for as far as nightlife. If you%26#39;re single and traveling with your friends, and you want to go to bars/clubs, and you%26#39;re looking to meet other singles and have a good time with them, then hands down, Oahu is your best bet. But if you%26#39;re going with a spouse or significant other and your idea of nightlife is just relaxing at a bar or hotel lounge with a drink and listening to some music, and maybe some dancing, then Maui would do the job.

Good point by Umaga!

Laura - is this your first time to Hawaii?? Oahu is always a good choice for most first-timers because it has so much to see and do as far as sites and ';attractions.'; But definitely get a good book on Hawaii or just read through some of the good info on this site and on this forum.

You guys have been very helpful so far - thanks!

Yes, this will be my first trip. I%26#39;ve always dreamed of going and have decided just recently to start saving now in order to make it happen next year. I%26#39;ve shopped around a bit; I got one price off of expedia and was something insane like $5k. shhhweeeeeee, that%26#39;s a lot!! And that was just for airfare/hotel. It%26#39;s a shame Hawaii doesn%26#39;t have any all inclusive deals. Or do they?

Well thanks again - I really appreciate everyone%26#39;s help on the Hawaii board!!

Laura

I think a good start is Oahu. Stay in Honolulu/Waikiki for a few days. Enjoy the bustle. See Pearl Harbor, etc. Visit the Iolani Palace and Bishop Museum. Rent a car for a day or two and tour Oahu%26#39;s rural areas, east side, north shore.

Then hop to a second island if you have a total of 10 nights in Hawaii -- otherwise just stay Oahu.

You mentioned Maui. Many people in my town (Chicago) are under the impression that Maui IS Hawaii -- even that one area of Maui, West Maui, is Hawaii. (Probably one reason I prefer South Maui!)

So...how long do you have? What time of year will you visit? Do you want a hotel or a condo? IMO, Maui has the best selection of both on all the islands.

I will chime in here. I have never been to Maui (my first visit is in a couple of weeks) but I have been to Oahu. I loved Oahu. There is nightlife, but not like most metropolitian cities. I was there during spring break, and it is not a jumpin%26#39; place at all.

There is alot to see on Oahu and visiting there gave me a hankering to visit other islands.

Just don%26#39;t be disappointed when you see honolulu for the first time. It is very reminisent of LA and was a shock to me at first because of this. Remember that it has one of the largest city budgets in the US and that it is a metro area. But outside of Honolulu/Waikiki are some great little gem of places to kick back and soak in the real Aloha spirit.

Also, Oahu was a whole lot more affordable for me to travel to vs this upcoming trip to Maui. So, some food for thought.

Laura - Hawaii definitely doesn%26#39;t have to be that much. The key factor is usually what hotel you stay at.