How Long Should You Stay In Kauai
What is the minimum number of days you need in Kauai? While you may be visiting multiple islands in Hawaii, I recommend that you stay at least three days in Kauai if you are visiting more than one island. Visiting the tropical wilderness and remote beaches could be a good idea if you like the idea of a few days out in the wilderness.
Where To Stay On Oahu: Which Region Is Best For You
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Each region on Oahu is very different and you will give you a slightly unique experience. In this blog post, I hope to help you figure out where to stay on Oahu and which region you will enjoy the most. I lived on Oahu for two years and sampled lots of hotels and have been all over the island. Ive split the island up into five regions when considering where to stay on Oahu:
In each section, I will discuss what that region offers, the pros and cons of that region and make some suggestions on the best hotels in that area.
WHERE TO STAY ON OAHU: 5 MAIN REGIONS
To give you a quick overview of the different regions so you can skip to the region that might best suit you, Ive put together an infographic below about the different regions.
What Should You Wear In Maui
The most comfortable clothes to wear in Maui will be items that are breathable and casual. Fabrics like linen, rayon, merino wool, and cotton blends are ideal for the tropical climate. Youll find that most visitors live in shorts, tank tops, and flip-flops which are usually widely accepted. It is recommended to bring an outfit or two for nice dinners or nights out.
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Oahu Where To Stay In Hawaii For Sightseeing
When you step into beautiful Oahu Island be prepared to see a surf scene straight from a movie, epic nightlife, and amazing landscapes. Oahu is also home to Hawaiis capital city Honolulu and the famous Waikiki Beach. You will have so many nice photos in Oahu!
Start your sightseeing by discovering the historical monument Pearl Harbor, then check out the countless museums and art galleries. Once you are done, it is time to discover the islands natural beauties. Hike to Diamond Head to enjoy amazing views, spend some time having a beautiful tropical cocktail at Waikiki Beach, then continue discovering the islands stunning beaches.
I dont think you will have difficulty finding a nice dining place in Oahu either as it offers an epic food scene. Finally, when it gets dark, hit the town to check out the vibrant nightlife in Honolulu. What more could you expect from a perfect vacation spot?
Oahu offers numerous accommodation options for all budgets. I picked the 4 best places to stay for you but if you want more check out my dedicated post for where to stay in Oahu.
Choose A Single Central Accommodation To Radiate From Waikoloa
Waikoloa village is a small residential town in the north of the island whose geographical location is interesting because located near Saddle Road which allows to cross the island to reach Hilo in 1h10 and Kona in 40 minutes. It is not the most practical place, but the advantage resides in the fact of having only one accomodation and thus being able to adapt its days to the weather, without constraints. This will also be a slightly more economical option.
There are large shopping centers on site and the beach is only 10 minutes away by car. Along the sea, you will find beautiful sandy beaches and the famous Big Island resorts such as the Hilton and its dolphin bay, accessible even if you do not stay at the hotel.
The disadvantage is that the area is a little off-center of everything and that it will be necessary to make more road to radiate in all the island. To give you an idea, here are the main travel times:
- Polulu Valley: 50 minutes
- Volcanoes NP: 1h50
- Green sand beach: 2h10
It is understood that this option will only be used if driving is not a problem for you and you prefer to stay in the same place for more flexibility in your program.
This solution seems to us to be a good alternative at this time given the current conditions with the closure of Volcanoes NP.
We are coming to the end of this article and we hope we have helped you to decide in the choice of your accommodations 🙂
- The essentials for a trip in Hawaii
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Where To Stay In West Maui
This is the area of luxury resorts , golf and other beautiful beaches. The downside is that its less central to other areas on the island.
West Maui is home to some stunning resorts, making it one of the best places to stay in Maui for couples. Dont miss Lahaina! While it can be brimming with tourists in the shops on Front Street, its also a historic whaling village that was once the capital of the Hawaiin kingdom.
Past Lahaina is Kaanapali and its master-planned Kaanapali Beach Resort. Take time to hit the beach here and walk the boardwalk to admire the dramatic coastline as waves crash onto the volcanic rock here.
Keep heading up Mauis north shore and arrive at exclusive Kapalua for more beautiful luxury resorts, including The Ritz-Carlton and Kapalua Resorts. The Kapalua Wine & Food Festival happens here.
Pros and cons: In West Maui, youre inevitably close to great restaurants, the most beautiful beaches, great shopping, groceries, and things to do after dark. Plus, plenty of day tours leave out of Lahaina.
The only real downside to staying in West Maui are the potential traffic jams due to the only north-south highway here. Its just a two lane artery.
Be aware that its an hours drive between Kapalua at the northern tip of the island down to Kihei near the northern part of South Maui. And its going to be a bit of a schlep to the Road to Hana from here.
Here are my picks for West Maui:
1. Beachfront Luxury Oceanfront Home
2. Luxury Resort in Kapalua
Lahaina Where To Stay In Maui For Your First Time
Lahaina is our top recommendation for where to stay in Maui for your first time.
It is a lively town with a rich history. It is believed to have been the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii in the 19th-century and today boasts a great variety of historic landmarks and popular tourist attractions.
Lahaina is the best area in Maui to stay in for sightseeing because its so easy to explore on foot. No matter where you choose to stay in Lahaina, youre never far from the beach, restaurants, bars, and landmarks.
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Top Things To Do On Maui
- Go snorkeling off Keawakapu Beach to see the many submerged antique cars in the artificial reef, or snorkel at Coral Garden and Turtle Town to be awed by the underwater world.
- Spend sunny days basking on glorious beaches.
- Take a whale-watching trip.
- Watch a performance at Maui Cultural Center.
- Take a walking tour of the fragrant Alii Kula Lavender Farm.
- See the gigantic Iao Needle.
- Observe marine life at Maui Ocean Center.
- Drive the scenic road to Hana.
- Book tickets to see the award-winning show of Ulalena at Maui Theater.
- Be in awe of the unusual formation known as Dragons Teeth.
- Sample local spirits and learn more about distilling processes at Haliimaile Distilling Company.
- Get an adrenaline rush with a ziplining adventure in Kaanapali.
- Play a game of golf at one of the varied courses.
- Hike the now-dormant Haleakala Volcano and watch the sunrise from the crater.
Choosing The Best Area To Stay In Kauai
The first decision to make when planning your trip is deciding which side of Kauai is the best to stay on. Heres a comparison of each area from the most to least popular:
- Sunnier and drier most of the year
- Calmer, swimmable ocean in winter
- Easily accessible beaches
- Wide range of accommodation including some of the best hotels in Kauai
- Convenient for helicopter tours from Lihue, boat trips from Port Allen, and Waimea Canyon
- Seals and turtles on the beaches
- Expensive
As we were visiting in winter , the South Shore was the area that was most recommended as it receives less rain than the North Shore.
In practice, we didnt find a difference in the weather between the two coasts and had little rain throughout our stay , but perhaps we were lucky.
The ocean was better for swimming on the South Shore, though, , and we loved staying right on the beach .
For many people, Poipu and the South Shore is the best area to stay in Kauai for convenience and calmer ocean swimming.
- Big waves in winter so most beaches arent safe for swimming
- Convenient for Napali Coast hiking
- Boat trips do not run from the north in winter
- Many beautiful beaches to explore
- Hanalei is the best town on the island
- Expensive
- Road closures are possible
The North Shore is the most beautiful part of the island and one of the best places to stay in Kauai. We loved the mountain scenery, string of beautiful Kauai beaches, and cool town of Hanalei.
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Which Side Of Kauai Has The Calmest Water
is home to gorgeous beaches, but inding the best beaches depends on the season. A calmer climate can be found on the north shore during the summer months. The waters of Hanalei bay and Tunnels Beach are safe to swim in. It usually still remains swimmable though the waves on the south shore are a little more rough during the summer.
Where Not To Stay On Maui
Keep in mind: Be sure to do your research when it comes to both budget hotels and short-term rentals. Mold is a known issue on Maui at large and unless you are staying at an upper-end hotel its something to be aware of. Be sure to read detailed reviews of past travelers and pay close attention to make sure the place you book is clean. Also, be cautious of inexpensive places in Wailuku or Kahului, as there are a few rough neighborhoods in these areas. Just do your due diligence and read the reviews. If you are really on a budget, I would suggest going for a well-known hostel.
Other than that, Maui is generally very safe. Because of its diverse terrain and cultural experiences, its more about getting what you want out of where you stay. We hope our above descriptions help you narrow it down!
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Where To Stay In Hawaii: What Is The Best Island For You
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Each of the eight islands that make up the Hawaiian archipelago has its own unique sense of identity, and they each offer different advantages for tourists. Its important to know where to stay in Hawaii if youre planning to visit this archipielago
The islands of Hawaii are renowned throughout the world for having some of the most beautiful scenery on Earth, but Hawaiis role in popular culture can sometimes obscure the sheer ecological and cultural diversity in Hawaii.
But before you start considering the individual islands you want to visit, there are some basics you should know about visiting Hawaii.
The first is that theres a premium in paradise. Roughly a fifth of the Hawaiian economy is centralized in the tourist industry, and that means that theres a constant influx of visitors.
And since the weather is so consistent throughout much of the year, it also means that influx doesnt change too much as the seasons do.
You can expect to meet a lot of tourists whenever you visit Hawaii, and you can expect to pay at least a little more on just about anything.
Regardless of which islands you make a part of your itinerary, youre probably going to want to get a rental car. While most of the major towns have public transit and there are shuttles that hit most of the main landmarks, Hawaii isnt quite the same as all-inclusive resort islands.
Having flights, accommodations, and rental cars booked in advance will be more crucial than it is at most vacation destinations.
Paia Coolest Place To Stay In Maui
The small and historic town of Paia is our top choice for the coolest place to stay in Maui. It is situated on Mauis north shore and is well-positioned for exploring the islands most popular attractions, including Hana, Haleakala, and Kahului.
Once a booming sugar plantation town, Paia is a laid-back village known for its vibrant storefronts and unique boutiques, as well as its independent art galleries and incredible local restaurants. If youre keen to escape the crowds and experience the real Maui, Paia is the place to be!
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Where To Stay On Kauai: The South Shore
The South Shore is one of the most popular areas of Kauai, and Poipu Beach is the central point of interest in the area. Named Americas Best Beach by the Travel Channel, its easy to see why this part of Kauai holds such interest for travelers looking for a pristine beach and water vacation.
Lawai Beach is just up the shore from Poipu, and is good for surfing, rather than lounging, and accomodation here veers more toward holiday rentals than resorts. If youre looking for more options, put Koloa into the search engine on a site like VRBO.
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa If youve ever dreamt of the archetypical Hawaiian vacation, your dreams probably looked something like this resort. Occupying over 50 acres of land, theres enough space for 7 restaurants, 6 lounge areas, a clubhouse, swimming pools, a golf course, and spa. Past guests say these large grounds are incredibly well-cared for, creating a tropical paradise vibe.
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Where To Stay In Maui In 202: The Best Condos Hotels & Vacation Rentals By Area
Where will you base for your Maui adventure? Its hard to go wrong! While its true that every area has trade-offs, you can still enjoy lush, tropical adventures and turquoise seas within easy striking difference from just about anywhere on island. Here are my best suggestions for where to stay in Maui:
There are five main areas to choose from when deciding on the best part of Maui to stay in: South Maui, West Maui Along the Road to Hana , Central Maui or Upcountry. Where you stay will depend upon your Maui itinerary.
Quick Answer: If youre in a hurry, here are my top recommendations below so you can check prices and availability now.
* For a detailed description of each area on Mauiand more options for hotels, condos and other vacation rentalskeep scrolling.
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Top 20 Hawaii Snorkeling Spots
The most popular activity to do in Hawaii is snorkeling! Regarded as one of the best snorkeling destinations in the world, over 8 million people flock to the Hawaiian Islands every year to explore our underwater world, enjoy the sun, and adventure through the islands. Throughout the Hawaiian Islands, there are hundreds of fabulous places to go snorkeling!
Where To Stay In Maui
Maui is the second largest island in Hawaii. The island is 80 km long by 20 km wide and has a slightly original shape, narrowed in its center. With such a surface, the 4 corners of the island seem easily accessible but it is nothing of it. This is due to the rugged relief of the island which consists of 2 large peaks. On the western part we find Pu’u Kukui and on the eastern part Haleakala.Because of these two imposing reliefs which cannot be crossed on either side by the road, you will have to go around them to each end of the island, which will have for main consequence to increase considerably your travel times, without speaking of the small winding roads sometimes with only one lane which are generally prohibited by the rental car agencies. These include roads 340 north of Pu’u Kukui and Highway 31 south of Haleakala.
In all honesty, to have driven these two roads of which you can have a preview in our videos of Maui, they are no more dangerous than some mountain roads that we have in France. It’s just that most Americans are used to wide straight roads and are not used to this more winding and narrow type of road.
So what are our options?
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Lahaina Area V Wailea
We are planning on visiting Maui next September for our honeymoon and am confused about the best place to stay.
Initially I looked at the Fairmont and Four Seasons in Wailea but they are very expensive. I have also read that there isn’t much to do outside of the hotels. I like the look of the Sheraton Maui and it seems that there might be more to do there for our age group but the hotels in Wailea are more luxurious.
Can anyone offer any advice?
Your read on it is just about right. Wailea is more elite to some extent and a beautiful place to be. We’ve spent a couple nights there on the last two trips. You’ll want to check it out. Most everything is either in the hotels or a drive. West Maui is where lots of hotels, condos, activities, restaurants, etc… are. That would include more than just Lahaina. Never stayed in Lahaina but always close by.
For real advice – what are you looking to do on the trip? That would determine best area for you.
Stay on the LAHAINA side.. You can find a cheaper rate and if you want to go down town there are art galleries bars etc. at least there is some night life!
You can stay in KAANAPALI a short drive from LAHAINA
Lots of great places to eat. Try COOL CAT across from the banyon tree in downtown LAHAINA. Great drink specials every night!
And the Sheraton is very, very nice – rooms are a good size, comfy beds, lanai/balconies … it just won an award for someone … top Sheraton resort.