Hawaii experts need advice: Big Island vs Maui

Travel, Wine Tourism, and Restaurants Forum
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Thinking about a last minute trip to Hawaii for last week of this month. We’ve only been to Oahu (lots of time, not a fan) and Kauai (loved it), trying to decide between Maui or big island. We enjoy the outdoors more than sitting by the pool (but will do this also, it is Hawaii after all). Are they equally awesome? Also, what are your opinions of the Four Seasons at each island? Grossly overpriced or well worth the coin? I would probably stay at the Fairmont Orchid or Kea Lani if the Four Seasons is a no. Thanks in advance.

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I am staying at the Kea Lani (I have two kids and they have suites) from the 24th -29th. I can let you know how it is if that’s not too late.

We chose Maui over the Big Island. Just seemed more interesting to us.

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The Big Island is far more diverse than Maui (12 distinct climate zones, if I recall, from tropical beaches to rain forest and an active volcano), but it takes a bit of travelling to get to the diversity. It also has the Waipio Valley, which is one of my top five most beautiful places in the world.

I am not a fan of the Wailea and its environs on Maui, but the northern part of the Island is great, with a better concentration of shops, galleries and restaurants on the north side of the Island than are available on the Big Island outside of Hilo (if you like that sort of thing on vacation), and the road to Hana is very nice, tropical drive (whether you go all or part of the way).

Have a blast

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I’ve been to both and while they both have their charms, I have no interest in going back to Maui and can’t wait to get back to the Big Island.

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Went to Maui over Big Island in May… it’s fabulous… but next time will hit Big Island.

Think of it as you will get to both eventually… so both are good.

Fairmont Kea Lani is a spectacular hotel… amazing…

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For me it’s Maui even though our next trip will be the BI. I think of it as a compromise between Oahu and Kauai. Has a little of both and I think the beaches and local food are better. Also when I’m in the Wailea area I have to go to Joe Azeka’s for the short rib to bbq.

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I have been to all 3 islands you mention, and prefer Maui. We were just there in July and stayed at the Kapalua Villas. Kapalua is preferable to me, due to the proximity of great beaches, golf, snorkeling, paddleboarding, shopping. Wailea (Four Seasons is there, while Kapalua has a Ritz) may be preferable if you are just there for relaxing, however I found our room’s proximity to the ocean very relaxing:

[resizeableimage=600,400]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/20686467/photo.JPG[/resizeableimage]

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I’ve been to the four major islands multiple times each and I’d put them in order: Kauai, Big Island, Maui and then a distant Oahu. I usually sum them up this way:

  1. Do you like a country like atmosphere? Go to Kauai.
  2. Do you like diversity? Go to the Big Island.
  3. Do you like sports? Go to Maui.
  4. Do you like nightlife? Go to Oahu.
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Glad to hear it!

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Especially if you get one of those suites with the private splash pools near the beach.

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I liked Kapalua. Much better than Wailea, Kihei, Lahaina, Kaanapali. We stayed just up the beach from these villas and had a good time. If I lived in CA or the West coast I would spend more time in Hawaii but because I live in Chicago I spend more time in the Caribbean which I much prefer to Hawaii.

Hawaii has a very touristy, crowded vibe to it. It is incredibly beautiful with volcanoes and beautiful coast lines. There is certainly tons to do as there is a zipline or tshirt shop or some sort of tour or traffic every 6 feet. (outside of Kauai).

All things equal. I prefer Caribbean islands like St John, Virgin Gorda, Grand Cayman, St Lucia or Barbados to Hawaii any day. I do realize for you west coasters it is a long drive. [wow.gif]

George

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Thanks all. Decided to go Maui, mainly cuz the flights worked better with our schedule. I think either island will be awesome, will visit the BI at a other date. Just have to pick a hotel to stay at. Ed, what suites have the private splash pools by the beach?

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Hope they’re available, but be warned that if the surf is strong don’t count on sleeping the first night. You’ll know what I mean if that is the case.

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Thanks guys! Those look awesome, 1800 sq ft and comes with a car and breakfast. Just a little steep at $2k/night for just me, the wife and my 5 y/o daughter. The Kea Lani is having a great sale on their regular suites, tho. Might pull the trigger on one of those. Gonna see what the FS up the road is offering, but the Kea Lani seems to be the front runner right now. Will also check out some hotels on the north side.

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Kea Lani’s beach is better than the Four Season’s Beach. And there are fewer douchebag guests, usually. Book a room on the ground floor by and facing the children’s pool and your 5 yo will be in heaven.

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Try the ocean front suites at Kapalua Villas.

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Just got back from the Fairmont kea lani and couldn’t be happier. Nice suite with a great lanai facing the ocean and sunset. Nice pools and beach (I think it is better than Four Season’s which shares its beach with the Grand Wailea). the free outrigger ride was nice for the kids as they got to swim with turtles.

Spectacular service…we went snorkeling down the road and my 9 year old got a nasty coral cut on her knee. My wife drove her back to the hotel, and when they pulled up and the little one got out, the valet saw her bloody knee, he got on the phone, and before my wife said anything, the hotel manager and a medical person were all over her and fixed her right up. She was able to come back and swim, and when we all got back to the suite, there was a large basket of goodies for her in the room with a really sweet note from the manager saying he hoped she felt better.

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Lol, we got back yesterday too. Also stayed at the Kea Lani, loved it there. We might have passed each other, Paul. We didn’t really use the pool much, maybe a grand total of 2 hrs, we were out most of the time. So glad I didn’t opt for the FS up the road. Ate at Mama’s Fish House, Hailiimaile General Store and Nick’s at the Kea Lani. Liked Hailiimaile General Store the best with Mama’s and Nick’s very close behind. Waited an hour to eat breakfast at the Gazebo in Napili, what a letdown. But we did snorkle at Napili beach a few steps away, best freakin snorkeling ever. About 10 turtles around, a few literally 5 feet from shore. Tons of fish, eels, etc. I highly recommend just snorkeling from the shore here and skipping the snorkeling cruises to Molokini. Did the Road to Hana and hiked the Pipiwei trail to the waterfall. One of the highlights. Bamboo forest was amazing, wish I coulda photographed it with a tripod. Came back through the backside, a little unnerving on the unpaved one lane section, but glad I did it. Went to the Grand Wailea Luau. Absolutely inedible food, had 2 pieces of bread. Entertaining show, especially the fire master, my daughter loved it. No wine on this trip. Just a crapload of Mai Tai’s and beer. The vacation went by too fast, as all vacations do.

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Ha. We probably did see each other! Had lunch one day at the Four Seasons, and liked the Farimont better.

Glad you had fun, Joe. We only swam in the pool a couple of times as a quick before bed dip with the kids. We skipped the snorkeling tours and rented gear from Boss Frog, (who had good gear really cheap) and wen t off on our own. We did snorkel to the right of the hotel beach. Also went down the road a couple of miles south of the Fairmont to Ahihi preserve and La Perouse,which was awesome snorkeling.

Ate at Ko’s and Nick’s, mainly because we were usually too tired to move far. Drove by Mama’s on the way to Hana (we did the full loop, too) Also ate at MonkeyPod, which was on the turn where the road in front of the hotel became 31. really good food at decent prices and a real nice wine list (10 Huet Le Mont for $50).