So I'm about to start some long range planning for a nice anniversary trip and I had been thinking Hawaii. I've never been and my wife hasn't been since she was a teenager.
Seems I'm getting more of a hint lately that it's not as great as everyone makes it out to be, especially if you factor in travel time. The locals seem to get a bad rap for their attitude with many things I've read.

What do you high rollers that have experience with both think? And before it starts, I'm not looking at some kind of Sandals crap or going to the Bahamas.

Just getting my strategy mapped out for reward programs and which credit cards I'm going to start using.
I'm currently a Hilton diamond for this year, but I'm not stuck on them as I will not be at that level next year.

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Posted by Politiceaux

Member since Feb 2009

17654 posts

Posted on 3/17/17 at 7:04 pm to notiger1997

Are you a couple that would prefer to lay on the best beaches or would you sacrifice a tad on the level of the beach for mountains, hiking, etc.?

Diving or snorkeling a priority?

Also, what level of service would you prefer? Waiter available on the beach? Pool only?

How important are restaurants to you?

This post was edited on 3/17/17 at 7:09 pm

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Posted by Lsupimp

Ersatz Amerika-97.6% phony & fake

Member since Nov 2003

79502 posts

Posted on 3/17/17 at 7:21 pm to notiger1997

Kauai grand Hyatt . Check it out.

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Posted by FLBooGoTigs1

Nocatee, FL.

Member since Jan 2008

54866 posts

Posted on 3/18/17 at 7:47 am to notiger1997

Heading to Maui in May for 6 days and staying at the Westin Resort. I will bump this thread when I get back.

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Posted by Atttaboy

Atlanta, GA

Member since Aug 2014

329 posts

Posted on 3/18/17 at 7:52 am to notiger1997

Been to both several times. If food is high up on the list, then Wailea in Maui would be my suggestion. You'll have a ton of restaurant choices with great beaches and everything else. Obviously Honolulu gives you a greater variety of restaurants, but it's not a quiet scene.

Most Caribbean resorts won't give you the quality or variety of food options. But, some of the locales can provide some decent options.

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Posted by Phat Phil

Krispy Kreme

Member since May 2010

7375 posts

Posted on 3/18/17 at 8:10 am to notiger1997

Four Seasons resort at Maui

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Posted by DandyPimp

New Orleans

Member since Jan 2007

1091 posts

Posted on 3/18/17 at 10:41 am to notiger1997

Had a brief (much too brief) visit to Hulalai (four seasons big island) last April for a friends 40th birthday. Dining was incredible especially ULU which has an incredible setting right on the beach. We rented a house which was a good value versus the hotel even with paying $150 per day per person to access the hotel amenities. Truly one of the most beautiful places on earth.

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Posted by HoustonGumbeauxGuy

Member since Jul 2011

29801 posts

Posted on 3/18/17 at 12:09 pm to notiger1997

Jade Mountain Resort

/thread

This post was edited on 3/18/17 at 12:13 pm

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Posted by Ghost of Colby

Alberta, overlooking B.C.

Member since Jan 2009

11489 posts

Posted on 3/18/17 at 2:32 pm to notiger1997

No way are the locals worse in Hawaii than the Caribbean. I love the Wailea area of Maui. It has 4/5 star hotels right on the beach, condos, shopping, restaurants, golf all in the area. Plus it's a short drive to a lot of other areas on Maui.

Kauai is also great. A lot of people like it more than Maui. It's a completely different vibe. I recommend the North shore / Princeville area if you are going in the summer, but the south end/Poipu area is also great. As others have mentioned, you could split your stay between the two areas on Kauai.

So many places to choose from in the Caribbean. Little Dix, Caneel Bay, Grace Bay, Jumby Bay are just a few of the resorts or resort areas.

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Posted by crazycubes