Hawaii - does it offer value for money?

Movie Maestro

Hey all!

My wife and I are considering a combo holiday at the start of June 2017 - 4 nights in Vegas and around 10 nights in Hawaii. We want to stay in Honolulu and not necessarily island hop. The problem is the quotes from travel agents (tour america and freedom travel) are huge! €5800 & €6800! We have the money but just can't justify it based on what we've seen. This doesn't seem like great value to us as far as Hawaii is concerned! We've looked at the Hawaii hotels they've quoted and they all look quite basic, I'd expect something better after paying that kind of money. We've also been advised that Hawaii is extremely expensive when you get there.

I'd just like to hear of peoples experiences on the overall cost of holidaying in Hawaii and the quality of hotels.

At this stage we are thinking of abandoning Hawaii and combining Vegas with somewhere like the Florida Keys.

All opinions appreciated thanks

Wanderer78

Sounds a lot alright, can't remember how much my trip to San Francisco and Hawaii cost as it was about 15 years ago. I wouldn't recommend Honolulu at all but of course it depends what you're into. I stayed in hotels and hostels mainly, backpacking of course, so always budget accommodation. Yup it's an expensive spot, overpriced and too touristy for me, outter islands are where it's at. Enjoy

Movie Maestro

It looks like Hawaii may be out as part of this combo holiday due to expense, we've shifted out attention to Cancun for 10 nights, can anyone recommend good hotels there please?

toadfly

Never been to Cancun but wouldnt recommend Honolulu. Its expensive and its not that great. If I was to go back to Hawai'i, I would go to one of the smaller islands or north coast of the big island.

We stayed in a hostel so cant recommend hotels but that hostel was the most expensive of our trip to Oz, NZ and the states.

Movie Maestro

@ toadfly, cheers for the info

jester77

I didn't stay in any hotels while in Hawaii, you get much better deals with B&Bs or even AirBnB. We stayed with nice people, and got some good tips as well.

As for staying in Honolulu, I found it to be the least interesting of all the places in Hawaii. The other islands have a lot more to offer and they are all very different. Maui is just stunning, Kauai has amazing national parks and treks and the big island has the volcanoes. Highly recommend a night trip to the top of Mauna Kea.

Movie Maestro

@ jester77, wow, great info there, will take a look at the other options alright

Redpunto

Its been over 15 years since I went to Cancun but at that time it was very touristy - basically a strip with hotels on one side and sea on the other. It is beautiful though with gorgeous sea and great day trips but didnt find Cancun itself that interesting but it could have changed since.

Movie Maestro

Cheers Redpunto, that's kind of the image I had in my head of the place alright.

Spanish Eyes

It's an individual thing I know that, but honestly for me Hawaii is just too far from mainland US to justify either the cost or the time, for what is essentially a few coconut trees and a beach. LOL. Same for Cancun etc. They speak Spanish there, and the only difference between there and Spain is you are surrounded by snowbirds from the US, despite Trump hating the Mexicans!

Make the US your destination. There are so many places to see from Vegas and back to departure airport for Ireland. Check the map.

Hope you enjoy your trip.

endofrainbow

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

They speak Spanish there,



.

of course they do

Jimbob1977

My honeymoon involved a week in Honolulu (Waikiki) and a week in Maui. I can compare both. Chalk and cheese.

Waikiki.... similar to Cannes or Monaco. Pristine beaches, immaculate gardening. High end stores like Versace and Louis Vuitton.

Every taste is catered for. Highlights would be climbing Diamond Head, visiting Punchbowl Crater War Memorial and Pearl Harbour.


Maui.... very different. Rural, lush vegetation, like a tropical island from TV. Small population.

Again.... you are looked after nicely in the hotels. The pace of life is slower and it's very relaxed. The main town is a picturesque jewel named Lahaina.

1. Took a dawn excursion to the summit of Haleakala. 3,000 metres high. Coldest I have ever been in my life!!!! Wind chill to kill you. Then you freewheel downhill on a bicycle and feel the warmth. Hair-raising.

2. Rented a car and drove along the Hana Highway. Dozens of tight hairpin bends that hug the forests and beaches.

3. Took a boat to the island of Lanai and went snorkeling. The water is like a bath. Immediately warm. You don't even need to know how to swim. Buoyancy aids provided.