Weddingmoon Hotel(s)

Monika · 10-06-2008, 07:16 PM

One of the main reason my FI and I picked Oahu, Hawaii as our wedding location is that we can do a Weddingmoon. However, since we have never been to Hawaii before, I am having some trouble finding the right hotel(s).

Currently We are thinking about staying 4 days in the city (for the wedding and sightseeing) and another 4 days in Turtle Bay Resort(can still feel like a more private honeymoon).

Would any of you have any recommendations on hotels in the city? We are trying to find somewhere that's reasonably priced but yet nice enough so we can relax til the big day.

I appreciate any thoughts or advice. THANK YOU~!

TA Dina · 10-06-2008, 10:28 PM

Oahu has so much to choose from and something for every budget. You really have to figure out what you want from the resort (location, amenities etc). There are not many that are right on the beach, but those that aren't are still only across the street (so some tend to price better). Keep in mind though that not all of the resorts in waikiki do weddings at their properties so you'd have to plan all that seperately.

My new absolute fave on the beach is the Outrigger Reef on the Beach. Its all been newly renovated and the new rooms are so pretty. It's the best value on the beach right now. Some of the lower categories have no view at all (the building next door) but it still wouldn't stop me from staying there if that's all I could afford. But I'd go into higher categories if it's possible.

The Aqua Resorts price well but I consider most of them budget properties and don't know that they'd be the best place to chill with your friends/family before a wedding.

Resortquest Waikiki Beach Hotel is a fun place. Sits across the street from the beach but is literally, just across the street. Very casual, fun, hawaii-themed resorts. Rooms tend to be a little on the small side, but still comfortable.

The new Embassy Suites at the Beachwalk is very cool. Large one and two bedroom suites. Attached to the Beachwalk area so it's a great location. Good breakfast buffet and mgr cocktail hour every day so its a good value, altho it will still price on the high side because it's still rather new.

Then you have your usual suspects...Hyatt, Marriott, Sheraton (altho Sheraton Waikiki is just blech...it's a big convention hotel...not a hawaiian resort). Hilton hawaiian Village is another one I tend to stay away from. It's just TOO big, and all the cruise lines use it as their main hotel for cruisers. Too crowded, too big. I don't like it, but that's just my opinion.

When you head up to Turtle Bay I would go for the beach cottages if it fits your budget. Very romantic and pretty.

Hope this helps a little. If you have any specific questions just PM me. I'm a Master Specialist for the island's tourist board so I know it pretty well. I'll be out there next week actually so I'll have lots of new pics to share with everyone too.

Monika · 10-07-2008, 07:26 PM

Dina,

Thank you SOO much! This is a great help for me. I will look into Outrigger Reef.

Do you or anyone on the board by chance have stayed in the Hilton Price Kuhio hotel recently? I did some research and their room looks really good. Let me know if you have any experience.

:-D

TA Dina · 10-08-2008, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monika

Dina,

Thank you SOO much! This is a great help for me. I will look into Outrigger Reef.

Do you or anyone on the board by chance have stayed in the Hilton Price Kuhio hotel recently? I did some research and their room looks really good. Let me know if you have any experience.

:-D

that's the old radisson. I liked it as the Radisson and it was still just as nice when it changed over to Hilton. I toured it then but I've not seen it since the most recent upgrades, but it's on our list for next Fri to inspect. They do have that modern decor that seems to be all the rage in hawaii nowadays. It's nice (if you like modern) but you could really stand in your room and not know if you're in Hawaii or Atlanta IMO. The rooms are a decent size though. Again watch for the views...lower cateogies might only see the bldgs next door.

I don't agree completely with their site in that they are "only steps from the beach". Its more like several blocks. Still walkable but I don't know if an 80y.o. grandma would be able to do it. After a night of drinks and dancing even we were complaining about the walk home when we stayed back on Kuhio Ave.

princessina · 10-12-2008, 10:14 PM

Hi, Monika,

Since your thinking about spreading your time out you should think about renting a vacation home. There are tons of them that range in prices but you can find some anything from 1 bdrm to 15 bdrms. Here's a great website that has massive listings ..VRBO® is Vacation Rentals by Owner® Vacation Homes Rentals by Owner

I'm actually having my wedding at a vacation rental. We're going to be there for about a week (the week leading up to the wedding). After that we're booked at the Hale Koa (it's a military only hotel) for the rest of the time.

We're planning on spending three weeks out there. We figure the first week will be pre-wedding events. We know a lot of our family and friends are making a vacation out of it so we'll still spend time with those on the island the second week. By the third week everyone will be gone and we'll be able to spend QT with each other. We originally were going to island hop but it was more cost effective for us to stay on Oahu (since we were able to get an ocean front at Hale Koa for $120/night).

This gives us the option to rest when tired and not worry about having to fit everything in within a short amount of time.

Also, we booked our vacation rental on the north shore away from the hustle and bustle for a more intimate feeling but hope to fully enjoy all of Oahu by the time we leave.

Hope this helps any.

princessina · 10-12-2008, 10:15 PM

OMG I just noticed your wedding day is a day before mine. Wow! interesting. . .

diezelgrrl · 10-16-2008, 06:37 AM

I think the sheraton Princess Kahlani was a pretty decent hotel. It's right across the street from the beach and right on the strip where all the shops are.
But anywhere in that Waikiki area will be convenient so you just have to pick your price range. Hotels closer to the ala wai canal tend to be cheaper but also not as grand.

We had groups of friends sharing condos found on VRBO and they loved it. If it's just you and you fiance, not sure if a vacation rental will be worth it.

diezelgrrl · 10-16-2008, 06:48 AM

Hey Princess, if I could make a suggestion, if you're going to be on the island for that long, I would do a one day trip to the Big Island and go tour around the volcano national park. Just take a very early flight and book a returning one the same day. You could probably find some tour groups with roberts hawaii to show you around the island. I would also go to maui for a couple of days. Do the trip to hana and the sunrise tour (but rent a car and drive around yourself.)
When you get back to Oahu, you'll appreciate it more because you've experience two other very unique and beauriful hawaiian islands!

princessina · 10-16-2008, 08:50 AM

Hey Diezel,

Thanks for the advice. I'm definitely going to look into it. I never thought of taking a one day trip. Thanks!!!

diezelgrrl · 10-16-2008, 05:40 PM

Hey Princess, if I could make a suggestion, if you're going to be on the island for that long, I would do a one day trip to the Big Island and go tour around the volcano national park. Just take a very early flight and book a returning one the same day. You could probably find some tour groups with roberts hawaii to show you around the island. I would also go to maui for a couple of days. Do the trip to hana and the sunrise tour (but rent a car and drive around yourself.)
When you get back to Oahu, you'll appreciate it more because you've experience two other very unique and beauriful hawaiian islands!