Which island/which resort for Hawaii vacation for retired couple?

[DEScottzz]

We haven't been to Hawaii for more than ten years. Last time we stayed on Oahu, and the things we enjoyed most were a couple bus (van) tours of local culture, archaeology, geology, and the like. The hustle bustle of Honolulu wasn't that much fun.

This trip will be added to the end of a trip to Reno in late August. We're thinking 5 or 6 days. Looks like Southwest has some good fares, and we have a companion pass.

We're not really beach people. We are more into museums etc. My wife has arthritis but gets around pretty well with a cane. We won't be doing any long hikes, though.

Which is the best Marriott resort for us, and on which island?

Thanks!

Dave

 

[luvgoldns]

I think the GoHawaii website does a really great job with their island overview.

 

[MOXJO7282]

The Maui Ocean Club would be my recommendation, as always. This is because for us to offers everything the other islands have and more IMHO. The best thing for us however is the great location. So many very good restaurants a short walk from the resort and also Front St. just a 1/4 mi away.

 

[DaveNV]

My choice would be any on Kauai. Slower, more relaxed pace, much less crowded than Oahu or Maui, great cultural history and diversity, excellent scenery, and plenty to do, whether you drive yourself or take organized tours. There are three Marriotts on Kauai, and they’re all good.

Dave

 

[Pamplemousse]

i second the vote for Kaua’i.
So beautiful, wonderful gardens, good food, relaxing.
We enjoy the restaurants at the beach club ( connected to Marriott).

 

[ljmiii]

Last time we stayed on Oahu, and the things we enjoyed most were a couple bus (van) tours of local culture, archaeology, geology, and the like. The hustle bustle of Honolulu wasn't that much fun...We're not really beach people. We are more into museums etc.

For better or worse nothing beats Oahu for Hawaiiana, culture, and museums. Iolani and Queen Emma's Palace, the Bishop Museum, The Honolulu Museum of Art, Shangri La, and Spalding House, and dozens of other sites. But Ko Olina is on the wrong side of the island...so if you have MRPs to spend I'd use them.

Maui has Haleakala and the smallish museums and Banyan tree of Lahaini...and not much else that would seem to fit your needs. And the traffic from Kaanapali down through Lahaini is now arguably worse than Honolulu.

Kauai would probably be my first choice (if Oahu is out of the question). As a couple you'll be in Lihue (unless you want to spend the DPs on a 2BR at Waiohai) which is either a small town or the biggest city on Kauai depending on how you look at it. Lihue has a small museum and some good eats but most of tourist sites are on the North or South Shores. Kauai is *very* low key and welcoming...which isn't exactly what you asked for but wonderful nonetheless.

The Big Island could be a good choice as well if you are willing to do a lot of driving. The resort is up in Waikoloa which has the very cute town of Hawi and some petroglyphs nearby. But the major sites - Kailua-Kona (with a small museum), Captain Cook, Punalu'u, Volcano NP, Hilo (museum, orchids, and waterfalls), and perhaps Mauna Kea - are all far away. And perhaps best done in a two day trip with an overnight in Volcano or Hilo.

 

[vacationtime1]

The Maui Ocean Club would be my recommendation, as always. This is because for us to offers everything the other islands have and more IMHO. The best thing for us however is the great location. So many very good restaurants a short walk from the resort and also Front St. just a 1/4 mi away.

We love the MOC (we are there right now), but I don't think it is a good destination for someone with mobility issues. The facility is enormous, has many stairs, and requires long walks to get from place to place (including just to get to the elevators, depending on room location). Also, the closest "off campus" restaurants are about a quarter mile away (in Whalers Village; Front Street is actually about two miles away, but one would drive there). The beach promenade to get to Whalers Village (or anywhere else) is crowded.

I would also suggest Kauai, but at a smaller resort. If it is to be a Marriott, Waiohai or Kauai Lagoons.

 

[DEScottzz]

I think the GoHawaii website does a really great job with their island overview.

That looks like a helpful site. I'll review it carefully as I consider everyone's recommendations.

Thanks!

 

[cp73]

We're not really beach people. We are more into museums etc. My wife has arthritis but gets around pretty well with a cane. We won't be doing any long hikes, though.
Which is the best Marriott resort for us, and on which island?
Thanks!

Honestly, after reading your requirements I would say Hawaii may not be the best to meet your requirements. The only island that would come close is Oahu just because they have the most tourist places to see for those with some minor limitations for mobility IMO. How about Washington DC, NYC or big cities with lots of museums and cultural events and activities.

 

[jacknsara]

We haven't been to Hawaii for more than ten years. Last time we stayed on Oahu, and the things we enjoyed most were a couple bus (van) tours of local culture, archaeology, geology, and the like. The hustle bustle of Honolulu wasn't that much fun.

This trip will be added to the end of a trip to Reno in late August. We're thinking 5 or 6 days. Looks like Southwest has some good fares, and we have a companion pass.

We're not really beach people. We are more into museums etc. My wife has arthritis but gets around pretty well with a cane. We won't be doing any long hikes, though.

Which is the best Marriott resort for us, and on which island?

Thanks!

Dave

Aloha,
My outside the box answer would be none. You might want to look into renting something (e.g. vrbo) in the Kailua or Lanikai area of Oahu. I'm assuming you are willing to have a rental car. Oahu has a lot of the kind of thing you seem to like. Kailua / Lanikai is nothing like Honolulu.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/K...98ce0313066c2!8m2!3d21.4022222!4d-157.7394444
Enjoy,
Jack

 

[BJRSanDiego]

I would suggest staying on Maui, ideally in the Kaanapali area. In that area there are about a dozen timeshares and about a dozen restaurants that you can walk to if you stay there. There is a nice walkway that parallels the ocean.

Downtown Lahaina is fun for touristy things.

You can take a bus tour to Hana (and beyond). I suspect that you could also take a bus tour to Haleakala. There aren't a lot of museums but in Lahaina there are a couple of minor ones. You can also take a boat tour to see whales (depending on the time of year), could take a boat over to Lanai, or could take a helicopter tour of Maui or the one that goes to Molokai. Both are fun. The aquarium is also interesting. Dinner or "booze" cruises could also be fun.

 

[dgf15215]

I'd have to agree with those who suggested that given your tastes and interests, that none of the islands are all that suited to them. We were in Oahu a few months back and did a couple of great walking tours and a few museums but it none of it would have been worthwhile without the beach, at least for us. We also spent some time on the Big Island but again, the beach was beautiful and we did drive around the island, did some tours that brought us into a cave and up about 9,000 feet to see the stars "up close" but again, perhaps not something you'd want to tackle. On the other hand, both Portland and Seattle have terrific cultural assets which might be much more attuned to your interests and closer to Reno. And of course, LA and SF are both culturally rich but they are more activity/walking oriented. Good luck figuring this out.

 

[Dean]

To me it depends on what you do want to do. I'd work that out before deciding whether to go and which island. If you want to sit by the pool and eat out occasionally it really doesn't matter much and I likely would go elsewhere like MX or Aruba. If you want to sight see. by car, I'd say both Maui and Kauai are good choices.

 

[DEScottzz]

Well, this Hawaii trip has been postponed because we've been advised to expect a wedding invitation in Hawaii next year. The wedding will be on Oahu, so we'll spend at least part of a Hawaii trip there.

We've instead decided to tack a few days in San Francisco on the end of the Reno trip. I used our MVC points to book the Ritz Carlton. It's been helpful, though, to think of renting our MVC points, then vacationing someplace that's not an MVC resort, whether it's a Hawaii VRBO, or someplace in Portland, Seattle, or elsewhere.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll surely be back to re-read this thread when we are planning the eventual Hawaii trip.

Dave

 

[DaveNV]

Those ^^^ are good options, and certainly enough to fill your days. When you’re ready, Hawaii will be calling. So much to see and do in the Bay Area. Have fun!

Dave