As the title suggests, which hotel would someone recommend for a 4 night stay? We are looking for a nice beach area with snorkling and a hotel that has a decent sized pool. Not looking to spend a fortune like at the 4-seasons so it seems that these 5 all appear to be in the same category. We are both 28 and have no kids.......Thanks in advance!
Orchid,Prince,Hilton,Mauna Lani, or Marriott?Mauna Lani has medium-sized, freeform shaped pool and some of the the best shore snorkeling on the island (no matter what HD says) off the boat house beach. Orchid has maybe a bigger pool and you could walk 20 minutes to the aforementioned snorkleing or take the hotel shuttles. Even though this beach is calmest in summer, we had 3 great calm days on our recent trip (read my review for Mauna Lani). Mauna Lani also has a 25% off special for thier 25th Anniversary.
Hilton and Marriott: some snorkeling at north end of the bay, otherwise need to drive to find good shore snorkeling. But Hilton has those theme park pools if that floats your boat.
Orchid,Prince,Hilton,Mauna Lani, or Marriott?It%26#39;s really just a personal preference difference between the Mauna Lani and the Orchid. They both are clearly above the rest. Hapuna Prince would be my third choice, Hilton is the fourth and Marriott the fifth.
THanks so far..........spent 4 hours researching and opted out of the marriott and hilton so now im down to the other 3. I really like the large beach and pool at the Prince but the Orchid and Mauna Lani seem to be a higher class. Still don%26#39;t know what to do.
No way are they all in the same category. The Mauna Lani far outclasses the Prince and all the rest of the hotels on your list, although the Orchid would be my second choice.
Rooms, the pool, and the service are all pretty similar between the two. Very nice rooms, good service, decent pools. What I like about the Mauna Lani is that it is feels much more spacious than the Orchid. The Mauna Lani is spread out over a larger area, with some great fish ponds and lovely walks and the Mauna Lani beach, while a little bit of a walk south of the main building (maybe 10 minutes?) is MUCH bigger, less crowded, and nicer than the Orchid%26#39;s. In addition all in front of the main building is a large oceanfront sandy lawn with hammocks where it%26#39;s easy to find a private oceanfront spot. The Orchid doesn%26#39;t really have that.
Snorkeling is OK at the Mauna Lani beach, not very good at the Orchid.
The Orchid%26#39;s spa is better. There%26#39;s more food choice at the Mauna Lani (including good burgers and mai tais at the beach cafe down by the south beach, open %26#39;til 4:30pm). Both places have nice bar/lounge areas where you can have good drinks and play pool. Both places have upscale oceanfront restaurants with food that%26#39;s quite good.
There are hammocks on the ocean front at the Orchid. I personally think the Mauna Lani is more private and the Orchid is more people, but having stayed at both I found the service pretty much on the same level. My wife said the Spa at the Orchid is the best on the island, so we will spend a weekend there at the end of the month. :)
re Hapuna, it%26#39;s not a snorkeling beach, but for body-boarding enthusiasts. The time of year makes a huge difference with the conditions of all these beaches. What month?
The Hapuna pool is not particularly big, doesn%26#39;t seem bigger than the Mauna Lani pool, and is up above the beach. Not that there%26#39;s anything wrong with that.
I%26#39;m just saying that none of these three have a pool significantly more awesome than the others. The property should guide your decision, and if you want snorkeling you can walk to with no shuttle, the clear choice would be Mauna Lani, which is an altogether pleasant property.
The Orchid is more formal.
If you like staying at a place where the atmosphere is casual yet classy I%26#39;d say Mauna Lani; the Orchid staff seems more blatantly attentive, but that%26#39;s not always what one wants, to be fussed over.
I think the Hapuna in general is emotionally cold and impersonal, except for the Brunch staff ... I think they must be transplants from the sister hotel the Mauna Kea while it%26#39;s closed for repairs, as they are so nice warm and un-Princelike.
When you get here you may not end up in the pool much. I don%26#39;t think they heat the pools here, and they always seem cold. The Hilton has a huge pool for a reason -- no real beach. Resorts with good beaches don%26#39;t need to attract business with fancy pools, although the Marriott, which caters to families, has a big pool scene.
However, unless you enjoy hearing kids scream in the pool while their parents don%26#39;t attend to them, the Marriott pool is kind of annoying -- looks good but adults are outnumbered.
wow.......you guys are the best.....The Mauna Lani it is after much consideration. Thank you again!!!
Good choice :-)
Remember, the Mauna Lani has 2 beaches and 2 snorkeling spots. The one right in front of the hotel (with the hammocks) is a large batural lagoon. It is calm and has decent but subtle snorkeling when clear--not when tide coming in and stirring sand up. There are fish along the rocks and turtles. The spectacular stuff is off the boat house/beach club beach--off to the point on the left and along the reef to the right. Go out toward where the Winona is moored and the water will clear and you will see the reef. It goes on and on and on.
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