heading to Hawaii (first time) where to go / stay?

[webmaster]

My family and I have decided we are going to head over to Hawaii for a week in December and I am now tasked with figuring out where to go / and where to stay?

A travel agent suggested as it is our first time (and we will have a 2 year old and a 14 year old with us) that we should head to Waikiki - what are your thoughts on this?

Also if we do decide to go there (or if others have recommendations, I'd love to hear them and why) - but if we do decide to go there, how do I make sure we have awesome accommodations? I don't want to have to do the whole rent multiple single or double bed close together rooms in a hotel - if we do stay in a hotel, we want to be together as a family (in a suite with bedrooms etc) - I would like to keep accommodation costs under $1500 per night (I'd rather spend $ and have a wicked awesome time than save a few bucks and not stay somewhere nice, so by all means err on the side of expensive if it means my family will be happy)

Anyways - would love some recommendations - I have been on the web for hours looking at hotels etc - but I gotta think some of the locals can share some insight, or at least those of you who are like me, and want to have a nice relaxing vacation that have done this trip already

Thanks for your suggestions

[Goknights]

morgan,
Been to Maui twice and had a great time. if you are taking the kids you will probably want to stay at a kid friendly resort. the first time i stayed at a Hyatt property in Lahaina and the second time i stayed at Grand Wailea. I highly recommend Grand Wailea since you are taking the kids. Large suites are available, the beach is great, and the pool is the best i've personally seen in Hawaii.

will post more this afternoon.

[Micheal Pannell Realtor]

you need to locate your passport first

[webmaster]

Already taken care of.

you need to locate your passport first

[jasonlong]

A Hawaii trip sounds like a lot of fun i have never been but have always wanted to. Hope it makes for a great trip for you and your family

[stevetrang]

We stayed at the Hawaii Hilton Village. Talk about overpriced! The timeshare was a good sales training experience, though. We got a luau out of it, too. I liked the Hawaiian Prince next door. Ocean view and a lot cheaper. This is assuming you are staying on Oahu. Be sure to check out Kailua beach, supposedly the best beach in the world.

[REW Anthony]

It might help to see the locations you plan to visit and Google just recently launched Hawaii as their 50th state with Street Views.

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/...reet-view.html

[webmaster]

btw we selected the Marriot due to it's ability to give us a 2 bedroom suite near the beach **Note to self, book your flights!@@@

[Mitch]

Hey Morgan. If you get a chance, Kauai is awesome. It's not as built up as the other islands, but to me it's the most beautiful.