Thanks everyone for taking the time to comment on my post.....definitely a lot to consider. We're not going until May of next year, so have time to switch locations/resorts for sure. SueInBoston, 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay has a beach. It was formerly the St. Regis Princeville Resort....Starwood purchased it a few years back I think. So if you google that older name...and look at images....there's a beach. I've read there are better areas/beaches on Hanalei Bay. We're renting a jeep on Kauai and so we plan to be out exploring in the mornings for sure.
MacKenzie Click-Mickelson.....your photos are beautiful! I know there are different areas on Oahu, but you captured the vibe we're looking for when you said..."beautiful landscape and plenty of adventures". With 12 nights, we have to pick and choose a bit....originally though about 4 on Oahu, 4 on Maui and 4 on Kauai but we lose 1/2 day of travel with the extra flight/transfer...etc. I guess we're thinking that on Maui....at the Four Seasons Wailea that we'll chill when we first arrive and can snorkel from the beach. I think we're planning on doing the Road to Hana, and not sure what else. Then to Kauai for lusher landscaping that just looks amazing from the photos. I have a feeling that we'll love Hawaii and will plan to go back. This time we're looking for perhaps a few full days of sightseeing, a few resort only days, and then some 1/2 day-1/2 resort days. But I imagine that we'll make it back to Hawaii and then really sightsee on Oahu and the Big Island as well.
Paul Stupin....yes, we know it's not swimmable. I think our friends said the beach is called Shipwreck Beach. They seemed to head out in the morning to explore....doing some hikes along the coastline....and brought snorkeling gear and chairs that they rented. They said they were back at the resort early afternoon and then enjoyed the pool and then watching surfers on that beach. But it's definitely something to consider. We did just return from a resort in Cabo with a beach that is not swimmable, but the setting is so beautiful that we enjoyed just seeing it from the infinity pool. We've been to that resort (Esperanza) three times...and I know there are swimmable beaches in Cabo. But....we have to think that through for sure. I guess we can consider resorts right on Poipu Beach. Do you have one that you'd recommend?
MacKenzie Click-Mickelson.....your photos are beautiful! I know there are different areas on Oahu, but you captured the vibe we're looking for when you said..."beautiful landscape and plenty of adventures". With 12 nights, we have to pick and choose a bit....originally though about 4 on Oahu, 4 on Maui and 4 on Kauai but we lose 1/2 day of travel with the extra flight/transfer...etc. I guess we're thinking that on Maui....at the Four Seasons Wailea that we'll chill when we first arrive and can snorkel from the beach. I think we're planning on doing the Road to Hana, and not sure what else. Then to Kauai for lusher landscaping that just looks amazing from the photos. I have a feeling that we'll love Hawaii and will plan to go back. This time we're looking for perhaps a few full days of sightseeing, a few resort only days, and then some 1/2 day-1/2 resort days. But I imagine that we'll make it back to Hawaii and then really sightsee on Oahu and the Big Island as well.
Paul Stupin....yes, we know it's not swimmable. I think our friends said the beach is called Shipwreck Beach. They seemed to head out in the morning to explore....doing some hikes along the coastline....and brought snorkeling gear and chairs that they rented. They said they were back at the resort early afternoon and then enjoyed the pool and then watching surfers on that beach. But it's definitely something to consider. We did just return from a resort in Cabo with a beach that is not swimmable, but the setting is so beautiful that we enjoyed just seeing it from the infinity pool. We've been to that resort (Esperanza) three times...and I know there are swimmable beaches in Cabo. But....we have to think that through for sure. I guess we can consider resorts right on Poipu Beach. Do you have one that you'd recommend?