Spotlight Hawaii Publishing

4 recommendations and reviews from 1 person

Recommendations from Myrna G.

• Referral from February 13, 2015
  

  Bill B. asked:

  I know everyone is different and has different interests but we are doing a split stay in Hawaii in August. First at Kihei for some liveliness then Kapaa Shore for some exploring and relaxation. Which would you recommend staying longer at? Which resort is nicer overall... Tips appreciated.

  

  Myrna G. replied:

  We will ALWAYS opt for Kauai over Maui. Maui is ok, the resort is pleasant enough (and I know I am in the minority here). I just think it costs too much money to go to Hawaii and NOT to be able to sit on your lanai, if you want to (and we do) and not see the ocean. I guess it depends on what room you get at Kihei but ours, we had to stand at one corner and look down the road to see the ocean. The Kahana resort is oceanfront. When we stayed there (Before it was part WM) the sound of the ocean crashing in, sounded like it was hitting the building and we were on the 9 th floor. Our Kapa'a Shores is indeed an older place with 3 buildings. no A/C but we found the tradewinds and ceiling fans kept us plenty cool. And we had spectacular views. We have stayed in Building B and C and we much prefer Building C, so th last time, I emailed them and requested C. They were gracious enough to give us a room in that building. Also, if you are staying on floor 2 or 3, here are no elevators and the stairs are outside. We were 5 ladies and 2 of them were mid 70's so I checked with the desk and the lovely lady called on 2 strapping young men to carry our luggage right to our room. They didn't even want a tip, but we insisted. They were there to bring it all down again when we left. Kauai is so beautiful and regardless of what may be said, and you will find plenty to do. We have been there 10, maybe 11 times and stuill have not done it all. One of our own WM owners kept in touch wioth me while there and said she wished she had more time than her week as she had't been able to see all she wanted to see. Everyone has their own opinion, of course, as it should be. My husband and I, both early 70's, much prefer the smaller places. We loved that most times we had the pool to ourselves. In the evenings we enjoyed visiting with other owners around the hot tub. We also enjoy our time in Waikiki, unlike others. We have made the decision that no trip to Hawaii will be without a few nights in Waikiki in Horror of horrors, a hotel! LOL. You can check online the following publications and then pick them up fir free at the airports in Hawaii. www.this week.com www.spotlighthawaii.com and click on each island,. Maps, coupons, etc for each island and they come out new each week. Best advice I can give you. Take the time to stop and smell the flowers, Aloha!

  -1
  View full conversation on Facebook
• Referral from January 24, 2015
  

  Michelle W. asked:

  What is the best resort in Hawaii for a family? And when is the best time to go? Wanting to save up for a trip there!

  

  Myrna G. replied:

  Check out these publications.... www.spotlighthawaii.com www.thisweek.com great pub.

  -1
  View full conversation on Facebook
• Referral from October 30, 2014
  

  Kris R. asked:

  I need your help. Planning a 25th anniversary trip to Hawaii. We were thinking of doing 1 week on three different Islands ( 3 weeks total). Never been there. Suggestions? Best places to book? Best islands to see? Travel from one island to another? All help/suggestions appreciated! Thanks

  

  Myrna G. replied:

  Our favorite also, like Stephanie is Kauai. We spent our 35 th anniversary there, as well as the Big Island and Waikiki. Personally I Have been to Hawaii 13 times, 11 of them included Kauai, 2 included Maui (not one of m personal favorites), 3 included the Big Island (want to go there again, but not with Kilauea erupting and spreading VOG (volcanic fog) everywhere. and all but 1 included stops in Waikiki. Oahu gets a bad rap, in my opinion. Sure Honolulu is a big, big city, with all the traffic that brings, but just a short drive outside the city, are wonderful beaches and many small towns. We are both in our early 70's and we will never, ever have a trip to Hawaii without a visit to Oahu and Waikiki. Waikiki is bustling and busy but we enjoy sitting on the lanai of our hotel, across the street from the beach, in the evening, watching the unset, the tourists and listening to the nightly small concerts at the beach. After that, we go for a walk around the area. We would make a nightly visit to the International Marketplace, but in their not so bright wisdom, the have closed this long, long time attraction and are remodeling the place to put in more high end stores (Neiman Marcus being one of them) and doing some other things. We used the Entertainment Book to get our hotel for half price at Waikiki. I must add that Oahu is home to Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial and the Battleship Missouri, which is a "MUST" visit on any trip to Hawaii, in my opinion. Out of the 12 stops there, I must have visited the site 8 or 9 times. We rented a car all our trips and I checked online to find one that didn't charge extra for the 2 nd driver. Many do. And, be sure to NOT accept the damage Insurance, if you have decent insurance at home, no matter what they say! We never have. We had a little fender bender one trip and went to the local State Farm Ins office. They made all the arrangements and took care of it. We had a 100.00 deductible which we paid once home. Three publications are available online and at the airport for free. Check them out www.thisweek.com www.spotlighthawaii.com and 101 things to do on Hawaii, not sure of the url. Most of all, enjoy and take 1/2 off the clothes you thin k you may need and take a sweater or sweatshirt and sneakers for those walks. Last,, enjoy! We are in LOVE with Hawaii.

  -1
  View full conversation on Facebook
• Referral from July 7, 2014
  

  Sue C. asked:

  If you have any pictures of the units and the grounds of Kapaa Shore Hawaii could you please post them. I am excited to go next year and really want to get a look at the resort. Also any tips on what to plan for fun things to do for 4 adults. Anyone done a helicopter tour?

  

  Myrna G. replied:

  The shoreline is a lava rock reef. At low tide, we enjoyed looking in the tide pools, wear beach shoes as it can get slippery. There is a bit of sand if one wants to lay out there and some grass. We enjoyed reclining in the sun by the pool and taking a dip if we got too warm. We have stayed there 3 times, last in 2008, in a lovely updated room. My bed got to be the hide-a-bed and it was way more comfy than a Murphy. No A/C then but who knows. We didn't feel we needed it. 2 bedroom units are on the 3 rd floor, no elevator, outside stairs. We have stayed in the "C" building twice and much, much prefer it as we got zero direct sun during the day, which meant we could actually sit out there anytime if we were home, but we could still see the gorgeous ocean and feel the wonderful onshore breezes. Kauai is my very favorite of all the islands. We have been to Kauai 10 times, most of them before we bought into Worldmark. Have done 2 NaPali coast trips - both out of Hanalei on NapaliCatamarans.com LOVED them both! It is so beautiful out there, spinner dolphins, lots of fish when we snorkeled. I have many, many pictures. An album on Shutterfly or two.l Not sure how to get it over here. LOL Even having been there 10 times I have not seen and done all that is available. Just too relaxing to hang around and swim in the pool. I am fortunate to have several relatives there so we do spend some time visiting. go to the farmers Market in Kapa'a town, look for fairs for some great island gifts, authentic Hawaiian all have a marker of some kind. Poipu Beach is a must. last trip a gigantic Honu, Green Hawaiian Sea Turtle swam right between 2 of us in the water at Poipu. Drive up to the Grand Canyon of the Pacific - Waimea Canyon, stop at the little towns and sights along the way. Be sure to go to the very top - Kokee Park and walk the short hike to the lookout of the Kalalau Valley below. Mark Twain was to have said when he got to that point, that he never wanted to leave the most beautiful spot on earth. It is a wonderous sight - as is the canyon. there are pullouts along the way as well a good sized parking areas at the major lookouts. Grab some Lappert's Ice Cream, don't forget to stop in Hanapepe and get some Kauai shortbread macadamia boxed cookies. They are yummy! On the way to Poipu, you will drive through the tunnel of trees. Beautiful. I have no ideas how many pictures I have of it. lol Go beyond Poipu on the shore road and stop at the Spouting Horn, stand and watch for the ocean to spout water through a lava tube up into the air. Shop here for some well priced souvenirs too. So many things to do and see. And always remember, the chickens have the right of way here. You can buy a souvenir t-shirt with chickens at Kokee. Heading north from the resort, turn off the road on the left and drive the narrow road to Wailua Falls, the famous waterfall from the tv show, Fantasy Island. It is pretty. Please obey the signs that are posted everywhere. People die when they don't. Also at the airport (and you can look online) are guidebooks with maps and coupons. www.thisweek.com www.spotlighthawaii.com and www.hawaii.101 thingstodo.com i

  -1
  View full conversation on Facebook