Planning to go home (SYD) from Toronto (YYZ). I do this trip a lot and with kids /babies it has been absolutely traumatic. Last time we stopped off in Honolulu (HNL) for 2 nights, it was utterly brilliant. We had a good time and arrived in SYD so much more refreshed it was crazy. It's not just a matter of breaking up the flights, they are day flights not red eye so it's just much, much better.

Want to do it again but get out of Honolulu. Wife suggested another island but this adds serious complications as there are no direct flights to either SYD or YYZ from anywhere but HNL so we would lose a day faffing about on inter-island flights. Not TOTALLY writing it off but ideally we stay on O'ahu.

Is there anywhere worth going? Looking for amenities but also natural beauty, open to hiring a car.

Cheers.

I’m assuming you've been to Pearl Harbor. If not, must do. Otherwise, Hawaii volcanoes national park on the big island was nice and so was the entire island of Kauai, natural beauty is unparalleled there.

I lived on Oahu for 4 years. Message me if you want to discuss in detail.

Is there a route to the east? I had a friend in England years ago who would go to Dubai on his way to Oz. Now lives in Perth. Might be a two stop from Toronto, but you could have a great day or two in Rome, then wherever, then SYD.

2000cs wrote

Is there a route to the east? I had a friend in England years ago who would go to Dubai on his way to Oz. Now lives in Perth. Might be a two stop from Toronto, but you could have a great day or two in Rome, then wherever, then SYD.

Yes but it is longer, i don't do longer, it's already 22 fucking hours in a tin tube. And less stops the better, family of four man, you cut down on complications. Trust me i've done this 6 times with small kids.

In regards to suggestions, sorry i wasn't clear, is there a nice town/city with beachside accommodation elsewhere on the island other than honolulu? A quick google maps search is yielding sweet fuck all.

I recommend staying on the west side of the Island - the sun set is more spectacular than the sun rising on the east side.

We stayed at the Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club, - rented a condo with a balcony and it was spectacular.

Disney also has Aulani in the same area which is amazing as well (great for kids). Both of these sit on a Lagoon, which is protected from waves and wind.

Also recommend a stay at Ko'olina. It's away from the main city, nice beaches with a walking path between lagoons, etc.

You might also be able to do a B & B on the North Shore or Kailua. Not sure about Airbnb due to cracking down on short term rentals.

There's another hotel in Kahala that's just outside of Waikiki and nearby Kaimuki if you want to grab some local food from the many small restaurants there.

-Ken

E92 M Sport wrote

...so was the entire island of Kauai, natural beauty is unparalleled there.

I second this one. I have spent a lot of time on Kauai and it is my favorite island to visit. Its the best island to just get away and unwind and as stated, its beauty is...idk...words can't do it justice!

BMWGUYinCO wrote

I recommend staying on the west side of the Island - the sun set is more spectacular than the sun rising on the east side.

We stayed at the Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club, - rented a condo with a balcony and it was spectacular.

Disney also has Aulani in the same area which is amazing as well (great for kids). Both of these sit on a Lagoon, which is protected from waves and wind.

Ko Olina Beach club is an amazing property. Not much on that side of the island but for a get away and a nice plunge in a "man made" lagoon its perfect!

Also take a trip out to Haleiwa! A cool little town on the North Shore known for its surf spots. Very cool place to check out

Run Silent wrote

I lived on Oahu for 4 years. Message me if you want to discuss in detail.

Mahalo.

Grab a car, stay away from Honolulu/Waikiki.

This is great info guys, the Marriot on the west seems seems the ticket but will also hit up Run Silent for insider tips.

Ideally we would do another island but without being a total nerd, here's the issue. It means taking a narrow body (hate narrow body on long flights) from YYZ to YYC/YVR/LAX/SFO then lose 2 hours changing planes and faffing about to get on another narrow body to Maui or whatever. Alternatively, we go BOOM YYZ>HNL on a wide body all the way. We save a solid 3 hours once you factor in connection time and the extra landing sequence.

It would also mean i'd be unlikely to risk going say MAUI>HNL>SYD same day, 'cos it'd have to be with Hawaiian who are expensive to SYD vs jetstar. So now if we plan to leave on say the 20th to SYD, we need to go from Maui to HNL the 19th, get a hotel then do HNL>SYD ............. you can see the hassle that involves.

Will try and convince the mrs.

From personal experience, just because you may have surfed a few times in your life, don't think you can start shredding it up at Sandy Beach. They nickname it Break Neck Beach for a reason.

Read the signs, listen to the warnings.

Will state the video they sent from the life guard tower was a memorable one. As was my flight home

I would second Aulani since you have kids. I liked the fact that the Disney portion is actually quite understated.

bucketfoot wrote

I would second Aulani since you have kids. I liked the fact that the Disney portion is actually quite understated.

Aulani is great - but for the same price, he can get a 1br condo at Marriott right next door. Much shorter walk across the street to the ABC store from Aulani though - which is nice.

I've stayed at the four seasons next door to Aulani twice and it's my favorite hotel on the island. Has become very expensive as of late though.

FMD Disney is $1k a night. I'll sleep on the fucking beach.

Alfisti wrote

FMD Disney is $1k a night. I'll sleep on the fucking beach.

How long are you going for? If staying for 2 weeks, then the condos across from the lagoons on the golf course at Ka Olina are a steal.

2week min rental due to Hawaii tourist requirements, but lots of folks find them so cheap - they rent for 2 weeks and only stay for 1.

No beach view though - but a short 5-10min walk.

Just another thought.

2-3 nights, it's a stop over remember. If not staying in one of the 3 beach side resorts, is there a good public beach?

Alfisti wrote

2-3 nights, it's a stop over remember. If not staying in one of the 3 beach side resorts, is there a good public beach?

There are 3 lagoons at Ka Olina - two are taken up by the Marriott, Aulani, and 4 Seasons hotels, the 3rd is closest to the Marina and is free for the public to use. Was part of the agreement with Hawaii when the resorts were built.

Keep in mind though, that the 3rd lagoon is usually about 99% kamaaina. Very few haole, so if that bothers you, may not be the best choice. If you don't care, then it's fine.

I missed the part about you only being there 2 days. If you are only there for 48 hours, then don't get a car - take an uber over to Hilton Hawaiian Village - it's right near the airport on the edge of Waikiki and Ala Moana. Just stay the entire 2 days at the resort - it has it's own beach, swimming area and what not. Close and easy.

Run Silent wrote

Keep in mind though, that the 3rd lagoon is usually about 99% kamaaina. Very few haole, so if that bothers you, may not be the best choice. If you don't care, then it's fine.

Certainly doesn't bother me, question is will it bother them? As in regardless of skin colour it is seen as a local only beach.

Will check out the Hilton. Last time we just stayed around Wakikki, i suspect we just need to uber out for a day trip.

Prices are absolutely off the charts, you get to $1K a night VERY quickly.

Alfisti wrote

Prices are absolutely off the charts, you get to $1K a night VERY quickly.

They have to be right now because Hawaii has been so locked down due to covid, everyone is trying to recoup those losses.