Oahu and Big Island, HI - September 2009
My husband and I just got back from an amazing trip to Hawaii. Of course there were a couple of hiccups along the way but any true traveler pushes through those and enjoys the rest!
Lately we fly only Jetblue airlines. Direct flights, low fares, more room, and personal tv's are hard to pass up. For this trip we chose to fly United - they are definitely no Jetblue! Between the time my reservations were made and we get to the airport United changes our seats around 4 times (3 times without informing us). I finally call to complain and get a very nice gentleman on the phone who tries to get me better seats as well as let me pay for our baggage online as their website wasn't working properly.
We arrived at Logan airport to find out that they had changed our seats again.......they were kind enough to put us in the more leg room area. Board our flight and off to Chicago we go. So there were are landing in Chicago when hmmmm ground getting close and we start climbing again......yes that would be a missed approach landing. Yay! Finally land and look for some breakfast. Board our next flight to Honolulu - rather annoying that the gate is such a small area but what can you do. Next problem - we were given a smelly, moldy, disgusting blanket!! Yuck!
AAAHHHHH land in Honolulu - lets get bags and start to enjoy.....oh there's my bag....what the ****. Yup my bag is destroyed! Handle ripped off, bag torn, stuff sticking out of it! Luckily, there is a nice customer service agent who looks at my bag and heads to the back room where she pulls out two similar suitcases like mine that I can choose from (hmmm does this happen often?).
Finally, we get to grab our rental car and head up to the North Shore of Oahu. Views of pineapple fields, trees, mountains, etc. lovely! Let's play tourist for a second and stop into the Dole Plantation. A must do for us is always to stop in there before heading to the hotel and grabbing some pineapple champagne (Tedeschi Vineyards) for our balcony. Next we get to pass Haleiwa, pipeline, sunset beach, Teds Bakery, and then we get to our destination Turtle Bay Resort!
We have stayed here previously and enjoyed our stay however, lately we read a lot of bad reviews and so we were a bit nervous that things have changed. Here comes the staff for help with valet and bags.....OMG is that.....yup it's Thomas who helped us during our last stay! In addition to being nice, friendly, and helpful Thomas was memorable to us because his brother lives in the city next to where my parents live. We head to check in, where we're still joking around with Thomas now the check in staff is laughing about it with us too. We're given a room on the 5th floor, room 565. The room is great for us. It has a large balcony with two chairs and a table, desk and chair, tv armoire, bed, 2 end tables, a dressing area with large closet, wetbar, safe, coffee maker, bathroom. Yes some of the furniture is scratched a bit and the tiles could be re-caulked but hello it's not the staff who makes pieces look weary that would be the guests who do that! So note to self, on your next vacation take a little more care with your belongs around the hotel rooms furniture etc.
During our stay we got to hike up the beach at the hotel, visit the horses at the stables, relax and swim at the beach (why so many people hung around the pool when there is a beautiful beach just on the other side of the hotel is beyond me!), hike Waimea Valley, watch the surfing all along the North Shore, shop Haleiwa, check out Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head Crater, Byodo Temple, China Mans Hat, and visit a Macadamia Nut Farm.
For us dining was a little more difficult as we are pescatarians (vegetarians who eat fish and dairy). At the hotel we truly enjoyed Ola! Some reviews we read didn't like Ola at all - the only thing I can say is that you're in Hawaii if you're looking for a steak go to Texas. During our stay we tried the garlic edamame, baby octupus, scallops, poke, and salads. Everything was delicious! We also used room service a couple of times - banana pancakes, homemade granola, salad pizza, and bruschetta were some of our favs! Off property we enjoyed the Shrimp Trucks - our favorite was Romy's, Ted's Bakery - can't go wrong with anything they serve, and Haleiwa Joe's. When we would go into Waikiki there aren't that many non-touristy restaurants so you do what you have to do.....Cheesecake Factory for salads, and Jimmy Buffets for Veggie or Fish Sandwiches!
We originally planned to do the Hawaii Foods Tour - Hole in the wall but decided it wouldn't be for us since we can't eat any meat and also didn't want to be disrespectful to the establishments if we chose not to eat something. We called and left a message for Matthew Gray explaining the situation (we also stated that we understood the cancellation policy) and never received a call back (poor customer service).
On Wednesday we flew over to the Big Island for the night. We didn't really have any plans for the day except to explore. This island is definitely not a favorite of ours but here are the things we did like. Greenwell Farms coffee plantation in Kona - yummy coffee, Volcano National Park - truly a must see, Volcano Winery - friendly staff, delicious wine, Hawaiian Vanilla Company - great lunch, fabulous vanilla products, nice staff, very informative tour.
We decided to stay at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott for the night (I had previously reserved a great special for an ocean view room). I called the hotel earlier in the day because we were going to arrive after check in and I didn't want to end up with a "leftover room." The valet staff were the first people we saw and they really weren't the friendly welcome one hopes for. We head to check in where Beau notices that I got the "special ocean view rate" and then proceeds to "sell" me on a room on the 3rd floor (ignore my request for a high floor room). We head to our room and look out our balcony and see nothing but a giant tree! We call Beau back up and explain the situation he tells us he'll try to find something else and finally gives us another room on the 3rd floor. The view is okay and the room is nice and new then the music starts! Apparently on Wednesday nights the hotel puts on a luau - - right in the middle of the grounds that the hotel surrounds (apparently this is the only place they could come up with).
This area is truly a tourist trap we prefer more of a natural area with local flair. You have two hotels, premium shopping, and all chain restaurants. To the left of this area is lava rock, to the right is lava rock, behind the area is lava rock, and in front is the ocean - there is no where else for you to go!
Thursday night fly back to Oahu - thank goodness all the wine, vanilla, coffee, etc. made it as checked luggage in my small carryon! Our last couple days on the island are just spent relaxing on the beach trying to get a bit of a tan. The morning we were leaving we decided to just go grab some coffee. Thanks to a fellow guest we were informed that a Hawaiian Monk Seal was resting on the beach. Grabbed my camera and were able to photograph a truly beautiful endangered animal.
Hopped back on United (praying for my luggage to survive) head to chicago and on to Boston. Luggage made it this time - woo hoo!
Lately we fly only Jetblue airlines. Direct flights, low fares, more room, and personal tv's are hard to pass up. For this trip we chose to fly United - they are definitely no Jetblue! Between the time my reservations were made and we get to the airport United changes our seats around 4 times (3 times without informing us). I finally call to complain and get a very nice gentleman on the phone who tries to get me better seats as well as let me pay for our baggage online as their website wasn't working properly.
We arrived at Logan airport to find out that they had changed our seats again.......they were kind enough to put us in the more leg room area. Board our flight and off to Chicago we go. So there were are landing in Chicago when hmmmm ground getting close and we start climbing again......yes that would be a missed approach landing. Yay! Finally land and look for some breakfast. Board our next flight to Honolulu - rather annoying that the gate is such a small area but what can you do. Next problem - we were given a smelly, moldy, disgusting blanket!! Yuck!
AAAHHHHH land in Honolulu - lets get bags and start to enjoy.....oh there's my bag....what the ****. Yup my bag is destroyed! Handle ripped off, bag torn, stuff sticking out of it! Luckily, there is a nice customer service agent who looks at my bag and heads to the back room where she pulls out two similar suitcases like mine that I can choose from (hmmm does this happen often?).
Finally, we get to grab our rental car and head up to the North Shore of Oahu. Views of pineapple fields, trees, mountains, etc. lovely! Let's play tourist for a second and stop into the Dole Plantation. A must do for us is always to stop in there before heading to the hotel and grabbing some pineapple champagne (Tedeschi Vineyards) for our balcony. Next we get to pass Haleiwa, pipeline, sunset beach, Teds Bakery, and then we get to our destination Turtle Bay Resort!
We have stayed here previously and enjoyed our stay however, lately we read a lot of bad reviews and so we were a bit nervous that things have changed. Here comes the staff for help with valet and bags.....OMG is that.....yup it's Thomas who helped us during our last stay! In addition to being nice, friendly, and helpful Thomas was memorable to us because his brother lives in the city next to where my parents live. We head to check in, where we're still joking around with Thomas now the check in staff is laughing about it with us too. We're given a room on the 5th floor, room 565. The room is great for us. It has a large balcony with two chairs and a table, desk and chair, tv armoire, bed, 2 end tables, a dressing area with large closet, wetbar, safe, coffee maker, bathroom. Yes some of the furniture is scratched a bit and the tiles could be re-caulked but hello it's not the staff who makes pieces look weary that would be the guests who do that! So note to self, on your next vacation take a little more care with your belongs around the hotel rooms furniture etc.
During our stay we got to hike up the beach at the hotel, visit the horses at the stables, relax and swim at the beach (why so many people hung around the pool when there is a beautiful beach just on the other side of the hotel is beyond me!), hike Waimea Valley, watch the surfing all along the North Shore, shop Haleiwa, check out Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head Crater, Byodo Temple, China Mans Hat, and visit a Macadamia Nut Farm.
For us dining was a little more difficult as we are pescatarians (vegetarians who eat fish and dairy). At the hotel we truly enjoyed Ola! Some reviews we read didn't like Ola at all - the only thing I can say is that you're in Hawaii if you're looking for a steak go to Texas. During our stay we tried the garlic edamame, baby octupus, scallops, poke, and salads. Everything was delicious! We also used room service a couple of times - banana pancakes, homemade granola, salad pizza, and bruschetta were some of our favs! Off property we enjoyed the Shrimp Trucks - our favorite was Romy's, Ted's Bakery - can't go wrong with anything they serve, and Haleiwa Joe's. When we would go into Waikiki there aren't that many non-touristy restaurants so you do what you have to do.....Cheesecake Factory for salads, and Jimmy Buffets for Veggie or Fish Sandwiches!
We originally planned to do the Hawaii Foods Tour - Hole in the wall but decided it wouldn't be for us since we can't eat any meat and also didn't want to be disrespectful to the establishments if we chose not to eat something. We called and left a message for Matthew Gray explaining the situation (we also stated that we understood the cancellation policy) and never received a call back (poor customer service).
On Wednesday we flew over to the Big Island for the night. We didn't really have any plans for the day except to explore. This island is definitely not a favorite of ours but here are the things we did like. Greenwell Farms coffee plantation in Kona - yummy coffee, Volcano National Park - truly a must see, Volcano Winery - friendly staff, delicious wine, Hawaiian Vanilla Company - great lunch, fabulous vanilla products, nice staff, very informative tour.
We decided to stay at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott for the night (I had previously reserved a great special for an ocean view room). I called the hotel earlier in the day because we were going to arrive after check in and I didn't want to end up with a "leftover room." The valet staff were the first people we saw and they really weren't the friendly welcome one hopes for. We head to check in where Beau notices that I got the "special ocean view rate" and then proceeds to "sell" me on a room on the 3rd floor (ignore my request for a high floor room). We head to our room and look out our balcony and see nothing but a giant tree! We call Beau back up and explain the situation he tells us he'll try to find something else and finally gives us another room on the 3rd floor. The view is okay and the room is nice and new then the music starts! Apparently on Wednesday nights the hotel puts on a luau - - right in the middle of the grounds that the hotel surrounds (apparently this is the only place they could come up with).
This area is truly a tourist trap we prefer more of a natural area with local flair. You have two hotels, premium shopping, and all chain restaurants. To the left of this area is lava rock, to the right is lava rock, behind the area is lava rock, and in front is the ocean - there is no where else for you to go!
Thursday night fly back to Oahu - thank goodness all the wine, vanilla, coffee, etc. made it as checked luggage in my small carryon! Our last couple days on the island are just spent relaxing on the beach trying to get a bit of a tan. The morning we were leaving we decided to just go grab some coffee. Thanks to a fellow guest we were informed that a Hawaiian Monk Seal was resting on the beach. Grabbed my camera and were able to photograph a truly beautiful endangered animal.
Hopped back on United (praying for my luggage to survive) head to chicago and on to Boston. Luggage made it this time - woo hoo!
Turtle Bay Resort - Oahu, Hawaii - January 2004
After landing on Oahu we were greeted with lei's, beverages, local snacks, and a guide to give us tips about the island (my husbands little surprise to me). After retrieving our luggage we picked up our rental car and headed up to the North Shore.
Turtle Bay Resort:
Turtle Bay is a large resort with nicely decorated rooms, well manicured land, and attentive staff. The hotel has a good mix of the laid back lifestyle and luxury. The beach at the property is okay but you should definitely venture out to the nearby beaches on the North Shore.
We had most of our meals at the resort and the food was always good. For breakfast my husband loved the "north shore hash." One of my favorite items was the ice tea (it comes with a piece of sugar cane). The hotel did have a Sunday Brunch while we were there and the food was good but it was pretty pricey.
One night we drove down to Haleiwa for dinner. We decided to try Haleiwa Joes. The restaurant is a bit tourisy but the food was good. A must have is the Burnt Caramal Macadamia (Macadamia nut ice cream, covered with fresh fruit and topped with burnt caramal). However the memorable moment from that night was something different. As we were driving we noticed two cars pulled over on the side of the road (no biggie right?).......walking between the two cars was a completely naked woman!
Must sees:
USS Arizona Memorial, Waikiki Beach, Polynesian Cultural Center, and the Dole Plantation. One would think we would go to Dole for the pineapples or the maze but for us it's to purchase wine from Tedeschi vineyards on Maui.
While we were on Oahu we tried two different luau's. The one we liked best was at the Polynesian Cultural Center. We found this one to have the best activities, food, and entertainment.
When we went to Oahu we were kind of scaredy cats and we definitely missed out! Here are three things we will be doing next time we are on Oahu (and suggest to others):
1. Get fruit and drink from coconuts at one of the roadside stands!
2. Go to a shrimp truck in Kahuku (roadside trucks selling fresh or cooked shrimp from the local shrimp farm.
3. Shop locally/handicrafts as well as the larger stores in Honolulu.
Turtle Bay Resort:
Turtle Bay is a large resort with nicely decorated rooms, well manicured land, and attentive staff. The hotel has a good mix of the laid back lifestyle and luxury. The beach at the property is okay but you should definitely venture out to the nearby beaches on the North Shore.
We had most of our meals at the resort and the food was always good. For breakfast my husband loved the "north shore hash." One of my favorite items was the ice tea (it comes with a piece of sugar cane). The hotel did have a Sunday Brunch while we were there and the food was good but it was pretty pricey.
One night we drove down to Haleiwa for dinner. We decided to try Haleiwa Joes. The restaurant is a bit tourisy but the food was good. A must have is the Burnt Caramal Macadamia (Macadamia nut ice cream, covered with fresh fruit and topped with burnt caramal). However the memorable moment from that night was something different. As we were driving we noticed two cars pulled over on the side of the road (no biggie right?).......walking between the two cars was a completely naked woman!
Must sees:
USS Arizona Memorial, Waikiki Beach, Polynesian Cultural Center, and the Dole Plantation. One would think we would go to Dole for the pineapples or the maze but for us it's to purchase wine from Tedeschi vineyards on Maui.
While we were on Oahu we tried two different luau's. The one we liked best was at the Polynesian Cultural Center. We found this one to have the best activities, food, and entertainment.
When we went to Oahu we were kind of scaredy cats and we definitely missed out! Here are three things we will be doing next time we are on Oahu (and suggest to others):
1. Get fruit and drink from coconuts at one of the roadside stands!
2. Go to a shrimp truck in Kahuku (roadside trucks selling fresh or cooked shrimp from the local shrimp farm.
3. Shop locally/handicrafts as well as the larger stores in Honolulu.
**** Ola!
Turtle Bay Resort, Kahuku, HI
September 2009
Some reviews we read didn't like Ola at all - the only thing I can say is that you're in Hawaii if you're looking for a steak go to Texas. During our stay we tried the garlic edamame, baby octupus, scallops, poke, and salads. Everything was delicious!
Some reviews we read didn't like Ola at all - the only thing I can say is that you're in Hawaii if you're looking for a steak go to Texas. During our stay we tried the garlic edamame, baby octupus, scallops, poke, and salads. Everything was delicious!
**** Kahuku Shrimp Trucks
Kahuku, HI
September 2009
Our favorite was Romy's
Our favorite was Romy's
**** Ted's Bakery
59-024 Kamehameha Highway Haleiwa, HI 96712
YSeptember 2009
ou can't go wrong with anything they serve
ou can't go wrong with anything they serve
*** Haleiwa Joe's
66-011 Kamehameha Highway Haleiwa, HI 96712
September 2009
Always tasty! A must have is the Burnt Caramal Macadamia (Macadamia nut ice cream, covered with fresh fruit and topped with burnt caramal)
Always tasty! A must have is the Burnt Caramal Macadamia (Macadamia nut ice cream, covered with fresh fruit and topped with burnt caramal)
Looking for more food inspiration for your trip to Hawaii? Read all about the must try dishes from All the Rooms. All the Rooms is first and foremost a comprehensive search engine for your lodging* needs. In addition to that All the Rooms creates blog posts for travel tips and city guides.
*When booking your accommodations always research the vendor for verified reviews prior to purchase.
*When booking your accommodations always research the vendor for verified reviews prior to purchase.
