Anniversary Stay

My wife and I are going to Hawaii for first time. We%26#39;re planning on cruising one week then staying somewhere the next week. I would like to get suggestion on where to stay. We don%26#39;t want it to be to crowed or touristity Someplace romantic, away from it all, perhaps a resort or not, with amenities, nice beach. We%26#39;re planning our trip April 1- 15, 2007. The cruise leaves from Oahu. Any suggtions.

Anniversary Stay

It sounds like Kaua%26#39;i, Molokai, or Lana%26#39;i are the islands for you. I can%26#39;t tell you much about the first two, but I love to talk about Lana%26#39;i. Here is a copy of my Lana%26#39;i Activites post from earlier this year. Check out the Lana%26#39;i forum for more info:

Contrary to popular belief, there is plenty to ';things to do'; on the island, although my favorite thing to do is relax.

Around Manele Bay the biggest focus is around Hulopo%26#39;e Beach. Swimming, snorkeling (some of the best in Hawaii), body surfing, and sunning are all wonderful. The beach is large and uncrowded. By the way for the people who like to rough it, there are campsites on the beach. Visitors are allow to reserve a spot for up to three days for a nominal fee. There is also easy hiking along the shore going either way from the beach with stunning views. Also the tidal pools around the area are fascinating. For the golfers the Challenge at Manele is a beautiful course (I don%26#39;t golf, but have heard many raving about the course designed by Jack Nicklaus). There is a tennis center with a pro available, and they have an excellent new fitness center with complimentary clases and nice equipment.

From the harbor next door you can go deep sea fishing, or take a snorkel cruise during which you are likely to see the wonderful spinner dolphins in the bay. You can actually see the dolphins nearly every day from the shore. It%26#39;s a real treat to be entertained by one of their free shows. Scuba diving is also available.

At the Lodge at Koele there is the famous Experience at Koele golf course designed by Greg Norman. Once again I don%26#39;t golf, but the Koloiki Ridge hike cuts right though the signature 17th hole, and I have to admit it is beautiful. Horseback riding is one of our favorite things to do there, and you can take group or private rides (they let you do some trotting on the private rides). The grounds of the Lodge are beautiful and certainly worth a tour of the gardens. Both resorts have local artists showing their stuff daily in the lobbies. A good place to pick up a pretty souvenier. Both resorts also have nice spas, but not as nice as my favorite spa at the Four Seasons Hualalai on the Big Island. I think both croquet and lawn bowling are available for those who are inclined. And if guns our your passion there is a sporting clays range as well as hunting of the local deer. I thing bow hunting is also available.

Renting a 4x4 and taking it to one the the remote places on the island is always one of my highlights. Garden of the Gods, Polihua Beach, Shipwreck Beach (with a real shipwreck), Lopa Beach, Munro Trail, and seeing some petroglyphs are all available. It is really something special to drive to a huge isolated beach and be the only ones there.

Lastly one can tour Lana%26#39;i City. Actually a small town that is easily covered on foot. There are no big box stores or national chains there, and that%26#39;s what makes it so nice. Gifts with Aloha has some jewelry, clothes, books, CD%26#39;s, toys, and various other souveniers. The Local Gentry has very nice clothes for women and men. Dis%26#39;N%26#39;Dat lives up to its name and has a little of this and that including jewelry, wood carvings, wind chimes, and just an unusual array of gifts. There are a couple galleries in town which have some outstanding artwork. There are two grocery/general stores with all the necessities you may have forgotten to bring (wine and liquor also sold). And there are several restaurants: Pele%26#39;s other garden (deli by day, Italian restaurant by night), Blue Ginger Cafe with killer Mahi burgers, Canoes Lana%26#39;i with simple local food, Cafe 565 with sandwiches and pizza, and Henry Clay%26#39;s in the Hotel Lana%26#39;i with outstanding venison on the menu every night.

Anniversary Stay

Aloha! From your description, I think Kauai would suit you very well . . . check out their webpage - they%26#39;ll even send you a free booklet as well: www.kauaidiscovery.com. Many different types of accommodations on Kauai - resorts, hotels, B%26amp;B%26#39;s, condos, cottages . . . here are two good sites for checking those out as well: www.kauaivacationresorts.com

vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/hawaii/kauai

My favorite area is the North shore of Kauai - gorgeous, lush tropical scenery . . . though many people enjoy the sunnier, drier Poipu area as well as staying on the East side, where you are more centrally located. Feel free to hop to the Kauai forum for more suggestions. Congrats on your anniversary and best of luck in finding the right place for your island stay. :)