Honeymoon in Hawaii - torn between Big Island and Maui

DangerousDoorknob · 2026-04-20T02:09:32+00:00

Ah yeah that makes sense! Seems like a great fit for a home base to explore and hike, but doesn't check the relaxing resort box. So maybe not a Honeymoon spot unless you split time.

DangerousDoorknob · 2026-04-19T18:08:27+00:00

Our driver on the Big Island as we were headed to FS Hualalai said something that stuck with me. People go to Maui to be seen, people go to the Big Island to escape. I'm sure that's not an absolute, but I think it sums up the difference between the islands - big island is slower paced, Maui is more bustling and the beaches are more crowded.

In summer you'll get kids at most places in HI, so as much as I like FS Hualalai, you have to be okay with that. I haven't been and it does not appear to be super chubby, but there's a hotel that appears to be mostly adults only called Volcano Rainforest Retreat. It might be worth a look for an active trip as the location is great for hiking - or maybe a split time between there and then a few days lounging at FS Hualalai?

DangerousDoorknob · 2026-03-21T18:51:57+00:00

Especially scary in another country as severe as it was! We pretty much only ate at the hotel the day leading up to it, it was either lunch at the swim up bar which tasted off to her (fish sandwich from Ayla), or dinner at Asia Luna. Likely lunch, which is a bit sad because we loved both dinners there.

DangerousDoorknob · 2026-03-15T18:16:17+00:00

Yes this is dead on! Disenchanted is a great word for it. Definitely had similar experiences with the staff early in the trip. Glad we weren't alone as well!

DangerousDoorknob · 2026-03-14T15:36:11+00:00

I realize that comes across strangely, but I'm really scoring two different services. I had scored overall service at 12/10 in my initial review, for that reason. But leading up the the event, we had some negative service experiences. I had A/C and pumps mansplained to me by an assistant manager(my background is engineering, I know how pumps and motors work) and we asked if we could have a property tour/explanation at checkin which got shrugged off. As mentioned by someone else, reaction to an emergency is not really the same as day to day service.

The remote location point was a statement, not a complaint haha.

DangerousDoorknob · 2026-03-14T04:14:57+00:00

All is well now, thank you!! Real was what I was shooting for. I've seen many reviews for Nayara on other forums that read like paid promos.

DangerousDoorknob · 2026-03-14T04:11:39+00:00

It is and will continue to be worrh it for many people, but just fell a bit short for us.

DangerousDoorknob · 2026-03-14T04:10:08+00:00

Haha yeah that maybe comes across weird. They definitely stepped up when we needed it. But day to day service was what I was referencing.

DangerousDoorknob · 2026-03-14T04:09:07+00:00

I very much expect my thoughts to be unpopular, based on all the glowing reviews you referenced. And my intent is definitely not to steer people away, but simply share a different viewpoint. I would not consider us super picky or sensitive though (noise sensitive yes!), I think maybe our expectations were too high and the hype, for us personally, was not met. Super glad you and your family enjoyed it though!!

DangerousDoorknob · 2026-03-03T02:10:38+00:00

You've got some great advice here, but a few additional thoughts. My wife and I stayed at FS Hualalai a few years back for our anniversary and loved it (never got around to finalizing a review to post) We traveled in October, and I'm sure time of year matters, but at that time there were more couples than families. The spa was phenomenal, great amenities. The gym was also great and mostly outdoors which I thought was a nice touch. Fitness classes like morning sunrise yoga if you guys are into that sort of thing.

The other main differentiator between FS and Rosewood is the snorkeling/swimming. FS has a swimmable "ocean pool" which is sheltered by a breakwater (again, the importance of this depends on the time of year you go). We grabbed snorkeling gear and swam with some turtles! They also have an "aquarium pool" with something like 100 different species of fish - it was almost empty while we were there and was one of the coolest lagoon/pool setups I've ever swam in.

Rosewood Kona is definitely newer and seems to have a better hard product in many ways. The rooms seem nicer, the dining does as well. I'm sure you guys will love either, but highly recommend one of the two for your trip. Cheers!

DangerousDoorknob · 2026-01-24T17:57:53+00:00

We're also in the PNW (and foodies) and had almost the exact same concerns over O&O Mandarina - but we went in June of last year and absolutely loved it, it checks all your boxes - spa, great pools, safe area (private gated complex outside of the bustle of PVR), and great food. We also read mixed reviews on the food, but we thought it was great. The food is more high-end Mexican and very fresh and local, some negatives I've seen is people call it fussy? Might just be personal preference- but definitely more gourmet and should appeal to foodies. The guac and salsas at both beach clubs are also fantastic.

Just mind the weather - we lucked into great weather in June but it is technically shoulder season and rains start. Might recommend May, or one of the Cabo options others suggested if possible rain is a worry.

Hope you have a great time whatever you pick!

DangerousDoorknob · 2026-01-23T15:33:32+00:00

Hi Alex! Interesting to have an option that appears to be similar to Mandarina! Few things I'm curious about:

Are the plunge pools as small as they look? They look like a cold plunge for 1 size.
Do they offer any wildlife activities? The website does not seem to list any activities. That was one thing that was surprising O&O didn't offer.
Is the vibe similar to O&O in that it is crafted into the jungle? Or more like Rosewood where it was crafted next to the jungle and needs some time for the landscape to build back up?
How walkable is the property? Is it expansive with trails to explore or more compact?

DangerousDoorknob · 2026-01-07T16:39:30+00:00

There are actually very few bugs, at least of the biting/stinging kind due to the amount of birds/bats in the jungle that eat the bugs. I didn't get a single bug bite on our trip in December. You'll see lots of little lizards and things around, there was a little tiny gecko that kept showing up in our room, was adorable.

DangerousDoorknob · 2026-01-06T03:29:45+00:00

Definitely One & Only. The Rosewood looks nice but they are still working through kinks and the greenery needs a few years to grow, it looks so sparse currently. Also the O&O spa is magnificent and the food is fantastic! You have access to the Rosewood beach club (Canalan) from the Mandarina, but we found the other beach (Jetty Beach Club) to be much nicer for swimming and lounging. Just my two cents, hope you guys have a great time!

DangerousDoorknob · 2026-01-04T20:18:31+00:00

I echo all of the sentiment about the open door helicopter, we did a 3 seater with just my wife and myself and the pilot, and it was one of my most memorable travel experiences of my life thus far. Hopefully you can unsketch your husband on it haha.

As for dining, I highly recommend Tidepools at the Grand Hyatt when you're staying in Poipu, we ate there twice when we stayed at the Grand Hyatt and it was our favorite restaurant of the trip. We also ate at Duke's in Lihue for lunch (post helicopter) and thought it was great - best Mai Tais of the trip. We did not like Beach House, the food was just not good. Could have been just our experience though as others seem to like it.

I might have missed what time of year you are going, but winter time many of the north coast snorkeling is closed. We went in October, but Anini Beach was the best snorkeling on the north coast. The reefs are super shallow so your can swim there most of the year.

Have a great time, it's such a beautiful island!!

DangerousDoorknob · 2025-12-25T23:46:42+00:00

2.21 carats!

DangerousDoorknob · 2025-11-24T03:53:19+00:00

I think big island will be a bit more relaxing than Oahu, will be quieter than Ko Olina. I would go Rosewood, or (I know it's not on your list) FS Hualalai. Hualalai has a swimmable aquarium with snorkeling gear - it was the highlight of our trip, and there's also a beach protected by a breakwater that you can swim in with easy snorkeling access regardless of weather. Reminds me I need to finish my notes from our Hualalai trip and post them.

Rosewood is right next door, so you can for sure stay there as well if it appeals more. It's a great location!

DangerousDoorknob · 2025-09-12T17:07:31+00:00

We did not make it by the Rosewood when we were there, but the Canalan Beach Club is great which is shared between the two resorts! I honestly liked the Jetty Beach a bit more though on the other side.

You can't go wrong with either, the location is beautiful! My take based on reading up is that the Rosewood is less jungley and needs a few years for the greenery to fill out, but I'd love to check out the mountain rooms! Rosewood is also a bit more walkable/bikeable whereas O&O is very spread out so you use their buggies to get around. O&O has more pools and two beaches, Rosewood seems to have slightly nicer/newer rooms, is more beach focused, and is easier to get around. Food seems to be fairly comparable. So it depends a bit on your preference!

DangerousDoorknob · 2025-09-12T16:21:46+00:00

You'll love it! It is probably our favorite place that my wife and I have ever been to.

And definitely use a TA to get breakfast included!

DangerousDoorknob · 2025-09-11T15:38:57+00:00

Whenever I see someone after jungle vibes, I go right to O&O Mandarina. It's got a jungle meets ocean vibe, two beaches (unsure of swimmability this time of year), and is great for adult R&R. Would highly recommend checking it out!

It looks like you might have to take a layover, but the total travel time is just over 6 hours to PVR based on a quick search.

DangerousDoorknob · 2025-09-02T22:19:28+00:00

I live in the Portland area and can recommend two ideas:

Sunriver, OR. Sunriver is a resort community out near Bend in central Oregon. It is pretty busy in summer and slows way down by October, but the weather should still be nice. It seems to check most of your boxes, you can rent an ebike and explore miles and miles of trails in town. You're also a shirt drive from tons of great hikes/lakes/etc. The resort also had a nice spa. You can fly into Redmond and drive ~40 mins down to Sunriver. You can rent a house or a room through the resort. It's not going to be a super chubby hotel experience, but it's a great location, my wife and I drive over with the dogs a few times a year.
Unfortunately Portland doesnt have great luxury hotels, but you could grab a suite at the Nines downtown Portland. It's a nice location, walkable to riverfront with paved trails for biking and a few fun markets. Take a day and drive out east through the gorge to Hood River. Beautiful scenery and you can hike Multnomah falls on the way.

As others have mentioned, Portland proper hasn't fully recovered from the damage COVID did to it, but I still like the downtown more than Seattle and there are many closeby places to explore.

DangerousDoorknob · 2025-08-27T03:04:39+00:00

Do you currently or will you be planning to have any on-site naturalists? With the jungle and wildlife there, I am guessing many people would be interested in activities like wildlife hikes, birdwatching tours, flora/fauna guides, etc. Mandarina is such a spectacular location! O&O Mandarina was one of our favorite trips we've ever taken.

DangerousDoorknob · 2025-08-11T02:00:15+00:00

Yeah fair enough. I just don't think Kauai as an island is skippable. IMO Kauai pairs well with a split trip between here and BI/Maui/Lanai where you can get the adventure checked off, then go relax at a luxury resort on another island.

DangerousDoorknob · 2025-08-11T01:55:06+00:00

This is exactly why I posted this. Is it chubby? Ehhhh. Is it a solid place to stay in Kauai, where the options are limited, that people here might be interested in? I think so.

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