Both of these resorts were FABULOUS. We resort hopped while we vacationed in Maui and were able to experience the entire island. The mannerisms of the staff and the accomodations at both resorts were truly wonderful. I would definately recommend to anyone either of these resorts for families!

Hotel Hana in Maui – Submitted by Venetia from California

My family of four (two young kids ages 6 & 3) stayed at the Hotel Hana durning their low season. It was humiliating. Our dress and mannerisms were appropriate, however; we were looked down upon for bringing the children in for dinner and then placed in the back corner away from the other dinner guests. The service was slow and everyone was “hush-hush”, a very morbid feeling. My husband decided after we had ordered to ask the hostess to send our dinner to our room so we could eat in a more comfortable environment. I must add, my children are experienced diners and we could hear a pin drop when we were sitting and waiting patiently. Breakfast and lunch were the same, and we didn’t feel comfortable roaming the resort. I only recommend this resort for adults, too stuffy for families.

Family Resort in Hawley, PA – Submitted by Cathy, a The Vacations for Kids Gazette reader.

Woodloch Pines in Hawley, PA is wonderful for families. They offer plans including room, activities and meals as well as plans offering just accomodations and activities. They have batting cages, snow sports, shuffleboard, basketball, kayaking, paddle boats, pools, lake swimming, waterslide, bocce ball, bumper cars, bumper boats, movies, miniature golf, they have carnivals, contests and games including a wonderful scavenger hunt. We went to bingo as a family in the evening as well as horse racing. We had three generations of family all enjoying activities together. A calander of daily activites is left on your breakfast table each morning. There are so many choices, there is something for everyone.The rooms are immaculate and nicely decorated. They are spacious as well. The meals are delicious. It is a safe and friendly place and a wonderful place for family reunions. Once you arrive at Woodloch Pines and park your car, unless you are golfing down the road 1 mile, there is no need to get back in the car until you depart for good. Everything you could possibly want to do is at your fingertips.

We went with my parents and my two brothers and their families. The 15 of us had a fabulous time and intend to go back every year.

A Cruise Vacation to Baja comes in 3 & 4-day itineraries

Destinations vary between Ensenada, Catalina Island, and San Diego and usually depart from Los Angeles/Long Beach
In our opinion, Royal Caribbean offers a little more on cruise vacations to Baja, Mexico (Carnival offers a bit more on longer itineraries)

When to go:

Off season would be considered anytime school is in session – fall (before and between the holidays), late winter (after the holidays), before/after spring break
You can still get great pricing if you go during school breaks, but you should try to book at least 6 mos prior to make sure you can get the cabin and sailing you want.

We’ve listed all of the main information about the Royal Caribbean and Carnival ships that go to Baja (these 2 cruise lines are the best for this destination in regard to cost and things to do).

• Royal Caribbean
• Carnival

*Beautiful town within a days ride of quaint Mexican villages and decadent playgrounds for the rich and famous
*Lodging and activities for every budget
*Watersports galore (jet skis, wave runners, parasailing, water skiing, sport fishing, cruises, and more)
*Some of the BEST Snorkeling and Scuba in Mexico
*Horseback Riding
*Dune Buggies
*Mega All-Inclusive Resorts
*And so much more for Cabo San Lucas Family Vacations!

When to visit:

*The best time is during our fall and winter – especially November.
*A lot of people visit during the summer and have a great time on their Cabo San Lucas Family Vacation – but you need to know that summer is their Chubasco (Hurricane) season and it can get pretty hot.
*If you’d rather avoid Chubasco season, but want to travel in the summer, the Atlantic side of Mexico would be better (i.e. Cancun, Cozumel, etc)

A Word About All-Inclusive:

*If you will be drinking a lot of acloholic beverages and/or eating almost every meal at your resort, all-inclusive may be a good way to go for a Cabo San Lucas family vacation
*If you aren’t a big drinker and/or plan to be gone most days (exploring, shopping, or on excursions), all-inclusive is probably not a good option (Why? Well, if you’ll be buying most meals elsewhere, and you don’t drink much alcohol (a huge expense in and of itself) you can find better deals – and likely better food – eating at local restaurants instead).
*In general, all-inclusives have decent food, but not always great food – kind of like a buffet in Vegas, it’s a good, all-you-can-eat value but not exactly gourmet. Besides, little, local, out-of-the-way restaurants are where you can really experience Mexico!

Los Cabos/Cabo San Lucas Resources and Information

We’ve chosen Cabo San Lucas Vacations resorts that offer something SPECIAL for families – kid clubs, great pools and/or waterslides, kids eat, stay, or play free, family discounts, and let’s not forget ALL-INCLUSIVE!

We’ve listed them in order from most to least expensive (but even the “most expensive” resorts have some GREAT deals that certainly won’t break the bank).

(Note: This is not the complete list of Cabo San Lucas vacations resorts, merely the ones we feel offer something special for families. If a resort is not on this list, it does not mean it isn’t kid friendly.)

1. Crowne Plaza Los Cabos (great Cabo San Lucas Family Vacations)

*All-Inclusive Resort (includes meals, drinks, room service, health club and sports facilities usage, airport transfers)
*La Tortuga Club (4-8 yrs)
*Biosfera Junior’s Club
*5 restaurants
*Daily Activities
*5 Pools (including an pool with neat toys and fountains, adult pool, and saltwater pool)
*Fitness Center
*Bicycles
*Tennis Courts/Racquetball/Ping Pong, Volleyball, Basketball
*Massages
*Activities Desk (extra charge) *Special package available that includes the all-inclusive portion listed above, private beachfront dinner for 2, champagne, 30 min. massage per person, and one activity (ATV, snorkeling, dinner cruise, or golf).

2. The Hacienda – One of the top ranked hotels in Cabo

*The BEST location in Cabo (on the best beach, right next to Cabo and all it offers – shopping, food, excursions, etc)
*Watersports & Diving
*Sportfishing & Charters
*Horseback riding
*Whale watching
*Cabana’s on the beach
*An oasis, concealed but in the middle of everything
*5 restaurants

3. Melia Cabo Real

*All-inclusive options
*12 and under stay free
*6 and under stay and eat free (all-inclusive with 2 adults)
*7-12 yrs pay special all-inclusive rate
*Pool
*Restaurants
*Tennis
*Spa
*Fitness Center
*Watersports
*Free Shuttle to Cabo San Lucas
*20% off golf and free shuttle to the courses

4. Plaza Las Glorias

*Almost All-Inclusive option (food & drinks only)
*Pool
*Restaurants
*Watersports on-site
*Boat shuttle to beach club
*Playground
*Shopping on-site
*5 and under stay and eat free (with almost all-inclusive plan)
*12 and under stay free (not all-inclusive)
*6-12 yrs pay special rate for almost all-inclusive

5. Royal Solaris Los Cabos

*All-inclusive and All-inclusive Golf options (golf includes 1 round of 18 holes per day)
*Pools (including a kiddie pool)
*Restaurants
*Club (4-12 yrs)
*Watersports
*Teen Club
*Salon
*Shopping on-site
*Massages

6. Fiesta Inn Los Cabos

*All-inclusive options
*5 and under stay and eat free (with 2 adults)
*6-12 yrs pay special rate for all-inclusive
*Pool
*Restaurant
*Play area
*Fitness center
*Snorkeling (once per day with all-inclusive)

If you’ve been considering a cruise to Hawaii, you may have run across some mixed reviews of the Pride of Aloha and Pride of America (Norwegian’s newly released ship). Some say it was great, others it was a disaster. To discover the truth of the matter, we sailed the Pride of Aloha last July.

The itinerary is wonderful and all of the shore excursions are great but the ship and staff is a bit different than other cruise lines. Here are some of the experiences we had and tips and tricks to make everything smooth sailing:

This is a great cruise for people who prefer to be out experiencing new things. When you take your family on vacation, do you usually spend most of your time away from your room? Do you prefer to be out and about? If so, this cruise would be great for you. However, if your family prefers to stay around your room or resort, enjoys luxurious amentities and service, or doesn’t really enjoy getting out and exploring, this probably isn’t the cruise for you (however there are some great premium and luxury cruises that come to the islands on occassion).

As for staff, they are all from America, which in and of itself is not bad at all. The staff we ran into were extremely nice but also very young (college age or so). They were all working very, very hard – perhaps too hard. There were a few times we asked for something and it took quite a while to receive. They did try their best though. So if you can handle waiting a bit sometimes for your requests, this will be no problem. If you are accustomed to immediate service, you may want to consider another ship.

Open dining is standard on the ships. The Pride of Aloha, for example, has 2 main dining rooms, 2 buffets, and a bar/grill option for included meals plus 3 specialty dining options (that you have to pay $10-$25 or so per person). However, since it’s open dining, everyone eats when they want (vs. the typical set dining time on other cruise lines). The downside is, everyone seems to want to eat at the same time which causes wait times and delays. So, to avoid waiting, plan to dine when they open (about 5p-5:30p) or late (8:30p) or make a reservation for a specialty restaurant.

They have a great kids club available each evening and in the afternoon the day you leave Kauai. Our kids absolutely loved it and made friends right away.

To get the times you want for spa treatments and dining, take care of it as soon as possible after you board the ship.

Norwegian has great shore excursions available at each port – friendly tour conductors, great tours, fabulous food. To get the excursions you want, reserve them before boarding the ship (if you wait until you get on, you’ll face some long lines and your excursion may be sold out). You might also want to consider renting a car in some of the destinations (such as Maui and Kauai in which you are there for 2 days each). They are gorgeous islands to get out and explore. You can also rent scooters and little golf cart type vehicles in Kauai near where the ship docs (by the shops). This is a neat way to explore – but be careful, there is not helmet law in Hawaii. Also, they hold two people, so if you’re a family of 5, unless one of the kids is old enough to drive, you may not be able to do it.

The ship offers a luau in Maui that is exclusively for passengers. It was nice, but we weren’t very impressed with it (especially after a 45 min.- 1 hour drive to Lahaina). If you’re craving a luau, we recommend Paradise Cove Luau while you’re in Oahu (either before you get on the ship or once you get back).

Boarding the ship was pretty easy and quick. However, to expedite things more, we recommend you do a pre-stay through Norwegian at the Waikiki Marriott. A pre-stay allows you to come in a day or more before the cruise and enjoy what Oahu has to offer (which is a ton). Because of the flight times, pre-stays are always a good idea to make sure you arrive in plenty of time – you don’t want a flight delay to cause you to miss the ship. The benefit of staying at the Marriott (through Norwegian) is it includes transfers from the airport, ship check-in right in the hotel lobby, and transfers to the ship. They take care of your luggage, so all you have to do the day your board is catch the bus and walk on the ship!

Cabins have been the subject of reviews for a while now, some like them, some don’t. They are a bit on the small side, however if you don’t plan on being in your room all the time, it won’t make much difference. The Pride of Aloha’s rooms were a bit worn. If this is important, choose the Pride of America or Pride of Hawaii (coming in 2006) as they are brand new ships and shouldn’t have worn out rooms (though they are still on the small side). You may also consider getting a balcony cabin as most of the time you are within view of amazing scenery (and the ocean view room windows tend to be a bit dirty and difficult to see out of).

As for itinerary, it’s a must to choose one that includes a sail by Mt. Kilauea at night to view the lava (some don’t have it, so be sure to double check before you book)!

All in all we had a great time with our kids once we learned the few tricks mentioned above. The itinerary is wonderful to get a taste of the islands – but be forewarned, you’ll want to come back real soon to experience your favorite island(s) in more detail!

General Guidelines:

A Cruise Vacation to Hawaii comes in 7, 10 & 11-day itineraries (there are also longer itineraries with other cruise lines, however they are usually one-way – i.e. 12-day Ensenada, Mexico to Honolulu)

Destinations include all islands and usually depart from Honolulu, Oahu

Norwegian has the only year-round departures and 7-day itineraries for a cruise vacation to Hawaii.
The Pride of America is a brand new ship that just opened this year. We’ve not had a chance to try it out yet, but hear it’s beautiful. There will also be a new ship coming in 2006, the Pride of Hawaii.

When to go:

Off season would be considered anytime school is in session – fall (before and between the holidays), late winter (after the holidays), before/after spring break

Of all “off-season” times, fall/early winter is the best – especially for flights. Try the week between Thanksgiving and Christmas – it’s a great time for airfare and cruise fare.

You can still get great pricing if you go during school breaks, but you should try to book at least 8 mos prior to make sure you can get the cabin and sailing you want.

We’ve listed all of the main information about the Norwegian ships that have a cruise vacation to Hawaii (there are other lines that offer great cruises to this destination – Celebrity and Holland America to name a couple. We’ve concentrated on Norwegian because of their pricing and availability).

Why Maui Vacations?!?

3 distinct areas: rugged and unexplored mountains in the west, valley in the center, and a giant volcano to the southeast
80 amazing beaches, coral reefs, and 120 miles of shoreline
27,000-acre National Park featuring Haleakala volcano (drive to the summit at sunrise – it is absolutely breathtaking!)
Lush rainforest sights on the Road to Hana – a 50 mile scenic drive you won’t believe
Town of Lahaina – West Maui’s biggest attraction and National Historic District
Sugarcane Train – a restored train traveling between Lahaina and Ka’anapali (Maui’s largest resort area)
Maui Ocean Center – 5-acre complex featuring a 100-foot long, 600,000-gallon tank with a walkway through it
Maui Tropical Plantation (working plantation) – take a 40 minute tram ride through lush fields of papaya, sugarcane, pineapple, and more
Nature Center Interactive Science Arcade – offers hands-on natural science exhibits that are fun and educational for the entire family!

Kaanapali Beach – When to visit:

Hawaii’s “high season” is pretty much anytime school is out – July-August, Thanksgiving-New Year’s, and March-April.
If you’re wanting to go during these times, it’s very important to book at least 8-12 mos. prior.
*The best time to go would be the off season – fall (before Thanksgiving), late winter (after New Year’s), and early summer (May-mid-June).
Mid-week is also a good time to travel. By doing so you usually have more flights and hotels to choose from and miss the largest crowds at beaches and attractions.

Weather

The Leeward area of Maui (Lahaina, Ka’anapali, Wailea, Kihei) is usually warmer and drier than the rest of the island – making it ideal for resort areas. Average temperatures in this area are 80 degrees in winter and 86 degrees in the summer (Lahaina is the warmest area – Ka’anapali and Wailea are cooled a bit by the trade winds).
Kahului (where the airport is located) is almost always windy and is, in fact, on the Windward side of the island. When you arrive, don’t be put off if it’s cloudy and windy – chances are your resort area on the Leeward side will be beatiful and sunny.
Hana, though on the Windward side, is sunnier than you’d expect since clouds usually gather more uphill. However, sometimes storms can move in and last for a few days in this area (especially in winter). Average temperature in Hana is 78 in the winter and 84 in the summer.
The summit of Haleakala (a beatiful site to behold with sweeping views of the island – particularly at sunrise) is pretty chilly (for Hawaii anyway). Average temperature here is 50 in the winter and 58 in the summer. Mornings are especially cold with the wind so bundle up!
Average humidity is 65%-75% and Ocean temperatures range from 75 in the winter to 80 at the end of summer.

Getting Around Maui

Renting a car is recommended on Maui since many of the attractions and activities can only be reached if you have one.
Rental cars in Hawaii are fairly inexpensive (some of the lowest in the nation)- but be sure to reserve one in advance since they can sell-out (especially during peak times).
4-Wheel drives aren’t necessary here (not like on Kauai or the Big Island) since there’s not much rugged terrain you’ll need to scale. If you’d like to splurge, however, a convertible would be a good option.
There’s no public bus system like on Oahu – so getting around without a car is more difficult. There is a private bus system called South and West Maui Shuttle for $2-$5 (but if you’ll be doing a lot of site seeing, it will be cheaper to rent a car).

What to Bring on Maui Vacations:

Hawaii is a casual place (only the most ultra-exclusive places would every require a dinner jacket). It’s best to pack light (think tropical) and bring a sweater or light jacket for the evenings.
Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen!! Maui is at 20 degrees latitude and gets more direct sunlight than anywhere on the mainland. Be careful of the suns rays or you could find yourself laid-up in your hotel room for the duration of your stay.
Mosquito Repellent with DEET (especially if you’ll be hiking or journeying inland).
Reef shoes and a beach mat. Beaches in Maui can have various critters (such as Sea Urchins and Jelly Fish), rocks, and coral that can be murder on your feet – reef shoes will help protect them. A beach mat is a good idea if you’ll be hanging out on the beach for a few days. Both of these can be purchased once you arrive for a few dollars.

General guidelines for choosing where to stay on Maui, Hawaii Vacations:

In general, Hyatt, Westin, ASTON and Ohana/Outrigger hotels are always good choices for families (well maintained, family friendly, and good service).
Keep in mind – you get what you pay for. So if you’re only paying $50 per night, please don’t expect a lot of amenities and a jacuzzi in the room.
Maui is one of the more expensive islands – however, that does not mean you can’t find a good deal for a smaller budget.
West Maui (Ka’anapali, Lahaina, and Kapalua) usually has:
More activities due to the working harbor in Lahaina
More nightlife
Easier access to Molokai and Lanai
Better shopping
More scenic backdrop
Better food selection and quality
More popular with families (more Keiki programs to choose from)
More crowded feeling
Parking problems in Lahaina
Further from Hana, Haleakala, and Kahului
Hotter
More densely developed.
South Maui (Wailea and Kihei) usually has:
Closer location to Hana, Haleakala, and Kahului
Cooler weather
Better reefs, snorkeling, and diving
Less crowded beaches
Better Golf
Less crowded feeling
Potential for smoke and dust in the air during Sugarcane Harvesting (when they harvest, they burn the fields causing smoke and dust to blow into South Maui). Harvesting is suspended in the winter.

We’ve put together a list of Maui Vacations Resorts that offer something SPECIAL in each price range (Budget, Moderate, and Luxury). By special, we mean – kid’s clubs, great pools with waterslides, activities, kid’s eat/play/stay free, family offers, and more!

NOTE: This is not a complete list of Maui, Hawaii vacations resorts, merely those we feel have a lot to offer and have good reviews. If a resort is not listed, it does not mean that it isn’t kid friendly.

Budget Maui, Hawaii Vacations Resorts

Outrigger Royal Kahana

*Oceanfront
*Full Kitchens
*2 Tennis Courts
*Fitness Center
*Pool & Sauna
*Weekly Mai Tai party on Fridays
*Island Explorer’s Kit for the kids

ASTON at Papakea Resort

*Oceanfront
*13-acres of tropical gardens & lagoons
*Full Kitchen and washer/dryer
*2 pools and spas
*Putting greens
*3 tennis courts
*5th night free
*2 for 1 Luaua
*ASTONishing deals booklet
*Kids stay, play, & eat for free (12 & under)

Maui Kai

*Oceanfront
*Every unit is oceanfront
*Full Kitchens
*Pool & spa
*Library
*Ping pong
*Gas barbecue
*Free parking
*Complimentary morning coffee & cappuccino

Moderate Maui, Hawaii Vacations Resorts

ASTON Mahana at Kaanapali

*Oceanfront
*Full Kitchens
*Pool & sauna
*Barbecue
*Tennis
*ASTONishing free deals (5th night free, 2 for 1 Luau, deals booklet)
*Kids eat, stay, & play free (12 & under)

ASTON Maui Hill

*Short walk to beach
*Ocean views
*Full Kitchens and washer/dryer
*Pool & hydro spa
*Putting green
*Tennis
*Barbecue
*ASTONishing free deals (see above)
*Kids eat, stay, & play free (12 & under)

Ka’anapali Beach Hotel

*Beachfront
*Next to 36-hole championship golf course
*10-acre tropical courtyard
*Pool
*Hawaiian cultural activities daily
*Hawaiian entertainment nightly
*Free daily breakfast buffet for 2
*Kids 5 & under eat free with adult

Outrigger Palms at Wailea

*2 blocks to beach
*Full Kitchens
*Recreation center with pool & spa
*Access to Wailea Golf Club & Tennis
*Island Explorer Kit for kids

Luxury Maui, Hawaii Vacations Resorts

Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa

*Beachfront
*40-acres of lush landscaping
*Fitness Center & Spa
*Championship golf
*Kayaking
*Scuba Diving
*Snorkel Sails
*Catamaran Sails
*Tennis
*Lava rock grotto including 150-foot lava tube waterslide and half-acre pool
*Keiki Lagoon for kids (sandy beach and waterslide)
*5 restaurants
*”Drums of the Pacific” Luau
*Camp Hyatt (kids camp for 5-12)
*2nd room 50% off
*$15 resort service fee per day includes: entrance to spa & fitness center (for 2), daily newspaper, in-room coffee & tea, & 1 hour of tennis court time

The Fairmont Kea Lani Maui

*Beachfront
*All-suites
*Partial Kitchen with free Kona coffee
*Separate bedrooms and spacious living rooms
*4 restaurants
*22,000 square foot pool with 140-foot waterslide
*Swim up bar
*Fitness Center
*Mini-van or Luxury Rental Car

Grand Wailea

*Most talked about resort in Maui
*Oceanfront
*40 acres of flowers, water, trees, sound, light and art
*5 diamond resort
*Amazing pools – tiered with slides between each as well as a Water Elevator to get you back to the top. Also has a lagoon style pool with sand for the little ones. *Spa Grande and Fitness Center
*Golf
*SCUBA clinics and water aerobics
*Award winning cuisine
*Lei and Mai Tai punch greeting
*Children’s programs and Camp Grande (4-12 years old)
*Art and Garden tours
*Tennis courts

We’ve put together a list of Oahu Family Hotels that offer something SPECIAL in each price range (Budget, Moderate, and Luxury).

By special, we mean – kid’s clubs, great pools with waterslides, activities, kid’s eat/play/stay free, family offers, or other family friendly features.

NOTE:

This is list of Oahu Family Hotels that we feel have a lot to offer. If a hotel is not listed, it does not mean that it isn’t kid friendly.

Budget Oahu Family Hotels (under $100/night)

Camping on Oahu

*There are 16 areas to camp on Oahu.
*If you don’t want to bring gear you can buy some at the Costco (if you’re a member) or the Walmart/Sam’s Club just outside of Waikiki (these are the cheapest places).
*Camping is free, but you need to get a permit. Visit the Department of Parks and Recreation for further details.
*Cabins are also available at Malaekahana in La-ie (Northern tip of Oahu). These sell-out quickly to call well in advance. Prices are around $60-$80/night. Contact Friends of Malaekahana at 808-293-1736 for further details.

Hale Koa

*This is an amazing hotel but it’s military run so you need to be related to the military in some form or fashion (see Hale Koa website to see if you qualify)
*72 acres, mostly park setting
*2 pools and a children’s pool
*Tennis courts
*Fitness room
*More activities than I can list (volleyball, racquetball, video arcade, etc.) *5 shops
*Lu’au
*Some of the best deals on food in Waikiki (which you can access even without being a guest)

Queen Kapiolani Hotel

*1 block to beach
*Next to 500 acre Kapiolani Park (home of Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium, tennis courts, jogging path, hiking, playground, and more!)
*Restaurant and Lounge
*Shopping
*Swimming pool
*Great views in rooms facing Diamond Head and the ocean.

Ocean Resort Hotel Waikiki

*1 block from beach
*2 pools
*Restaurant
*2 Shops
*Nintendo in rooms
*The higher you go the better the views (though this hotel is kind of boxed in so don’t expect sweeping landscape views)
*Kitchenettes in some
*People tend to return here often (repeat guests get deeper discounts, upgrades, etc.).
Moderate Oahu Family Hotels ($100-$200/night)

ASTON Waikiki Beach Hotel

*Ideal for families (in fact, this is our favorite family hotel in Waikiki)
*Little gift for kids at check-in (crayons, coloring book, and a small beach bag) *Across the street from safest part of Waikiki beach (but nothing between it and the view)
*Close to Kapiolani Park (Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium, tennis, playground, hiking, and more)
*Neat rooms with a 60′s theme (really fun and a bit funky)
*Award winning restaurant with kids eat free
*Entertainment poolside
*5th night free
*2 for 1 Luau
*ASTONishing Deals Booklet (discounts at various activities on the island)
*ASTONishing Kids – stay, eat, & play free (12 & under)
*Daily breakfast buffet (you get a small cooler that you can fill to your heart’s content at food stations by the pool. You can then take that cooler anywhere to eat your breakfast – to the beach, on a picnic, to the park, in your room, by the pool – wherever!)
*Keiki Club (for kids 5-12 yrs) during the summer

Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach (Outriggers are great Oahu Family Hotels)

*Beachfront
*Great rooms angled so most have ocean views
*Good central location in Waikiki
*Shops
*Several Restaurants including a great beachfront bar & grill (try the fish tacos!) called Duke’s
*Show room
*Fitness center
*1st night free (5 night minimum)
*Breakfast special available
*Discount booklet
*Cowabunga Kids program (5-12 yrs taken by bus a few doors down to the Outrigger Reef for the day or session)
*Island Explorers Pack (gift for kids)

Oahu Family Hotels – Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort & Spa

*Across the street from beach but nothing between it and the beach to block view (just tiki torches, swaying palm trees, and sand)
*Nice rooms – contemporary feel, upscale (one tower is newly refurbished with the other scheduled to be done by spring 2005)
*Full service concierge level
*Fine dining
*Entertainment
*Shopping and shopping and shopping (kind of looks like a mall on the lower level)
*Luxury spa
*Second room for families 50% off
*Kids eat free (12 & under)
*Camp Hyatt (5-12 yrs – seasonal)
*Free parking with 3 night minimum (this is a definite plus because Waikiki parking can be short in supply and expensive for extensive stays)

Luxury Oahu Family Hotels ($200+/night)

Oahu Family Hotels Hilton Hawaiian Village

*Beachfront on the widest part of Waikiki ( a plus because some areas around the Sheraton and Royal Hawaiian can get pretty narrow)
*Beautiful property with meandering walkways with fish filled ponds, flamingoes, turtles, parrots, penguins, waterfalls, and trailing flowers
*Concierge rooms in the Ali’i Tower (comes with private check-in, private pool for tower guests, free coffee and tea in the room, complimentary newspaper daily, and a few more fabulous perks). This tower is ocean front so it also has some spectacular views.
*20 restaurants
*Full Service Spa
*Bishop Museum
*2-tier pool
*Shopping Bazaar (over 100 shops)
*Free upgrades available
*$50 dining credit available
*Kids eat free (12 & under)

Oahu Family Hotels JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa

*Secluded beachfront location outside of Waikiki
*Gorgeous upscale property with rooms the size of small apartments
*Beautiful views from every room
*Full-service Spa
*Keiki program (4-12)
*Manta Ray pool (where you can get in to feed them)
*Shark pool (sorry, can’t get into this one)
*Children’s exploration pool where they can pick-up and view starfish, sea cucumbers, and more
*Golf
*Restaurants
*4 Ko’Olina Lagoons – some of the safest swimming in Oahu

Turtle Bay Resort

*On the North Shore – more secluded and quiet than Waikiki
*880 acres of tropical wonderland
*2 golf courses
*tennis courts
*snorkeling & horseback riding on the beach
*3 restaurants
*2 pools, one with a waterslide
*Golf course
*Spa
*Private swimming bay
*Resort service fee $12/day (includes 1 hr snorkel equipment, 2 for 1 in the Keiki Turtle Club (kids 5-12), fitness club access, & 1 hour tennis)
*Parking included
*Beachfront on it’s on peninsula so each room is ocean view
*Just recently refurbished – still some parts in progress but worth putting up with some dust
*Have you seen the new TV show LOST? This part of the island is where it’s being filmed.

Why Oahu Vacations?

• Oahu has the most to offer families (beauty, activities, excitement, tranquility – everything you dream of for Hawaii on one island)
• Oahu offers rainforests, valleys, canyons, waterfalls, coral reefs, gold-sand beaches, and mountain ranges nearly a mile high.
• It’s the easiest and least expensive Island to get to and stay at – yet has the most to offer. It contains the luxury, tranquility, excitement, beauty and relaxation of any other island in Hawaii but has so much more to do.
• Perfect mix of city excitement/activities and the tranquility of small island villages!
• Resorts, cabins, and B&B’s away from Waikiki and Honolulu if you’d like more peace and tranquility.
  It’s not the Waikiki and Honolulu you remember (it has been completely refurbished, with another $700 million planned over the next 5 years)
• 2 GORGEOUS mountain ranges filled with activities (waterfall hikes, horseback riding, mountain biking, ATV rides, and so much more)
• Free Community Events – Brunch on the Beach (every 3rd Sunday, food booths only $4-$5 per plate), Sunset on the Beach (every Saturday & Sunday at 4p, food booths, live music, and a newly released movie under the stars), Sunset at Kuhio Beach (daily at 6:30p, celebrate the sunset with authentic Hawaiian ceremony and hula)
• 33 AMAZING golf courses
• Oahu vacations have UNBELIEVABLE snorkeling and scuba at Hanauma Bay, Kaneohe Bay, and more!
• America’s Best Beaches (Lanikai Beach 1996 & Hanauma Bay 2004)
• Abundant Art and Culture of the Islands (museums, historic sites, music festivals, and more)
• Oahu vacations can include swimming with Dolphins, Rays, Sharks and Sea Turtles
• Hawaiian Waters and Adventure Park
• Sea Life Park
• Honolulu Zoo and Waikiki Aquarium
• Submarine Adventures
• Snuba – the new cross between scuba and snorkeling
• Kayaking, Windsurfing, Kitesurfing, Powered Hang Gliders (truly fly like a bird), Fishing, Parasailing – the list goes on and on!
• And don’t forget USS Arizona, USS Missouri, Dole Plantation, and the Polynesian Cultural Center!

When to visit:

Hawaii’s “high season” is pretty much anytime school is out – July-August, Thanksgiving-New Year’s, Spring Break (March-Beginning May), and Valentine’s Day.
If you’re wanting to go during these times, it’s very important to book at least 8-12 mos prior.
The best time to go on your Oahu vacations would be during the off season – fall (before Thanksgiving), late winter (after New Year’s), and early summer (mid-late May).
Try to leave and return mid-week – particularly Tuesday & Wednesday – for the best selection and pricing.

(Note: Our winter can be their rainy season, however, it is usually brief, isolated rains – one part of the island can be raining and the other perfectly sunny)

What to Bring on your Oahu Vacations:

Oahu vacations have an average temperature is 84F, humidity averages 70%, and water temperature averages 77F or so.
Hawaii is a casual place (only the most ultra-exclusive places would every require a dinner jacket). It’s best to pack light (think tropical) and bring a sweater or light jacket for the evenings.
Mosquito repellent with DEET – especially if you’ll be hiking or visiting any gardens.
Sunscreen – apply often! Oahu gets more direct sun than anywhere on the Mainland so sunburns can happen quickly (effectively ruining the rest of your vacation).
Reef Shoes (can be purchased on the island). There are a few really nice places to swim, snorkel, and kayak that don’t exactly have sandy bottoms – wear reef shoes to protect against rocks, coral, and critters.

Oahu Highway

General Guidelines for Getting Around Oahu:

Consider renting a car for at least part of your Oahu vacations. If you don’t, you’ll miss some spectacular drives, beaches, restaurants, sites, and more.
The most convenient car rental agencies (for easy pick-up and return) are Avis, Hertz, National, Dollar, and Budget.
Car break-ins can be a problem in some areas. The best strategy is to take everything of value with you and leave the doors unlocked. This way, they’ll open the door, see there’s nothing, and move on – rather than you coming back to shattered glass and a bill due to the rental agency.
When asking directions, keep in mind that Mauka means “toward the mountains or on the mountain side” and Makai means “toward the ocean or on the ocean side”
TheBus is also available and extremely convenient since parking is always difficult and expensive in Waikiki. Bus #8 goes in and around Waikiki and Ala Moana Shopping Center every 10 minutes – $2 one-way or $40 for a monthly pass.

Disney Cruise Lines is heading to Europe in 2007! For more information on this once-in-a-lifetime cruise for your family, view the Online Brochure today! Booking on this cruise begins April 4th.

Dreaming of seeing your kids faces when they first set foot in the Magic Kingdom? What would your girls give to have breakfast with the Princesses IN the castle? Would your boys love to dance with Mickey, Goofy, and Donald while cruising to the Bahamas? Would your teens love a chance to get away on their own excursions and to their own hang-out and clubs? Would you like to make all their wishes come true?

Or how about you? Would you like to sip tropical drinks by a turquoise sea with only the noise of the breeze and the waves? Would you like to have a romantic dinner by candlelight – without the kids? Would you like to spend the day being pampered in a world renowned spa or playing golf to your hearts content? Would you really, truly relax and leave the world behind (no laundry, no dishes, no cooking, no bosses)?

Walt Disney® Vacations can do all of this and so much more!

Lessons learned at Disney World:

Last April I took our family on a 7-day land & sea vacation (4 days at Disney World and a 3 day cruise to the Bahamas). It was a great experience and we had a lot of fun, but there was a lot I’d do differently next time. Here are the tricks I learned to make a great Disney World vacation:

My family consists of my husband, me, and our 2 daughters (ages 4 & 5 at the time). We live in Southern California so we were facing a 5 hour flight to Florida. I had arranged for a red-eye flight thinking the kids could sleep the whole way there (so I wouldn’t have to keep them entertained and in their seats for 5 hours). This was great in theory, but didn’t quite work out as I’d planned. The kids did sleep, but my husband and I didn’t so much as close our eyes. Needless to say, we were exhausted when we arrived in Florida at 6 am. Since our arrival was before 9am, we needed to collect our luggage and call the Disney shuttle to come get us (after 9am, they have representatives in the airport to meet you and take care of your luggage). This really wasn’t that big of a deal for us – we didn’t have a ton of luggage and the shuttle arrived within about 15 minutes.

The shuttle delivered us directly to our hotel by about 7:30a. Unfortunately, our room wasn’t ready. They had suggested we have breakfast and hit the amusement parks but we were too tired and wanted nothing more than a nap. So we ate breakfast then checked with the front desk – still not ready. We sat in the lobby for a while and let the kids watch cartoons and color then checked again – still not ready. We checked out the pool and let the kids play on the playground then checked again – still not ready. We ate lunch then checked again – finally it was ready!! We checked in and took a long nap. Now, I need to make sure you understand, this was not Disney or the hotel’s fault, it was all mine. I didn’t plan it out very well – but I learned a lesson and will definitely do better next time.

Flight and arrival lessons:

Song and Jet Blue Airlines have great flights available for very reasonable prices. There are TVs with about 10 free channels (plus movies, games, and music videos you can pay for) in the back of every seat. This is wonderful for helping keep the kids occupied.
Skip the red-eye flights unless you need it for price reasons. If you have to take it, reserve your room for the night you fly if possible – that way it will be waiting for you when you arrive.
Try to arrive in Orlando after 9am – that way a Disney rep will be waiting to take care of your luggage and escort you to the shuttle. Hopefully, you’ll also be fully rested and ready to jump right in to your vacation.

Once we had napped, we were ready for dinner. Our hotel only had one dining option – the food court. It was good, but eating there for every meal gets old real quick. Fortunately, the neighboring hotel had a few more options available so we went there. Our hotel listed that it had bike rentals, horse & buggy rides, boat rentals, etc. – which was why we picked it. However, it didn’t mention that these items were located at the neighboring property, not in our hotel. This wasn’t a problem since there was a beautiful trail to the next property or a river fairy available to get you back and forth (but I wished I had known before I arrived).

Before we arrived, I knew I wanted to take advantage of a kid’s club one of the nights. When looking at the maps, I didn’t think there be a problem getting the girls to the kid’s club (our hotel didn’t have one on site) then getting my husband and I back to Downtown Disney for a night on the town. In truth, it wasn’t a problem, it was just a long trip. The travel time between areas via Disney shuttles can take a while. This isn’t because the shuttles are slow, it’s simply the distance between areas.

Also during our trip, my husband had a work emergency and had to take care of some things via the internet. Unfortunately, I hadn’t planned on this and didn’t choose a hotel that had a business center or internet access. There was a hotel that had it (The Contemporary), but he had to take the shuttles or a taxi to get there. I’ll be prepared next time.

Hotel Lessons:

When choosing your hotel, consider what amenities you’ll be using (pools, boat rentals, kid’s clubs, etc.). Choose a hotel that has what you want in it rather than thinking you can just travel to other hotels and use theirs. You can of course, if you need to for price reasons, but it’s so much more convenient if everything’s right there (especially when you’re exhausted from park hopping all day).
If you’ll be using a Kid’s Club, reserve your space at the earliest opportunity (90 days prior to your trip) to avoid all the space being booked.
I highly recommend staying at one of the main resorts near the Magic Kingdom if it’s within your budget (The Contemporary or The Polynesian). Not only do they have the most to offer (boats, pools, slides, kids clubs, etc.) but they have the most transportation options (you can get to the Magic Kingdom by boat, monorail, or shuttle), and the most food options (several restaurants in each plus everything available in the Magic Kingdom and Epcot itself).
Will you need internet access or a business center? Choose a hotel that has it available just in case.

Before we visited the parks, I planned every step very carefully. I know this sounds incredibly anal but it saved our sanity. I had looked over every ride and attraction at each park to determine what we definitely wanted to see and do. Depending on how much we wanted to do at each park, I planned how long we needed to be there and when we needed to arrive at each show and attraction. If we only needed to do a couple of things, I’d plan one park in the morning and one in the afternoon. If we wanted to do a lot, I’d reserve the whole day (or two) for that park. When planning, I also scheduled in food breaks, relaxation breaks, pool & amenity breaks, and nap breaks. For food breaks, I knew where we’d eat for each meal (whether it was a character meal or simply the hotel’s food court). Though the schedule was packed, it allowed us to enjoy so much more of what was offered since I could plan to arrive before the crowds got crazy, eat at “off-times”, and rest or swim during the heat of the day.

Unfortunately, we only had 3 days to do everything, not nearly enough time in Disney World. My husband and I were stressed more often than not and the kids were always asking to go back to the hotel. If I could do it again I’d stay longer and schedule much more relaxation/free time.

Side Note: While we were there it was my youngest daughter’s birthday. If you’ll be celebrating a birthday while there, go to City Hall in the Magic Kingdom and get a Birthday Pin as soon as you can (then have them wear it during your entire trip). The cast at Disney is trained to seek out those pins and go to extra lengths to make that person feel special. You can also contact your hotel’s concierge desk and ask for something special to be delivered to your room. In our case, my daughter loves princesses so they delivered a balloon and an autographed photo of Cinderella. Lastly, when making reservations at restaurants or simply walking in, mention the birthday and they’ll be sure to make it special.

Park Lessons:

Get the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World before you go and read it cover to cover. It is essential to planning a great vacation. Or, better yet, contact a travel agent who specializes in Disney (they already know the tricks and can help you have a tremendous vacation)
Plan to arrive at the main parks before they open but not during the early arrival times arranged by the hotels. It will give you a huge jump on long lines, the heat of the day, and huge crowds. Plus, the Magic Kingdom has a neat opening show that’s worth seeing.
Plan plenty of time for relaxation, pool breaks, and nap breaks. Try not to be running constantly – your family and your sanity will thank you for it.
If you want to eat at a Character restaurant (where the Disney characters walk around to your table), it’s absolutely imperative that you make your reservations early. You’ll need to call (or have your Travel Agent call) at exactly 7am EST, exactly 90 days prior to your vacation. I know it sounds extreme, but it’s the only way you’ll get what you want – especially if you want the more popular restaurants (i.e. Cinderella’s Castle).

On the day we were supposed to board the cruise ship, Disney offered early entry into the Animal Kingdom and a chance to have breakfast at Donald’s Breakfastasaurus. This was awesome! Before we left that morning, we left our luggage in our room (the bellmen took care of checking it all the way to our cruise ship). The restaurant is character dining with really fun waiters and fabulous food. By being allowed to enter the park early, we were also able to hit all the rides before they got busy. At about noon (which was plenty of time to see and do everything in the park), air-conditioned buses were waiting to take us to our ship. During the hour+ drive to Cape Canaveral, they showed a video to help get us in the mood (boy did we!). Once we arrived, we went through security and were able to walk straight on the ship (our key cards from the hotel were the same for the ship and we had already checked in for the cruise at the hotel). Everything was very smooth and easy which was especially wonderful with kids.

What can I say about the cruise? I wish I had done a 7 day cruise rather than 4 days on land and 3 at sea. Don’t get me wrong, the land portion was fun, but I live in Southern California so we do Disneyland quite a bit – Disney World is a lot of the same thing. I have nothing against the Disney World Resort, but the cruise is soooo wonderful, I wish we could have stayed forever.

The ship was beautiful and very well maintained. They thought of everything for families. The kids activities and programs were wonderful. They also thought of alone time for mom and dad and boy did they deliver. The food was amazing, the shows were fabulous, and the activities were so much fun!!! In addition, the ports-of-call were great – especially Castaway Cay! This island should be a destination of its own! Beautiful beaches (one for families, one for teens, and one for adults only – think tropical breezes and waiters serving island drinks to you in the shade of your private lounge chair), great food (included), water activities, and an on-site kids club. We did not want to leave – ever.

Cruise Lessons:

While you are at your hotel, go to the cruise counter and check-in for your cruise.
Disney cruises are a must for families – don’t miss it.
As soon as you arrive on the ship take the time before the emergency drill to reserve your excursions (activities in your ports of call), any spa services you’ll want (massages, facials, etc.), and special dinners in Palo (adults only and fantastic – don’t worry about the kids, they’ll be having dinner and partying with the characters). This will allow you to beat the crowds who wait until the last minute for reservations.
Cruise for as long as you can (3 days just isn’t enough).
Did I mention this is a must for families?

The day of our return home was the smoothest and easiest I’ve have ever had – all because of Disney. We were allowed to get off of the ship right after breakfast, no waiting for a color or name to be called (if you’ve never cruised before, many other ships make you wait for your color to be called to depart). When you get off, you collect your luggage then walk about 20 feet to the buses and airline ticket counters. They literally have a counter for just about every airline right there in the cruise terminal. You check in for your flight, get your boarding passes, and check-in your luggage! The bus then takes you to the airport where you can walk right through to security since everything has been already taken care of. The security line was very quick and efficient – I was impressed. The flight home was a lot easier (since it wasn’t a red-eye) and the kids did fine.

All in all, this was a great vacation for our family. With the tricks I talked about, it can be an amazing vacation for your family too!

Don’t you just love to travel? It is one of things that I enjoy the most. Meeting different people, and enjoying some of the most beautiful scenery that you can imagine. There is always something just around the corner that gives you that Wow-is that-ever-neat-sensation.

As for British Columbia, it is one of my favorite Provinces. Of course I am a bit biased since I was born there and I have friends and relatives who live from one end of the province to the other.

Just about every year since I can remember, I have either lived, worked or made visits to this beautiful province and loved every minute of it.The mountains, ocean, beaches, lakes, people and of course the weather make it such a great place to visit.

Don’t you hate the …”Where-do-I stay-game?” After spending as much time on the road as I do, which is about 60% of the time, I finally got tired of the where do I stay game. You know the one that starts.

1 – Find out which town or towns you are visiting or passing through.
2 – Find a phone book with all the Hotels, Motels, Bed & Breakfasts listed.
3 – Phone every place in town just to find out the rates.
4 – Drive to the town and hope that the place you picked is a decent place to stay.

To have the information that you need:

Here is what I look for…One of the biggest things that I look for in accommodations is a place that is clean and affordable. Even if I am on the road working, I like to stay in a place that I would be happy to bring my wife and kids to.

One of the ways that can help you know if a place is well kept is if the British Columbia accommodations you are checking out is approved by B.C. Tourism.

This sign lets you know that the accommodations are up to B.C. Tourism standards. Almost all the accommodations on this web site carry the Approved by B.C. Tourism sign on their door.

Then of course check and see on the web site what others have to say about their stay. That is the beautiful thing about the Internet, you can see the rooms and what I also do is read the reviews

Listening to the words of someone who has been there, sure makes it a lot easier than just picking a number out of the phone book and hoping for the best.

As you journey through our site you will find …Just about every kind of British Columbia accommodation that you can imagine.

• Hotels
• Motels
• Bed & Breakfasts
• Campgrounds
• Cabins
• Cottages
• Spa’s
• Resorts

Also the prices of some of these places are just fantastic. I’m sure you will be as surprised as I was when I entered them onto this site.

Some of the other things that I have placed on this site are…

1 – Maps of British Columbia - I have broken the province into separate areas, and each area has a map that will give you an idea on where the towns and cities are located.

Be sure to check under the maps for a list of towns with accommodations under $100 a day.

2 -British Columbia Ferry schedules.- To get to some of these accommodations, you may have to take either the Inland Ferry service or the coastal ferry. I have placed links throughout the site to make it more convenient for you to find the ferry service that is right for you.

3- British Columbia Events and Activities - British Columbia holds some great events all year round. So what I have done is listed some of the

events and activities that each town has to offer. Along with links to their events calendar.

4 – British Columbia Weather - Along with our weather page, you will find links to British Columbia’s road reports.This will help you keep up to date on any road closures or weather advisories.

We want you to get to your British Columbia accommodations as safe as possible.