The Taylor family ( 2 adults and 2 children 14 & 10) travelled to America & Hawaii in October 2013 and wrote the following feedback having spent a glorious 3 weeks away. 3 nts in San Francisco, 4 nts in Oahu, 9 nts in Maui and 3 nts Los Angeles
Flights – good – all on time and no hassle with anything other than the usual queues at security and US passport control.
Hotels – very pleased with all of them, location facilities, staff etc.
San Francisco Hyatt – excellent – great room, great view, staff OK, restaurant staff very OK, breakfast very good indeed, superb location for seeing the town.
Honolulu Hyatt – excellent even if showing its 70’s style origin. Never ever been surrounded by so many Japanese tourists, but absolutely no problems. To be much preferred from Russians, the Germans of the 1980’s, Scandinavian children and “Brits abroad”. Production of my Royal Naval Reserve ID card when asked for ID with my Barclaycard earned us a “double” upgrade which gave us a total view of the beach and hotel. Think we were going to get some sort of upgrade anyway as the hotel wasn’t fully booked, but was nice to go up even further for free. Did a Pearl Harbour and North Island tour which was very well done although we were lucky to get a Hawaiian guide and a small bus with only 2 other families which helped.
Maui Fairmont – excellent although we upgraded and with use of said ID card haggled about the price. Ended up with recently renovated room, larger than original on 3rd floor with view over pool and beach. Hotel itself is in the newly developed SW end of Maui and it’s noticeable that this is the “rich” end of the island. Hotel breakfast and restaurants were relatively expensive and it was noticeable that very, very many of the US visitors drove out in the evening to other places. They seemed to stay a bit more put at other hotels. Our room had fridge, microwave etc, etc so we in fact opted for doing our own breakfast, sitting on our huge balcony looking out over the pool and beach. We also ate far too much earlier in San Francisco and Honolulu anyway!! Hired a car for the entire Maui stay. Shuttle to and from airport was of such a price that combined with any other island trip that added up to the same as a hire car. Instead of Maui being a relaxing 10 days we just didn’t stop. Didn’t want to either. Went all over the place and to loads of beaches and places of interest and then tried different restaurants every evening. Surfed and kite boarded as well. No one wanted to leave. I think for a return visit we would consider an hotel with a larger selection of standards, restaurants and facilities and go for a hire car as part of the deal from day 1, or alternatively a very, very much smaller hotel where perhaps much of the activities, trips and visits was organised by them and included. Not quite sure such a thing is possible but we seemed to end up a bit stuck between 2 holiday types. A fantastic luxury hotel we didn’t really need to leave but in possession of a hire car and a burning desire to fit in as much as physically possible!!
LA Hyatt – excellent and a return to “normal” US prices. Great location for the obligatory first trip to Disneyland and the hire car was great for seeing much of Hollywood, Beverley Hills and all that. Could really have spent one or 2 days more in LA .
Maui and now Kauai are definitely on a return visit wish list as well as more time to see more of LA and Malibu – not quite sure where the time and money will be coming from but it doesn’t hurt to have a wish list.
Anyway thanks for your help and guidance and yes I have indeed recommended you to anyone and everyone who has asked about our trip.
Regards, Rupert.