A reader in Chicago recently sent this email:
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I was wondering if you can help me. I am planning my honeymoon for the first week of April 2009. We are trying to decide between
Aruba and Hawaii. I have done a lot of research and have gotten mixed reviews from both places.
We want a place that has great weather, great beaches, great restaurants, water sports/snorkeling, is not super-crowded with families and kids, and has a nice luxurious hotel that will pamper us, plus some nightlife.
From what I understand, Hawaii has a lot of this — but is there much nightlife? Also is it overrun with kids and families? And which is the best island to go to for what we want?
With Aruba, I have heard great things except that it is crowded, “Americanized,” and lacking a 5-star facility. I have read that the Radisson Aruba Resort is the best; is it?
Can you please let me know what you think?
I've been to both destinations, and frankly, there's no comparison. Away from Aruba's wide, clean beaches, it is somewhat unsightly. The perimeter consists of industrialized stretches, scrubby desert, a small downtown/port area, and the hotel strips.
Since Aruba is a desert island and little grows there, all the food must be imported, so it's fairly pricey. (And yes, there are lots of American fast food joints.) Also, Aruba has no first-rate hotels. IMO, Bucuti Beach Resort is the best place for adult couples. But there is little to do on the island other than the beaches and casinos.
Over the years, Hawaii has gotten more family friendly, which can be unpleasant for people who don't want to be on vacation with other people's kids. So you need to be choosy about when and where you go. At almost every place you're safe in May and September, when school is in session. (Most couples have the sense not to subject babies and toddlers to the long flight to Hawaii.)
Look for hotels that do NOT offer a program for children. And if every place you check does have one, ask if there are adults-only pools or wings.
Food is also expensive in Hawaii, but there are plenty of restaurants.
As for night life in Hawaii, well, there's no gambling so that option is out. Some hotels have hula shows and luaus, but those tend toward the touristy/cheesy. There are periodic music and jazz festivals, so if you can time your visit to occur around one of those, there will be plenty of entertainment.
Oahu has the excitement of Waikiki, the beauty of Diamond Head, and the surfing beaches of the north.
The Halekulani Hotel is tops with travelers and you're unlikely to see families with kids there.
Hawaii Beach photo © Susan Breslow Sardone, licensed to About.com, Inc.
I’d highly recommend checking out Bucuti Beach Resort in Aruba.
The Renaissance is on the busier, more touristy Palm Beach and IMO, is NOT the nicest on the island.
I agree that the suites at Bucuti — http://honeymoons.about.com/od/aruba/p/Bucuti_Beach.htm — are the nicest on the island. But since the writer was also looking for great restaurants (there’s only one at Bucuti) and nightlife and there’s next to nothing going on at Bucuti beyond the beach, I thought the Renaissance was more what he was looking for. They’re both good properties.
Hi, I’m Mary-Ann and I live on Aruba.. I dont agree with what the writer says.. The writer makes Aruba look very booring.. And thats not true.. Like where the writer says that Aruba doesn’t have much to do.. It isn’t true.. You can go snorkel, you can go on the catamaran (a boat trip), you can go in the banana bus (a bus trip that is very fun!!) and we also have very much restaurants & concerts.. If I where an American Aruba would be the perfect place for my honeymoon.. but again.. I have never been to Hawaii but it looks boring.. x0x0..
“The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua…may be your best bet, since the refined demeanor of the place usually motivates kids to behave.”
This is definitely true now that the hotel is about to complete its $100 million dollar makeover. New restaurants, spa features, and other amenities.
The honeymooning couple really needs to decide what is more important to them. Aruba offers incredible Caribbean weather, warm blue water, some of the best beaches in the world, decent snorkling in the right places, hiking through some interesting landscape, and the ability to really get away from it all. There are casinos and restaurants, though it’s a desert island in the furthest reaches of the Caribbean, so don’t expect NYC dining. I like Aruba.
Depending in the Hawaiian island you choose, the geography/landscape/floral/fauna is far different than Aruba. The infrastructure is far more advanced than on Aruba, if only because the islands are much, much larger than Aruba. The Hawaiian islands are typically not desert-like, which of course means there is a greater chance of rain than on Aruba. Because there are more people on the islands, night-life is more available (dancing) than Aruba.
The two places offer totally different experiences, and no one place will do it all. Decide what is most important to you.
Having been to both, it sounds to me like you’re describing the Kahala on the Island of ‘Oahu in Honolulu Hawai’i.
The Kahala is “hidden” in a super-luxury residential beach community about 20 miles east of the Honolulu airport and, maybe, 10 miles from lively Waikiki.
Very few children, GREAT restaurants and a beautiful beach.
Or, if it’s luxury seclusion you’re after … try either of the two resorts on the private Island of Lana’i. The Lodge at Kohle http://www.hawaii-search.com/Lanai/Resorts/.
Hawai’i resorts offer a variety of experiences not found anywhere else in the world – - – all in a safe American environment with predictable weather and elements.
There’s no place like the Islands of Aloha …. Luana! = Enjoy!
Natalie Holloway? Duh, I say Hawaii