Post #611613 by GraniteWahine on Tue, Oct 25, 2011 4:38 PM

Hi all,
I'm going to be spending 15 days in Hawaii in December. 2 on Oahu, 7 on Maui and then 6 back on Oahu. I'm trying to decide where to stay for those first 2 nights. It will be a Friday and Saturday (which is my 40th birthday) flying to Maui on Sunday. We aren't going to bother to rent a car for essentially a day and a half so I wanted to stay right on the beach. When we come back to Oahu we are staying at the Aston Waikiki Beach hotel, so that might give you an idea of what I like (FUN!) I prefer to stay in an oceanfront room so I've narrowed it down price-wise to the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Hotel and the Outrigger Reef on the Beach. (I just can't afford the Royal Hawaiian, Moana Surfrider or Halekulani) Just wondering if anyone here has stayed at both and can offer an opinion of which is better. Also.. what is the best luau on Oahu in your fine opinions? I read some reviews on TripAdvisor but so many people seem super picky and have really elevated expectations. I mean, it's supposed to be cheesy and touristy, isn't it? I'm leaning toward Paradise Cove for the location alone, I figure food and drink-wise all things will be equal with the others, but I am definitely open to suggestion. This is my third trip to Oahu and I've never been to Maui. Thanks so much for your help!