1 night stop over on the way to HI

[Pamplemousse]

I know a version of this has been discussed here before, but I would love some specific recommendations for this situation.

Flying to HI in winter from the east coast.
We would like to do a 1 night stop over someplace just to break up the trip, allow us to adjust to time change a bit, perhaps recover from any wether delays and give more flight options to HI.

Can anyone suggest a specific hotel?
We would want to be close/ easy access to an airport with options to HI (inexpensive uber/ taxi).
Close to dining options.
Close to something to do/see in the evening would be an extra plus.

I have a list of places I would love to stop at for 2-4 nights, but we can’t afford that much time this trip so I wondered if anyone had experience/ recommendations. Thanks.

 

[klpenny]

I know a version of this has been discussed here before, but I would love some specific recommendations for this situation.

Flying to HI in winter from the east coast.
We would like to do a 1 night stop over someplace just to break up the trip, allow us to adjust to time change a bit, perhaps recover from any wether delays and give more flight options to HI.

Can anyone suggest a specific hotel?
We would want to be close/ easy access to an airport with options to HI (inexpensive uber/ taxi).
Close to dining options.
Close to something to do/see in the evening would be an extra plus.

I have a list of places I would love to stop at for 2-4 nights, but we can’t afford that much time this trip so I wondered if anyone had experience/ recommendations. Thanks.

We have gone to Hawaii from the East Coast and always break the trip up. From where we live It is cheapest to fly into Los Angeles and fly out the next day from there. We have stayed at the Residence Inn by the airport. They upgraded us to a nice suite and had a shuttle, and breakfast. We didn't get in to 9:30pm so I am not sure what is in the area.

 

[DanCali]

It doesn't break up the trip much, but the Grand Hyatt at DFW is one of the nicest airport hotels I've stayed at.

I suspect from there you can get AA non-stop to most HI destinations.

 

[vacationtime1]

San Diego's airport is much closer to downtown San Diego than any of its west Coast counterparts is to their respective downtowns; it is a very short taxi/Lyft ride. Any of the downtown, Gaslamp District, or waterfront hotels will get you to a variety of walkable dinner options.

The question will be whether there are well-priced, non-stop flights from your airport to SD and whether there are well-priced, non-stop flights from SD to your island of choice.

 

[Pamplemousse]

San Diego's airport is much closer to downtown San Diego than any of its west Coast counterparts is to their respective downtowns; it is a very short taxi/Lyft ride. Any of the downtown, Gaslamp District, or waterfront hotels will get you to a variety of walkable dinner options.

The question will be whether there are well-priced, non-stop flights from your airport to SD and whether there are well-priced, non-stop flights from SD to your island of choice.

Any specific hotel/ restaurant/ evening activity you would recommend?

I do plan to make a list of everyone’s suggestions and then explore flights.

 

[Luanne]

We break up our trip with a two night stop in San Francisco. We used to live in the SF Bay area so we like to go back to visit, plus our older daughter lives in the area and we can usually see her.

We like to stay in the Union Square area. Easy to reach from SFO by cab, Uber/Lyft, or BART. We don't have a "favorite" hotel, but choose based on price. The hotels we currently like are the Westin St. Francis and the Beacon Grand. Easy walking to restaurants and public transportation.

 

[Pamplemousse]

We break up our trip with a two night stop in San Francisco. We used to live in the SF Bay area so we like to go back to visit, plus our older daughter lives in the area and we can usually see her.

We like to stay in the Union Square area. Easy to reach from SFO by cab, Uber/Lyft, or BART. We don't have a "favorite" hotel, but choose based on price. The hotels we currently like are the Westin St. Francis and the Beacon Grand. Easy walking to restaurants and public transportation.

Do you think that’s worth it for 1 night?
Are there restaurants or something to do for an evening close by?

 

[Luanne]

Do you think that’s worth it for 1 night?
Are there restaurants or something to do for an evening close by?

I think it's worth it for a night. Our favorite restaurant is Fino, which is a quick walk from both of the hotels I mentioned. It's a small restaurant and reservations are recommended. Flights from SFO to Hawaii are usually early in the morning so not sure how late you would want to stay out the night before the flight.

Fino Ristorante

www.finoristorante.com

 

[ljmiii]

Flying to HI in winter from the east coast...Can anyone suggest a specific hotel?...We would want to be close/ easy access to an airport with options to HI (inexpensive uber/ taxi).

For this my #1 option is staying at the Grand Hyatt SFO and dining at their restaurant (the Quail + Crane). Wonderful hotel, reasonably nice restaurant, no Uber/taxi required...just take the AirTrain to/from your hotel.

Close to dining options...Close to something to do/see in the evening would be an extra plus.

This widens the options considerably. I'd still recommend SFO over LAX but I'd choose either the Palace or the St Francis. And there are a couple dozen great restaurants within walking distance and at least a hundred or so a quick Uber/taxi ride away.

If flight considerations make LAX a better choice than SFO I'd suggest the Marina del Rey Marriott with some good restaurants close by and some great ones up in Santa Monica. Or the Conrad in DTLA which is a sketchy neighborhood but has some amazing dining nearby that you'll want to Uber/Lyft to.

 

[ljmiii]

San Diego's airport is much closer to downtown San Diego than any of its west Coast counterparts is to their respective downtowns; it is a very short taxi/Lyft ride. Any of the downtown, Gaslamp District, or waterfront hotels will get you to a variety of walkable dinner options.

The question will be whether there are well-priced, non-stop flights from your airport to SD and whether there are well-priced, non-stop flights from SD to your island of choice.

I second the idea of this recommendation...but we've never done it because the NYC to SFO/LAX flights are usually much cheaper than SD because there are a bazillion of them and they are two of the few truly competitive markets left.

But if SD makes sense from your airport, I do recommend the SD Pulse. Nice 1BR villas at the edge of the Gaslamp District.

 

[Luanne]

My personal opinion. Avoid LAX. Don't stay at SFO unless you get in really late and leave early the next morning.

 

[slip]

When we were traveling to Hawaii from Wisconsin, we always wanted to get to Hawaii and never wanted to add a day or lose a day in Hawaii so we always went straight through. We mainly checked in and then went grocery shopping and then had something to eat. Then we just went to bed and woke up refreshed and started the vacation without any jet lag. We were usually in bed by 8pm that first night.

It worked for us but certainly wouldn't be for everyone.

 

[Luanne]

When we were traveling to Hawaii from Wisconsin, we always wanted to get to Hawaii and never wanted to add a day or lose a day in Hawaii so we always went straight through. We mainly checked in and then went grocery shopping and then had something to eat. Then we just went to bed and woke up refreshed and started the vacation without any jet lag. We were usually in bed by 8pm that first night.

It worked for us but certainly wouldn't be for everyone.

When we were working we always wanted to get to Hawaii on a nonstop. At that time we were living on the West coast so it was a no brainer. After we retired and moved there was no non stop. After having several of our flights cancelled or delayed and one re-routed from Maui to Chicago, then back to Albuquerque, we decided that since we were retired we had the time to spend a few days on each end of the trip.

 

[Pamplemousse]

When we were traveling to Hawaii from Wisconsin, we always wanted to get to Hawaii and never wanted to add a day or lose a day in Hawaii so we always went straight through. We mainly checked in and then went grocery shopping and then had something to eat. Then we just went to bed and woke up refreshed and started the vacation without any jet lag. We were usually in bed by 8pm that first night.

It worked for us but certainly wouldn't be for everyone.

Right, we’ve done that too several times.

I’m looking for places to do a 1 night layover.

 

[Pamplemousse]

When we were working we always wanted to get to Hawaii on a nonstop. At that time we were living on the West coast so it was a no brainer. After we retired and moved there was no non stop. After having several of our flights cancelled or delayed and one re-routed from Maui to Chicago, then back to Albuquerque, we decided that since we were retired we had the time to spend a few days on each end of the trip.

Yes, we will do that sometime too. I have a bunch of ideas for then.

Just looking for a super easy one night situation.

 

[slip]

Right, we’ve done that too several times.

I’m looking for places to do a 1 night layover.

Let us know how it works out for you.

 

[Luanne]

Another idea is one night in Denver.

 

[sun starved Gayle]

Portland has numerous non-stop flights to Hawaii. There is a shopping/commercial area nearby that you can access via a five minute light rail ride directly from the airport, the trains leave every 20 minutes. The hotels probably have shuttles too.

There is an Aloft Hotel and a Hyatt Place there, with shopping and restaurants very close by, all walkable. There might be a couple other hotels there as well. Portland airport itself has several nice restaurants also.

The Hawaii flights generally leave early from PDX, but that should not be a problem for you since you will be on east coast time.

 

[Luanne]

Or another idea is Seattle. SEATAC is about a 30 minute drive, or 40 minute train ride into Seattle.

A lot of what you decide will depend on:

What time will you reach your interim city, so that will determine how much time you will be spending there.

What time and cost are the flights.

Are you tied to one airline?

 

[klpca]

Honestly, San Diego is really good for what you want. There is a Sheraton https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/sansi-sheraton-san-diego-resort/overview/ that is right across the street on Harbor Island that runs a shuttle to both terminals. There are restaurants with walking distance (C-Level, Island Prime, Coasterra etc), and it's a nice place for a good walk. I wouldn't hesitate. Alaska and Hawaiian offer a pretty good number of flights in and out of SD. I'm sure that the others (UA, AA, and Delta) do too. Plus you get the fun of the approach into San Diego.

 

[davidvel]

I know a version of this has been discussed here before, but I would love some specific recommendations for this situation.

Flying to HI in winter from the east coast.
We would like to do a 1 night stop over someplace just to break up the trip, allow us to adjust to time change a bit, perhaps recover from any wether delays and give more flight options to HI.

Can anyone suggest a specific hotel?
We would want to be close/ easy access to an airport with options to HI (inexpensive uber/ taxi).
Close to dining options.
Close to something to do/see in the evening would be an extra plus.

I have a list of places I would love to stop at for 2-4 nights, but we can’t afford that much time this trip so I wondered if anyone had experience/ recommendations. Thanks.

What island are you going to? But aren't your air fares going to double doing this? I would think adding 3-4 days in Hawaii for the same $$ as a layover would be a better option.

 

[klpca]

What island are you going to? But aren't your air fares going to double doing this? I would think adding 3-4 days in Hawaii for the same $$ as a layover would be a better option.

We have been able to find fares doing this exact thing when headed eastbound, either to the Caribbean or to Europe. I just sort fares by longest duration and you can find some long layovers. We have done overnight layovers in Boston, NYC and Charlotte. We call it poor man's first class (lol) but I will always spring for the opportunity to sleep in a real bed instead of a plane seat.

 

[Pamplemousse]

Another idea is one night in Denver.

Thanks, but I’m worried about weather in Denver- had a problem with a connection last winter trip.

 

[Luanne]

Thanks, but I’m worried about weather in Denver- had a problem with a connection last trip.

Denver can be iffy depending on time of year. When exactly are you going? My daughter and I transit through Denver all the time and so far (knock wood) we've had no problems. We've flown in February, March, May, and August. We try to make sure we do have a long layover in case there are any issues.

 

[bizaro86]

I'd pick based on flight schedules/costs. Every one of the airports that will have non-stop flights to the islands will have a reasonable quality airport hotel with dining options.