Hidden Hawaii (9th ed)

Rating:
Summary: Excellent resource book
Review: I always take my old copy with me when I visit Hawaii. I especially like the budget hotels and eateries. I like the Mom & Pop hotels that offer rooms without tvs & phones. All have been clean and comfortable and the staff very nice. I plan to buy the new edition of the book before next visit in 2003. You really can find places to stay that don't cost $100/nite but you will never hear of them from the travel agency.

Rating:
Summary: very expensive does not necessarily equal ultra-deluxe
Review: I used this guide on a recent and very enjoyable sojourn in Kauai. While I enjoyed the guide's expertise on Hawaiian history and culture and the information on the hidden beaches, I felt that the author does a great disservice to his readers when he equates budget or affordable dining and lodging options as very basic while dubbing very expensive options as "ultra-deluxe." Hawaii can be very expensive, but paying a lot of money for a hotel room or a restaurant dinner does not automatically insure that one receives ultra-deluxe treatment. Often the same thing can be had at a more affordable price by looking around--the information a reputable travel guide is supposed to give. Paying 40 dollars for a restaurant entree--something all too easy to do when eating at a resort restaurant on the island--often provides no better quality food than eating at a cheap but good restaurant. Look for places full of happy locals as opposed to tourists. The expensive Bali Hai restaurant, recommended in the guide, served very mediocre if overpriced food, with very mediocre service. However, the Hanalei Mixed Plate, a village take out stand, served superb fresh fish everyday for less than 10 dollars. The food was better, only you ate it outside on wooden tables surrounded by local people as opposed to other tourists. You be the judge of how you want to spend your money. In my opinion, the 8 dollars I spent to rent a boogie board one day yielded far more fun than a 40 dollar restaurant entree could ever manage to do.

Rating:
Summary: interesting and informative
Review: it was very unorganized

maps were almost non existent throughout the book

reviews were bias towards EVERYTHING IN HAWAII IS GREAT when in reality many things in hawaii are not that great but the author doesnt specify which ones are or are not

very hard to read non precise

BIG WASTE oF MONEY you are better off going there and getting the free brochures they will tell you a lot more

Rating:
Summary: **BEST GUIDE When you have time to enjoy Hawaii
Review: My wife & I lived on Oahu for 3 years and frequently traveled to the neighbor islands as well. We scored everytime we used the book. Great tips on standard tourist info, but the strength is on the items marked "hidden." When you have a little more time than the average molohini (visitor), the "hidden" suggestions are always worth the effort!

If you can't have fun with this guide, you can't have fun!

PS: Hidden Florida & Hidden California guides worked for us as well!