Customer Reviews

Frommer's Portable Big Island of Hawaii

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I found the Frommers guide very helpful when on the Big Island. He is a bit opinionated, because a few places I found that Frommers didn't like, I liked. But overall, this pocket book was much more helpful in the exploring the Big Island for the first time. It is a must if it is your first time to go. Make sure to take time to read it, and not just on the airplane over. You may want to find a more detailed map once you get to the Big Island to navigate around, as Frommers did not have very detailed maps.

From time to time I give Frommer's another try, but once again they come up short. Books by Wizard Publications are far superior for Hawaii. Much of the material is far out of date and many items known mostly to locals are not covered. It strikes me as a "I phoned it in" kind of book rather than someone who was actually there. We go to the Big Island almost every year and buy the Wizard's book each time. Despite our familiarity, they seem to surface something new. I would only buy the Frommer's book if you're the "let's hang out in the city or resort" kind of person. If you want to see the less frequented parts of the island, it's useless.

I have purchased other items about the Big Island and they don't hold a candle to this book.

This is a cheap reference if you just need a quick look at the Big Island.
However, as the item is described as portable, it should have mentioned that it meant brief.
Limited amount of info, especially for a Frommer's guide.
A bit of a disappointment.

This guide is excellent. The descriptions are accurate, practical, and useful.

My husband and I read the review and drove to The Little Juice Shack wanting some healthy juice and it no longer existed :( BUT there was a Natural Food Store in the same shopping center (Parker Ranch Shopping Center) on the end near the post office. They had excellent juice at their juice bar and even more excellent home-made macaroons (available at the juice bar, but are sporadic). So it was worth the stop and we got our juice afterall.

Thanks for helping us with our trip, Frommer's!