Kauai Trip....where should I stay ?

[tikiyaki]

Aloha All...

Me and the misses are gonna be on the Big Island for most of august, and want to squeeze in a Kauai trip...maybe 3-5 days depending on schedule.

I've yet to do any real reading on Kauai, what part of the island or town do you recommend we stay at ? Most bang for Buck, most beautiful (yea, that's a dumb question, it's ALL beautiful, I know)

We'd love the sunniest part of course, most beautiful beaches, must see spots etc, and the most affordable spots...

Help would be much appreciated.

[pzarquon]

Important question: What's your price range? I've been reading up a lot on luxury resort properties, but that may very well not be what you're looking for.

Also, what are your priorities in a vacation? Peace and quiet and isolation? Beaches and outdoorsy activities? Golf? Family friendly? Romantic? "Real" Hawaii, like a B&B, or lots of ameneties and comforts where you don't even have to leave your room?

[Mike_Lowery]

If I were visiting Kauai, I'd stay at the Kauai Sands. Quasi ghetto-@$$ hotel (bordering on motel), but it's right on the beach, near sightseeing spots, and there's shopping everywhere. It's located along Kuhio Hwy in Kapaa.

[tikiyaki]

PZ....I'm anti-luxury resort :p I hate the word "upscale", because it's really just another word for overpriced. I like funky Mid Century architecture, so a cool modern Jetsons looking place or a Tiki style A-Frame is always a plus.
Lots of old Hawaiiana tropical decor. Like The King Kam or Seaside Hotel in Kona...

"Also, what are your priorities in a vacation? Peace and quiet and isolation? Beaches and outdoorsy activities? Golf? Family friendly? Romantic? "Real" Hawaii, like a B&B, or lots of ameneties and comforts where you don't even have to leave your room."

The sound and / or view of the ocean is always a huge plus.

Golf : no

Peace and Quiet : if that means no late nite Surfer parties next door or a crazy Bar underneath - Yes.
Normal tourist noise is fine.

Romantic : yes

Beach : Yes

Real Hawaii : yes, but like I said, I especially like the 50's and 60's places.

Amenities : WI-FI and Air Conditioning (just in case of extreme hot temps) the only real amenity I look for. I don't need a bell hop, room service, a chocolate on my pillow, turn down service or any of that stuff. Actually, I like condos, but that place Mike Lowery mentioned sounds great too.

Kapaa sounds cool. A friend of a friend oepened a Mexican joint there recently called "Burritohead".

I guess I just wanna be in a really pretty spot, that's close to some cool places to visit, and a nice beach to swim at.

Like I said, we're definitely not resort types. I like the more funky places.

[greentara]

I spend a lot of time on Kauai and Kapaa is a great little town ~ old HI for sure...if you have a car visit AniniBeach it is usually almost deserted and incredibly beautiful. (Drive all the way past the park and you will find a long strip of beach.) There are rental properties there but you definitely would need a car. Personally I would stay away from the South Shore, Poipu ~ very touristy. If you stay in/near Kapaa try the Blossoming Lotus restaurant ~ fantastic food!!! I don't know of any places to stay on Kauai because I always stay in the property I'll be living in when I move. Of course the canyon is a must see, but simply drive around the island and stop where ever you see signs for "another road side attraction". Kauai is truly Nirvana. :D

[tutusue]

This (http://www.aloha.net/~seek/index.html) might be a bit pricey but it looks kinda cool...especially it's location. Auntie Maria (mele.com) on Kauai recommended it to someone a couple of years ago and I hung on to the link!

[Mike_Lowery]

This (http://www.aloha.net/~seek/index.html) might be a bit pricey but it looks kinda cool...especially it's location. Auntie Maria (mele.com) on Kauai recommended it to someone a couple of years ago and I hung on to the link!
daaaamn, I haven't seen an aloha.net URL in a minute.

tiki...there are a couple plantation-era hotels in Lihue that have been redone and are muy romantic:

Garden Island Inn

Kauai Inn

Kauai Palms Hotel

They show up on Google with good details and customer reviews.

[helen]

Also have to keep in mind the ocean conditions around most of Kapaa beaches are kind of rough.

[tikiyaki]

daaaamn, I haven't seen an aloha.net URL in a minute.

tiki...there are a couple plantation-era hotels in Lihue that have been redone and are muy romantic:

Garden Island Inn

Kauai Inn

Kauai Palms Hotel

They show up on Google with good details and customer reviews.

Thanx everyone...Mike, I really like the look of the Sands place you suggested. Very 1960's Motor Inn style... I'll be looking on vrbo.com too.

Keep the suggestions comin tho', I like to learn as much as possible about stuff. :D

[Wanderlust]

got back from kauai in june. stayed at the resortwest on the beach in kapa'a. excellent location, rooms, and staff. booked it on priceline as part of a package.

[jungbum]

Planning to go to Waimea Canyon for couple days.. could you recommend me some places? BTW, I don't have a car.. and I heard it's about 18 miles one way? Is there a tour package that last for about 3-5 days?

[Miulang]

Planning to go to Waimea Canyon for couple days.. could you recommend me some places? BTW, I don't have a car.. and I heard it's about 18 miles one way? Is there a tour package that last for about 3-5 days?
How are you planning to get to Waimea Canyon without a car? The closest towns to Waimea Canyon are Kekaha and Waimea.You can also camp in cabins at Koke'e State Park (further up the road), but they are rather primitive accommodations (and it gets chilly up there at night). It's kinda hard getting around Kauai without a motor vehicle because public transportation is nonexistent.

We stayed on the Coconut Coast (between Lihue and Kapa'a) because it was sort of halfway between Poipu and the Princeville resorts. We spent 2 1/2 days on Kauai...one full day we went up to the north end (Hanalei and Princeville and Haena) and the other full day we went south to Poipu, Hanapepe, Waimea Canyon and Koke'e.

Miulang

[GeckoGeek]

BTW, I don't have a car

Uh, you might want to re-think that. Kauai is "small town" and spread out. Are you planning on biking? Walking won't cut it.

[Mike_Lowery]

How are you planning to get to Waimea Canyon without a car? The closest towns to Waimea Canyon are Kekaha and Waimea.You can also camp in cabins at Koke'e State Park (further up the road), but they are rather primitive accommodations (and it gets chilly up there at night). It's kinda hard getting around Kauai without a motor vehicle because public transportation is nonexistent.

We stayed on the Coconut Coast (between Lihue and Kapa'a) because it was sort of halfway between Poipu and the Princeville resorts. We spent 2 1/2 days on Kauai...one full day we went up to the north end (Hanalei and Princeville and Haena) and the other full day we went south to Poipu, Hanapepe, Waimea Canyon and Koke'e.

Miulang

We got public trans, altho it's not as intricate as TheBus. If you're sightseeing (and not with a tour company), you definitely need a car. Attractions are far apart and often remote.

Planning to go to Waimea Canyon for couple days.. could you recommend me some places? BTW, I don't have a car.. and I heard it's about 18 miles one way? Is there a tour package that last for about 3-5 days?

You should check out the National Tropical Botanical Gardens at Limahuli (in Haena, at the northern end of the highway). Awesome, awesome views of Hanalei Bay with several waterfalls in an archaeological preservation site. Just as nice (although slightly artificial) is NTBG's Allerton Gardens in Kalaheo. The beach on that property is ridiculous. Call them if they'll be charging visitors on that day. Saturdays are always free.

[Miulang]

I liked Ke'e Beach a lot. I wish we had taken the time to hike up to the heiau (http://durak.org/photos/danieldreilinger/227979742/heiau+near+ke'e+beach%3F)that's up there (supposedly dedicated to the goddess Laka, who was said to have created hula). Kilauea Lighthouse is also an interesting place to visit because of all the seabirds that nest there.

For crass commercialism, I enjoyed visiting Guava Kai Plantation (http://sherikeyser.googlepages.com/kauai-guavakaiplantation) in Kilauea and sampling all their stuff, and on the south end (near Koloa), the Kauai Coffee Company (http://www.kauaicoffee.com/aboutus.asp)gives out free samples of their coffee.

Fern Grotto is kinda cool too. I guess they just started allowing people to visit again after it was closed for a year due to rockslides. There's also a couple of heiaus on the banks of the Wailua River leading up to the grotto that have historical information posted (part of Wailua River State Park).

Miulang

[jungbum]

We got public trans, altho it's not as intricate as TheBus. If you're sightseeing (and not with a tour company), you definitely need a car. Attractions are far apart and often remote.



You should check out the National Tropical Botanical Gardens at Limahuli (in Haena, at the northern end of the highway). Awesome, awesome views of Hanalei Bay with several waterfalls in an archaeological preservation site. Just as nice (although slightly artificial) is NTBG's Allerton Gardens in Kalaheo. The beach on that property is ridiculous. Call them if they'll be charging visitors on that day. Saturdays are always free.

First, thanks for the information.

Does the public transportation comes often and also goes through the canyon? Since I don't have a car, I didn't really plan to go elsewhere but Waimea Canyon. Just spend 3-4 days at the Canyon kind of thing..?

I'm going to Hilo first because my sister is moving (have to help her with the luggages and settle). I don't want to spend too much money (thinking around $300 at most) for 3-5 days.

I looked through Hawaiiweb.com for info, but they didn't have any tour activities for the Canyon.

If there's anything like just transportation to the top (not really tour but just some sort of transportation), it would be nice, because I'm not a fan of guided tour.

Is there cabins/b&b/lodging in the canyon?

I read about the National Tropical Garden. It looks awesome but it has to be guided tour though.. haha but I would love to walk around by myself and take photos of flowers. Big fan of botanical gardens. Almost been to every gardens in here.

[scrivener]

I know this is not going to work for either of you, but for future Googlers, may I submit for consideration the Tip Top Motel (http://frommers.com/destinations/kauai/H49199.html) and Cafe in Lihue? It's cheap (I think I paid $35 or $40 for a single), it's clean, and it's nicely located. It's also pretty dang close to a cell, with cinderblock walls and linoleum tile with no carpet. Bars on the window would really have completed the picture. My room had a TV and a small fridge. It wasn't homey by any standard, but it did the job.

[Mike_Lowery]

First, thanks for the information.

Does the public transportation comes often and also goes through the canyon? Since I don't have a car, I didn't really plan to go elsewhere but Waimea Canyon. Just spend 3-4 days at the Canyon kind of thing..?

I'm going to Hilo first because my sister is moving (have to help her with the luggages and settle). I don't want to spend too much money (thinking around $300 at most) for 3-5 days.

I looked through Hawaiiweb.com for info, but they didn't have any tour activities for the Canyon.

If there's anything like just transportation to the top (not really tour but just some sort of transportation), it would be nice, because I'm not a fan of guided tour.

Is there cabins/b&b/lodging in the canyon?

I read about the National Tropical Garden. It looks awesome but it has to be guided tour though.. haha but I would love to walk around by myself and take photos of flowers. Big fan of botanical gardens. Almost been to every gardens in here.
No lodging in the canyon--it's pretty hot and sparse there. Cabins in Koke'e are pretty close, as are the Waimea Plantation Cottages. Lotsa little motels in Waimea town tho. NTBG got about 5 gardens in different parts of Kauai...the 2 I mentioned are the best out of the 5.

Here's the Kauai Bus schedules and routes. I don't think the bus goes near the canyon. http://www.kauai.gov/Government/Departments/CommunityAssistance/TransportationAgency/BusSchedules/tabid/208/Default.aspx

[Mike_Lowery]

I know this is not going to work for either of you, but for future Googlers, may I submit for consideration the Tip Top Motel (http://frommers.com/destinations/kauai/H49199.html) and Cafe in Lihue? It's cheap (I think I paid $35 or $40 for a single), it's clean, and it's nicely located. It's also pretty dang close to a cell, with cinderblock walls and linoleum tile with no carpet. Bars on the window would really have completed the picture. My room had a TV and a small fridge. It wasn't homey by any standard, but it did the job.

And the cafe downstairs is what's hot in the streets.

[koloagirl]

:)

Aloha from Kaua'i!

Just an update -- the "Guava Kai" plantation up on the North Shore is closed for good as far as I know.

I second the recommendation for "Kapa'a Sands" -- while it has been sold, it is still open as of now and is very inexpensive and very "local" -- part of the same Hawai'i owned chain that owns "Maui Seaside" in Kahului and one other hotel in Kona on the Big Island (I forget the name). Always good bang for your buck if you are not looking for big tourist accomodations. Someone told me they used it a couple of weeks ago for a scene in the upcoming movie "Tropic Thunder" which is being filmed here this summer and fall.

Just my personal opinion -- you don't need A/C as long as you have a ceiling fan -- unless you are a diehard a/c person at home that is!

Malama Pono,

[jungbum]

I researched some more and found lots of one day tour that goes to different attractions (from like Roberts Hawaii, Kauai Discovery ,etc). Are those worth it? It was around $50-70.

Maybe one or two day trip is possible?

Not so expensive either without the lodging..?

$80 (round trip airfare) + $70 (tour) = $150-200 with personal spendings, etc

How does that sound?

Waimea Canyon & Fern Grotto Tour (but I heard Fern Grotto is closed?)
http://www.robertshawaii.com/kauai/waimea-canyon-fern-grotto.php

Some others..
http://www.polyad.com/waimea_wailua.php

What are some good/recommendable tours? I only heard of Roberts Hawaii from Google search I did.

If anybody have been on one of those tours, how are they?

Thanks.

[tutusue]

I researched some more and found lots of one day tour that goes to different attractions (from like Roberts Hawaii, Kauai Discovery ,etc). Are those worth it? It was around $50-70.[...]
By chance, have you compared the price of renting a car (don't forget to include gas!) to the price of tours of the areas you want to see...esp. since you don't care for guided tours?

[Mike_Lowery]

By chance, have you compared the price of renting a car (don't forget to include gas!) to the price of tours of the areas you want to see...esp. since you don't care for guided tours?

Good point. Rental cars are usually cheaper compared to Oahu (and depending on the agent, they'll give you additional discounts for being kama'aina). A rental might be convenient if you don't want to be tied down by tour times.

[jungbum]

I don't have a license.. haha sorry.

[tutusue]

I don't have a license.. haha sorry.
Guess that dictates a guided tour! :D

[tutusue]

Good point. Rental cars are usually cheaper compared to Oahu [...]
A bit of a highjack here! Family friends are visiting me on Oahu in early Oct. They called various rental car companies and ended up booking a compact for one day for...$78.00, exclusive of extraneous coverages...:eek: That was thru Dollar.

I was stunned. I'm pretty much out of the rental car loop except when my car is being serviced. I usually pay a little under $30/day with Enterprise thru a deal my mechanic has with them. So, I went downstairs to National and got a $29.88 rate, exclusive of taxes...not kamaaina...and no negotiating involved! That's a huge discrepancy and it makes me wonder how many other tourists are paying such high rates.

I now return you to your regularly scheduled programming! :rolleyes:

[jungbum]

Since it's 18 miles long (I assume it's one way right?) it's probably impossible to make it on walk in one day. I did bike through Kaena point 3 times, but it'd be killing myself rather than traveling.

How does Roberts Hawaii tour sounds or any other recommendations?

[Miulang]

Roberts Hawai'i is the largest of the tour operators. And it would depend on where you're staying to determine whether or not and where they will pick you up for the tour. Some tours say they will pick up passengers at most major resort hotels all over the island (but they will charge a premium for picking up guests on the north shore), and if you're staying in Waimea or Kekaha, I don't think they would stop to pick you up before heading on up to Waimea Canyon and Koke'e.

You really are handicapped by not having a driver's license, though. You can't even rent a moped without one!:(

You could investigate the possibility of renting a bicycle (http://www.outfitterskauai.com/rentbike.html)and seeing Kauai that way. The prices are reasonable. I don't know how safe the roads are, though (I do know they are just as congested as they are in a large city, even though Kauai is considered rural). When we were driving around Kauai, I didn't notice any hitchhikers, either.

You could also take one of those downhill bike tours (http://www.outfitterskauai.com/bikedown.html)(kinda pricey...$98 for the privilege of cruising down from Waimea Canyon to Waimea).

Or, go to the Kauai Visitors' Bureau website (http://www.kauaidiscovery.com/)and ask them for advice.

Miulang

[Mike_Lowery]

jungbum-- best bet, hitch hike your way around Kauai...you'll get to everywhere you wanna go. Try even posting something on Craigslist.

[helen]

You can either walk or take a bicycle within the major towns with no problem but traveling between towns by walking or taking a bicycle is going to be tough.

[ginabeena]

Google Turtle Cove Suites in Koloa. Awesome place and owner takes good care of it. There are 4 suites and vary in price and size. Very comfortable, clean, and near the landing, and quite beautiful too.

Our ohana has stayed at Kauai Beach Villas too. G building is nicest as it is near the ocean. It is touristy---but good for kids tho because there are massive pools. Ocean not so good for swimming over there, but pretty. And nearby to Lihue and Kapaa. They are privately managed (most of them are), so VRBO it if interested. And as such, can vary in quality, but overall a nice and affordable place.

Enjoy!