Kauai- where to stay?

[Green with Envy]

We just ordered the Kauai Revealed guidebook... but we are still unsure where to stay even after looking at Trip Advisor for hours.

Recommendations for condo rental or hotel? North side vs South shore?

All Kauai advice appreciated- we are taking a romantic spur of the moment trip there first week of October.

 

[candy]

Last November we stayed at Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation condos for 10 days and have nothing but great things to stay about it:
http://www.outrigger.com/hotels-resorts/hawaiian-islands/kauai/outrigger-kiahuna-plantation

We decided to stay on the South shore because it known to have better weather at that time of year (the North coast gets more rain).

One thing to remember about Kauai is that it is largely undeveloped and the roads hug the perimeter of the island. So, if you are on the South coast and want to drive to the North, you have to drive along the East coast to get there -- and that can take 2 hours each way.

If I were to go back to Kauai (and I hope to!), I would probably choose to stay on the South side again, or perhaps split my time between the North and the South to make day trips easier. I do recall a lot of time spent driving on that trip, although it was well worth it.

This is an amazing resource for choosing a place to stay:
http://www.wizardpub.com/kauai/kauaerials.html

Tripadvisor.com was also helpful for reviews.

Have a great trip!! You will love it there.

 

[TravelingGal]

I just was in Kauai last week. I would say it depends a lot on what time of year you will be going.

Since we were there in Sept, we opted to stay on the north side in Princeville. The waters were calm on many beaches (although not really warm, but really nice once you got in). I hear the South side is hotter in the summer, with rougher surf. In the winter, my understanding is the north side gets A LOT of rain and many of the beaches become unswimmable.

My experience with Kauai was very limited. But landing in Lihue and going to Princeville/Hanalei, I have to say that the area which I stayed is what I pictured when I think Kauai. Lush, green, with dramatic landscapes. Near Lihue, it was drier and flatter. Still pretty, but being from SoCal, it takes some pretty amazing coastline to impress me. Swimming in Hanalei bay was paradise! I've read the area around Lihue/Poipu looks more "california-ish" (it really isn't LIKE california, but hopefully you get my drift. More of a pretty beach than actually dramatic.

Of course, as mentioned, there's dramatic scenery all around that island that's harder to get to. If I didn't have a kid in tow, we would have done a lot more. But it was just the perfect place to relax!

 

[TravelingGal]

Just saw your post that you're going the first week of Oct. The north side would still be OK that time of year, I imagine! Wherever you end up, go see as much as of the island as possible!

 

[NewEnglandLady]

We went to Kauai earlier this summer and stayed on the North Side. We rented a condo at Sea Lodge in Princeville and I did like the location (condo was on a cliff overlooking the ocean) and it was relatively inexpensive.

I feel like we did drive to the South side pretty much every day, but we spent a lot of time on the North side as well. I remember wishing that there were more options in between. I would probably focus on the activities that you want to do and see if one side makes more sense than the other in that regard.

I will say that the one day I was VERY happy that we stayed on the North side was the day we kayaked the Napali coast. It was an early morning, so I was glad we had a short drive. We were exhausted when it was over (DH had been sea sick all day and I was exhausted from paddling for the both of us), so I was glad we were so close to the condo at the end of the day.

 

[Tanzigrrl]

Lae Nani, hands down!

www(dot)laenanikauai(dot)com


You will enjoy it! We stay there every time we go!

 

[calibali]

I went to Kauai last November and made the less popular choice to stay on the North Shore in the winter. I really wanted to be closer to the Napali Coast plus I was looking for a romantic getaway without the crowds, so I was very happy with my choice. We did visit the South Shore twice, but it definitely did not have the same breathtaking terrain as the North side.

We stayed at the St. Regis Princeville and I would definitely recommend it if you want privacy and romance. Here's a picture of the view from our room. Good luck planning your trip, you're going to love it there!

 

[TravelingGal]

I went to Kauai last November and made the less popular choice to stay on the North Shore in the winter. I really wanted to be closer to the Napali Coast plus I was looking for a romantic getaway without the crowds, so I was very happy with my choice. We did visit the South Shore twice, but it definitely did not have the same breathtaking terrain as the North side.

We stayed at the St. Regis Princeville and I would definitely recommend it if you want privacy and romance. Here's a picture of the view from our room. Good luck planning your trip, you're going to love it there!

The St Regis view is lovely. Don't need to stay there though to enjoy it...as far as I could tell, they don't care if you use the beach (which I imagine is public?) Of course, it was totally DEAD when we were there last week. We bought drinks to "pay our way". Great view from their dining terrace.

A condo in Princeville would be convenient. Great grocery store right there and so close to Hanalei. Plus you can easily get to the resort if you want a nice, civilized cocktail hour (they have music in the evenings).

 

[PilsnPinkysMom]

I stayed at the Hyatt resort at Poipu beach. Not super impressed. It's a pricey resort but the facilities are only "nice." Perhaps it's because we were there during a popular family vacation time & so it seemed like a family hotel... but there are certainly nicer places. I did, however, enjoy the region we were in. There was lots of stuff to check out in Lihue, which was only a short trip east of where we stayed.

If you're a 'hotel' couple and don't mind being on the north shore, check out the St. Regis Princeville... Oh my GOODNESS. Gorgeous, immaculate, attentive staff... the list goes on. It feels a bit formal, but the facility is just stunning. DH & I had dinner at the Princeville restaurant (perhaps it has a different name? I can't think of it) and it was our favorite dinner from the whole week, hands-down.

Be sure to check out the Napali coast!!!

I know you didn't ask for activity insight, but there are some truly great hiking and kayaking adventures. We did one all-day excursion and one sunset sail of the Napali coast. Both events were memorable and fun.