If you don't care about ocean views, Plantations and Nihilani should work well. These are newer units with A/C. And there shouldn't be a problem with road noise there.

If you want views, you could try Hanalei Bay Resort, Sealdoge, Cliffs, Pua Poa or Pali Ke Kua. These are all older units, but many have been remodeled recently and are very nice. Make sure to book units directly with the owner through sites like vrbo or Summit Pacific. Make sure to get recent pictures and also look for reviews on specific units here on Trip Advisor. It's also a good idea to get references from people who have stayed in the units recently.

Yes. If you stay near the main road it can get very noisy. Plantation and Nihilani are similar. They are large complexes (Nihilani still has MANY for sale) with a small pool in the center. The interiors are nice and of course the decor is different as they individually owned. The views are of other condos.

HBR has many options for one's budget. You can rent a "hotel room" style unit which is the second bedroom of the 2 bedrooms or studios. These will have just a bed. The studios will be one large room with a small kitchenette. The one bedrooms, two and three bedrooms will start at around $250/nt. I know all the recently remodeled at HBR and would be happy to let you know which ones I like. Sealodge has great views, is budget friendly, and a few have been recently remodeled. Cliff's is another option. Depending on when you are coming, the pool is being redone right now and won't be finished until Feb or March.

I would try looking on VRBO and Summit Pacific. Here are the websites:

http://www.summitpacificinc.com/

vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/…princeville

www.wizardpub.com/kauai/kauaerials.html

I rented a condo from KVR earlier this year and we were very impressed with the condo we rented as well as the professionalism of the company.

Here is the link to check out.

http://www.kauaivacationrentals.com

Dear Short-Trip ---

I strongly reinforce the expert suggestions of both jebett and desetbeachlover that you should rent a Princeville condo directly from the owner. The websites already given of www.summitpacific.com and www.vrbo.com will provide you with a host of condo choices at every budget point. Do take note that :

--- some of the listings on even these websites are

placed there by property management companies rather than the condo's owner. Generally those ads will not have updated availability calendars as the property manager is fishing for any travelers to Kauai they might book elsewhere.

--- take special note to examine the photos that show the interior features of the specific condo unit you would be occupying, rather than just generic accommodations.

--- carefully review the "Guest Comments" posted by prior visitors who have stayed in that specific unit. If guest comments aren't included in the website ad, then take an extra dose of caution.

--- do communicate with the condo owner both by email and telephone to glean additional facts important to you that the ad might not disclose, and to judge the nature of your short term landlord.

Your search for the best choice for you should be a fun experience, and the reward will be a home-away-from-home you truly enjoy and perhaps return to time and again. Have a great Princeville stay !

The majority of Plantations & Nihilani units are not facing the road, but the ones that do will be noisy. Air conditioning systems can also be noisy - worse than road noise. Since they are quite new many have really nice interiors. Few views from either complex.

Princeville's selection is huge so do browse around.

BTW the web site you want is www.hawaiigaga.com which lists almost all the rentals available on the internet (both owner and property management company ones). Being able to do availability calendar searching which includes vrbo based units is pretty cool.

A few comments suggested renting directly from the owner. That will give you more leeway to negotiate a price but there's no reason to stay away from the management companies. I've dealt with many in Princeville over the years and never had any problems.

We love Princeville and have tried a couple of different options.

Pu'u Poa - Larger, more expensive and a bit upscale from the next two. Four levels and awesome ocean views and some have Bali Hai/Hanalei Bay views. Interior of most units are high end and very spacious. Has tennis courts that the others don't.

Pali Ke Kua - Nice size 1, 2 BR units with a few studio units scattered around. Many have incredible Bali Hai/ocean views (my favorite view on the island) and others have ocean and/or mountain views. In my opinion the mountain view units are one of the best bang for your buck options you can find.

Sealodge - Small but comfortable 1 and 2 bedroom units. More rustic looking that the others but most interiors are updated.(varies by owner) Minimal storage and closet space but it's a very quiet area with no through traffic. Amazing ocean views for the price in most buildings with some facing the lighthouse to the east. The least priced of the three and some real bargin prices for what you get.

All three are high on a bluff making beach access a little tricky especially when wet. All three have very similar pool areas which are nice but basic.

We loved all three and had no complaints. We now return each year to a mountain view Pali Ke Kua unit because it fits our size and price requirements perfectly. We have never experienced much road noise in any of these.

Our motto when choosing a condo on Kauai is "Spend little less, stay a little longer!"

Hope this helps!

I have never heard of Hawaiigaga.com and never heard anyone on this site who has used them, so I can't recommend them. I would do more research before using their site.

There is nothing wrong with using a rental agency but here's something to remember. They want to please all their owners and will recommend a condo for you based on the fact they need to have so many nights rented for each owner. If they get a general request they might steer you to a unit they haven't rented that week and not really one that would suit your needs. Of course if you see a specific condo you want they will rent that one. I was doing a little snooping one time for a TA poster about a unit at HBR they were interested in. It showed available on the calenders I was looking at on VRBO. I called their rental agent and they said the owner had decided to stay there all summer. I KNEW this was not true. The owner never travels to Kauai during the summer. This agent tried to steer me to another condo at HBR I KNEW was not updated and then he wanted me to look at a house HE owned. Bait and switch I would say. So just get all the facts.

Dear Short-trip -

Please heed the intelligent advice just written by JeBett !!! There are many, many examples of property managers dangling their best properties on the web with all dates on their availability calendars shown still available for rent. Now, does that make any sense ??? Why would the very best properties not be more fully booked ? The answer is simple --- they are; the property managers, like used car dealers, are using the old "bait-and-switch" sales tactic of pulling your inquiries in and then convincing you to book a less desirable rental unit for which they have a harder time attracting guests. Again, rent directly from the owners - you are likely to occupy a property that is "dear" to the party you are talking with and more likely to be better cared for. And, look at the "Guest Comments" from prior tenants to judge how fairly the features & condition of the rental unit are being advertised. A little extra study & care on your part will be well rewarded with a great place to reside.

Dear GarlicJr ---

I also have never heard of www.hawaiigaga.com, after renting our high-end Princeville condo for some 20 years ! Looking at its website now, I quickly see its search engine is missing many, many Kauai rental properties. So do NOT rely on it to present the most comprehensive picture of Kauai rental properties. You are better served by the other rental websites already suggested.

Hawaiigaga.com is a very interesting site. I went on and they link to such sites as VRBO, but the info on my condo is incorrect. So again, beware. You might think you are getting a price or accommodation you like but the information can be old and not up to date as mine is.