Just returned from a 10 day trip. We stayed at the Makahuena in Poipu. I believe the Poipu area is the best to stay in. It has all the finer restraunts, beaches and shops. North shore is pretty too, but only got to spend one day there. Our condo was great. We booked a 2 bedroom for the 5 of us and was put into a 3 bedroom ocean front. It was a little worn but clean and spacious. I researched this trip before we went and I think we did and saw just about everything we wanted. The only negative thing I would say about the trip is the wait staff at restraunts. We ate out every meal and it was hard to find anyone who was friendly. That is an area that they could definitely train the staff on. The food was ok. We had great pizza (twice) at the Pizzeria. The avg. range for dinner was between $18 to $25 at most restraunts. That can get expensive for 5 people. Over all Kauii is beautiful.

Just got back from 11 days in Kauai -- loved it! Yes, it rains every day... but that's why it's so beautiful! Here are some suggestions to help with planning your trip: (1) If you don't like touristy places, avoid the Poipu area - it reminded us of a resort town with a great beach like you'd find in Miami -- LOTS of tourists! (2) If you want to feel like you are really in Kauai - stay closer the North Shore or even in the Kapaa/Anahola/Princeville areas - these lack the resort "feel" (with the exception of Princeville which is very golf-focused) and are good spots from which to explore the island. (3) Buy the Ultimate Kauai Guidebook - great book! (4) Go to Queen's Bath (yes, it's a small hike but well worth it) (5) Skip Jo-Jo's for shave ice - it's lousy!! Wishing Well is by far the best on the island. (6) If you can, rent a house - we rented a huge house in Anahola and it was SO much cheaper and nicer than a hotel. (7) Avoid Capt. Sundown for chartering a boat/snorkle trip to the North Shore. We picked them based on their location (which is great since they leave from Hanalei and you actually see more of the North Shore), however, their business practices are questionable and they are very rude -- Larry on the boat is great, but he can't make up for the lousiness of the whole company. The ride out to the North Shore is great -- the ride back is VERY rough and lots of people felt seasick (and yes, they took seasickness meds) -- plus, the time for snorkling is very short and lunch was served on the way back -- the waves will get you all wet and your food all soggy. And, let me say -- I love boating in general... I just cannot in good faith suggest using this company. (8) The best way to see the island - Inter-Island Helicopters!! Very awesome -- no doors -- the view is incredible!! (much better than the boat) Plus, they land at a waterfall and serve you lunch. $250 per person -- worth every penny. Ok, you could skip the lunch and waterfall and I think it's about $180... the "no-doors" flying is the way to go-- I am afraid of flying, but would do this again in a heartbeat!! (9) Ke'e and Tunnels Beach -- on the North Shore -- rent snorkle gear for the week at Snorkle Bob's -- leave it in your car. You will want to snorkle at either of these 2 beaches every day!! Lots of turtles!! (10) Rent a Jeep or Convertible if you can -- A Jeep is great for the poor roads and parking near the North Shore beaches, but since it rains alot, a Jeep top can be a pain to put up and down plus a Jeep has no trunk to lock up your stuff. We went with a convertible, but I was jealous of the Jeep people when it came down to parking... (11) Smith's Luau -- this is good, IF you've never been to Disney -- it had that "Disney" feel to it... nice if you like that kind of stuff. The pork was wonderful and the show was entertaining. (12) Waimea Plantation Cottages -- a great way to see the other side of the island... very nice and relaxing place to stay. (13) Chickens - they are everywhere - deal with that before you leave... personally, I liked them! :) (14) Mermaids Cafe in Kapaa and Polynesia Cafe in Hanalei -- great little places to eat! (15) Don't take sand/shells/sea glass home with you!! While at a beach with tons of sea glass I saw several people (adults) with gallon-size ziplocs scooping up handfuls... come on people, what are you really going to do with all of that?? It will just gather dust and then you'll toss it out with the trash one day... just leave it in Kauai for future people to enjoy! (16) Enjoy the laid back island life!! Kauai is a beautiful and relaxing place... have fun!!

Every five years since 1983(and a couple more times) we travel to Kauai. Not only is it so beautiful, this Garden Isle, it is a very spiritual place. It has been an even more special place since 1988, when our oldest son, while vacationing there, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphomia, stage four. He received the very best emotional, spiritual and medical care from doctors and staff at Wilcox Memorial Hospital. He returned home to the Midwest but went back to Lihue a few months later to spend his remaining days. The people of Kauai, became his and my family and I will be forever grateful. He loved the Island so. So when my husband and I visit, we have many friends there and always find something to do that we haven't done before and we make new friends. The residents are still the same loving people. The island is still the same wonderful, beautiful and inspiring place to be. I just wish we lived a little closer so perhaps we could come more often. Our love always to the people of Kauai

Kauai- We have been their several times, it is our favorite island. We love the North Shore best and will always stay on the North Shore unless we go in December again. Forget the East/and the far West side, no comparison to the North Shore. We have found after staying everywhere, that the best accomodations (spotless, views, water) at the best value are the VRBO's(vacat rental by owners at VRBO.com) For the same price or lower than a hotel, you can stay ocean front, with the views and waves crashing and a private ocean front lanai feet from the water, full kitchen to cook the excellent local fish, go to the farmers market and pick up pineapple, etc for breakfast.

South Shore best is Whalers Cove in Poipu, truely ocean front. Rent directly from the owner, it is a 2 bedroom, absolute best location feet from the water, aprox 1200 sq ft ?, lanai, full kit, jet tub, OF pool, and views and crashing waves to die for. Very comfortable and no bugs, not a one. Owners last name is Seaton-search Google and you should be able to find it, it is the best deal at Whalers Cove which normally cannot be touched for under 450, they charge 195-225 and have the best located condo there. They are front in the middle. There are only 32 condos at WC so it is very private and you never see anyone around. We never saw a person in the pool or anywhere really. This was first week Dec, maybe thats why.

South Shore \Hyatt- kids love the pool, great restaurants, no ocean really, rooms are a hike from the pool, water. But do ya really go to Kauai to swim in a pool? Forget the hotels, stay in a ocean front vacation rental.

Honey Mooners!! Stay on Gilligans Island- Moloa Bay Beach house, As ocean Front as it gets, high up on stilts, feet from the crashing waves, it doesn't get any better. Stunning place- rent the Master Suite, brand new, views to die for in every direction, marble floors, romantic, granite kitchen, jacuzi tub, roof top lanai, GREAT Snorkeling, private, and quiet, Worth every cent, well located. See the website-Owners Dore and Emil Mansat.

North Shore- Hanalei Bay Resort-Not OF, but beautiful place very close to the ocean. 2 rooms/ 1 bedroom/bath and a living room/bath/full kitchen-fridge, stove, micro, dishwasher,/pull down bed bedroom. Sleeps 3-4. 2 lanais, Beautiful resort this condo has been recently remodeled and is much nicer (10X')s /twice the size of the hotel room the resort charges almost double for. The condo rents for 125/night off season.
150/high. Jim Dornfeld is the owner check google HBR 1557-1558. Resort owned unit run a 3 night special for 112/3-nights (yes 3 nights) that is so they can get you into see the time share but you don't have to participate to get this rate, you can say no. See the website, click on "specials" and call the hotel. Stay in the owners condo and pay the extra though cause it is much nicer and the bed is more comfortable than the one we stayed in for 40/night. The Resort is beautiful and you can walk down a beautiful path to the Princeville where you can enjoy their restaurants, entertainment, luai, beach snorkeling, etc for one quarter of the price of staying at the Princeville.

FAMILYS- North Shore- Anini Beach House - Beautiful, brand new, every creature comfort, Cds, books, beach towels, equipt, full kitch, spices, etc. spotless, across the street from Anini Beach. See website-Serenity Rentals -Jill