spent a week in February 2013 in Room 372 up on third floor, with partial view to ocean. Used Interval International for a great rate, and found that the accomoodation was clean, comfortable and represernted good value for money. Parking is mentioned a lot in these reviews - we managed to get a spot every after returning from snhorkelling trips or excursions. While it has no catering facilities, the excellent restaurant next door (Hukilau Lanai) was first class, and for cheaper alternatives there are a few places in the village shopping centre next door. Reception staff were friendly, the service included free wifi in the rooms, and overall the stay was very pleasant. While the pool is very small for a condo of this size, as the wind was really strong at that time of year, it was no trouble going down to Poipu for great beach and snorkelling trips. At the prices the Aston is charging, you get good value for money.

This hotel is in a good location presuming you want to see the whole island during your trip. While clean and comfortable, three things were annoying. First, the hotel does not have enough guest parking. You can get a pass to park in the adjacent shopping area but that was inconvenient. Second, the air conditioning controls did not work well causing us to be a little too cool or warm at night. Finally, the door on our room had a very strong spring on it to ensure it closed. This took us by surprise early on resulting in a deep bruise on a forearm.

The room we had was nice. The view from the balcony was guidebook perfect and the sounds of waves crashing was great. The sound deadening was enough that with the balcony door closed the room was quiet. The room was clean and has a small sink, refrigerator, microwave, a few dishes and silverware. It served very well for light breakfasts, a place to reheat leftovers, and a way to take advantage of the fresh tropical fruit from the local farmers markets. Almost everything in the room worked. The curtains and the screen door on to the balcony were hard to open and close.

The folks on the desk when we checked in left something to be desired. While they were not unfriendly they definitely did not present a welcoming attitude and I sure can’t say I felt well informed about the facility. Parking is a problem. If you get there when the front lot is full you have to go inside get a second parking permit and go park in the back of the adjacent Coconut Marketplace shopping center. This second permit expires the following day at 10:00AM so you have to move your car and if you come back after the front lot is full again, and if it is after about 6PM it will be, you have to get another one day permit.

They do not have any elevators in most of the buildings so if you are on anything except the ground floor you are looking at dragging your luggage up stairs. I never saw anyone who looked like a bellhop during the time we were there. The Islander is located a block or so off the main street which makes it quieter but also makes it harder to find. I did not see any sign on the road and if it were not for a guidebook we had it would have been extremely to find especially in the dark. It also did not show on the maps from the car rental. Look for the Coconut Market Place and turn right on the North end (towards Kapa’a) and go behind it.
Once you find it it is easy to find your way back. Getting out on to highway 56 southbound can be difficult during part of the day. It is extremely congested.

You will get to pay a $15.00/day plus tax amenity fee for the privilege of having WiFi, ”free” DVD rentals, daily newspaper, in-room coffee and tea and in-room safe. Guess the hotels are following the airlines lead and adding “fees” on to everything

We had left the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Oahu and decided to see Kauai for a few days. We booked at the Aston Islander on the Beach in Kapaa. We had a room on the top floor right in one of the units on the beach. It was great. We would leave the lanai door open at night and you could swear that the waves were going to come right in your room. What a great nights sleep. The room was extremely clean and reasonably priced. The lobby was very cozy with all the necessary amenities (computers, etc.). The front desk staff was extremely friendly and knowledgeable with regards to area sites and attractions. Sue and I loved this place. We would sit on the beach at 5am with coffee and watch the sun come up. It is adjacent to the Coconut Marketplace which is another nice feature. Great place at a good value!