After spending a lovely 4 nights at the Hilton Kauai Beach Hotel & Resort, we managed to miss our flight home! Faced with a closed ticketing window at the airport at 11 p.m., we were lucky to flag down a taxi who immediately recommended we stay at the nearest motel for the night. He drove us to Tip Top Motel and we figured OK, one night at a divey motel is doable.

However, when we opened the door to the room, we were both horrified. Now, I have stayed at hostels outside of the country and used holes in the ground as toilets in 3rd world countries and these accomodations at Tip Top were much scarier. The room was smaller than 10x10 with cinder block cement walls. It was like a prison cell or asylum ward. The thin blanket on the bed (which had several holes in it) resembled a cheap tablecloth. The linens were stained and the walls were dingy with scuffed up linoleum floors. There was a small, ancient air conditioner unit in the windows but the room was still stuffy. The bath towels were ragged around the edges. For $65 a night, it was highway robbery. I wouldn't have paid $20 had I have seen the room beforehand.

Oddly enough, the diner at Tip Top turned out to have the best pancakes in town (banana with macadamias). It was the teeny tiny consolation to an otherwise miserable stay.

I took a chance and it was bad. Called ahead to confirm that clean towels would be provided. Got there at about 2pm and found one washcloth. I asked for towels and was told it would not be a problem. Left and returned at 10pm to find one washcloth and no access to clean towels. The basin had whiskers from the previous occupant near the valves and the shower had a used bar of soap in its dish. Stay at your own risk.

This is a basic motel very close to the lihue airport and has clean rooms. If you are looking for a cheap place to stay this should be good, but not for romantic couples. Rooms have TV, AC, clean bed and restrooms. Car parking is in the lot and is not covered or fenced. Also, call them before you check in to make sure they are there, usually the resturant hours.

They have a restuarant downstairs and if you can , positively have their macademia nuts plus banana pancakes, they were very good, filling and cheap. They are closed Mondays.

Stayed there a few years ago with a friend. We took a last minute trip to Kauai and needed a place to crash, but didn't want to pay much. This place did the trick. $50 a night, two twin beds and a bathroom. Very basic motel, but what do you expect for $50 in Hawaii? No carpets on floors but a good restaurant right downstairs. If you are just looking for a place to sleep and not worried about ambiance, this is the place.
Highly recommended for those on a budget and not too picky.