We have returned to Ka'eo Kai for the past 20 years. However, since Wyndham took over two years ago, the resort has deteriorated some. Even though we are not "drinkers", we always enjoyed the welcoming Mai Tai's, which were also served at the weekly potluck--according to Wyndham, there is a liability issue serving alcohol and also they don't have a liquor license. Being a "legal beagle", I reminded them they don't need a liquor license to give it away, and if there was a liability issue, I'd have to tell our church to quit the wine at communion!

We have always loved Ka'eo Kai and we'll be back in September, 2008, and we'll see if Wyndham has improved--we know there is no longer a kiosk at the airport, but that's the fault of the airport, not Wyndham. Advice to newbies--get into Phase III if at all possible--all units are basically the same floor plan regardless. Try the Zip lining, the horseback riding at the Princeville Stables across the road, do the resort fun stuff like coconut painting and the bingo, if they still have it, and the concierges are usually very helpful. Our very favorite island activity is the tubing ride through the irrigation canals. Also, check out the Waimea Brewery for micro-beer and good lunches--maybe after you've been up to see the canyon. Also do a kayak trip--you can skip the Fern Grotto--it's not very good now since Iniki hurricane. There are several good luaus on the island--and the dinner show of South Pacific is fun, if they still have it this year. Personally we think Poi Pou beach is a waste of time, but you should probably drive down there once and see the Spouting Horn and the gift kiosks usually have some good bargains. Also, if you're into this sort of thing, the old church in Hanalei has a service partly in Hawaiian that is great. And the museum in Lihue is also great. Finally try to take in a slack guitar concert. The Princeville Hotel is awesome--if you can afford it, the Sunday brunch is to die for but if you want to just see the place, do it--or have a drink on the patio overlooking Hanalei bay and watch the sun set behind "Puff The Magic Dragon" (I understand this is not really Puff).

We are RCI members and this resort was the only one available. We were a little concerned after reading the reviews on this site, so we called ahead and made sure we were located on 3rd floor in Phase III.

Once we got to the resort we were very pleased. We had a wondeful experience in our one-bedroom. I would be terribly disappointed if we were in the studio. Our view was of a huge tree blocking the golf course, our only negative of our stay. Although, honestly, we were to busy exploring the island to worry about the view from our deck (which was huge by the way).

The facilities were nice, maybe slightly outdated, but again we were there to see the island, not to stay cooped up in our room. The pool/hot tub was lovely. Wish it had a pool bar.

Service was excellent. We needed an extra pitcher and pillows and they were very accomidating. The concierge service was great, except the do push you to listen to a timeshare speil. We went and got $50 dinner certificate and $80 off our Na Pali Coast cruise.

The breakfast on the morning after we arrived was nice - they give you a quick overview of the island and what places you should see.

We would most certainly stay at this resort again.

We were very nervous about staying here after reading the reviews. We couldn't have been more thrilled when we finally checked in. We had a one-bedroom gound-floor condo adjacent to the pool, near the clubhouse - with a gorgeous view of the golf course and the ocean beyond. It was immaculate and had plenty of supplies such as bath towels, beach towels, bedding, paper goods, beach mats. A full kitchen (fully stocked) with a Jenn-Air grill and dishwasher. Televisions in the living room and bedroom. A large bathroom with a shower and jacuzzi tub. There was also a bar at the kitchen with two stools, a wet bar in the center of the unit with bar stools, and a closet with the water heater, a vacuum and a washer and dryer (there were two individual boxes of Tide provided). There is a safe in the bedroom closet that was very useful. We were given a real flower lei on arrival. Fresh coffee is always available in the clubhouse (in addition to the coffee maker in your own room), and you can use their internet in 15 minute increments.

The condo was very spacious and had a wrap around lanai with chairs and table, chairs and side table and lounge chairs. It was so peaceful and comfortable, we enjoyed the times we did nothing but read and relax as much as we enjoyed the trips we took for sightseeing.

These are normally two or three bedroom units, and they make the one bedroom unit by locking off a tiny bedroom. We felt so sorry for the people in the lock-off studio because they only had one small window to view out the front, and no lanai - just a small cement porch off the back of the unit with two chairs. They also had only a "kitchenette" which consisted of a small snack fridge, a toaster oven and a coffee maker. (If you have the opportunity, pay the small additional fee to move up to the one bedroom. The studio would have ruined our trip.)

The staff was very helpful. We recommend going to the first morning free breakfast and orientation to find out what is on the island. We took notes on the map they provided so we could find locations later on. Being our 6th trip to the islands, we didn't want to spend money on "activities", but rather chose to explore the island. They tried to get us to sign up for a timeshare presentation, and offered discounts on activities if we attended. We already have a timeshare, and told them we weren't interested. They were very gracious and even helped us as we went back in the days ahead for more information.

There is a wonderful beach that can be reached by auto. (These condos in Princeville are up on the cliff side of the island.) Princeville is a beautiful part of the island - less crowded, less hectic, less traffic. We toured the entire island. Our favorites were the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" and the lighthouse where we saw many whales - and generally just enjoyed the beautiful island. Our favorite meals were fish and chips at Kalupso and fresh catch of the day at Hanalei Dolphin.

We made many of our meals at the condo since it was so convenient. We recommend shopping at Foodland, which seemed to have a better selection than even Safeway. On your first visit, ask for a discount card. It saved us at least a small amount of money when shopping.

It's the first time on vacation that we've actually gotten depressed when it was time to leave for home. If it weren't for the cramped, uncomfortable air flights these days, we'd definitely be going back to Princeville every chance we got. One note: We looked at the other Pahio facilities in Princeville and would go to any of them if Ka Eo Kai wasn't available.

Aloha.

First, the Pahio at Ka'eo Kai is a beautiful place to stay, as long as you aren't stuck in a studio unit. The pool and spa is beautiful and many units have a great view of the golf course and ocean beyond. I believe that we would have had a much nicer experience had our room been more of a pleasure to stay in.

The studio unit is the smallest room I have ever stayed in--smaller ethan a regular hotel room. The bed is only a double (no fun when my husband is 6'4'') and there is not a proper clost. I opened what I thought was a pantry closet and found some hangers. It was too small to even put your suitcase in, so those had to stay out on the floor, which made the room feel even smaller. The "kitchen" is a small SMALL counter with a tiny sink and a fridge under the counter. The counter space is taken up by the coffee maker, and a shelf above holds a microwave, toaster oven and a basket of flatware. You will not be able to cook anything in the room, so you will not be saving money by staying here. It's basically good for cereal, sandwiches and your cocktails. The television was tiny and positioned in the only free space in the room, so it was hard to see from the bed.

The bathroom was pleasantly large. A nice spa bathtub and good sized-shower. It was probably as big as the bedroom! But privacy of any kind was a big issue for us. The bathroom had only a shuttered door, so you heard EVERYTHING. The room was separated from the other part of the unit by only a regular locked door, so you clearly heard was was happening in the next unit (when they did laundry, cooked, etc). There is no airconditioning in the unit and it is not needed if you keep your windows open. But then again, privacy is an issue. We heard everything from every other unit and all the noise from the roads, even though we weren't adjacent to them at all. The unit had only semi-sheer white curtains, so no light was blocked in the mornings and you could see us move around in the unit from outside at night.

Our "lanai" was two chairs on a small balcony facing the inside of the resort, or the walkway and parking lot. This was the first time my husband and I never set foot on the lanai while in Hawaii. The lanais on the larger units were nice and spacious. We also did not have a washer and dryer, and the washer and dryer on the resort grounds is small and expensive. No quarters/change machines provided, nor is soap.

I might stay here again, but never again in a studio. I think the resort should not rent them out separately--they are too small and the resort is obviously not concerned with the experience of those staying in them. Also, the concierge called us every morning at 8 am to try to get us to attend the "island orientation" and a sales presentation until I had to firmly tell them to stop calling our room, we did not plan on attending.