Help with Kauai

[Deb from NC]

We've been to the Big Island, Oahu, Maui, Molokai and Lanai, but have never made it to Kauai and I think it's past time to plan a trip there! So, can the Kauai experts help me out ? Is there a best time of year to go ? Any strong feelings about which timeshare to try and get ? (I have Wyndham points and can also trade in RCI or II). Don't miss things to do ? (We like swimming, walking on the beach, hiking, etc....also good food and just relaxing!)
Any help is most appreciated. I looked at the reviews and there seem to be a lot of nice timeshares there, but I know nothing about the different areas of the island....
Many thanks in advance,
Deb from NC

 

[workshy]

Went to Kauai for the first time last August and stayed at Westin Princeville. It's a gorgeous resort but it's not beach front. The Princeville area is in one end of the island so we did a lot of driving. Next time, we will likely stay somewhere in the middle of the island closer to the airport. There are lots of gorgeous beaches on the north end of the island.

Hanalei Bay and the cute town of Hanalei is a must visit. Otherwise, I would suggest the Kauai Revealed guidebook.

Search through this section because there's a lot of discussion about Kauai including tips. TUG was really helpful when I planned my vacation.

 

[slip]

Since you have Wyndham points, I would check out Kauai Beach Villas. Great
Location for traveling both north and south. The units are very nice and you can
Walk along the beach but the waters are not safe for swimming.

 

[Deb from NC]

Went to Kauai for the first time last August and stayed at Westin Princeville. It's a gorgeous resort but it's not beach front. The Princeville area is in one end of the island so we did a lot of driving. Next time, we will likely stay somewhere in the middle of the island closer to the airport. There are lots of gorgeous beaches on the north end of the island.

Hanalei Bay and the cute town of Hanalei is a must visit. Otherwise, I would suggest the Kauai Revealed guidebook.

Search through this section because there's a lot of discussion about Kauai including tips. TUG was really helpful when I planned my vacation.

Thanks....I will definitely get the Kauai Revealed guidebook....we have the Big Island revealed and it was a great help on our trip there!

 

[Deb from NC]

Since you have Wyndham points, I would check out Kauai Beach Villas. Great
Location for traveling both north and south. The units are very nice and you can
Walk along the beach but the waters are not safe for swimming.

Actually, I do most of my swimming in the pool anyway! Does Kauai Beach Villas have a nice pool (or pools) ?

 

[linsj]

Also do an advanced search in this forum for Kauai in the thread titles. There's lots of info posted.

 

[Deb from NC]

Also do an advanced search in this forum for Kauai in the thread titles. There's lots of info posted.

Thanks, I just tried that.....you are right, there is a lot ! That will keep me busy reading for some time. Many thanks to all....

 

[DeniseM]

There are 3 main timeshare areas on Kauai:

Princeville: upscale golf community. On the cliffs (not beach front.) Known for being a little cooler, rainier, greener. Can be quite rainy in the winter - better summer destination.

Lihue/Kapa'a: Central coast. Ocean front resorts. Close to the airport, shopping and restaurants. A little dryer and warmer than Princeville. (*Wyndham Kauai Beach Villas is in this area.)

Poipu - Further south. Ocean front resorts. A little dryer and warmer than Lihue/Kapa'a.

*I would suggest that you look at the Kauai resorts in the TUG Resorts and Reviews.

*Wyndham Kauai Beach Villas is on the same property with Aqua Kauai Beach Resort Hotel, which has exceptionally nice pools. Recently, a Tugger reported that the hotel might start charging a fee for pool use, but I did not receive that info., even though I'm an owner with pending reservations, so not sure.

 

[jacknsara]

Actually, I do most of my swimming in the pool anyway! Does Kauai Beach Villas have a nice pool (or pools) ?

Aloha,
Unless/until there is a policy change by the condotel owners association at the Kauai Beach Resort which shares the grounds with KBV, you would have the choice of spending $20/day to use their very nice UNheated pools or use KBV's own small pool for free.
There are reasons to hope that the policy will be reversed soon, but I promised the resort manager that I would not share the details of the behind the scenes discussions that he shared.
My guess is the policy will change but it may take an extended period of pain in lost business at the resataurant.
Jack

 

[taterhed]

Hi. You're gonna love Kauai.

First, Here's another thread with some great info: http://tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=226781&highlight=taterhed+weather

Next, my opinions:



The airport and, more importantly, the Costco, are in Lihue. There are hiking and adventure tours available from most areas, but the quality places may be north-only or south-only depending on time of year or company. You can hike amazing trails from Northshore and amazing canyons from Waimea. But, these two parks are 1.5 hours drive time from each other (All dates times are approximate of course) Generally, the Northshore is calm and swimmable from May to Oct. Southshore is nice from Oct-May. Your mileage might vary. Kauai contains desert-like canyons and rain forests. Amazing.

Now, not to p.o anybody but, there are several 4-5* resorts: Westin Princeville, Marriott Lagoons and Marriott Kauai Beach Club in Lihue, Marriott Waiohai in Poipu. These all have/share fancy pools and hotel-timeshare characteristics. Poipu beach is the best beach IMHO. Marriott KBC is probably the best pool (but limited kitchen). Westin is probably the best resort/rooms.
There are many other wonderful resorts: Wyndham, Beachboy, Luwai, Point@Poipu, independents...just check the reviews. Every one of them has their own ups/downs from the reviews and pics etc... I've toured some and stayed in others. We bought Waiohai, so I'm biased.

Probably your best bet: decide what you must do (canyon? snorkel? whales?) and then plan your visit. Or, get your exchange and then plan based on driving. I'd avoid lots of planned driving from north to south/vice versa. Lihue;Kapaa gets busy in the afternoon with traffic during high seasons.

my personal rec'd: Jan-Mar, stay in Poipu (Waiohai, Luwai, Point). Know that some views at these resorts are parking lot or sand dune or building. Nice beach, nice hike, nice food, low traffic. See the Canyon. Hike the south end of Napali, walk the heritage trail at Poipu. Love hiking? (mod) go to Hanakapiai Trail at far northwest end of road. Best poke you'll have is at Koloa fish market.
Have a great trip...you really can't go wrong.

 

[DeniseM]

To do Kauai justice - you have to drive, because there are very worthwhile things to see at both ends of the island.

WHEN are you going?

It's whale season from approximately Nov. - March, but it's also somewhat cooler and rainier.

Summer is warmer, and dryer, but no whales and also more crowded and expensive.

Fall is low season, and has the best airfares, lowest crowds, and summer like weather.

For the lowest airfare, avoid all school holidays.

 

[Deb from NC]

Wow..thanks all...great information, as always from the TUG community! I will look over all this info in more depth tonight and order up a copy of Kauai Revealed

To answer Denise' question, we have just begun to plan this trip and can go anytime after September of this year, when DH and I will both retire and will no longer have to work around our work schedules Can't wait!!

 

[MichaelColey]

If you're going to be there at least two weeks, consider a week (or more) in Princeville and a week (or more) in Poipu. That way, you can minimize your driving and get to enjoy everything on the island.

 

[taterhed]

If you're going to be there at least two weeks, consider a week (or more) in Princeville and a week (or more) in Poipu. That way, you can minimize your driving and get to enjoy everything on the island.

This--^

A week on the north and a week on the south. Perfect.

 

[Greg G]

I second (err third) the idea of trying to go for 2 weeks. We stayed on the island 2 weeks, 1 week on the south side (Poipu) and 1 week on the north side (Hanalei) and that worked out really well for exploring the island in a single trip and made it more economical traveling from the midwest US. We ended up getting a timeshare exchange for 1 week in Poipu and then rented a really nice unit in Hanalei Bay resort for the second week.

Greg

 

[taterhed]

Great pic's Greg G. Make me very itchy; we're on Kauai first two weeks of Feb! Love the picture of the state bird too.

 

[Deb from NC]

Thanks..2 weeks sounds like a great idea....especially since it is such a long flight for us. Now if I can add a few days to stop over at the Wyndham in SF on the way back, it will be ideal! ( we did that on the way back from our trip to the Big Island and it made the flight home much more bearable....plus we loved the Canterbury-and San Francisco too, of course!). I'd better start saving up some of my Wyndham points

 

[Greg G]

Rob/Deb you'll have a great time. Such amazing scenery.

Greg

 

[geist1223]

There is a problem with going to Kauai. Patti fell in love with Kauai. It is more laid back and less crowded that the other 3 main Islands. It is now the only Hawaiian Island she wants to visit. Last February we spent 2 weeks there - 1 week at in Poipu and one week in Princeville. In August/September we are going for 3 weeks - 1 Princeville and 2 weeks in Poipu. If I am luck someday we will go back to Hawaii and/or Maui.

 

[chellej]

Kauai is our favorite. We have stayed at a lot of the resorts over the years:

Shearwater, Hanalei bay, The cliffs, Weston princeville, Ka eo Kai, bali Hai on the north

Marriott beach club , Kauai Beach club, and Kauai coast at beachboy in the central area

Point at Poipu in the south.

We love the north shore but do like staying in the central area just so we can go either direction without too much trouble.

We prefer the smaller resorts even though they are not always as luxurious as the marriotts and westins.

On the north, love shearwater and Hanalei bay for the views, in general really like the cliffs

Favorite on the island is shell vacation club at beachboy. It is the right combination of really nice units, nice pool, convenient to shopping and restuarants and beachfront (but not a swimming beach)


Where ever you stay, you really can't go wrong

 

[taterhed]

Rob/Deb you'll have a great time. Such amazing scenery.

Greg

Yup, Amazing is about right...

 

[cowboy]

If you love Kauai, recommend people go to Maui.

 

[artringwald]

If you love Kauai, recommend people go to Maui.

If too many people find out about it, it might spoil the charm. It was a good idea to spread the word in 1993, because they had a hard time recovering from hurricane Iniki. These days, the Kauai occupancy is usually similar to the other islands.