californiagirl
TUG Member
Aloha! We are just back from a wonderful relaxing week at Waiohai. I will post more later, but wanted to share some thoughts. We definitely felt a tightening of the economy in Hawaii. In the newpaper each day there was a new article about the decrease in tourism and the related effects on the residents of Hawaii. We felt the decrease immediately upon arrival. The shopping centers were nearly empty and few people were buying. Costco and K-mart were not crowded on Saturday. I went mid-afternoon. The most noticeable was that the restaurants were not busy. We never made a reservation and walked right in and got seated. We went to Roy's, Keoki's Paradise and Dukes. The quick serve places were just as busy as ever: Bubba's Burger, Shrimp Shack etc.
Prior to going we decided to economize and we ate out less and used the grills more than ever before. We went to the Koloa town market on Monday and bought great fruits and veggies. We did not go on any tours, but made our own. It was one of the most relaxed trips we have taken to Hawaii.
Our room was ready at 11:30 in the morning!! (We had arrived the day prior and stayed at the big Kauai Beach Club in Lihue.) When the check-in clerk circled building 4 my heart sank since we were on an exchange. Before I could express any emotion she quickly said "you do not face the parking lot!" Our room was in building 4...facing the interior. We were on the top floor and had a wonderful view with a glimpse of the ocean. I was a happy girl!!!
A few more observations: This was our 3rd exchange into Waiohai. The other two times we stayed in rooms nearer the ocean, in the "front" of the resort. We were in the "back" of the resort this time. As I looked out over the resort at night, I noticed that the landscape lighting is minimal beyond the quiet pool. There are no tiki torches and very little lighting in the trees in the back section. It seemed fairly dark in comparison. It did not diminish our experience in any way, but I'm sure it was a cost saver. We also noticed many resort crashers in the hot tubs and pools. Each night when we went to the hot tub there were young people who were island residents and clearly not guests at the resort. (By their conversation re: jobs, school and friends etc.) We were in a relaxed, island live and let live mood and did not want confrontation, so we did not say anything. Only one day were there lounge chair hogs! Even then there were chairs available, just not in prime spots. Every other day we had our choice of location in sun or shade.
For our return home we had a 6:30 a.m. flight out of Lihue and set 2 alarm clocks for 3:30 a.m. There was a power outage and our alarms did not go off! Amazingly I woke on my own at the time the alarms should have gone off. I woke up because I became hot. The ac and ceiling fans went off with the power. (I am a heavy sleeper and usually do not wake in the night.) When I awoke and saw the clock flashing 12:00 I jumped out of bed and grabbed my watch. Such a relief. I hope no one missed a flight or tour because of the power outage.
We love Kauai in general and this resort in particular. Hopefully we will be able to exchange in again in 2011.
I will be happy to answer any questions.
Prior to going we decided to economize and we ate out less and used the grills more than ever before. We went to the Koloa town market on Monday and bought great fruits and veggies. We did not go on any tours, but made our own. It was one of the most relaxed trips we have taken to Hawaii.
Our room was ready at 11:30 in the morning!! (We had arrived the day prior and stayed at the big Kauai Beach Club in Lihue.) When the check-in clerk circled building 4 my heart sank since we were on an exchange. Before I could express any emotion she quickly said "you do not face the parking lot!" Our room was in building 4...facing the interior. We were on the top floor and had a wonderful view with a glimpse of the ocean. I was a happy girl!!!
A few more observations: This was our 3rd exchange into Waiohai. The other two times we stayed in rooms nearer the ocean, in the "front" of the resort. We were in the "back" of the resort this time. As I looked out over the resort at night, I noticed that the landscape lighting is minimal beyond the quiet pool. There are no tiki torches and very little lighting in the trees in the back section. It seemed fairly dark in comparison. It did not diminish our experience in any way, but I'm sure it was a cost saver. We also noticed many resort crashers in the hot tubs and pools. Each night when we went to the hot tub there were young people who were island residents and clearly not guests at the resort. (By their conversation re: jobs, school and friends etc.) We were in a relaxed, island live and let live mood and did not want confrontation, so we did not say anything. Only one day were there lounge chair hogs! Even then there were chairs available, just not in prime spots. Every other day we had our choice of location in sun or shade.
For our return home we had a 6:30 a.m. flight out of Lihue and set 2 alarm clocks for 3:30 a.m. There was a power outage and our alarms did not go off! Amazingly I woke on my own at the time the alarms should have gone off. I woke up because I became hot. The ac and ceiling fans went off with the power. (I am a heavy sleeper and usually do not wake in the night.) When I awoke and saw the clock flashing 12:00 I jumped out of bed and grabbed my watch. Such a relief. I hope no one missed a flight or tour because of the power outage.
We love Kauai in general and this resort in particular. Hopefully we will be able to exchange in again in 2011.
I will be happy to answer any questions.
