Kauai - which one?

[Zac495]

Okay - so it's hopeful...
I have the airfare on hold - waiting for the Marriott points to get to USAIR. I have 2 first class tickets for us and 2 coach for the kids (they said that's fine as long as they get the laptops and lots of cookies:hysterical: )

I booked 2 hotel rooms in Oahu for the first week with points.
I deposited my Aruba July 10th week and requested Kauai - either Marriott - at this point. I was advised by the Marriott rep. not to open to other hotels yet because there's a further charge to request (Westin, for instance).

So... With kids - seems Kauai Beach Club beats out Waiohai Beach Club?? Or not? Is one area/hotel really better than the other or will we be happy at either? (obviously it's Hawaii and not the alleys of Philadelphia - it's a relative question...)

I thought Kona would be fun - and even found Marriott hotels there - but the advice SEEMS to be Oahu is best for the kids -maybe take a day trip to Kona. I can change that between now and Monday - so my ears are open.

If I pull this off, I'll say the points were worth it. Stay tuned!

 

[LAX Mom]

Ellen,
What ages are the kids?
I've stayed at Waiohai and walked the grounds at Kauai Beach Club. It's definitely a better beach at Waiohai with more opportunities for water sports. So if they are active teens they might like that location. I'd pick Waiohai, but honestly I think you'd love either location!

 

[Zac495]

Ellen,
What ages are the kids?
I've stayed at Waiohai and walked the grounds at Kauai Beach Club. It's definitely a better beach at Waiohai with more opportunities for water sports. So if they are active teens they might like that location. I'd pick Waiohai, but honestly I think you'd love either location!

They will be 14 and 11. Zac (14) loves water sports - Zoe could care less. I heard the pool was better at the other.

 

[ciscogizmo1]

I own at Waiohai so, I like it better. I've stayed at KBC once. We did visit KBC in August and the grounds are lovely especially the Koi Pond area. The pool is very big. I'd say the pools are the same at both places. There isn't any special feature about the pools at either place. The only thing KBC has it is a BIGGER pool and it wasn't heated the last time we swam in it. At Waiohai there is one main pool, a baby pool and a relaxation pool. I like the beach at Waiohai better. I like the location of KBC better as it is kinda of in the middle of the island for driving. Either resort is lovely. It might be harder to trade into a 2 bedroom at KBC but you never know. You cannot lock-off at Waiohai so, you'll be guaranteed a 2 bedroom.

I have pictures if you click the link in my signature from our visit in early August.

Tina

 

[vacationtime1]

The pools are both beautiful but completely different. The Waiohai has a free-form shaped pool with rock outcroppings and flowing water. The KBC has a formal, round 2-1/2 acre pool that looks like something a Roman emperor would have built.

The resorts are also completely different. KBC is a converted high rise hotel (some of it is still a high rise hotel), with banquet rooms, expensive shops, and a formal feel. Waiohai is purpose built, four stories, and feels smaller and more casual. KBC has more restaurants and amenities; Waiohai is directly on an excellent snorkeling beach.

FWIW, my kids like both.

 

[mamadot]

Waiohai has more of a family feel to it plus full kitchen. The town of Kola is just minutes away and they have a full grocery store there. We love the area. Kauai Beach Club is closer to the airport feels like a hotel rather than t/s. I would recommend Waiohai for families and Kauai Beach Club for singles/honeymooners/younger adults that what to be where the nightlife is.

 

[cp73]

Waiohai is open directly to the ocean and has large waves. Kauai Beach is on more of a bay and small if no waves.

 

[seema]

If you like to be near a full service mall, than KBC is the way to go - with a Costco, a supermarket, and 2 department stores (ie Macy's and Sears).

 

[thinze3]

Your kids are old enough to take surfing lessons next door to Waiohai. The water, waves and beach are better there IMO.

Though there are more restaurants to chose from at KBC, we enjoyed getting out and trying the local restaurants.



Terry

 

[andypoole]

We own at Waiohai and have stayed there for 2 weeks and have stayed at KBC for 2 weeks also. Our preference is for Waiohai but KBC was good for different reasons. We were fortunate in our exchange to get OF at KBC and we were almost on the beach which was great. We were in Hale 8 at Waiohai on the inside directly over the pools with a partial OV. The pools were very popular with the families but the children did seem to be much younger. With teens, I would probably go for KBC. It also depends on how much you want to self-cater or eat out. The resort restaurants were better at KBC and we had fantastic breakfasts every morning. At Waiohai, the breakfasts were expensive for what you got, so we did our own.

To summarise - if going there on our own or with younger granchildren (we wish!!) then it would be Waiohai, but if with teenagers I'd prefer KBC. Either will be great

Andy