Pahio at Ka'Eo Kai

[swift]

I have a week on hold in June. I have been to Maui but never Kauai. I had a choice between a two bedroom at Banyan Harbor or a two bedroom at Ka Eo Kai. I put KEK on hold. What advice do you have for me?

 

[talkamotta]

I own at KEK and I loved it so much that I am in the process of buying another week. (If Wyndam lets me, but thats another story).

I would try very hard to get into Phase III (it seems like any negative reviews are Phase II) Ive only stayed in Phase III and I made sure thats what I bought both times. If stairs arent a problem I would ask for the top floor. We liked the high ceilings. There are some units that have a better view, our's wasnt one of those but we still loved it.

I guess you have bought Kauai Revealled, if not do it? There is one grocery store in Princeville but its not all that cheap. There are only a few places to eat in the Princeville area. We stopped at Costco which is right by the airport before we drove to Princeville. Then for the odds and ends we went to the local grocery store.

We did quite a bit of driving around the island but I loved staying in the Princeville area. There are a few beaches in the Princeville area, those are the only beaches we went to and they were great. They are too far to walk but its a short drive.

What do you like to do and we can give you some more ideas.

 

[jacknsara]

I have a week on hold in June. I have been to Maui but never Kauai. I had a choice between a two bedroom at Banyan Harbor or a two bedroom at Ka Eo Kai. I put KEK on hold. What advice do you have for me?

Aloha,
KEK is the nicer resort (by a lot)
Banyan Harbor has a much more central location.
Which is more important to you?
Jack

 

[swift]

Aloha,
KEK is the nicer resort (by a lot)
Banyan Harbor has a much more central location.
Which is more important to you?
Jack

I read that it is 2 miles from the beach. That isn't too bad. Actually, last time we were at Maui we stayed right on the beach which was wonderful! The splashing of the waves lulled as to sleep. But,.... when I woke up in the middle of the night I wanted to turn off the ocean. :hysterical: :zzz:

Banyan Harbor worried me that it didn't even have a Hospitality rating.

We just came back from OLCC and did a lot of entertainment at Walt Disney World so this vacation would be for relaxation. Hanging around beaches and maybe going to some National Parks. We just want to enjoy nature.

 

[talkamotta]

I read that it is 2 miles from the beach. That isn't too bad. Actually, last time we were at Maui we stayed right on the beach which was wonderful! The splashing of the waves lulled as to sleep. But,.... when I woke up in the middle of the night I wanted to turn off the ocean.

How about them roosters.

KEK will be a good choice for relaxation but bring earplugs if the ocean waves bother you. Roosters can be every bit as noisey as waves. You will want to have the windows open so the fans and breeze will circulate through the units.

As I told you before I own on KEK and Sands of Kahana (which of course is right on the beach) They both have one thing in common - no air. Not having air didnt bother me ever..... but either did the noise. I am a mother of 5 kids, so I can sleep through anything. :rofl: :hysterical:

 

[RickB]

I own 2 weeks at Phase III that I bought about 18 years ago. I quit RCI because I hardly ever traded. Just loved going back there every year. There are plenty of beaches around and at night you can just barely hear the crashing of the waves on the other side of the golf course. The nearest beach is actually a short but fairly steep hike (don't do it when it's muddy) at the end of the road down Pahio is on to Annini Beach. I always preferred driving to Tunnels Beach where the snorkeling is fantastic! Then at least once or twice during my stay a 2 mile hike at the end of the Highway from Ke'e Beach along the Cliffs to Hanakapai beach. Great hike. Nice views and not real strenuous.

 

[moonlightgraham]

And don't forget there are two, actually three beaches you could walk to from KEK. The beach at the Princeville Hotel is right on Hanalei Bay and very picturesque. In reality it would be a long walk from KEK, so it's easier to drive to the hotel, park and take the public access steps to the beach. However, we usually can't resist going thru the lobby of the hotel, which is beautiful, and take elevators down to the beach level and have never had a problem with the staff.

Also, there is a beach right before reaching the Princeville Hotel on the right (can't remember the name, Hideaways Beach maybe?). The access is adjacent to white condos. You take steep steps down to the beach so it can be tricky if not real agile. Also, before getting to the aforementioned white condos is another condo complex (Pali ke Kua) that has beach access. This time it's a steep ramp, but easier to negotiate than the steps.

Finally, don't forget Queens Bath which in the summer is absolutely stunning. It's not really a beach but a lava-created bathing hole. This is an absolute must if the seas are calm. Access to the shoreline is literally a trail between two houses but it's legal and there is public parking provided. Just ask anyone local to Princeville how to get there, they will know.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

I have a week on hold in June. I have been to Maui but never Kauai. I had a choice between a two bedroom at Banyan Harbor or a two bedroom at Ka Eo Kai. I put KEK on hold. What advice do you have for me?

KEK, Theresa. Much nicer facility. The only advantage of Banyan is that since it is in Lihu'e, Banyan is more centrally located and is closer to the airport. In all other respects KEK is much better.

Re roosters. We stayed at the Garden Island Inn (almost next door to Banyan) a couple of nights once to fill in a trip, and the roosters were every bit as noisy there as we've experienced at KEK.

Personally, I like the roosters. They are part of the charm of Kaua'i.

******

Incidentally, the reason Kaua'i has so many wild chickens is because Kaua'i does not have mongoose. Mongoose are devastating to all birds, not just chickens. Accordingly, Kaua'i has far more birds than the other islands.

So when you visit the other islands and think about how there aren't any roosters, listen closely and you'll notice there is a lot more that you are not hearing as well.

If you like hearing tropical song birds, go to Kaua'i. The roosters are just part of the package.