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Planning first trip to Kauai

Mongoose

Mongoose

TUG Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2012
Messages
2,265
Reaction score
1,235
Location
Colorado
Resorts Owned
Hyatt Pinion Pointe, HGVC The Bay Club, HGVC Elara, Worldmark
Looking for recommendations on resorts I should look at. I was thinking Point at Poipu, Lawai Beach Resort or Shell at the Beachboy? Love to see your input. Thanks!
 
Mongoose said:
Looking for recommendations on resorts I should look at. I was thinking Point at Poipu, Lawai Beach Resort or Shell at the Beachboy? Love to see your input. Thanks!
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All those are good choices. When do you plan on being there? That could make a difference of you want to include any places on the North Shore.

We leave Saturday and are staying in Kapaa at the Pono Kai as usual. I just started a trip tread for it today.🤙🏻
 
Ne
slip said:
All those are good choices. When do you plan on being there? That could make a difference of you want to include any places on the North Shore.

We leave Saturday and are staying in Kapaa at the Pono Kai as usual. I just started a trip tread for it today.🤙🏻
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Ne T May or June.
 
Mongoose said:
Ne

Ne T May or June.
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The ocean is calming down then and it shouldn't be as rainy then also. You could probably look at some locations on the North Shore also if you're interested in the area.

We prefer Kapaa since it's a fairly even distance to both the North and South shores. 🤙🏻
 
One week or two weeks? We normally go for 2 weeks. One week up north in Princeville area and one week in the Poipu area. Some beaches etc now require reservations. While it is only about 60 miles from Ke'e Beach in the North to Waimea in the South it can take almost 2 hours to drive. It is mostly a 1 Lane Road in each direction that can get backed up.

Down south you have Waimea Canyon. To do this properly is about a day. Take a picnic lunch. Drive to the top. Resist the turn outs. Drive as far as you can and then hike past the top parking a bit. There are several View Points up there. Have your picnic lunch in the Park at the top. Then stop at all or most of the View Points on your way down. There is the Kauai Coffee Planation. There is zip lining in Koloa. There is an inner tube float down the old sugar cane canals in Lihue. There is Poipu Beach. There is the Alakai Swamp Trail. There are Cruises out of Hanapepe Bay to the Napali Cliffs and snorkeling. There is the Spouting Horn. There is the Mala'ulepu Trail that starts on the top of the Cliffs just north of Shipwreck's Beach. There is the Makauwahi Cave. Almost forgot about the light house - a National Park. Also a bird nesting area. Luau: some of the large Hotels have Luau. The two I would recommend are Kilohana just outside of Lihue or Smith Family by Kapa'a. Kilohana has the more traditional entertainment telling the Polynesian story through song and dance. Smith Family has greater diversity to honor the many people that have emigrated to the Islands. Remember Poi is not a dish by itself but to dip your Pork. There is Anini Beach. The town of Hanalei. The beach at Hanalei. To go to Ke'e Beach you need to go online and make a Reservation - either AM or PM. Kayaking up the Wailua River to the Fern Grotto and Secret Falls. It is about a mile hike to the falls. Sometimes the trail is very muddy. In Lihue there is a Costco. Cheapest gas on the Island by a lot. Great Fish Tacos at the Food Truck by Hanalei Pier. Some of the best Chili Pepper Chicken is at the Chevron Station in Priceville. Best Loco Moco is at the Food Shack on the side of the Sueoka's Market in Koloa. Jump off the Cliff just north of Shipwreck Beach and swim to Shipwreck Beach.

The Pines Trail. The hike from the parking lot at the Pu'u O Kila Lookout to the Pihea Lookout is a moderate to strenuous hike at best, depending on weather. Steep downhill trail of rutted red dirt. Hiking shoes and trekking poles highly recommended! The views down over the Napali cliffs is amazing.

Wai Koa Loop Trail. Sleeping Giant Trail.
 
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These guides for Kauai are excellent. They offer a bundle price for all of them.

Find Your Adventure | Shaka Guide

Explore on Shaka Guide's GPS self-guided GPS audio tours! Download Hawaii's highest-rated travel apps + now introducing self-guided tours
www.shakaguide.com www.shakaguide.com
 
What about resorts? Seems like many are in disrepair or dirty?
 
We have stayed at Beachboy in Kapaa, and in Princeville at Makai Club, Bali Hai, and Ka Eo Kai - all clean and nice. My family of several generations absolutly LOVED the food and entertainment at the Fire Show in Anaina Hou Community Park in Princeville.
 
We have never had issues with Point at Poipu (we are DRI Members), Bali Hai, or Ka Eo Kai. Of these last 2 we prefer Bali Hai (2nd Floor).
 
Mongoose said:
What about resorts? Seems like many are in disrepair or dirty?
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Aloha,
Just so you know, real mongoose are not welcome on Kauai - the only Hawaii island that dodged that blight.

Perhaps you've perused various threads in this forum https://tugbbs.com/forums/forums/kauai-beach-villas-ioa-public-square.61/ that paint a rather discouraging picture of Kauai Beach Villas, particularly for ocean front owners. I certainly do not recommend buying a unit there. Exchanging in has several positive aspects to consider as long as you do not expect an ocean front unit (the beach it is on is quite walkable but rarely swimmable). All units have split air conditioning that covers the bedrooms and living room. Access to the pool complex at the neighboring hotel is available (not sure if there is a charge for non Wyndham points owners). It has an interesting combination of central location with a sense of remoteness. https://www.google.com/maps/place/K...try=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDUwNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw==

Years ago, disrepair might have applied to the Point at Poipu. I've never stayed there but I believe those issues are mostly or entirely resolved.
Many years ago there were issues at Makai Club in Princeville but again those are resolved.

Jack
 
I like Princeville, and especially love Wyndham Shearwater.
 
I own at Point @ Poipu and Lawai Beach Resort. Both you will be happy with.

I have stayed at Shearwater a couple times and the rooms are large and the views are great.
You will however be leaving every day to get to a beach or something since it sits on the cliffside.
 
Are you using RCI or II?
 
This year is the first time in 20 years we weren't able to go to The Point at Poipu. We love the place. It doesn't have a beach in front of it, but we enjoy watching the waves crash on the rocks. They're in the process of remodeling all the kitchens and bathrooms. You may get an older unit that is dated, but functional. Here's some of the pictures we've taken over the years.

artringwald.smugmug.com

The Point at Poipu - Art & Jo Ringwald

Our favorite pictures from several stays at The Point at Poipu
artringwald.smugmug.com artringwald.smugmug.com
 
We also love the Point at Poipu. From your pictures I see you prefer the Adult only Spa/Hot Tub.
 
geist1223 said:
We also love the Point at Poipu. From your pictures I see you prefer the Adult only Spa/Hot Tub.
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Your are correct. I don't mind kids but that on is hotter.
 
Anyone have experience at Kauai Coast Resort at the Beachboy? I'm trying to expand my options to improve my odds of getting a match on RCI.
 
When I do a Request First with RCI I list the Island, size of Unit, and preferred dates. I do not list Resorts unless there is a very specific reason for a limited list of Resorts. If it matches with a Resort at which you do not want to stay just decline but keep your ongoing search active.
 
geist1223 said:
When I do a Request First with RCI I list the Island, size of Unit, and preferred dates. I do not list Resorts unless there is a very specific reason for a limited list of Resorts. If it matches with a Resort at which you do not want to stay just decline but keep your ongoing search active.
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When it comes to Hawaii and the overall cost of the trip, I am picky. I'm hoping my II ongoing search hits. Its was started back in 2023 so it should have priority on anything being deposited. I see you have a ton of WM credits. Do you have Club Pass access? I've thought about picking up a Bali Hai resale, but I see so many complaints from Wyndham owners. I have 14K WM and I have really enjoyed short stays with them.
 
Aloha,
I assume you are searching for 2025.
Many years ago as we acquired additional KBV OF weeks we wound up depositing the first years usage with RCI. We also had a Mexican RTU that we always deposited and combined. We always used resort specific OGSs. We discovered that RCI OGSs did not work reliably. Every match I got within the final 6 or 7 weeks was a result of a manual search.
We no longer have any deposits with RCI. Our membership will expire later this year. I just checked and there appears to be lots of Kauai availability on RCI for cash rentals this year including May & June this year.
I have no experience with II.
Good luck,
Jack
 
jacknsara said:
Aloha,
I assume you are searching for 2025.
Many years ago as we acquired additional KBV OF weeks we wound up depositing the first years usage with RCI. We also had a Mexican RTU that we always deposited and combined. We always used resort specific OGSs. We discovered that RCI OGSs did not work reliably. Every match I got within the final 6 or 7 weeks was a result of a manual search.
We no longer have any deposits with RCI. Our membership will expire later this year. I just checked and there appears to be lots of Kauai availability on RCI for cash rentals this year including May & June this year.
I have no experience with II.
Good luck,
Jack
Click to expand...
No. May-June 2026.
 
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