Kauai questions....

[gophish Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close gophish]

We are planning a trip to Hawaii next October.
We will be spending one week on Oahu and a second week on Kauai.
I know this is a question of taste but first decision will be to stay north or south?
the resorts I have available to me now are:
Wyndham Kaua Beach Villas, Lihye
PonoKai Resort, Kapaa
Paniolo Greens, Waikoloa
Wyndham Kaieo Kai, Princeville
Wyndham BaliHai Villas, Princeville
Alii Kai, Princeville
Any recommendation on the resort would be appreciated.
thanks Ken H.

[T. R. Oglodyte Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close T. R. Oglodyte]

Of those resorts ....

- Paniolo Green is on the Big Island, not Kauai.

- If you want to be able to see ocean from your room, you best choice is probably Pono Kai.

- Kauai Beach Villas and Pono Kai are really more mid-island than north or south. None of the resorts you have listed is really a south side resort.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

The Weston in Kauai hands down, Not on your list but worth the try to get there

[slip Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close slip]

We like the Pono Kai because it's right in town and is walking distance to restaurants, groceries and shopping.
It's an older resort but pretty we'll kept. If want to see some pictures and videos of the units let me know.

[T. R. Oglodyte Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close T. R. Oglodyte]

I should add, to be able to get knowledgeable recommendations, we need to know more about your personal preferences. Some questions to start, and it would help if you rank these to give some idea which items are most important.

- A view of water from the unit

- A property that is ocean front even if your unit does not have an ocean view

- A scenic view (mountains, etc) if an ocean view is not available

- access to specific activities, such as golf, hiking, etc.

- on-site amenities (restaurants, spas, etc.)

- anything else you can think of.

Tell us what makes for an enjoyable experience for you, and we can give you a lot more help.

Also keep in mind that this is like picking among blondes, brunettes, and redheads; there is no bad choice.

[philsfan Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close philsfan]

Lawai Beach Resort is south side, across the street from the beach. There are places to eat and drink within walking distance. The only downside is that there is no a/c. You can get this resort very easily using HTSE if you have something to deposit with them.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

If this monthly rainfall tracker is accurate, October begins the rainy season in Princeville so you might be better off staying mid-island.

http://www.weather.com/outlook/trave.../monthly/96722

[philsfan Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close philsfan]

We like the Pono Kai because it's right in town and is walking distance to restaurants, groceries and shopping.
It's an older resort but pretty we'll kept. If want to see some pictures and videos of the units let me know.

Also a fan of Pono Kai but if you are using RCI make sure you book Pono Kai and not Pacific Fantasy or any other iteration of Pono Kai. RCI Pono Kai units are in the buildings closer to the ocean and most likely have an ocean view. The others do not.

[T. R. Oglodyte Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close T. R. Oglodyte]

Also a fan of Pono Kai but if you are using RCI make sure you book Pono Kai and not Pacific Fantasy or any other iteration of Pono Kai. RCI Pono Kai units are in the buildings closer to the ocean and most likely have an ocean view. The others do not.

Similarly if you get a Vacation Internationale unit a Pono Kai. I believe all of those have ocean views as well.

This is a an important point about Pono Kai. Units at Pono Kai are owned by a variety of entities, including private owners and several timeshare operations. Your options for room assignment are dictated by where the inventory is originating.

[slip Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close slip]

There are also whole owned units there for rent and the quality varies greatly. Lawai Beach resort would be a good choice too but we prefer bring walking distance to Kapaa and having AC. RCI does show the Pono Kai exchanges as Vacation International and Pacific Fantasy.

One good thing about that time of year is that it's not a high demand time so you may be able to get a nice view. I'll be there for three weeks next October so if you end up there we should meet up.

[T. R. Oglodyte Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close T. R. Oglodyte]

Still waiting for info on what your personal preferences are so we can offer advice. It seems that everybody has their favorites, and they differ for differing reasons. For ourselves, Point at Poipu remains our favorite. We've stayed at Kaanapali Beach Club, Lawai Beach resort, Pono Kai. Kapa'a Shores. Ka 'Eo Ka, Bali Hai, and Hanalei Bay. So we've been around a bit. But we still keep coming back to Point at Poipu. Others have prefer different resorts, for their own reasons. The point is, let us know so we can give you some input.

*****

I come back to one time when we waiting for our flight at Lihue airport, and we started talking with a couple with a couple from San Diego. They absolutely loved Princeville because it was so lush and green - like a tropical Washington. DW noted that, being from Washington, we liked Poipu because it was sunny and dry - like a tropical San Diego.

[happymum Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close happymum]

They absolutely loved Princeville because it was so lush and green - like a tropical Washington. DW noted that, being from Washington, we liked Poipu because it was sunny and dry - like a tropical San Diego.

Perspective!

My husband's favourite is Hanalei Bay. he loved the rain forest/jungle feel, and the incredible view. I have been happier further South. At the Point at Poipu our unit looked directly into a large sand bunker, so that definitely negatively impacted my impression. I loved the Marriott Waiohai for location and the Beachboy for restaurant and feel.

[StressCadet Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close StressCadet]

Perspective!

My husband's favourite is Hanalei Bay. he loved the rain forest/jungle feel, and the incredible view. I have been happier further South. At the Point at Poipu our unit looked directly into a large sand bunker, so that definitely negatively impacted my impression. I loved the Marriott Waiohai for location and the Beachboy for restaurant and feel.

Count me among the lush/green/rain lovers. Coming from the desert, we REALLY enjoy the North. We enjoy the Waiohai too...and have tried unsuccessfully to obtain the Beachboy (Shell property) -but I know I'd like it there too.