Kauai: Have you ever stayed at.... ?

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

Hi,

Trying to pick a few resorts for my request.. I liked these few and I wanted to know if anyone ever stayed at them -- pros/cons; likes/dislikes.. etc. Is the location of any on the island better for a first time visitor?
Basically, we want to be near the beach, restaurants, have an outdoor pool, nice surroundings and great units!! (Just 2 of us.. honeymoon.. as if you didn't know )

Thanks!!

1. Kauai Beachboy Hotel

2. Poipu Point

3. Kauai Beach Villas (PAHIO)

4. Shearwater (PAHIO)

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

I have seen Shearwater on a tour. I liked it but still liked my room at the Pahio Kao' Kai better.

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

Hi,

Trying to pick a few resorts for my request.. I liked these few and I wanted to know if anyone ever stayed at them -- pros/cons; likes/dislikes.. etc. Is the location of any on the island better for a first time visitor?
Basically, we want to be near the beach, restaurants, have an outdoor pool, nice surroundings and great units!! (Just 2 of us.. honeymoon.. as if you didn't know )

Thanks!!

1. Kauai Beachboy Hotel

2. Poipu Point

3. Kauai Beach Villas (PAHIO)

4. Shearwater (PAHIO)

If you're searching in II or using independents, I would add Hanalei Bay to your list of resorts, and I wouild probably make that my first choice if and only ifyou can get a 2-bedroom unit.

Otherwise ...

Shearwater is not near a beach but probably has the best views. KBV is on a beach but it's not a swimmable beach. I believe that Beachboy has a beach adjacent. Po`ipu Point has rocky shoreline, but is adjacent to Shipwreck Beach. Due to waves, Shipwreck is not a good swimming beach (though it is swimmable), but good for body surfing, boogie boarding, and beginning surfing. Po`ipy Point is also close to Po`ipu Beach, which is ranked as one of the best beaches in the US.

All of the resorts have outdoor pools.

As an exchanger, at Po`ipu or KBV, yoiu will probalby not have much influence over what view type unit you get. I have no info on how Beachboy handles room assignments. At Shearwater, you won't have much influence either, but almost all units at Shearwater have great views.

None have on-site restaurants of note, but there are lots of good choices off-site.

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

If you check my photos you can see Shearwater and Pahio KEK. We liked both but you can't beat the view at Shearwater.

Lots of detailed info on all the resorts on your list in the TUGS reviews. A few reviews are also on TripAdvisor for some timeshares.

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

If you check my photos you can see Shearwater and Pahio KEK. We liked both but you can't beat the view at Shearwater.

Views at Shearwater are spectacular, but the 2-bedroom units at Hanalei Bay are better.

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

The Hanalei 2 BR are extremely nice...the location is great, and you won't mind driving in Kauai to any of the great beaches...the really great ones are not near to your resort...you will find that the great ones are a short drive or in hidden spots.

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

Views at Shearwater are spectacular, but the 2-bedroom units at Hanalei Bay are better.

I'd actually be happy at almost any Princeville resort. That is our favorite place

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

Thank you all so much, I am going to check out the reviews and pics you mentioned...

I am going to request a 1 BR because there is only the two of us so that's all we need (plus I will probably trade in a 1BR and I would think thats all I can get back).. When you mention I should get a 2 BR, does that mean the 1 BRs aren't great?

I am thinking of using SFX because I heard that they are really good/reliable...

Vino - what is it about Princeville that you love?

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

Thank you all so much, I am going to check out the reviews and pics you mentioned...

I am going to request a 1 BR because there is only the two of us so that's all we need (plus I will probably trade in a 1BR and I would think thats all I can get back).. When you mention I should get a 2 BR, does that mean the 1 BRs aren't great?

I am thinking of using SFX because I heard that they are really good/reliable...

Vino - what is it about Princeville that you love?

We love the more lush, rocky coastline of the North Shore of Kauai. In my opinion the views and the beaches are more beautiful on this side of the island. You'll get lots of people who prefer the Poipu, South Shore area. Search on that topic and you'll find tons of different opinions.

We also like the Princeville area for walking. There are sidewalks throughout much of the neighborhood and along the golf courses. This IS a housing neighborhood, not just an area for condos and the hotel.

We have almost always gotten a 2BR unit for our 1BR deposit (this is in RCI Weeks). We don't need a 2BR either but it's nice to have the extra bathroomand use the second bedroom to store the luggage, etc. Many of the resorts (such as Shearwater) only have 2BR units. Some places with both 2BR and 1BR units have better views for the larger units. And some 1BR units are smaller lock-out units without as many amenities (such as washer/dryer or larger balcony). Since it's your honeymoon be sure and check out all the possibilities because you want the best!

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

I'd actually be happy at almost any Princeville resort. That is our favorite place

They say it rains there a lot but IMO it is worth the chance. I got 7 perfect days when we went. It rained only 1 night.

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

When you mention I should get a 2 BR, does that mean the 1 BRs aren't great?

At Hanalei Bay Resort, yes. All 2-bedroom units, with one exception, have unobstructed views of Hanalei Bay, with the "Bali Hai" mountain and waterfalls in the background. All of the 2-bedroom units have been refurbished. In contrast, a much smaller fraction of the one-bedroom units have ocean views, and refurbishment is stlll underway for the one-bedroom units.

At Po`ipu Point, there are only one or two 1-bedroom units at the resort. So if you limit yourself to 1-bedroom, you will almost surely not be offered anything.

****

The main differences between Princeville and the south shore are rain and lushness in Princeville, versus more sun and better access to beaches in the south shore areas.

After our visit to Kaua`i last month (which included three days in Kilauea on the north shore), we almost bought a resale at Hanalei Bay. However, after returning once again to the south shore, we opted to add some additional time on the south shore instead (also, our daughter announced her engagement so we had other needs for the money).

[jlr10 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jlr10]

The one bedroom units at Hanalei Bay are closer to the pool and Happy Talk Lounge and don't have views as nice as some of the 2 bedrooms. When were there last (November of last year) the one bedrooms were the older units. But they were also the units that were scheduled for refurbishment. The 2 bedroom units have washers and dryers, the one bedroom units must use the washer/dryers that are on site, but not in the units. I know this is your honeymoon but Kauai has red mud and the washer and dryer in the unit are nice.

If you don't stay there I would recommend going and eating breakfast or lunch at the Bali High restaurant. The view is fantastic. I, personally, did not like there dinner. The food was okay but nothing special, and was too high priced for the quality of food. Rumor has it they have a new chef, so that may or may not make a difference. However if you can get sunset seating you might not even notice the food

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

If you don't stay there I would recommend going and eating breakfast or lunch at the Bali High restaurant. The view is fantastic. I, personally, did not like there dinner. The food was okay but nothing special, and was too high priced for the quality of food. Rumor has it they have a new chef, so that may or may not make a difference. However if you can get sunset seating you might not even notice the food

We had dinner at Bali Hai on August 20. Great view - if you do go for dinner, be sure to time your reservation with sunset.

I agree about the food though. I had the ahi; the most poorly cut ahi steak I've had.