Dacon_R

Our first trip to Kauai and I'm learning that many ocean/beachfront places do not have swimmable beaches.

Any recommendations? (TripAdvisor recommendations include the Marriotts, Kiahuna, Sheraton & Koa Kea - all of which I'm checking out)

We are going in June, need a 2 bdrm under $250/night .
We are 3 adult who will be exploring the island during the day but also will want some downtime at the rental to be by the pool or beach, have a drink, etc.

Thank you!

sf7307

I'm not sure you can get any of those places for under $250 a night in June (very high season, as schools let out), but all of them would meet your requirements. I'm not a fan of the Marriott in Lihue (needs a facelift), but we have stayed at the Marriott Waiohai and it's lovely (well, the units are standard-issue Marriott, and the corridors are oddly-institutional, but the grounds are lovely and it's on a nice beach (and the pool is at the beach), and years ago, at Kiahuna, which is on gorgeous grounds on a fantastic beach (but the pool is across the road, away from the beach, at the tennis club). The Sheraton I understand has recently been updated. It shares the same beach as Kiahuna, as does Koa Kea, which is much more upscale -- it's where I'd go for a couples retreat, not with "3 adults".

jamie99

sf7307, I think you are right, took a quick look at Kiahuna Plantation, and there was only one two bedroom that started at $250 per night plus tax and cleaning fees.

Maybe OP can take a look at redweek.com or another similar site and see if anyone is selling their timeshare week at Marriott.

tifa2276

I stayed at the Sheraton in Poipu and it was on a fantastic beach. I loved that beach. We stayed at the Sheraton before it was refurbished (2010) and it was showing it's age, but with the new renovations, it looks nice and it has all the things you are looing for - bar, pool (a bit small but pretty), restaurants.

We also stayed at the Outrigger Waipouli Beach Resort. We got a 2 bedroom condo which was spacious and it had everything we needed to cook. Now the beach here wasn't really swimmable - but we witnessed some fantastic sunrises, and even saw a monk seal one morning! The pool here is also amazing - we loved the lazy river and the water slides (we were all adults too haha). I believe the prices are more reasonable than other condos because it isn't a full service resort. We made drinks in the condo and brought them to the pool. It's centrally located and there are a lot of restaurants nearby too so it wasn't too bad. Lydgate beach park was a short drive away for a great swimmable beach.

tifa2276

Just checked and it looks like the Outrigger Waipouli now has a restaurant...so it looks like they are offering a lot more amenities than when we were there back in 2010.

Dacon_R

Thanks everyone - I've followed your leads and now have a list of 10 places to narrow down. They don't all have everything - I'm hoping you'll comments on a few to help me out!

KAUAI BEACH VILLAS: is the next door dirt motorcycle racing during the week or only weekends?

WAIPOULI BEACH RESORT: looks good, except beach isn't swimmable

KALAPAKI BEACH: looks like we could go near door to the Marriott for a drink!

COURTYARD by MARRIOTT KAUAI @ COCONUT BEACH: are there still renovations going on?

KAHA LANI: safe beach? any restaurants/bar near?

LAE NANI: any place for a drink within a 5-10 minute walk?

KAPPA SHORES: what kind of beach is this, any place to have a drink in 5 minutes walk?

KIAHUNA PLANTATION - if ony the pool weren't across the street this could work. Hoping one of the other ones above is better.

wekewoody

Most, if not all of the places on the east side are not going to have swimmable beaches.

We rent cottages and houses in June/July/August in Hanalei and love it. The Bay is usually like glass in the summer offering great swimming and beach running/walking. You won't get beachfront for that price, but you will be close enough to walk in 5 minutes and you'll be close to town. Plus, it is prettier up north.

Of your choices you listed, I would choose Kiahuna hands down.

Dacon_R

One more... seems like this one hits all my criteria of swimmable beach ("relatively"?),onsite bar/restaurant..
Anyone recommend this?

KAUAI BEACH RESORT

Dacon_R

Wekewoody - the North is VERY tempting, but with only 5 days, we thought being more central made sense. We'll see ... you never know!

jamie99

Almost none of the East Side beaches are swimmable (rip currents, lack of a close reef to provide protection). The two exceptions are Lydgate and a section of Kealia (check with the lifeguard here, some sections are OK, others too rough).

I'd stay North (and I have stayed at the Marriott in Lihue a number of times) cause otherwise you will be driving everyday to the beaches. You'll probably only have to drive South one day, to visit Waimea Canyon so just make a day out of it. See the Canyon and Kokee State Park, visit Spouting Horn and stop at either Salt Pond or Poipu Beach State Park.

Dacon_R

Thanks everyone. With availability and $ limitations, we are probably going with Kauaupi Beach Villas.

From there we'll explore north and south. Thanks for Redweek tip jamie99, good to know.

Songdoc

FYI, the beaches are not swimmable at Kauai Beach Resort and Courtyard by Marriott. I'm not familiar with Kauaupi Beach Villas. Where is that?