How fancy do you need it to be? Songdoc is a regular poster who spends a great deal of time in Princeville, always at SeaLodge, which he loves.

Puu Poa is nice and right next door to the St. Regis.

Scrolldown this link and click on the complex name, and it brings up aerial views on the different complexes

http://www.wizardpub.com/kauai/kauaerials.html

Here is the puu poa layout.

http://www.wizardpub.com/kauai/krpuupoa.html

There are a lot of choices and most of them good. Just google and google away untl you find something you like (check out the views, etc) - at the price you will pay.

And then telephone to follow up with more questions.

Some of the buildings/units don't have as good of views as others - so you just need to double check.

If you are staying at Priceville - you are up on the cliffs/plateau - but again - there are some great views from there - being what - 100 feet above the Ocean.

We bought a timeshare years ago at the Cliffs Club and like the units. 1 BR and 1 BR and Loft condos. http://www.cliffsatprinceville.com/

And here are the SeaLodge ones - where Sondoc stays. http://www.hestara.com/

FYi - here is a Gardenview deal at the Cliffs. If you called - they would probably give you some kind of deal on an Oceanvie as well. There are 9 buildings.

http://www.cliffsatprinceville.com/promotional-rentals.php

Check these out:

http://www.kauai-vacations-ahh.com/kauai-rentals-activities/sealodge-kauai.htm#anc

http://www.hestara.com/

and

www.vrbo.com

Thanks for all the links! Yes, I found the unit sogdoc stays in but it only has a queen bed. We need a king. Right now trying to get flights (mileage) which is proving to be a challenge.

Don't need fancy but Dan would like a view. Not a beach person so would rather have a nice view as he computes! Lol. songdoc you aren't the only one with a spouse that doesn't appreciate sand!

Are you sure you can't find a Sealodge unit with a king bed? The views are so beautiful--and no sand .

We stayed in this condo a couple of years ago. The view is a sensational pinch yourself view. The condo could use some cosmetic upgrading, but there is a king bed, the owner was super nice to work with.

http://www.vrbo.com/184987

I have stayed at this unit.

http://www.kauaivacationrentals.com/rental/house.html?ID=239&User=KVR2144&Avail=&Stay=

This website has a good search function

We stayed in a ground level one bedroom unit at Pali Ke Kua two years ago. The view was spectacular and it had a king bed. It was a nice complex with a pool and nicely maintained grounds.

http://www.kauaivacationrentals.com/rental/house.html?ID=425&User=KVR5493&Avail=&Stay=

stayed at both seaLodge and Pali ke kua(sp?) both hve great views.....continue on line and you will find something. I have seen lots....

One thing that is important to me when I am in Hawaii - no matter what island - is view. I need to have serious ocean view so the pics had better have that or I won't go any further....AND there are lots on line. good luck.....

The Hanalei Bay Resoret has an incredible - swim around an island pool - and you can also walk down what is essentially a private beach below the St. Regis.

Just go back from Mother's Day Weekend at my daughter's. WOW thanks for all the info. Back to searching.

Songdoc, there are kings at Sealodge but not the unit you rented. Have my eye on one. Got our airline tickets today so that is locked in.

tileaftilly, that unit is beautiful if it is as depicted. Thanks for the link.

I know Building J is at the far end of the Sealodge complex but any thoughts on that location?

I've stayed in J. The views were exceptional. Which unit are you looking at? I've stayed in at least ten different units at Sealodge. They're basically all the same--except for the exact location and view. Also, some have nicer furniture or other upgrades -- but they're all very similar.

J-6 was one of the prettiest views -- and exceptionally nice (granite countertops & great furniture). The only drawback was that being upstairs (it's a 2-story, 2-bedroom unit) it was too warm.

I love views of the lighthouse and reef. But H2 (that I was in the last time, and will be at three weeks from today!!!) mostly faces open ocean. You have to situate your chair just right to get that reef & lighthouse view -- but ahhh, the breezes were WONDERFUL!

Yes, I looked at J6 but it isn't available. J1 has a king, it is on the end and faces the coast towards the lighthouse. we need a king because of sleeping issues. I need to go back and read your report again because all the reviews are saying it is a steep walk down to the beach from Sealodge. Not a problem but are there other beaches within walking distance or did you just drive to others?

G2 is also available but it is no the second floor.

<<<it is a steep walk down to the beach from Sealodge>>>

VERY steep.

I stayed in G2 and loved it. It's not ground level--but the views are fabulous from your private balcony. If you want to sit on the bluff, you can walk down a flight of stairs and sit on a blanket, or bring your chairs. There are benches, too.

J1 looks great, too -- but as you can see, you'd have a view of the ocean, lighthouse & reef -- but it is partially obstructed by the hillside. I assume you noticed that J1 is a 2-br; G2 is a 1-br. Don't know if that matters to you.

First vs. second floor is a toss-up. Lately, I've been preferring the ground floor -- so I can walk out the door and be on the bluff. But the 2nd floor has more of a sense of privacy because no can walk by. I love both.

Re: the beach ... Sealodge has an access trail that leads to "Sealodge Beach"--but as the PP said, it is VERY steep--and I don't do it unless the trail is dry. But I typically only go to Sealodge Beach once or twice during a 4 - 6 week stay. It's beautiful, and worth a visit -- but not a favorite.

The beaches at Hanalei Bay, Anini, the St. Regis, and Anahola are all within about a 10 minute drive--and are gorgeous. Within about 20 minutes you'll find two other faves: Lumahai and Kealia. Haena, Ke'e, and Tunnels beaches are spectacular and probably less than a 30 minute drive.

It's not as if you have to go only to Sealodge Beach just because you hapopen to be staying in the complex--so I wouldn't worry about it. I assume that regardless of where you stay, you'd want to explore the different beaches.

The good news re: the units is that you can't lose. They're both fantastic--and you're going to have a great time.

PS. I'll be there the entire month of October--but haven't selected my unit yet.

OMGoodness! Then we might be neighbors! GTG maybe!

I understand the situation of the the condos in Priceville - up above the water, beach access difficult - but as I said, my a view is more important to my husband. We do love spending our evenings on the beach in Hanalei and watching the sun set.

Thanks for the terrific info.

I assume sf7 is talking about the beach below Sealodge. It's a nice little walk - but private when you get there.

You can also go over to the Hanalei Bay resort? (on the other side of the St. Regis) - albeit somewhat surreptitiously perhaps - and walk down their path to the beach below the St. Regis.

Surreptitiously? Are you for real? And there is a public path between the two properties.

Found this:


* Hideaways (Pali Ke Kua) Beach Just before the St. Regis Princeville Hotel gatehouse, there is a public parking lot, with a walkway alongside the tennis court that takes you to the steep stairs and tricky trail leading to Hideaways. Small children (and some adults, like me) may be a bit scared to use the steps going down. But once there you'll usually find safe swimming. There are two beaches, the second is off to the right accessed by a private path. Snorkeling is popular in this gorgeous spot.

Pu'u Poa Beach Parking is the same as above. Located directly below the St. Regis Princeville Hotel, this beach is accessed by a cement trail and 192 easy stairs leading from the left of the gatehouse. A beautiful view of Hanalei Bay can be seen from a walk to the left. You can walk all the way to the mouth of the River.

http://www.wailuabayviewcondos.com/kauai_beach_list.pdf

So glad you found that page about beaches Ronda. I almost posted it. Glad you did.

Well, after searching many different options such as house rental in Hanalei, Pali ke Kua, Hanalei Bay Villas, we came back to Sealodge and decided on unit D6 through Hestara. It has many good reviews and I couldn't find a bad one so we shall see. We are looking at this as our "scoping out" trip for the future.

I really like the interiors of some of the other rentals and the size for the price, but then some were too close to the road or had mountain views instead of ocean views or bad reviews or no reviews so will check them out.

I found a video on YouTube of the trail to Sealodge Beach made in February (looks muddy).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wc4k3lW7h_4&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Yes, it looks steep but probably won't go there every day. Get up, have our coffee while gazing at our amazing view and head out like we usually do!