Anybody stayed in Haena, Kauai?
 

I'm about to book a house in Haena for 5 days in July. We're going to Oahu first for
4 days, then Maui for 8 days ,then Kauai.
We(my hubby and 3 kids)are looking for a real lush, tropical place. The name of the place we are considering is called
Alohilani Home
.http://www.remaxkauai.com/rental-homes/alohilani.htm
I don't mind being out in the country, but are we too far out to drive to other parts of the island? would it be a pain?? Where would be the closest nitelife? Any comments
would be appreciated!!

Haena is lush and it is country. From where the house is it's about a 1/2 mile to Makua (Tunnels) Beach, which is argueable the best beach on the island. Ke'e is another mile down the road.
Hanalei, the closest town is about 10-15 minutes away. Princeville is another 5 - 10 minutes. Kapa'a is about 30 minutes from Princeville. Poipu is around 90 minutes and Waimea Canyon is around 2 hours away. Haena is on the far north end of the island, so it is not the most central location. The house looks great. It is just down the street from a recently opened restaurant. Other than that, the nearest restaurants are in Hanalei and the Princeville Resort.

-Bill

Our first visits to Kaua`i were spent in that exact neighborhood...in fact, we were in a cottage just behind the one you've linked here.

My only proviso would be that if you want to tour the entire island, this may be way too far north for you. We loved it, because all of our friends lived in Wainiha, Ha`ena and Hanalei at the time.

Once we bought our house in Princeville (about 11 years ago), we found that we only made the drive beyond Hanalei once a month or so. Ha`ena is a lovely drive, but it's definitely north end.

Def end of the road but sooooo beautiful. With kids I'd get closer to Hanalei/P'ville or better yet Poipu...but that's not the lush/tropics you're looking for.

And we allll know there is no night life on Kauai! ;)

The property looks fabulous, but as others mentioned it may be a pain getting to other parts of the island from there. If lush beautiful surroundings are your number one priority, and you're planning on spending much of your time on the North Shore I would say definitely go for it. If you plan on spending a lot of time in the Poipu area this may not be the best choice.

P.S. If you're looking for nitelife Kauai may not be for you, especially the North Shore.

I agree about the nightlife! Kaua'i is downright boring.

-Bill

Ahhh... the Northshore in July. Heaven! I'd stay in Haena and never venture south to Poipu. We love Lumahai beach in the summer when it's calm and gorgeous. (Our kids love it too.) Great snorkling at Tunnels. Good fish to grill at home at the Fish Market at the Dolphin in Hanalei. Load up on fresh fruit and veggies at the Hanalei farmers market and don't miss a sunset cocktail and pupu's at the Library at the Sheraton Princeville. A relaxing five days on the Northshore of Kauai will be the perfect end to your island hopping vacation.

Haena is my favorite place in Hawaii. In summer, the best beaches on Kauai are on the North Shore. There really is no reason to drive anywhere else except to visit Waimea Canyon for the day.

But, if you're looking for nightlife (with 3 kids?) you should stay on Oahu.

Otis

"no reason to drive anywhere else....."?
:-?