Best luau in Kauai
 

Any recommendations for luaus in Kauai. Thanks!

I've heard this is a good one:

http://www.luauparadise.com/kauai/hi...efika-luau.php

thanks for the firs suggestion above!

I'll ask it another way, what are ANY possible options for luaus on Kauai? I'm trying to pick which island for my family's next trip and collecting all the info I can get. thanks for the help.

We've got plenny lu`au choices here on Kaua`i -- all at hotels (Radisson, Marriott Courtyard, Princeville, Hyatt, Aloha Beach Resort), and the venerable Smith's Tropical Garden.

When it comes to "best", are you wanting "authentic" or "Hollywood" style? For Hollywood, head to the hotels. For authentic, it's definitely Smith's.

waikikigirl: the entertainment at that particular hotel, is now being done by Tihiti Productions (who has hundreds of dancers scattered throughout the islands, doing the shows at many hotels in the state).

Ooops...make that "Tihati" Productions.

Thank you for the mention of Smith's Tropical Garden.

May I tag on and ask another general question about Kaua`i?

What town would you suggest for our family to stay in (all adults)? We're looking for some where that people could go off on their own on foot & find a few shops, galleries, restaurants to poke around.

Suze, We will be at the Hyatt in Poipu, and other than the shops in the hotel, we would have to get in the car to go to Poipu shopping center or elsewhere, so that won't fit your bill.
8-)

Thanks for the reply MB. We all enjoyed Lahaina on Maui for a number of reasons so am looking for a similar situation on Kauai for the next family reunion trip.

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. What do I mean by "best" luau? I don't really know what a Hollywood style and an authentic luau is. I guess something that my young kids will find entertaining, the food delicious, the atmosphere wonderful (not crowded, etc.) Whichever is rated #1 favorite among tourists.

anneofingleside:

Your kids would much prefer Smith's Tropical -- roaming peacocks, chickens, rooster, mynahs, etc., plus ponds and bridges and the garden itself.

Not sure how big the crowd will be, but it won't be a thundering herd. 8-)

Here's my thumbnail review of the Kaua`i lu`au scene:
Hyatt Hotel -- big crowds, nice food, Hollywood entertainment
Radisson Hotel -- large crowds, so-so food, semi-Hollywood entertainment
Princeville Hotel -- small crowd (100 or so), excellent food, awesome views, good local entertainment
Aloha Beach Resort -- small crowd, excellent food, good local entertainment
Smith's Tropical -- small-to-large crowd, good food, lovely garden setting, very good local entertainment
Courtyard Marriott -- haven't been there since ownership changed, so won't guess! :-)

thanks everyone (i didn't start this question but the information is very helpful)!

Thanks for the description of each luau. We're leaving Saturday! Hooray!

anne...you lucky, only 3 more days until the roosters crow!!...

don't forget to stop by the HBR on August2nd at 5 p.m. to say hello to AuntieM, Iamq, RichinPa and other fodorites. They will have a balloon at their table.

Happy holidays....((r))

What is the HBR?

Hanalei Bay Resort (hotel) in Princeville -- the resort (with numbered buildings) at the top of this photo:
http://www.wizardpub.com/kauai/krhanaleibay.html

We'll be at the Happy Talk Lounge in building #1 (enter the lobby, and head straight ahead to the bar)!

Wow, a fodorite gathering. Well, I don't know if I can join--I've never gone to meet online people face to face before, and I'm traveling with my husband who is definitely not used to that sort of thing... Funny, I just browsed through that thread today about what relatives think when you get together with online friends. I didn't realize fodorites were getting together all the time. Sounds fun, though!

Which reminds me, a group of fodorites were talking about getting together in an aston islander thread I started earlier--lots of chummy, friendly people here.

suze..
My husband and i really enjoyed the Feast at lele on Maui a couple years ago (just to throw one from off kauai into the mix). The food was really good and served to you (not buffet style) in a million little courses which was fun. The entertainment was also very good and intimate, with no "bad seats" that i could notice. I guess it would fall into the"hollywood" style (everyone was too beautiful to be real)..but it was not big and crowded. The Lahaina area is bustling with activity, too, as you mentioned. Good for hoofing it around and nice and close to kaanapali area, which i love!

yes, Lahaina was wonderful, we all loved staying there, but for next time I've been asked to "plan" the family trip on another island... the reason I'm "lurking" on all the Hawaii threads these days. mahalo.

We always take out of towners to Smith's we like it best