otroyansky

Hi everyone,

After a week long stay in Maui we're going to spend the last 5 nights of our trip in Kauai. We are trying to decide where to stay (location wise)? Best place in Kauai in July? North Shore or South Shore?????? We were going to stay at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort at Poipu, but I've been reading a lot of blogs that say that North shore is better in summer bc waters are calmer. Our main focus is beaches and swimming, what is better?! Please help us out!

iamq

Find a rental in Hanalei. There are many listings on vrbo.com or you can use a rental agent. NaPali Properties have been good to work with.

Hanalei Bay in the summer is mostly like a swimming pool with a sandy bottom. Makua (Tunnels) Beach is a 15 minutes away for a nice reef with good snorkeling.

The nice thing about staying in Hanalei is that you can walk to the beach and restaurants. It is a very cool beach community and would give you a much more authentic experience than you would get at the Hyatt.

We've stayed at the Hyatt and it is a lovely hotel, but if you are into swimming beaches, this is not your place as the beach, while pretty, is a surfing spot. Staying in one of the hotels closer to Poipu would also be an option, as the beaches there would offer more in the way of swimming than the beach at the Hyatt. If your budget could support the Hyatt, you could look into the newer KoaKea Hotel.

jamie99

The North Shore would be lovely in July, there are only a few places to stay that are not condos or house rentals. Have not been to the new St. Regis but it is supposed to be expensive with lovely views and nice food, guess I would not want to spend that much for a place with no lanais. Hanalei Bay Resort could work for you, they should hopefully have the Happy Talk Lounge open later this month but no full service restaurant yet.

Hyatt is beautiful, love their restaurants and grounds. Haven't seen Koa Kea yet but Kiahuna Plantation (if you want a condo) is on a lovely beach down there. Sheraton is on the same beach but doing major renovations which will not be finished until sometime in September.

Central look at the Marriott in Lihue or the fairly new Waipouli Beach Resort (do not think the latter has a swimmable beach).

Suggestion for a rental in Hanalei is good if you can find one for less than a week.

Shar

Also try Princeville. We have stayed at Pali Ke Kua (sp?) which was right on the cliff overlooking the water and another one Sealodge also ocean front. Check VRBO for many more. Both parts of the island are lovely but North shore especially hanalei area is much slower and quieter not that Poipu by any means is action but it has certainly built up over the 12 years we have been going.