Hello! I'm just starting to research this trip so I'm embarassingly uninformed. I'm Looking at booking at trip to Kauai in the first week of April and don't want to spend too much $$$. We don't need a fancy place just a place to sleep and a home base for our outdoor pursuits. We have a few options and I would love some feedback.

1. Aston Islander on the Beach (what is is beach like at this property. It is important that we have a nice beach)

2. Kauai Sands (the price is right but what about the beach?)

3. Coconut Beach Resort

We also are looking at properties at Poipu but they are much more expensive. What are the advantages to staying at poipu over Kapaa (besides the rain factor...is it a factor in April?) Also, we enjoyed boogie boarding when in Maui. Are there good boarding beaches in Kauai?

Thanks for your input!

I would suggest you pull up the thread "Kauai Trip Report 2002-2003"
and read Kalkahuna's excellent and always entertaining take on Kauai and on Islander on the Beach. He stays there every year and is very satisfied with it overall, seems it would fit your needs. Check it out!

Minor correction: you'll find the posting by Kalkahuna listed as "Kauai 2002-3 Trip Report" (seems the order of the wording makes a difference when you do a search).

You might want to consider the Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation (Poipu)-they have a construction rate which I think is just 99.00/night (go to outrigger.com for complete details). We did this last summer and were very happy with the deal. Beautiful grounds, very nice completely furnished condos, great beach and wonderful service. It was a bit noisey during the day but, if you're like us, you'd rarely be around to hear it. We did some of our own cooking (they have great BBQ grills) that helped to save some money for the tons of other things you will want to do!! Have a great time where ever you choose to stay.

Thanks for the tips! I checked out the thread Kalkahuna wrote (I did have some difficulty finding it ) so it looks like The Islander might be the one. I might also check out the rate at the outrigger plantation in Poipu. I am still curious about the beach at the islander though. Is is decent for swimming and sunbathing? Any other feedback is welcome and most appreciated.

That's funny! I tried doing a search before on the "islander on the beach" and nothing came up...just did it again and WOW! Lots of feedback..

Chris, if you want to get the full lowdown on Islander, you can e-mail Kalkahuna at [email protected]. (Kal, my bruddah - if you catch this thread, I know you won't mind if I act as your agent!) Anyhow, Chris, Kal's your go-to guy on this hotel. Good luck!

Bob, there are numerous cottages and condos around the island. Some are as low as $60 a night. if you do a google search for kauai rental, poipu condo, and similar phrases you will find many listings. in Poi'pu, across the street from a beach, is Prince Kuhio, at the less expensive end of the scale. I can't give a review of it as I too am researching my next trip, and haven't been there, yet.

In the past have stayed at Hanalei Colony Resort which we loved (beachfront on the n. shore), but it is more like 170 a nite and up--for a 2 bedroom unit w/ full kitchen. That is reasonable for 3 or 4 people.

In my opinion the beaches on the N. shore are the most beautiful, but if you want to swim you may want to look at Anini or Poi'pu. If you don't already have the Ultimate Kaua'i guidebook by Wizard Publications, it is highly recommended. You can get info on beaches and see photos and some aerial shots of beaches at hawaiiweb.com and shorediving.com; a good way to get info on the specific beaches.

We stayed in Kaapa last March and loved it. We were in a condo called Lae Nani right on the beach with a great little tidal pool and lava pool to wade in if the waves were too strong. People surfed and boogie boarded there, as well as snorkeled. We saw a ton of whales from our condo - one day a huge group of sea turtles hung out at our beach. Best vacation I've had in a long time. We also debated the Poipu vs. Kaapa. We liked the central location of Kaapa and also the tropical feel to it. We had no rain. There is a kayak trip right outside of Kaapa that takes you upriver to a beautiful water fall. We really wanted to be able to explore the island, so loved the centrality.

How does this beachfront cottage look for $135/night?
http://www.gloriasvacationrentals.co...lakottage.html

How about this apt. for $105/night?
http://www.gloriasvacationrentals.co...neusguest.html

Do not stay at the Coconut Beach Resort. The rooms are pretty run-down, the staff is rude and the food is lousy, too. i've heard better things about the islander, but have not stayed there.