I will be going to Kauai the end of March with my Husband and 2 teenage children. None of us have been to Hawaii. We want to stay in the Poipu area. I would appreciate any reccomendations for a nice beachfront condo. A coworker just stayed at the Poipu Kai Resort. Does anyone else have any input on this resort? Thank You

We really enjoyed the Kiahuna Plantation. Great beach, little shopping area across the street, nice Hawaiian feel about it.

We also enjoyed the Kiahuna Plantation... very nice condos, clean, reasonably priced, nice views of the ocean even from many of their garden view condos. The restaurant Keoki's Paradise across the street from the Kiahuna is excellent, with great drinks and food, but the atmosphere is the best.

We're headed back to the Kiahuna next month. It's on the south side of the island which is almost always sunny and warm compared to the north end.

We stayed at the Kiahuna Plantation Resort in January 2001 - excellent accomodations and it's on the beach. We hope to return to Kauai (and Kiahuna Plantation) in early March 2002.

Just back from a rather wet but fun week in Poipu. We have stayed just about everywhere in Poipu and have come to the conclusion that Poipu Kai is our best pick for the area. The price is right (booking through Suite Paradise or through private owners listed in the back of Hawaii magazine), the location is great and the grounds and pools are really well kept. We prefer the units in the Manualoha area (there are five different groupings of condos at Poipu Kai.) They have the best pool with a view of Poipu Beach. Poipu Sands units are also nice and closer to the Hyatt and Shipwreck Beach but the prices are a little higher and it is often windy there. I wouldn't book a unit in the Regency area, it is too close to the road and too far from the ocean. Poipu Kai is a quick walk to Brenneke's Beach, still a fun Boogie Boarding beach, to Brenneke's restaurant and snack shop, and connects to an easy beachside trail to the big beach at Kiahuna.
The problem with Kiahuna Plantation is that you can end up with a unit really far from the beach, (but it is a GREAT beach), their pool is located at a tennis club across a busy road, and there is major construction going on right next door where a new Marriott timeshare property is being built on the old Stouffer Waiohai site. The prices are also higher than at Poipu Kai. It's nice but travelling with kids, I think that I would go with Poipu Kai- bigger units, floor plans give more privacy, better deal.

MJ: Thank you for your informative reply. It is so nice to hear from people that have actually stayed at these resorts. They all sound and look nice on their web sites and brochures. It makes it hard to choose. I really appreciate your thoughts. Thanks again, Sharon

Just to jump on to Sharon's question - is there a condo area at Poipu Kai Resort that has both a swim-able nice beach AND a nice pool area within close proximity to the condo? Any thoughts are appreciated! Thanks~

Amyc: The Poipu Sands portion of Poipu Kai has the best Beach access and pool. Try for biulding 5.

Two years ago, we stayed at Poipu Shores. All units(they have 1-3 bedrooms)are oceanfront. Great pool that sits out over the ocean. You can walk to Braenecke's Beach in about 2 minutes.
It will be cheaper than Kiahuna Plantation.