Pat

We are leaving the frozen tundra of Minnesota for our first trip to Hawaii. Plan to stay on Kauai because it seems a little less commercial. Would like some suggestions of places with ocean views and direct access to a nice beach. Also, are there any rental agencies you would suggest I contact? Thanks much, Pat

Mel

Pat, I stayed at the Embassy Resort Condos in Poipu on the south shore. The south side is more sunny. Although the Embassy itself doesn't have a beach, the Hyatt is right next door and has a beach. You can walk to the Hyatt and partake in all the luxuries that hotel has to offer. (By the way, the Hyatt is FABULOUS - - if you can afford to stay there, you won't regret it). The Embassy has a fabulous pool: lagoon style and big. Also, a "must do" on Kauai is a helicopter ride. There are some fabulous views that can only be seen by air or boat. Hope you have a great time!

Cher4travel

Hi Pat...My family and I were in Kauai last October for a week, and we rented a wonderful condo at Poipu Beach. The condo was lovely, great pool, close to beach, right next to Hyatt Hotel, for a great Spa day. The company to contact is www.suiteparadise.com. The complex that we stayed in was called Poipu Kai, you may want to check into this web site, they have many properties all over the islands, and are very reasonable. Aloha Cher4travel

Karen

Hi, Pat -

Suite Paradise is a good place to start for condos on Kauai. I assume you are interested in condos as opposed to hotels. We own several weeks timeshare at Lawai Beach Resort on the South shore and Suite Paradise represents some of Lawai Beach property there. The nice thing about Lawai Beach is that if you stay in the Alii Building are units are ocean front. The Banyan is also ocean front although some of the views are obstructed. If you stay at LBR, stay away from the Coral Building. They are older and do not have the best views. Other condos on the South shore that have nice properties are Kiahuna Plantation and Whaler's Cove. Kiahuna's grounds are very nicely maintained. If you are leaving MN in the wintertime and only staying on one side of Kauai, I would recommend the south shore because of weather. The North Shore is the most beautiful, however, the weather is less dependable in the winter months, but do spend some time up North to truly appreciate all of this gorgeous island. Kauai is less commercial, more laidback, and, in my opinion, the most beautiful of the Hawaiian islands. You won't go wrong with Kauai anytime of the year. We leave Pittsburgh for 2-1/2 weeks each February/March, and it doesn't get any better. If you need additional information, please do not hesitate to e'mail me.Enjoy!

Margot Harris

Ditto to what Karen wrote - we also own time share at Lawaii Beach Resort, in fact, in the Alii building. We've owned there for 12 years now and it is right across the street from a small beach where there's a lot of snorkeling, but withing a short driving distance to many other wonderful beaches on the Poipu side. It is also across the street from our favorite restaurant, The Beach House, which is open air and from where beautiful sunsets can be viewed nightly. It's true that in winter, the Poipu side is the safer bet, but as Karen said, don't miss the Princeville side, which always intoxicates me with its beauty and lushness. We also own time share on that side, at Pahio Resorts, so we spend one week on the Poipu side and one week on the Princeville side. I'm already counting the days until we leave for Kauai on Feb. 3! Other previous recommendations for Embassy Suites and Poipu Kai are also well taken. If any further questions, don't hesitate to e-mail me. Good luck and aloha!

P.S. to Karen -if you happen to be staying at LBR the week of Feb. 3, look us up in Alii #201!