Thanks for all the info! I'll be traveling next April, don't necessarily need a car, would like above average food and a postcard type beach. The pool...I'm looking for something with nice tile, interesting layout, above average pool chairs etc, a pool bar, trees...

I've looked at the Marriott Resort and Beach Club at Kalapaki Beach, Lihue, Kauai and the Hyatt on Maui. Any preferences for either??

Thank you so, so much.. I'm planning for a group of four and am hoping to find the "perfect" place.

I can help with some questions about the Marriott on Kauai as I own a timeshare there and have been there about ten times (last time was Sep. 2009). The pool is beautiful and last year they had started heating it! They also just finished remodeling all the rooms.

However I think you want to rent a car on Kauai because you will want to see Waimea Canyon and also drive up to the North Shore for a day, as well as try other restaurants. The bus is next to non-existent and does not go up to Waimea Canyon nor does it go past Hanalei on the North Shore, meaning you have no way to get to Ke'e Beach or the first two miles of the Kalalau trail. Tours are expensive and taxis are not real abundant so you would need to make arrangements ahead of time for them.

Sorry cannot help about Maui, been ten years or more since I last went.

I haven't been to Kauai but have stayed at the Hyatt in Maui a few times and really like it. Kaanapali is a good place to be if you don't have a car. You're on the beach boardwalk and it's only a short walk to the Whalers Village shopping center which has several shops and restaurants. Also, the Hyatt's restaurants are pretty good. We liked the poolside cafe Umalu which had a lot of good choices. Most of our favorite restaurants were a short drive away in Kapalua or Lahaina, but of all the ones in Kaanapali, we liked the restaurants at the Hyatt and Whalers Village the best.

Kaanapali is definitely a postcard type beach. The Hyatt itself doesn't really have much beachfront but it's not far down the boardwalk to get to the beach. The pool at the Hyatt is really nice. Very relaxing. We were there in March and were able to watch whales from our seats by the pool.

Hope this helps!

Have you considered the Mauna Lani on the Bug Island? We have been there and it has everything you are looking f,or

Sheesh- posting without glasses!

Big Island. Duh.

If you have a group of four and you decide on Maui or Kauai, you will really need to rent a car.

Why take the long flight to Hawaii? With your requirements, you could go almost anywhere.

A) Why NOT take the "long flight" to Hawaii? Maybe that's where the OP wants to go.

B) Do you know where he/she is coming from? The flight to Hawaii is no longer than the flight to NY for some of us.