We're heading to Kauai, but I'd love to learn more about weather on the island, as well as a few other details.

For example: In choosing between a south shore hotel (such as the Grand Hyatt) and a north shore hotel (such as the Princeville), does anyone have advice on the weather in late December?

Will one area be warmer and will its beach be more swimmable? If we're going to pay that kind of money, we want to be able to use the hotel beach.

Also, we're a family that doesn't golf -- we prefer swimming, riding, adventuring, nature. Which of these two hotels would be better? Which one is beautiful but not glitzy?

Sometimes at resorts, golf can dominate. That's fine, if you golf. But we don't. Is one of these resorts less golf-centric than the other?

Finally, are these nice places? I'm so worried we're going to get stuck in a resort as we did in Puerto Rico years ago -- a garish, expensive place with a casino and nothing natural or beautiful to look at.

All information and help appreciated!!

thanks

I think I can help you with some of your questions. We've been in Kauai in early December, not late though, but if our experience was any indication then the Hyatt will be the better choice in terms of temperature and the chance of rain.

But...the beach at the Hyatt is not all that nice (...if someone wants to disagree, go ahead, this is subjective).
The Hyatt pools are wondrous, one is a salt water lagoon that is very pleasant to swim in and the other is a free form river pool that we truly love.

Poipu Beach, near the Hyatt, is a much nicer beach, but more crowded as well.

The Hyatt isn't glitzy in the least. It's open air with a view of the ocean as you come into the lobby. Extremely pleasant with a very friendly staff.

The Princeville is closer to glitzy but it's not garish; it's on a grander scale and in our opinion more pretentious than the Hyatt. However both hotels are quite nice, and the view from the Princeville is one of the best we have ever seen. They have a stunning location and the cliffs are as natural as can be....beautiful to look at...really quite awesome.

I don't know how long you will be staying, but the way we approach Kauai is to spend five nights in Princeville (at Hanalei Bay Resort) and then the remainder of the trip in Poipu at the Hyatt.

I agree with the advice of the previous poster. There will definitely be a higher chance of rain on the north shore (although the rain never really bothers me too much as it seems to be part of the "rain forest" environment of the north shore).

The Grand Hyatt has a more casual feel and reminds me more of Maui and Oahu type resorts whereas the north shore and the Princeville feels a bit more unique as it overlooks both the beautiful Hanalai bay as well as the NaPali coast/mountains. After a brief rainstorm, you can look out your window/deck from the Princeville as actually see new waterfalls forming.

I love the north shore for hiking, renting kayaks to paddle down the river (you can rent kayaks at the beach of the Princeville and kayak right up the river that dumps into Hanalai bay), and just general relaxation in a gorgeous area.

However, many of the beaches/swimming may be closed/limited in late December on the North shore as the surf gets rough there. So, if you can split time between the two areas, that might be a great answer. Otherwise, I always end up staying on the north shore because I'm addicted to the beauty of the mountains and driving for a day trip to the South shore if I need more sun/swimming options. It takes about an hour to drive from Princeville to Poipu unless you hit bad traffic (yes - seems odd but you can hit really slow traffic between Kapaa and Poipu as there is really just one road)!

By the way, both places have beautiful golf courses but I never feel that they are golf-centric - mostly just a nice course to look at as I drive to the hotel! Have fun and make sure you do the hike from Kee beach on the north shore along the Napali coast trail (forgot the actual trail name) but you'll find it on other posts. The greatest hike ever!

I would just say that if rain is a big issue for you, you should consider the South shore. You can use the beaches there and chance of sun is quite a bit better. You can always drive to the North shore for the scenery etc. By the way, a great South shore beach is the one in front of the Sheraton. Nice sandy cresent beach with managable waves. Go past Sheraton and road ends at a small parking lot where you can access the beach.

Have you considered a condo or vacation rental? May be a good option since you prefer swimming, riding, adventuring, nature. Visit the resorts! But a kitchen and washer dryer with a view beats all my grand resort stays. Just a thought!

I, too, suggest an oceanfront/view room at the Sheraton on Poipu. Certainly, your chances of the least rain on a great beach would be best there that time of year! No, it's not the Hyatt or the Princeville, BUT still very nice. Have a great trip, CN467! Kauai is small enough that trips to other parts of the island are never that much of a hardship, IMHO.

Kaua`i is not really a "resort" island like Maui or the Big Island.
My guess is that neither beach at either hotel is going to be swimmable in December. The beach at the Hyatt is usually never swimmable and the north shore beaches in the winter are usually pretty rough. I'd get a condo at Kiahuna plantation in Poipu if a swimming beach is important. BB's suggestion of the Sheraton is a good one. Poipu is not that crowded and that stretch is supposed to be calm in the winter.

-Bill

We go every year for New Year's and I don't even bring my swimming trunks or golf clubs to Kauai anymore. Rains too much.

I do bring a ton of bug spray, chicken recipies, batteries for flash lights (it's too dark), lotta money for food and a bunch of books because there isn't anything to do.
Best to go to Maui, especially in Dec/Jan. O

ooops....I forgot to add

Agreed...definitely go to Maui instead. All we've got on Kaua`i is rain, bugs, and those darned chickens!

kkk's... auntiem you too??

CN, don't be too dismayed... no rain, no rainbows.

Kal,

They have golf courses on Kaua'i? No!

-bill (Bill's evil twin)

Golf isn't even fun....Every time I try to golf a chicken runs out and tries to hatch my balls.

And when I finally get my balls in the hole, they are attacked by "worms with feet" <Mrs Kal's words>

AuntieM...welcome to The Dark Side!!!!

Oh Kal,

I'm sure there's a perfectly good explaination why the chickens are trying to hatch your balls.....(crying now with laughter).......I know MrsKal can explain their affection.

AuntieM, please click your heels and say after me......"there's no place rainier than Kauai, there's no place..." How do you survive that hellhole of an island is beyond us. Kal is barely making it thru his extensive study. You are a trooper! Just know we love you. Hold on!

"Annie" the musical in Kauai"
"The sun 'l come out in a few months, bet your bottom dollar that in a few months...there'll be sun.

ooops, I forgot.

Yes Maui is a better choice, so many resorts, great food, so much to do and see...

But lest we forget. The road to Hana is horrible and if you attempt it you will get carsick and be miserable and ruin a perfectly good beach day....phewww, glad I caught that one!

OH, for heaven's sake, get a condo (ocean view) at Kiahuna Plantation in the Poipu area. Google it. You will love it. Good beach, with a beach hut where you can get boogie boards, etc. if you want. It is a beautiful property, extensive lawns, with good restaurants near, as well as a 'tasteful' shopping center nearby.

I used to love the north shore...when it was the place where South Pacific was filmed, but on our last trip when we drove over there I wanted to cry. Yes, golf is dominate over there. It is a mess.

ajcolorado,

Yes, is it a shame about what has happened to the north shore. If Mitzi could see it now!

-bill

Yeah...it's REALLY terrible.

Mind if I play through? :-?

Why did I address my reply to ajcolorado? It is suppossed to be for jtrandolph. I am still recovering from the "Kal's balls" comments!

-Bill

Hey hey hey...leave my balls outta this!!!

It ain't easy finding decent balls on Kauai.

I have to bring my own balls and when the chickens start pecking at my balls and trying to lay on my expensive balls when I'm right in the middle of a hole well I just have to draw a line somewhere.

ROOSTER JERKY!!! ~gt;

Yep...Poipu in the Winter.