Help in deciding where to stay on Kauai!
 

I have gotten a lot of good info from this forum-thanks! Now I am going to ask for more information and opinions! Planning a trip for my parents to Kauai in April. I can't decide on what part of the island they should stay on. In april will the north shore still have high wave action? What about rain? Is poipu area kind of quiet and relaxing? Long ago my husband and I stayed on the east shore and we didn't mind it. However, it sounds like the east coast might be like the kihei area of Maui-we didn't care for that. Any info you have will be appreciated!<BR>p.s. We have thought about 5 days on the south shore and 5 days on the north shore. They want a condo with an ocean view-lanai. Any condo info would be appreciated!

You need to get the book "Ultimate Kauai Guidebook". It will review so many choices of hotels/condos, restaurants, activities which will help you decide, especially since you are lucky enough to be there for 10 days. If you don't mind driving (it is so beautiful there, driving is an enjoyable activity) I would stay on the East shore and checking the weather each day to decide which direction to head. Weather could go either way since you are in between seasons. The North shore is the most beautiful part of the island and the south shore has most of the resort choices. The East shore is where most of the residents live because it so centrally located so there are better prices for restaurants, gas, incidentals. Get the book, it will be your bible. Enjoy!

Kellie,<BR><BR>We stayed at the Kiahuna Plantation condos in Poipu on the south end two years ago (Feb, 2000), and enjoyed it so much, we have another trip scheduled to stay there again next month. The condos are clean, spacious, decorated with nice Hawaiian touches and even the garden view condos had a nice distant view of the ocean. The price is reasonable, and the south side is almost always sunny. How much time do you really want to spend in your room when you're someplace as wonderful as Kauai is, anyways? <BR><BR>Beaches anywhere on Kauai are gorgoues, but we found the beaches in the north, like lumahai (sp?) to be choppy and rough, which is not too safe for casual snorkelers. It was also rainy and/or darkly overcast for an hour or two every day. Poipu beach on the southside was sunny, warm and rain-free our entire 10 day stay. <BR><BR>Best of luck! I have great restaurant recommendations, if you'd like them, just e-mail me. Don't miss the "Lava Flows" at Keoki's Paradise!<BR><BR>Lisa in Seattle, WA

We have spent our last three vacations in Kauai. First trip stayed in Kaapa-good central location but the location itself is just OK. Second trip spent 10 days at the Hanelei Colony Resort on the north shore. Weather was not bad-few showers now and then and two days completely washed out. Great location for easy access to those gorgeous beaches and not a long trip back to Princeville, which has the bulk of the north shore accomodations. Last trip we split 10 days in north and at Popipu, which we just loved. It has some nice beaches and decent choices for eating, horse back riding, golf, snorkeling, etc.. Which one is best? Depends on what you really like. South shore definetly is drier. We will split our next trip too so we don't have to drive all over the island. Do get the book "Ultimate Guidebook of Kauai". It can tell you much about where to stay and how to find some very nice, but hidden places (much of Kauai does not have sign pointing the way off of the main highways. Surf the net too. Have fun.

I suggest you seriously consider the South Shore because of the better weather. I think most Kauai visitors would agree the North Shore is more beautiful, but the weather can be dicey and who wants to chance that, especially if you only have a week or so. You will have a far better chance of sunny weather on the south shore. I stayed a week on the North Shore last year and if it wasn't raining , it was gray and overcast most of the time. We had only one day that was suitable for the beach.

It's no accident that there is only one large hotel in the north. The weather tends to be cloudy, rainy and windy. There was a Club Med in the North many years ago. It closed because of the weather.<BR><BR>The hotels are all on the leaway side of the island where the weather is sunny and the winds more gentle. Virtually all islands concentrate their tourist trade on the southern tip because of the weather.

Have been to Kauai three times, each time stayed at Poipu at the Hyatt. It is an incredible hotel, and the weather on that side of the island (as opposed to the north) seems much better. Everytime we've driven to the north side, it rained on us while we were there, and I have had 1 day of rain in Poipu in 3 week long stays.

Hi Mindy, Go to the north shore as fast as you can. We stayed in Poipu the first trip and Kapaa the second. We spent all of our time driving to the breathingly beautiful North. Besides, Nobody tries to snorkle at Lumahai. It is deadly. Agreat beach to sit and relax and enjoy, but don't try to swim.. Now, for the past ten years, we go to the north shore and stay at Hanalei Colony Resorts. Almost at the end of the road and it really has the taste and texture of old Hawaii. As a matter of fact, we are scheduled to go in May. Have fun! Sharon

Stayed at Hanalei Colony Resort a few years ago. it was beautiful but a drive to anything and a bach too rocky for swimming. If I went again, I would stay at Hanalei Bay resort near the Princeville hotel. Beautiful views, restaurant on premises. I love the North Shore - the rain makes it more beautiful. Do a search on the Bay Resort - it is going to condos but you can still get rooms I believe.