How has Kauai changed?
 

We've been to Kauai 3 times, but not since 2001. What changes will we notice? Any good hotel recommendations? Don't need a 5 star, but would like a ocean front room on a nice beach.

Do you know of any condos with A/C? Please don't tell me I won't need it....been there, done that....and it was NOT pleasant.

Go to suite-paradise.com and call the 800 number. They will tell you which condos have a/c. We booked the newest units in the Poipu Kai resort through them. They were very nice units with a/c. That was just one of their many good options.

Thanks so much

Regency Villas in Poipu has AC:

http://www.greatvacationretreats.com...regency_villas

What has changed? More traffic in Kapaa and the rest of the island. New Costco and some other big shops. A handful of new condos in all areas. Nice new shopping village in Poipu.

I think the North Shore (Hanalei) still has the rural, country, Old Hawaii feel.

There are a lot of new condos in and around the Princeville area not too far from the North Shore area which have newer units with A/C.

Check out Westin Kauai Villas in Princeville..2 yrs old, beautiful and with priviledges and a shuttle to the new St.Regis Hotel (formerly the Princeville Hotel)

From the OP: we would like an oceanfront room on a nice beach....which hotels in the north are actually ON the beach? (not the Westin Kauai Villas, they're on a cliff)

Hanalei Bay Resort, St. Regis, Princeville, Bali Hei...or check out VRBO (vacation rentals) many condos on the beaches of the north shore...

We stayed at the Sheraton Resort Kauai in Poipu and really enjoyed it. It's not quite as expensive as the Grand Hyatt, but very nice.

We go to Kauai often and stay at the Hanalei Bay Resort on the North Shore, in Princeville (the town of Hanalei is 15 minutes west of there). It's not right on the beach, but it's just a few minutes (5-10 minutes) walk down the hill to a great snorkeling beach, which is the same exact beach as the fancy St. Regis. You can also get the HBR bellman to run you down (and back) in the golf cart.

HBR has units with incredible views of Hanalei Bay and the large rugged mountains. Ask for one of the units way out on the bluff in the "Bamboo" building (such as unit #9201 or one of its neighbors).

The only resort I've stayed at on Poipu (South Shore) was the Sheraton Resort Kauai, but it was nice. Not fancy, but clean and comfortable, and a good price compared to others. In fact I've heard locals from other islands vacationing on Kauai like it there for the relaxed feel and good price.

It's less "touristy" than other resorts on Poipu, but that's why we liked it. I like the view from their restaurant terrace, right near the breaking waves.

The Kauai Marriott Resort is right on Kalapaki Beach near Lihue. It looks very nice, although we haven't stayed there so I can't speak from experience about the rooms. The pool looks wonderful. We often go to Kalapaki beach to swim if it's too rough to get in the water on the North Shore during the winter. There are a couple of good restaurants there that we've liked (Duke's and Cafe Portofino).

There's scores more all around the island, but those are the only places I have personal experience with.

Marriott has a nice timeshare right on Poipu Beach. They rent units or you can perhaps get a better deal from owners renting their weeks at Redweek.com or Tug2.net (even eBay).
Real "ocean front" will cost you.

Resort is Marriott Waiohai, big 2br/2ba units, very nice.

There's a new place right next door where the hurricane damaged ruin was for years.
See http://www.wizardpub.com/kauai/kauaerials.html

We've stayed at the Marriott Waiohai and really liked it; however, oceanFRONT rooms are hard to come by -- only a couple of the eight buildings are on the water -- it's shaped liked a horseshoe with the two ends being buildings on the water and the rest progressively farther from the water. However, the grounds are GORGEOUS. You can see my trip report with some pictures on tripadvisor under the same screen name.