I am planning a honeymoon to Hawaii for May 2005 (I know, short notice -- but we just found out that someone is gifting us with a honeymoon!) We plan to stay a few days in Kauai and a few in Maui. We already chose our destination in Maui, but I am having trouble finding a place to stay at in Kauai. I have been reading reviews on various websites and most of the reviews / ratings are very mixed. Any suggestions from anyone that has stayed in Kauai? We want something that is quiet. Since the island is small, we don't mind driving to see things.

Nice treat !

Hotel or condo ?
Approx budget ?

Remember that although it's small the road does not go all the way around, there's a gap up in the northwest.

Good luck.

What's your price range?

Condo or hotel?

What are the places that are getting mixed reviews?

I've stayed at the Hyatt and loved it. I've stayed in a house in Poipu and loved that too. We'll be in Hanalei this summer in a beach house and hopefully will love that too.

The Princeville Hotel has many fans. A one bedroom condo at Kiahuna would be be nice. Whalers Cove would be nice for a honeymoon. Many honeymooners have chosen Secret Beach Cottages (secretbeachkauai.com). Most cottages/condos/houses have a 4 to 5 day minimum rental period.

Have a great honeymoon!

-Bill

We aren't sure about whether we want to stay in a hotel or a condo...we were thinking about a hotel because we did not realize that so many people rented out condos....pros and cons of either?

We would like to stay at about $180 - $220 per night. I have read mixed reviews about Hanalei Bay Resort, which is one that we were considering because it was within our price range. Has anyone had problems with condo rentals in the past? Do you have a company you would recommend using?

Take a look at kauaivacationrentals.com. They have a ton of condos available on the north and south shore. They a have a 5 night minimum however.
-Bill

aloha kb,

Try http://www.makanavacationshawaii.com/index.htm

Great service for north shore condo rentals... I just booked a few nights with them at Pali Ke Kua, a cliff side complex w/ great views of Bali Hai... nice location in Princeville.

They also represent other properties if you find limited availability.

The north shore would be perfect for a quiet lovely breathtaking location on Kauai...

Many congrats and happy planning!

For about 220 a night we stayed at the then new Marriott Waiohai Beach Club (http://www.vacationclub.com/en-us/default.jsp?referrer=) on the south shore for 2 nights of our July 04 honeymoon, and 5 nights at a condo on the north shore (the Kai Nani http://www.nakearentals.com/) for about 120 a night.

I loved that we split it up like that, because it saved a lot of driving back and forth from different sides of the island. I prefered the condo because of our views (even from bed, and what an awesome balcony) and privacy. It was all really great and relaxing after having stayed at a busy resort on Maui.

Have fun!

On our honeymoon (Feb 2002) we stayed at the Hanalei Bay Resort which is next to the Princeville Resort and recommend letting them know it's your honeymoon. We started with a hotel room (Guava?) with an awesome view of the Bali Hai Mountain Range and Hanalei bay (main backdrop for the movie "South Pacific"). The room was small and had A/C but we had asked for a room with a kitchen, so we switched to a one bedroom (Bamboo?) mountain view suite without A/C, but with ceiling and later floor fans (requested extra fans from hotel). We really liked the one bedroom suite with full kitchen, washer dryer, and a huge double lanai with a pristine mountain view with glistening waterfalls in the distance. I believe the 1BR HBR condos would be a good choice since they were closest to the mountains and beach in front of the Princeville Hotel, and HBR also has a decent sized pool and a jacuzzi. Neighboring oceanfront condos in the Princeville Resort area (e.g. Pali Ke Kua) are a good choice though beach access varies from complex to complex, suggest picking up a copy of "Kauai Revealed" (http://www.wizardpub.com/kauai/kauai.html to learn more about condo specifics & activities on Kaua`i. We usually start looking for condos at obvious websites like www.vrbo.com. Congratulations!