I need your help. I always use Fordorites' advice when I plan a vacation. Invaluable! My hubby and I decided to take a last minute anniversary trip to Kauai in Dec. (after Christmas). Yes, I know it is high season, but I am a teacher, so I have to work within my break. I've been researching like crazy and my head is spinning. Obviously, things are getting filled up quickly because of the high season. My romantic notion is to stay in a privately owned accomodation. I kind of want to stay away from the resort condo thing unless it is an absolute last option. I've checked a zillion different sites (like VRBO). It seems like most advice points to South Shore b/c of the time we're going to visit. (Would North Shore be an absolute no-no?) Any recommendations of other places to stay beside Poipu? We were there about 7 years ago and stayed in Coconut Grove...it was ok. I'd like to keep the price to $1500 if possible. Thanks for your help! Maybe you can make my head stop spinning.

Need a little more information: How many nights are you planning to be there? Does the $1500 include airfare for you both?

Ahhh...good questions...7 nights (12-27 thru 1-03). I was trying to keep it to $1500 just for accomodations. Thanks for your help!

checked HERE yet?

www.kauaivacationrentals.com

We used Kauai Vacation Rentals last year, and I would highly recommend them. They have lots of properties in all price ranges.

We stayed on the North Shore, which probably wouldn't be recommended for you in Dec.

How about this place - Kalalea Kauai Guest Retreat (www.vrbo.com/42507)

We will be staying there in March.

Gilbert -- be sure to pack (or purchase upon arrival) mosquito repellant. Those which live along the river, are persistent 'tween dusk and dawn.

tracy-Yes, I have sent emails about some of their offerings and I'm waiting to hear. Thanks for the suggestions.

Gilbert-Nice place! Sent them an email as well.

Anyone know about this place? www.kauaicove.com
They have the Hibiscus Cottage available @ Kauai Cove ($145/night) and then the Garden Suite at Poipu Kai House ($175/night)

Are Aliomanu or Kalihiwai good places to stay?

Thanks again! I appreciate your help!

When we were in Kauai in June, we were less concerned about where we stayed (other than: clean, safe, convenient) because we knew we'd be on the go most of the time.

We found a place near Opaekaa Falls
and Sleeping Giant (about 15 minutes outside of Lihue). While small (bedroom/kitchette/dining area and bathroom), the country setting was ideal for us. The owner was very easy to work with.

http://www.vrbo.com/4626

Mike Honeycutt

gteacher,
This one has been on my radar screen for sometime.
http://www.gloriasvacationrentals.co...holokokai.html
aloha,
-Bill

Thanks to all who replied! I'm weaving my way through possible accomodations. Here are some with availability for my dates:
1. www.kauaicove.com
They have the Hibiscus Cottage available @ Kauai Cove ($145/night) and then the Garden Suite at Poipu Kai House ($175/night)
The Hibiscus is 2 blocks from Baby Beach. 1/4 mile from Lawai and Kiahuna. Anyone want to share impressions of these beaches?
The Garden Suite is inside Poipu Kai House (seems condo-ish) but acc. to owner a better location. Thoughts on that?

2. Kalalea Kauai Guest Retreat (www.vrbo.com/42507)(Thanks Gilbert!)
Along the Anahola River but 1/8 from ocean. AuntieMaria-mosquitos prevalent during Dec-Jan as well? A good location?

3. Kaleialoha Hibiscus Hale Lani http://www.kauaialoha.com/ Love the beach front location...but is this a place to swim?

Would love to hear any wisdom, advice, comments about these places! Would love to hear from locals or honorary locals (Kal and iamq-you must have honorary status ) Thanks again for your help! I highly regard it. (BTW iamq great place you recommended but unavailable.)

gteacher:

The major thing about your plans, will be the winter weather. If being oceanfront at a beach you can actually use is important, then you'll want to head to Po`ipu. Kaua`i Cover isn't oceanfront, but it's ocean-close.

Much as I love property #3 you've listed, and even though that beach is reef-protected, the winter rip currents make swimming there life-threatening. This is the same area where a mother and her young son tragically drowned earlier this year. And that's the nearest beach for property #2 also.

But do plan a daytrip to our northshore -- watch the weather reports, and you're sure to get at least one rain-free day to enjoy Hanalei! 8-)

Go to www.kauaivacationrentals.com and you can find all kinds of properties in all price ranges.

We stayed at Kai O Honu in Poipu but its a wee pricey. But they can help you with accommodations and are very nice!

Auntie Maria-So tragic about the mom and her son! I appreciate the warning very much. Can you tell me about Baby Beach, Lawai and Kiahuna (the beaches that are close to Kauai Cove Cottages?)

We do plan to visit North Shore. I wish we could stay there. Maybe we'll take a summer trip sometime. When we were in Kauai 7 years ago, we did visit Princeville and Hanalei. Had shave ice at Wishing Well (?) Delish!!! I don't remember much rain on our last trip and it was the same time of year.

pele-Already checked that site. It is great resource.

Thanks! Anyone else?

ttt

I'm posting this link without actually having any personal experience with this property, but I thought it looked very nice when doing research last year. We ended up going to BI and Maui instead, but it's still in my mind for a trip to Kauai when we have the opportunity to visit that island. Sending on to you as another place to look at. Maybe someone here who is more expert could report as to whether it is a worthwhile place to investigate. Good luck. http://www.kauaivilla.com./

gteacher: the beaches on the southshore -- except for the one near Brennecke's which is for boogie-boarders -- are among the safest on our island. But as always, be safe and be aware of changing weather/surf conditions.

sherrie: That photo is just slightly deceiving -- this is one of the units in a multi-unit condo complex near the Princeville Hotel. Great views, for sure!

My wife is also a teacher, and we've been to Kauai four previous times over the Xmas holdays. The ideal is to split time between the north and the south; this coming Xmas season, for instance, we are spending a week in a cottage in Hanalei and a week in a house near the Sheraton in Poipu. But if we weren't splitting time, we'd stay on the north shore rather than the south or west even though the weather in the north can be iffy at times in late December. The north shore is beautiful beyond belief, has far fewer condos and resort accomodations, and has a spirit of place that is transcendent. (More practically, it's a lot easier to begin the day north and, if it clouds up or starts raining, to head south until you find clear skies than it is to start in the south and head north without knowing what kind of conditions you'll find up there. More often than not, when we're up north and the weather gets spotty, we don't have to travel too far south to find clear skies--usually by Anini or Kahiliwai, perhaps as far south as Kealia or north Kapaa. Keep in mind as well that while the south tends to have better weather than the north during late December, this isn't always the case; in 2003 a Kona low brought rain for five straight days while we were in Poipu. We don't let the weather guide where we stay so much as two other factors: how best to avoid driving through Kapaa at anytime of the day and what moves our spirit most strongly. So for us, the north shore is the way to go even during the winter. Shoot, if you get some rain, then you also get to enjoy the rainbows. Last year during our stay in Hanalei it rained eight times one day but we still managed to visit three beaches and see seven rainbows.

BTW, most of the days we've been in Hanalei over Xmas we've been able to swim in Hanalei Bay; Tunnels is usually okay; Anini is almost always calm; ditto Kahiliwai; and while Anahola can be too rough, Moloaa and Kealia have almost always been safe to swim. Bottom line: there are accessible and swimmable beaches north of Kapaa in late December.

Auntiemaria: Thanks for the info. As I said, I'm a true novice when it comes to your island. When we finally save enough to come back to Hawaii, I'll probably drive you bonkers with questions. Thanks again.