Kauai - first time help
 

Hubby and I going for 15 year anniversary. So many threads about Kauai and not knowing which to read first....

1. Would like to know, should we go to 2 different spots to stay for the week? Is there merit with lodging in 2 areas?

2. We love to golf. Not sure though if we want to pay $$$ to stay at the golf resorts.

3. Any suggestions on excursions while we are there? I am very prone to sea sickness so the boat trips are out.

Please advise!

Kauai is a small enough island that it is easy to stay in one area and drive to all the other areas. The south side tends to have less rain and the north side is more lush. Both are wonderful places to stay. You might want to get the Ultimate Guide to Kauai by Doughty to read all the details about the various areas and hotels as well as best activities and restaurants.
The helicopter tour of the island is one of the best excursions. However, being prone to seasickness, you would want to consider whether a helicopter ride would have a similar effect on you. I would definitely recommend seeing Waimea Canyon.

What time of the year?
How much are you willing to spend on accomodation?

I'm not a golfer, but I do know there are some good municipal courses on Kauai, so you don't really need to stay at a resort to get some good golfing in.

We plan to go beginning of August. Budget for accommodation would be around 200ish per night.

Family of 4 plus grandparents went last year in March. We are not golfers. Stayed in Koloa, by Poipu at Poiu Ocean View Resorts...great place for couples (not so kid friendly). Excursion I loved was Outfitters Kauai Zipline Adventure Tour-The Kipu Zipline Safari: kayak, hike, zipline-awesome.
Did Smith Family Luau..good. Poipu was a great location, we traveled up the coast to Princeville...great trip with lots of stops. With just the two of you going you may want to split your trip into Poipu area and Princeville area. I am jealous..by far, my favorite vacation spot!

If you're wiling to stay in a condo there are plenty of options in Princeville in that price range. The weather on the north shore in August is usually fantastic. Rain during the evening and overnight, a passing rain shower here and there during the day, cooling tradewinds, temps in the mid 80s.

Check out Sea Lodge, Hanalei Bay Villas, or Pali Ke Kua.

My husband & I went to Kauai May 5-12, 2007. We stayed 4 nights in Princeville, which is the North Shore, at the Sealodge Condos. We stayed in the D7 unit. The Sealodge is situated on a bluff so you are looking out at the ocean. It was absolutely beautiful and we loved the North Shore! We felt "secluded" on the North Shore, in a good way, as opposed to the "busier" South Shore.

Here are a few websites for the Sealodge:
http://www.hestara.com/index.html
http://www.summitpacificinc.com/sealodge.html
http://www.kauai-vacations-ahh.com/k...odge-kauai.htm

After staying on the North Shore, we then moved to the South Shore for 3 nights. We stayed in Poipu at the Kuhio Shores in unit 213. Not ON the beach but right on the ocean!
Here is the website: http://www.kuhio-shores.com/
http://www.kuhio-shores.com/KS213.html

Also here is a link to a map of Kauai so you can get an idea of the North/South Shore and other areas of interest.
http://www.summitpacificinc.com/kauai_map.html

Another tip: I recommend buying this book: http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Kauai...d_bxgy_b_img_b
The Ultimate Kauai book is an absolute must! It has everything you could possibly want to know about the island. One of my favorite insider information in the book was the directions on how to get to Secret Beach. This beach is unbelievably beautiful and can be seen from the Kilauea Lighthouse. It is a 15 minute hike to get to the beach and my husband & I wouldn't have known about if it weren't for this book! That is just one tip and there is so much information in these books! This book is also available for the other Hawaiian islands.

I absolutely love Kauai and my husband & I are going back this May! We are already counting the days! Check out this condo: http://hestara.com/b10.htm This is where we are staying this May. I really like Hestara...all that is required is $250 to reserve and the remainder of the balance is due 30 days before your trip.

As for a rental car...we used Budget and got a convertible.

I check this board frequently so if you have any more questions just respond to this post and and I'll check back. I love helping with Kauai information! I LOVE Kauai!

For $200 you could find some very nice condo deals. August is a good time to stay on the Northshore i.e. Princeville or Hanalei. Poipu on the other side is also very nice.

Lots to do from beaches, hikes, horseback riding, snorkeling. If you are interested in hiking or snorkeling, I would be happy to elaborate. I liked Allerton Gardens on the Poipu side, Kokee swamp and Waimae canyon. Oh and there is a nice bike path by Kapaa.

stay put in a condo if it only for a week and enjoy your lanai everyday. Lots to do opn Kauai Both areas Poipu and North Shore offer great beaches, fun adventures (snorkeling trips, tubing, zip lining, body surfing, beaching it, wonderful scenery.) August it will be warm and hopefully you will have good trade winds as most condo's do not have air conditioning. Best Island IMHO...I hear it calling me back