I need some help deciding on a hotel for our honeymoon in Kauai this July. We would like to stay at a nice resort but can't afford the Hyatt or the Princeville. Are there are any hotels near either of these resorts that are reputable? Is the north shore or south shore better for a honeymoon? Has anyone stayed at the Sheraton on the south shore?
Any other suggestions are welcome.

Thank you,
Jennifer

The Princeville area is best in July as it is their dry season, and the waters are calmest for swimming. We spent time in July 3 years ago both on the north and south shore and the south shore area-Poipu-had the roughest waters. They told us it was the north shore that was the most swimmable in our summer. Why don't you try the Hanalei Bay Resort and Suites. They have a few different options including rooms with kitchenettes and they also have an excellent entertainment rate. The view from the restaurant and public areas is supposed to be beautiful. We stayed at the Princevelle only because we got and excellent rate-under 200.00. Be sure to also ask at the Princeville is they have special rates because ours certainly was. Annemarie

The Princeville area is best in July as it is their dry season, and the waters are calmest for swimming. We spent time in July 3 years ago both on the north and south shore and the south shore area-Poipu-had the roughest waters. They told us it was the north shore that was the most swimmable in our summer. Why don't you try the Hanalei Bay Resort and Suites. They have a few different options including rooms with kitchenettes and they also have an excellent entertainment rate. The view from the restaurant and public areas is supposed to be beautiful. We stayed at the Princevelle only because we got and excellent rate-under 200.00. Be sure to also ask at the Princeville is they have special rates because ours certainly was. Annemarie

As Annemarie states above, the Hanalei Bay Resort, which is within the Princeville community., would be a great choice. We stayed there, in a lovely room, for $80 per night Entertainment rate. The lounge and restaurant do indeed have great views, and the pool is actually nicer than the one at the Princeville Hotel. The two hotels share a beach, incidentally. You walk down a lovely hillside path to get to the beach, and they will send a hotel golf cart to pick you up after you swim. The pool is one of those lava-rock waterfall lagoon ones, just beautiful. The view of Bali Hai from the grounds is "to die for." Personally, I prefer the North Shore and think it'd be more of a romantic setting, but that's a very pesonal decision. Another choice of a lovely hotel, which we have stayed at, with excellent prices, is the Outrigger Kauai Beach Hotel near Lihue. It is down a little road with sugar cane fields on either side, so you feel like you are in a remote location. It is on a beach, has beautiful pools also, and has a lagoon with bridges and ducks. You can't swim on the beach there, but you can walk up about 20 minutes and be at a fine swimming beach. The courtyard lawn there is great at night, lit with gas torches, and with lovely ocean breezes calming you. Also, the location is great, centrally located between the North nd South shores of the island, so not a long drive to anywhere. The Entertainment rate there was also $80 last summer. IN both places we met several honeymoon couples and all looked thoroughly "blissed out" Also, the hotel employees at both places couldn't have been more cordial and helpful. And both hotels' rooms have small refrigerators in them--another help when you are on a "budget." Happy honeymooning!!

We are going to be in Kaua'i from June 15-20 and have an expensive reservation at the Princeville Hotel. We are considering changing it to a condo on the south shore. I am handicapped and have concerns over getting to the beaches on the North Shore. Couple of questions: Will I have to hike up/down to beaches on North Shore? How's the water on the South Shore in late June? Has anyone used Grantham Properties to book a condo?

My husband and I honeymooned at the Hanalei Bay Resort in November, and it was fabulous. I highly recommend it and the north shore for your honeymoon.

Jennifer,
I have been researching affordable Kauai hotels too for my trip this Fall. Kauai Coconut Beach Hotel is offering a $99 special, oceanview, and includes breakfast for two. I have never stayed there but the photos in brochures and on internet looks nice. You can get more ideas and pricing under www.hawaii-hotels.com. Hope this helps.

In summer you definitely want to be on the north shore. In winter, go to the south shore. The Hanalei Bay Resort is a good recommendation. We spent a week at a condo in Princeville a couple of years ago, and my dream is to get back there again. The beaches are gorgeous, water is calm, snorkeling is great. You can hike the Na Pali coast in the summer, take an ocean raft ride along the coast, etc. In the winter you can't do any of this because of the rough water. Enjoy your honeymoon.

Aloha Jennifer! I've recently stayed at
both the Hanalei Bay Resort (been their
twice) and the Sheraton Po'ipu. My recommendation is to split your time on
Kauai and stay at both resorts. That's
what we did last year. Many places offer
deals such as pay for four nights and get the fifth night free. I don't know how much time you have, but that might be one way to go. Our favorite beach on
the North shore is Tunnels Beach. Fantastic views and great snorkeling.Many beautiful varieties of tropical fish to see and the waters are very calm. Their are many great places to eat on the North shore too. Our favorite is Zelo's Beach House in Hanelei town. Both resorts have breathtaking views. If you'd like to see what your view on the North shore
looks like, rent the video South Pacific
with Mitzi Gaynor. It was filmed their
in the 1950's. Not much has changed! Both resorts will not disappoint you. The Sheraton was rebuilt after Hurricane Iniki and reopened in December 1997. We met quite a few honeymooners their as we
did at Hanalei Bay Resort. If you have any questions, I'll be more than happy
to answer them for you. Whether it's about activities, restaurants, getting around or whatever. Aloha, Ed

Regarding the Princeville Hotel and the beach: Apparently they have an elevator that takes you down to the beach so that you do not have to hike down. They do not offer this service from the HBR.

One alternative to the Princeville Hotel is to stay in a condo within Princeville.

My wife and I have stayed,twice, at the Pali Ke Kua condos which are on a cliff overlooking Bali Hai(incredible sunsets).

If you can do without room service and other hotel ammanities......a condo offers a lot more room for a lot less than a hotel.

If you want more specific info, let me know.

You don't need an elevator from the Hanalei Bay Resort to the beach that they share with Princeville Hotel, because there is a broad, paved, easy path that you walk down to the beach. You can ask the hotel to drive you in a golf cart if you do't want to walk for a few minutes. If you are tired after the beach, you call the front desk from the hotel service phone at the beach and they will pick you up.

Thanks everyone, We decided on the HBR and got an entertainment rate for a suite which was half of what we would pay at Princeville Hotel. Looking forward to those sunsets.