Kauai - hotel recommendation for March?
 

We're going to be in Kauai for 3 days at the beginning of March. Should we avoid the beautiful north side because it's too rainy and the water too rough at that time of year? Does anyone have any recommendations for a reasonably priced hotel (under $200) that's on a nice beach or with a great view?

There are two hotels in Poipu. We like the Grand Hyatt, but the Sheraton might be more in your budget if you use a AAA or Pleasant Holidays rate. Also try Expedia, Hotwire, etc.

Gail,

Its hard to wrong on kauai. We always stay in Princeville, we think its by far the prettiest resort area. We go in winter, and only once the rain was bad(70% rain but even Poipu had lots of rain that yr). The main hotel is expensive($500+), but there are some very good value Condo rentals on the 'Cliffs' and some that are even less a little down the road. There are some great views and after quite a few stairs you will find a long stretch of beach of your own.
I know there are better values in the south(My brother just got an inexpensive package at the Sheraton) and if you do take them at least spend a day in the North side even if you kick yourself for not paying a few more dollars to stay there.

Are you doing three nights in Kauai & three nights in Maui? I know you said you want everything for under $200.00, well that may be a little hard but. If I was going to Kauai & Maui for three nights each, I would stay at the Kauai Marriott which is right on a great beach & has a great pool & is a great resort. It is up to you to pay for what view you have from your room. On Maui I would probably stay in a condo in Kihei, either the Mana Kai or the Kihei Surfside. They are side by side on a great beach on the southern Maui Coast. I rent the condo's through aaoceanfront.com & either get the Hotel room from Marriott's own site or from Costco.com/travel(who has a good deal right now). The best deal at the Marriott is to stay for five nights & get a free night & a free upgrade in room & breakfast for two. My wife & I have done both places & love them.

choose just one island and explore

Just stick with one island. Three days on Kauai and three days on Maui is just too short to really enjoy either island.

The islands really differ from one another quite a bit. I understand why someone would try 3 or 4 Islands in one trip IF it will be their only time visiting Hawaii.

Thanks so much for all your replies. We decided on 4 days in Honolulu (we have relatives there), 3 days in Kauai and 3 days in Maui because we want to get a feel for a few islands. I know it's a short time, but maybe we'll return some day! We decided on the Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club and the Royal Lahaina Resort in Maui. We were going to stay at the Ilikai in Honolulu but just read (thanks to a Fodorite)that the hotel will be closing soon. Now we need a hotel in Honolulu. Any suggestions?

For Honolulu I'd take a look at the Hawaii Prince Hotel (NOT the Waikiki Prince). Also the Waikiki Marriott. We stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian, and while I liked the location, the views and the room, it was too big and too much of a zoo.