have a chance to stay at either Sheraton Kauai or Westin Kauai because of points earned,etc. Which would you prefer considering location,amenities,etc, Price would be about the same. By the way-2 adults, love beach and good restaurants, etc. Thanks

Can't help you with your question.

But there are a lot of sites for all islands & a couple just for Kauai on this thread. Just ignore the Oahu info:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34812564

Aren't they on completely different parts of the island? I know the Sheraton is on Poipu, but is the Westin on the North Shore? If so, the time of year makes a big difference (weather and surf-wise), so when are you going?

Again, I don't know the Westin at all, but the Sheraton is pretty plain-jane. It's on a nice beach, but the hotel itself is pretty hum-drum. Somebody recently mentioned that the pool at the Sheraton is not nice.

Sheraton is on a cliff above rocky coastline, no beach immediately in front but you can walk or short drive to the wonderful beaches of the Poipu area. It has excellent restaurants on its property and several great ones nearby.

I don't know anything about the Westin.

The Sheraton is on the far end of Poipu Beach and does front the beach. sf's description is accurate.

The Sheraton in Piopu is nice as it has a swimmable beach, the Westin on the east side does not have a swimmable beach.

I'm not sure why people are posting inaccurate info. I have been vacationing in Poipu yearly for the past 9 years. I have never stayed at the Westin, but have eaten at their restaurants and swam at their beach many times. It is on one of the nicest beaches on Kauai. The only Westin Hotel on the Island is the Princeville Hotel, which is on the North Shore. It is built on a cliff and if you take the elevator to the bottom, they also have a nice beach. Most people would rate this hotel as the best on the island (some would say the Hyatt Poipu, but no one would maintain that it is the Sheraton). Some people prefer the North Shore because it is prettier than the South Shore - but that beauty comes at a cost = rain. For me, I'd always choose the South Shore, but I'd stronly consider the North Shore if going in the less rainy summer. But you won't go wrong with either.

thanks everybody for the advise so far. Looks like the Westin sounds nicer. I should have mentioned we are going early April. Will weather be afactor then? I know we'll need a car, but are their good restaurants (other than the Westins' nearby?) Any other thoughts would be appreciated.

isn't princeville hotel closed going to reopen as st regis which means only westin is the new ocean villas on the north shore? it was nice but timeshare place so lots of families, just one restaruant and no beach at all. it is in the princeville area but it's not the princeville hotel. when we stayed there we could use the beach at princeville but if it's not open....

My bad. According to the Starwood website, the Princeville Hotel is closed until July. The Westin Ocean Resort Villas are nearby, but is a timeshare, not a hotel, and is not on a beach - you need to drive to one of several very nice nearby beaches and they also provide a shuttle. The North Shore has a lot of nice timeshares and condos, but no other great hotels, IMO.
For restuarants and other hotel recommendations, you can't beat the Ultimate Kauai Guidebook by Andrew Doughty: http://tinyurl.com/cvmu8t

We stayed at the Sheraton and liked it. It has a very small pool with nothing fancy, but the beach is nice and they offer a free breakfast every morning. If you stay there you definitely want to make sure you are on the ocean side. Part of their property is across the street and I would not have liked that.

Love the beach at Sheraton Poipu.
During whale season sometimes the whales come in so close you can see their eyelashes.

I do hate what they are doing "to" Poipu tho.#39;(

I am thinking about staying at the Sheraton in late March. Is it true that they offer a free breakfast?
What is the chance of getting an upgrade from garden view room to the ocean view room on arrival?

Aloha from Princeville...

So much mis-information posted in this thread! Let me clarify, please. First -- Princeville Hotel is due to reopen in August, as a St. Regis property.

Sheraton Po`ipu is an older beachfront property. Very nice beach.

The new Westin Kaua`i is here in Princeville -- mostly timeshare, but they do offer units for vacation rental also. No ocean access within walking distance (and oceanview units are scant), but two swimming pools, very nice on-site restaurant for 3 meals daily (plus poolside snack bar), bar, mini-grocery store (all units have kitchen facilities), and excellent concierge service for booking tours and excursions.

As noted by others, the time of year you'll be visiting should be a consideration. Our winters here on the north shore tend to be wetter than the Po`ipu area.

Questions? Feel free to email me directly.

Auntie to the rescue, again.

jlc, consider doing what we do when on kauai, split your stay between the north and the south. you get the best of both worlds and you spend less time in the traffic.