cmstraf

Hi all,

We are 7 days through a 9 day/10 night stay in Kauai, so this will be part 1 of a two part trip report. First, mahalo to Kathie for her always excellent taste, advice, and support, also to the two Fodorites who suggested we fly Hawaiian Airlines nonstop from Oakland, CA to Lihue, finally to the weather gods who have so far supplied us with seven days of sunshine and very cool clouds, moderate temperatures, great sunsets. We would only ask for also a rainbow.
22 years ago, we visited Kauai flying on miles, staying in a $88 a night cottage in a subdivision close to Poipu Beach, again we have scored in terms of getting great value for money spent at a time when that matters (taxes were an unpleasant surprise). Our flight with Hawaiian was not cheap, but we got knock out exit row seats in the Comfort zone of economy, with infinite legroom and the aisle seat taken by a pleasant flight attendant in her seat for only take off and landing. Service was very very good, we were served free sandwiches of acceptable quality and a free aloha cocktail before we landed. We then proceded to Budget rental car where we picked up a well-priced Hyundai Elantra, which handles beautiful and has served us well and quite comfortably.
Finally, we arrived at our bed and breakfast, Marjorie's Kauai Inn tucked away in the hills of the Lawai Valley with gorgeous views of the Lawai Valley from two of the three guest rooms in the inn, and a private hot tub to watch the sunset from from the third. All three rooms have something special about them: our room, Tradewinds is the smallest, with a 2018 price of $225 a night, three windows, a view of the valley from the bed and the lanai, air-conditioning and a fan, a mini kitchen area with a coffee maker and small refrigerator, where we arrived to find Aloha water, fresh pastries and papaya waiting for us. The room is smaller than I'd hoped and more green than I'd expected, but it's grown on me and is costing $700 less than the spacious Sunset room with a hot tub and less of a view. There is something special about all three rooms, including how separate they are from each other. The structure was built as a bed and breakfast and is much more well-designed for its purpose than the oft found converted house. It is without doubt the best bed and breakfast we have ever stayed in. Bed is very comfortable, furniture attractive and good for storage.The breakfasts are copious and delicious and include fresh hot entrees every day as well as granola, fresh fruit, yoghurt, homemade made pastries and bread. We were encouraged to use the bread and cold meat to make sandwiches for lunch. Alexis and Mike, the owners, and Sarah the innkeeper, are personable, kind, extremely knowledgable and helpful , and have a garage full of equipment to loan out to guests raging from bicycles to snorkeling equipment. They even let guests use the washing machine and dryer to do laundry! We also like ocean view room service resorts and the spaciousness of condos, but when we come back to Kauai, it will be here.

OK, planned to fit in more in less space, but sleepy from today's short but strenuous hike (1000 feet altitude gain per mile), and Merriman's downstairs happy hour early dinner -- another great bargain with 25% off all food, $8 mai tais, excellent fish and veggie tacos (DH loved the carnitas), pizza better than the more touted Brick Oven pizza as certified by my Italian born and raised DH. TBC.

Songdoc

It sounds good so far.
Yes, the weather Gods have been very kind!
And it looks like it should stay that way for the next week.

janisj

Hint cmstraf . . . from Fodors FAQ "We recommend that you limit your report to one topic instead of breaking it up into numerous new topics. You can start your report on one topic and then add to it by clicking the “Add a reply” button."

For some reason cmstraf is posting each installment as separate threads . . . second one is up now.