Kauai Mini TR
 

This is titled "Mini" because I am sure this is not is a universally useful TR. We travel annually to Hawaii, but this time with 4 generations--9 of us from a 20 month old to 84 year old (her last trip. probably, alas). We stayed in a condo on Poipu (Hideaway Cove) and for obvious reasons ate in most of the time. Not a big help for fellow travellers.

Hideaway Cove was a good choice--lots of space, close to the beach and most important--kitchens (we had 2 units). The most useful piece of info here is that the Koloa Fish Market was GREAt. Not cheap, but delicious.

As most of you who follow the weather in Kauai know, the last weeki and a half was rather abysmal. LOTS of rain, alas. As a woman I spoke to in the airport as we left mentioned, if this had been her first trip to Kauai (or Hawaii in general) she would never return!) We come annually, so we just went with the idea that we were in Kauai, it was warm and it wasn't 15° and snowing, as it was at home in Boston! And we were in Hawaii! Felt badly for our daughter and her family, as they were only here for a week. As she said, "Oh well, we were due for a rainy Hawaii trip--it will be better next year!"

We only ate out three times. The first was a HUGE disappointment. Since we knew we were travelling with the muti-aged group, we made reservations for the Sunday Brunch at the Princeville Hotel in early January. We wanted to accommodate the toddler and the fact we had to drive from Poipu. We double checked the reservations before leaving the mainland. Fortunately we triple-checked when got to Kauai. They had no record of our reservations. They were sorry--couldn't do anything. We could take our chances or make a reservation for noon (our choice was 11 am) and maybe get seated at ll. We showed up abour 11:15 and were seated at 12:15. No apologies. Admitedly the table was great. The food (for $50 each) was merely adequate. We usually have brunch in Hawaii annually. We love the ones at the Prince in Maui and the Mauna Kea on the Big Island. They no longer have a brunch at the Hyatt in Poipu (it is now a breakfast burnch),so we went with the Princeville. We would not do it again. As the group rated the experience, it was a "10" for the view--incomparable-- a 2 for the reservations service, and a 4 or 5 for the food.

Our other two meals were wonderful. The Beach House had a beautiful sunset (one of only 2 over our 12 days) and great food and service. We have not had a less than wonderful meal/ecperience there.

Our second dinner (with only4 adults once the younger members of the group had returned) was at the Hukilau Lanai. We went early at 5:30 for the food and wine tasting 6 course meal (as recommended here on Fodor's) and were very happy with the meal. We would definitely recommend it.

The golfers in our group played three times (despite the deluges!). The first time was at Pua Kea (with the BOGO from Hilo Hatties) and they felt the pro shop folks were beauracrtic and unbending with the rules. The rules stated that the discounts could not start til 11 am. The group after having called about the discount) discovered this when they showed up at 10. It was pouring at this point (these are hardy golfers who didn't mind the rain). They returned in an hour to play. They reportedit to be very well maintained and challenging, but not as spectacula as other Hawaii course.

Being frugal, the second course was the municipal course at Wailea. The staff was wondrfully accommodating, offerring umbrellas. For $16 it was an incredible value in Hawaii. (No cart on this day due to the rain). Wide, well maintained fairways and signature holes made this a surprisingly good course.

The third course, Kiahuna, was considered possibly the best of the best of the three. It had GPS golf carts, a hit with the golfers, sufficiently challenging and interesting.

Were you able to get on the beach or go swimming? As I recall, Hideaway Cove doesn't have a pool. Did that matter to you? Thanks for the report.

You are right--no pool. Yes, we did miss having one. The beach was an easy walk away and we did use it and go in the water, but the rain curtailed our beach time.

Thanks for the trip report. What were the dates when you were there? We got back Feb 25 and only had one really rainy day but a couple of overcast days. I'm planning for next year, and was going to go later, because if we want rain, we can stay here in Vancouver--got plenty of that to go around!

Thanks

We were in Kauai Feb. 18-March 1. The worst weather was at the end. I wouldn't take the rain as common, though; often the weather is beautiful!

Mahalo for the Trip Report! Reminds me of our last springtime((R))'04((R))visit. Fortunately our trip also included the ((#))((H))Big Island after our ((R))K`auai experience.

yep.. our last trip (sept.05) was also wet indeed. I just don't know why anyone would want to subject themselves to all that mucky muck  :|
I agree about that breakfast/brunch at fancy pants hotel. We continue to eat there though, when we visit, and remember to gobble up the view(which practically makes it a bargain)..as you'll be payin' fer it. For all it's good and less than good..this hotel is one of my absolute favorites..
Thanks for the nice report ((r))