(1) Well, our plans for Kauai have evolved. Now we'd like to stay a few days on the south side of the island (Poipu?,) and a few days on the north side. This may prevent our staying at places that require a week at a time, but any suggestions for nice places are welcome. We are very open to the type -- we've liked everything from guest houses to condos to hotels in the past. The priorities are nice, clean rooms; reasonably quiet; good location (i.e. right on a beach area, or a short walk or drive to swimming or snorkeling beaches.)

Price is not a big deal, but we like good value. We very much appreciate the previous suggestion of Gloria's Spouting Rock in the Poipu area, but stil welcome ideas to check out.

(2) My husband has his own snorkeling gear, but I sually rent gear whenever we travel. How easy is it to rent snorkel equipment on Kauai? Are there concessions near the beaches? I assume that some hotels could set you up, but if I wanted to go to public beaches?

We have made many trips to Kauai over the past several years. Our first two trips we stayed once at Princeville in the north and once at the Hyatt in the south. Both were great. Since then we have always stayed at the Kiahuna Plantation condo development (www.kiahunaplantation.com) in the south. We really like it there. IMHO south Kauai is a more desireable location in that the weather is generally better, less rain - more sun, especially in the winter, and more of the better restaurants are located there. I also like the golf courses. Of course, its not that big an island. If you want to visit the north shore to see what it offers its only a 1 - 1-1/2 hour drive depending on traffic. If you do stay at Kiahuna Plantation, they have a great beach, beach activities, and you can rent all the necessary equipment by the day. There is also a tennis club available to renters located accross the street. Poipu Beach itself is located right down the road and is considered one of the nicest beaches in Hawaii.

If you want north shore beach front, you'll be looking for places at Anini, Hanalei, and Haena. Princeville is nice (I love it here), but we're all up on a bluff -- gorgeous ocean and mountain views, but no "beach front".

You can use the search engine on this site to find others' comments on rentals they've found in the beach front communities.

We did this for our honeymoon and it worked out great. We stayed 5 nights at the SeaLodge condos in Princeville (http://www.nakearentals.com/ - awesome view and only around 115 a night). And then we moved down to the south and stayed at the new Marriott Waiohai Beach Club for 2 nights, which had a wonderful pool(s) and was about 250 a night.

I'd recommend both places...


amelie

We leave for Hawaii in two weeks and are stying 2 nights at the Hyatt for a little luxury and 3 nights at the Hanalie Colony Resort as for north as you can go www.hcr.com It looks wonderful and we can't wait.