I'm taking my girlfriend to Kauai for 7 days. I'm thinking of going in early September (Sept 10-17). I'd like to stay in Princeville or Hanalei. I've read that Hanalei is better since it's not as "cliffy" as Princeville. We're both from Atlanta and are use to driving many miles to go places, so day trips to the south shore aren't a problem. I am considering Hanalei Bay Resort, Hanalei Colony, or The Princeville. We're in good health and in our mid-30s, so we don't mind having to walk to the beach.

I don't go on vacations very often, so I'd like to try to get as much "bang for the buck" as possible. I'm leaning toward Hanalei Colony but I haven't been able to find many reviews of them on the web. I know The Princeville is "world class", but I hear that the Junior Suites are a bit small. I've read just about as many good things as bad for Hanalei Bay Resort.

Being able to swim at the "immediate" beach isn't an issue for me, and I've read in "The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook" that there are swimmable beaches close to Hanalei Colony. I'm more interested in the flora/fauna of the island, not in particular water activities.

So far, I've been able to find a decent flight from Atlanta -- Los Angeles -- Lihue for $979 per person. It's a 12 hour flight. It arrives Lihue late afternoon (gives us time to get the rental SUV and make a quick grocery stop on the way to Hanalei). The flight departs Lihue mid-evening (which will allow us to prolong our last day and catch dinner at The Beach House). Since this is a direct flight from LAX, I can also arrange for a flower lei greeting.


1) Is this the right time to purchase airfare for September? I don't travel much and I don't know how rates go up and down during the year.

2) I'm still trying to decide on accomodations in Princeville/Hanalei. I may even try to arrange for a house/condo, hopefully with an outdoor jacuzzi. Between the three resorts or condo, which is better? (I know it's really a personal preference decision). I really think I'd prefer the privacy offered by a condo (Hanalei Colony) -vs- a hotel (The Princeville).

3) Any special or unadvertised discounts available at the resorts mentioned? I've read about the Starwood Preferred card for The Princeville. I didn't see anything for the other two resorts.

4) Any suggestions for good travel insurance companies?

bump

I think for the money you should rent condo in Hanalei or Haena or Anini. I have stayed at HBR, visited many times Princeville Sheraton. The down side of these places is that you are around a lot of other people, people on top of you, people beside you and people below you. I did not mind it until I stayed at a condo/house. This will sound very judgmental, sorry to offend I am just speaking from my experience. All of the places on your list are in a nice location but if Joe next store decides to light a cigar or at HBR a noisy air-conditioned is blasting during your breakfast on the lanai,there is a damper.

Ok now I am going to be even more judgmental. I don't enjoy the company of condo people in Pville. I am in the same economic bracket but I don't have tattoos, kids or parent's that curse and I don't want to see public drinking even if it is something as innocuous as a bottle of beer watching a sunset. I just think it is tacky. This is not everybody or even most people that stay at HBR but you are more likely to come across it at HBR, and other Pville condos.

Love the Pville Sheraton but that beach is not as pristine as Hanalei bay you will be coming across more cigarette butts. I know others will argue with me but this is how I feel. It is not crowded but you have this feeling of the many many visitors that have walked on by. Remember that beach serves about three complexes in the immediate area. Oh yes and you can see as many as two weddings at once on this beach. I hate this and feel that it makes the beach even more commercial. It is beautiful at sunset though provided you have walked beyond the wedding zone closer to the hotel.

It's early to book for September, add up your costs, take your total and see what kind of HOUSE you can get in the places I have mentioned at these sites.
Napali Rentals, Hanalei North Shore Properties, vacationspot.com, Balihi Treasures (sp), and even more places if you extend your search over the internet.

HBC looks charming never visited a local told me it was run down someone else on this board confirmed that when I mentioned it on another post.

On the airfare I would wait to book. I booked my ticket this month last year (for August)and it went down as low as $700. I bided on my ticket year before in May and was able to get $484. I flew continental with a stop over in Houston from Newark. With the route that you were looking at I would stay over night on the way back on the west coast. A good idea to fly directly into Kauai if you want to pay the higher costs. I usually stop over in Honolulu but it is a small hassle after that long flight. Last but not least make your visit a ten day stay if you can’t stretch it into two weeks, you’ll be sorry with just 7 short days remember first few days you will probably drag a bit from jet lag. Just a thought. ALOHA!

On the airfares I was mentioning I flew into Honolulu and then hopped an interisland carrier across the terminal. You need to factor in 1.5 hours to make this jump (yes you are tired after the long flight from mainland) reserv on aloha a head of time and then pick up your ticket (COUPON)($60 each way).

First come first serve for seats send girlfriend to hold space on line while you pick up tickets, gates are close by.

To SSS: Very informative posts, and I have been looking for a Kauai rental home or cottage for awhile now. With regard to what you mentioned about the condo areas, what is your opinion of Anini Beach? I hesitate to go all the way to Hanalei, since we plan to stay in one spot for the entire week (another week for Maui too), and wish to see the southern part of the island as well. I've found a couple of nice looking homes there and at Moloaa Beach. I understand that Anini is about 2 miles long, with a road along the beach and the homes are across the road. There's also a public park and a Polo field somewhere along this road...Is this about right? Too crowded or is it "privacy plus" the way the owners say? What about Moloaa? Too remote? We'll want to go out for dinner most nights, don't wanna drive more than about 15 minutes in the dark...

Thanks!

Please reconsider Mooloa Bay and especially Anini Beach. The people at Anini are not those you would want to be around, sorry to sound snobbish. But they live on the beach, lots of tents and outdoor living of all kinds. You will be MUCH happier with a house at hanalei bay or haena. Check out kauaivacationrentals.com for lots of listings.

Mooloa Bay is very pretty and I would definitely go there for a visit at least once. Most of the houses you cna see from the beach are not very plush, though. So be certain to get interior views before you rent.

Reply to Dan: please do consider renting a house on the beach in Hanalei or at Haena. There are many to choose from and you will be much happier than at the resorts and the hotel. I promise!!!

Gee, loveshawaii, that's just what I was afraid of...I wrote to one Anini homeowner asking where they were in proximity to the public camping, and still haven't gotten a reply...hmmm! Is Moloaa this way also? I thought I read there was a gate down to the beach area where there's about five houses. That sounded private. Here's the URL for the house we're looking at:
http://www.bestbeachhouses.com/moloaa/index.html
What do you think? Also, did I remember reading that the east/right side facing the water/ is the best side of Hanalei Bay because of winds?

Thanks!
Joan

Joan I don't know Anni so surprise to read what loves hawaii wrote, so surprised it has always been described in guide books as the affluent side of the North Shore (Kauai Ultimate guide), it was the area used in Honeymoon in Las Vegas (where James Con's home was). When you see this house it is hard to think of a camping area nearby.

I think I was a bit over the top in my email above it is not so bad in pville. I just live in a city where people are all around me so when I go away I like to be more than pound or stomp distance from your neighbor.

The drive from Hanalei to Pville is approx 10 minutes and if I were you I would only venture to the west side to see Waimea Canyon and Kalalau lookout,possibly hike Kokee, . Poipu beach is nothing to write home about IMHO. 7 days is so brief to explore the north shore and absorb the natural beauty in that time. We spent 6 days there last summer and felt we made a mistake but leaving for a week on Oahu. Love Oahu for reasons beyond waikiki but Kauai winds you right down and island hopping while you are in this state is like being woken up at 3am. That is how this grump responded anyway.

Alooohaaaa,

Everytime we hear someone is only going to the NoShore for a day trip, it reminds us of when Chevy Chase went to the Grand Canyon in "Vacation" and took one look from side to side and said "OK...let's go".

I can't tell you how many times we had made all the plans and had all the best intentions to "do this" and "do that"....until we got there!

Then the lifestyle just seems to grab ya and throw you on a beach.

sss's statement of "Kauai winds you down" is SO true!
Mucho mahalos,
Kal

Hi Joan -

I just returned from a trip to Kauai, and spent 3 nights on Moloaa Bay. While the location is beautiful, it is fairly remote. You drive about 5 minutes off the highway to get to the beach, and most restaurants will not be within 15 minutes. It's a good starting point for sight seeing during the day, but we felt it was a bit of a hike to eat out. There are not many people there during the day - although the Movie Tour bus does stop by for a few minutes, since the pilot episode for Gilligans Island was filmed there.

Hi Dan,

I stayed at the Hanalei Colony. It is fine but nothing special. I heard it was being renovated. But it is not close to any restaurants--pretty isolated. The beach is nice but not swimmable. The rooms are ok--old furniture, nothing fancy. Feels somewhat like a hotel. There is little privacy if you are looking for romance. Lots of families. Small pool that you won't bother with as there is no view and lots of kids.

The things is, it is a fine place but nothing like the Princeville or Hanalei Bay. Not even close in terms of luxury or amenities. If you are even considering the Princeville, then you will likely be disapointed witht he Colony.

I think the Hanalei Bay resort is lovely- Well-kept grounds, spectacular beach, and gorgeous view from the bar. Less pricey than the Princeville. I saw a deal on their website--check it out.

Have fun--the North Shore is beautiful.