Hi, all,

Going to Kauai this weekend and wanted to get opinions on staying in each of these areas. Any insights/recommendations appreciated.

Also, any insights into favorite restaurants or travel experiences in either area are appreciated.

Thanks.

john h

Princeville is another option.

Thanks.

john h.

Kapaa is the midpoint of the island's highway, makes it a good location if you are going to do a lot of sightseeing. The drawback is that Kapaa has a lot of traffic and businesses and doesnt seem too resort-like. Swimming on the east shore can be dangerous. Lots of shopping and dining choices.

Poipu is about 13 miles south of the airport. It is more vacation-like, has several beautiful hotels and lots of condos plus good swimming beaches. Can be very hot there. Lots of shopping and dining.

Vivi has it right. Kapaa is ok if a central location is important, but the beaches there are generally not swimmable, the traffic can be a bit much and congested, and there is very little of that Hawaii feel.
On the other hand, Poipu has much better beaches, not as convenient a location to the North side, but far more ambiance. If I had a choice, it would be Poipu hands down. Just my opinion.

Suggest you pursue the Princeville option as this area is much more scenic with inspiring mountain, ocean and bay coastal views and is closer to the NaPali Coast area. Poipu is primarily a beach area, but is closer to Waimea Canyon. Kapaa is as described above.
The drive from Princeville to Poipu is between 1 to 2 hours depending on traffic, and we have found if it is rainy up north (e.g. Kee Beach) a drive to Poipu Beach in the south can save the day. Enjoy your trip!

Favorite Kauai Activities:
1. Kee Beach snorkeling, on a calm day.
2. NaPali coast trail (for rugged hikers, or do helicopter or boat/snorkeling tour) entrance at Kee Beach, where the road ends, north shore.
3. Waimea canyon (Hawaii's Grand Canyon)
4. Dinner at the Beachhouse restaurant near Poipu.

Alooohaaaa,
Why anyone would want to even go to Kauai is beyond me!

Our 1st trip over we stayed in the Kapaa area because we had to ($$$$) ). Now we stay there because we want to.

Usually cheaper lodging, restaurants/shopping/groceries within walking distance and as mentioned before, central location to all on the island. Agree with some of the downsides mentioned above but it's never really been a distraction.
All you have to do is look at The Sleeping Giant and you immediately relax.
AND....La Playita Azul better be good, Ms Icee because in 123 mo' days I just may be sinking my choppers into one of those big burritos!!!! >- "Two por favor".
Mucho Mahalos,
Kal

As I have stated before...our experiences at LaPlayita Azul were wonderful......but, my restaurant reviews are not always the same as other reviewers.....they do play some mighty fine music there.
I think Kapaa is great because of the location...you can drive in either direction...and I like to spend my hard earned $'s on things other than lodging..like food and drink!!
Have a wonderful time.

i'2, You starting to ~gt; out on your opinion? Hmmmmmmm.

Kal.......no, I am not taking it back, but I just made a restaurant recommendation here recently and friends went and had a horrible experience....so I guess, I just got a little snake bit or shy or whatever...
BTW, did receive my email of our new pet in the corn patch????

We stayed in Kapaa last year and thought it was great. We stayed at the Kauai Sands and got a great Ocean View. The location next to Coconut Marketplace was great!! Lots of restaurants and fun bars. Coconuts was a good restaurant with good prices. All trips around the Island were short from there and like KAL said....spend your money elsewhere... on a Helicopter trip or a boat trip around the Napali coast. Swimming isnt advised on most beaches over on the east but....no beaches are a huge deal to drive to. Cant go wrong anywhere on Kauai

Thanks so much for all of your replies and insights. Very much appreciated.

John H

i'2, I hear yah sistah. I gave a to one of my fave restaurants and someone here came on and said they HATED it. I could live with the "hated" word but with caps?!?!?!
Oh well.

Panner, We stayed right next door to you. We like the location. "Staggering distance" to Aloha Pizza, HukiLau, Pac Cafe, Coconuts, Lemon Grass, Mema's, Aussie Tim's etc. all pretty cheap eats.
More money for "activities"