2 week honeymoon, starting with 4 nights on Kauai at Princeville. We're definately renting a car on Maui and the Big Island but a question has arisen as to whether we need one on Kauai. We aren't getting in until very late at night, and after a very long plane ride I'd rather get picked up and driven to the hotel instead of dealing with car pick-up, then finding my way around at night.
Can I arrange for the hotel to pick up the car? Do I even need a car on Kauai? We are layed-back, relaxed beach and pool people who aren't the adventure type. We will be seeing the island via a helecopter (that's MY kind of adventure), so I wonder whether the car is necessary. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

We stayed at Hyatt last year on honeymoon and it was my impression that it was much more of a beach/pool type place than P'ville. We went to P'ville for a day to golf and dinner and thought it was awesome except that the rooms that seemed "moderate" felt like they were below deck on a ship. The lobby is on something like the 5th floor so the rooms are below. I WOULD ONLY STAY THERE IF I COULD AFFORD SOME OF THE BEST ROOMS. However, that is just my opinion and we did not sleep there.I think you would definitely want a car as you really are pretty isolated. As said, we were at the Hyatt at the beginning of August and I was expecting it to be much more hectic. It was very nice; just make sure you have a room away from the courtyard area as it gets noisy. 4 Seasons on the BI is the best hotel ever if you want to chill. If I could do it again, I would end there even though that's not very direct in terms of travel.

If cost is not a major issue, you should get a car. Kauai is very rural, the driving is very easy and the distance between P'ville and Poipu is not trivial.

You might wnat to consider waiting until you check-in to rent a car. Maybe the hotel has this option. I would just get a car as you come in.It is only one road so we are not talking getting lost or anything. If I were staying on that side I would really want a car as the South side has places to eat, and snorkeling, and is pretty fun. I like Princeville, but it is at the other end of the action.

make sure to pick up the "Ultimate" guidebooks- www.wizardpub.com. They are excellent. The boat trip up the Na Pali coast in Kauai was much more impressive than the helicopter, I thought. Use the hotel concierge once you decide where you're staying.

Aloha! Yes, you will want to have a car (unless you're spending the first few days of your honeymoon in your hotel room!). I live near Princeville, and you're staying near some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. A short drive (that's why you'll need a car) will take you to Hanalei Bay and Lumahai beaches. You should not miss these spots. As far as the logistics, it's about a 45-60 minute drive from the airport to Princeville, very easy to find. Happy married life!

RENT A CAR (but maybe not for the 1st night when you arrive jet lagged) kauai is gorgeous, driving is EASY and if it rains where you are staying - drive 20 minutes down the road and it will be beautiful - weather is very localized in Kaui - so with a car you need never be stuck on a rainy beach.

You'll want a car. Princeville is lovely but rainy - if you want high odds for a nice beach day you'll want to go to Poipu, which is a pretty good haul.

Thanks for all the replies. Now that I hear that the Princeville is 45 minutes to an hour from the airport, I'm dreading it even more! 5 hours to LA, 5 1/2 to Kauai, then another hour to the hotel!?!? OYE!
Have any of you ever heard about a hotel picking up a rental car for guests?

As for the weather and the room: we are going to be in a junior suite (opinions anyone?) located on one of the top 3 floors. I know about the iffy weather but I'd rather stay at this supposedly magnificant property and deal with some clouds and rain.
I guess I'd be a real schmuck if I didn't rent the car and spent most of my 4 days on the resort property?

We got engaged at the Princeville back in August of '98 and stayed in a junior suite. It was wonderful! The drive wasn't that bad (we flew from N.C.) and we were so glad we had a car so we could see Spouting Horn and Waimea Canyon. I'm still talking about it 3 years later!!

Hello honeymooner!
As almost everyone else reccomends, you need a car! I grew up on Kauai, and there is only one bus on the whole island, and probably one taxi service ont he North Shore. You have to call for a taxi by the way, they aren't numerous like other places where you can just flag them down. Secondly, are you staying at the Princeville Hotel or somewhere else in Princeville? If you want an experience closer to the real Hawaii, I would reccommend another place other than the Hotel for it is not extremely "Hawaiian", if you know what I mean. It is a beautiful place to stay, yes, but very expensive and catering more to someone who wants extreme luxury. I would recommend Hanalei Bay Resort (but make sure you get an ocean view, and somtimes this is too rustic for some.) If you are lloking into hotel pick-up I can't say for sure but I doubt they do it. Maybe if you go through some type of tour group. HBR (Hanalei Bay Resort) I know for sure does not offer this service. Nat.

Hi there. We were married at Shipwreck beach in Kauai. It was beautiful, scenic, romantic and PERFECT. We returned to Kauai three years later and it was still as beautiful as I had remembered. I would suggest the car. There is so much to see that is NOT in Princeville (My in-laws stayed there...too much rain and not enough sun). Poipu is much sunnier, great snorkeling, diving and snuba-ing...Don't know about the other islands but you will love Kauai.

You asked about the junior suites.... we stayed in one a year ago and thought it was a great room. Due to the location of the hotel (on a cilff face!) very few of the rooms have a balcony. Ours *did* have one, it actually opened up onto a grassy area at the edge of the cliff, overlooking the bay. Very beautiful. And the window in the bathroom (also overlooking the bay) gave us no end of amusement - it has a gas filled window for privacy. I can't wait to go back there, have fun.

Driving 45 minutes in Kauai is nothing like driving 45 minutes in L.A.!!!!

I was at the hotel just behind the princeville, last summer without a car for 5 nights. Now this is your honeymoon so perhaps you have a different agenda but under most circumstances I would in no way again be without a car. Don't you want to drive down to Waimae Canyon. You just might want to take a drive to go to the Pacific Cafe in Kapaa (rated the best food on Kauai by zagat). Taxis are expensive and not always timely. Don't put restrictions on yourself rent a car.

Get the car.
Enjoy your trip.
The drive won't seem long-the plane trip will!
You will want to explore the beauty of the island & share it with your spouse!
congratulations & ALOHA