My wife and I are headed to Kauai on 4-10-05 (getting very close now). We are staying at the Hyatt and we hope we made the right choice. Here is our basic itenery, thought someone might be able to add some input, especially where to eat.

Monday: we are thinking of heading up to the North shore, We both love to snorkel, so I'm thinking Kee beach and making the hike to see the coast of Na Pali. I imagine we'll leave directly after breakfast at the Hyatt. While were up north is there anything else we should see, either on the way to KEE or the way back? Any suggestions as to where to eat lunch and dinner while were up there? Also I'm not sure if were in the water all day, if we would be presentable enough to eat at the Princeville hotel or something similar for dinner. Would you recommend we head all the back to the hotel clean up and than drive back up that night?

Tuesday: Planning on driving up the waimea canyon fairly early, weather permitting. Again same questions, suggestions on that part of the island to eat dinner and lunch. Also anything else we need to do while were over there?

Wednesday: I imagine wednesday we'll try to enjoy the Hyatt area. Some of our friends are going to be down there and they are booked for a "sunset dinner cruise" that night. Were thinking of booking that as well. I have not seen much about dinner cruises on the message boards, any info would be appreciated.

Thursday: We have no real plans for Thursday, maybe thinking of more water time at Poipu beach and possible dinner at the Beach House.

Friday: We are doing the Kipu ATV adventure in the morning. No plans for the rest of the day.

Any suggestions would be helpful, Thanks

Sounds as though you've done your research...but I'll try to add from my own experiences.

Our last stay at the Hyatt was 2002 and we loved it. Their Sunday brunch buffet at the Ilima Terrace is very good. The rest of the week it's ok, we preferred though to grab a quick bite at the Seaview Terr.

You didn't say where you were flying from. We're east coast, so we would put off a drive up north for a day while we recover from travel & jet lag. It's roughly an hour drive north from the Hyatt pending traffic. The drive on the northern shore is lovely...beautiful beaches and stunning cliffs.

We usually take one morning to eat breakfast at the Princeville. Allow that hour drive then ask for an outside table. The buffet is ok, a little overpriced. It's the view we go for, so a breakfast from the menu allows you to sit and take it all in.

Kee is the last beach on rt 56? (the memory is going...old age I guess). Might take you more than an hour to get there. You'll see all of the things I'm raving about just driving up there.

I think we had lunch at Mama Mangos, something like that, a very pink building somewhere en route. Decent lunch, very informal.

I would not drive Poipu to Princeville twice in one day. Since our preference is breakfast in Princeville it's never been an issue for us.

On the way back you could stop at A Pacific Cafe for dinner or at Gaylord's. Both are excellent when they are "on".

Try Brick Oven Pizza on the way back from the Canyon. When you see the canyon there's a stop-off place around mile marker 10 or 11, has facilities and a sensational view. After you've enjoyed that location be sure to make a right turn and drive all the way to the top, perhaps another 7 miles or so. The views from that area, especially to the right at the very end are sensational. I was going to call it the Kalalau Lookout, but a quick check of The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook is calling it the Pu'u o Kila Lookout.

You didn't mention Roy's for dinner. Of the Roy's restaurants in Hawaii the one in Poipu is our favorite. It doesn't have a view of any sort but the food is outstanding.

I'm sure you'll have a wonderful trip. Save an afternoon for swimming in the Hyatt pool. Their Dock poolside restaurant is good....pricey....but good. Excellent onion rings, burgers -- oriental chicken salad too if you prefer less damage with your lunch. Marvelous smoothies too.

Hi Cmkuhlman,
The Kauai Revealed book has lots suggestions on things to do and places to visit all over the island. Get a copy to read on the plane.

Last summer we stayed in Poipu and spent many days at the north shore beaches . We showered off and cleaned up at the park by the Hanalei pier or the Beach Pavillion and then would head off to have dinner somewhere on our way home. We kept a change of clothes in the trunk of the car. There are showers at Ke'e too. Have a great trip.
-Bill

Just a word of caution, parking at Ke'e can be difficult especially if you don't get there early in the morning. It will probably take you over an hour to drive to Ke'e from Poipu, if you can't manage to find parking once you get there you can find good snorkeling at Tunnels, Hideaways or Pu'u Poa beach next to the Princevile.

For food we enjoyed Hanalei Mixed Plate, Zelo's and Polynesia Cafe. These places are VERY low key, relatively cheap, with decent food. For so-so food with amazing views (the view is really beyond description) and higher prices Bali Hai restaurant is great. If you can catch a shower Cafe Hanalei at the Princeville had excellent food and good views.

I wanna be in Kauai 4-10!!!

I would difinately eat at Princeville. Upon arrival, I am sure the concierge or front desk would be happy to direct you to restrooms, or the pool changing rooms to freshen up for dinner. We actually adore sharing a burger and california roll in their Livingroom at the sofas, especially when there is hawaiin entertainment! Make sure to send us a trip report you lucky dogs!!!

I'm jealous too!

There is NO WAY I would personally spend time driving from Kee down to the Hyatt, then back up for dinner on the North Shore (just too much of that beautiful time wasted in the car.) What we did was shower in the campground showers near Anini Beach, threw on an easy sundress, a little lipstick, then headed back to Princeville for dinner. This scenario only works if you're willing to go low-maintenance hair-do and you're comfortable with outdoor common showers (not co-ed). But, it afforded us more time at the beach and we still made sunset cocktails.

We've been to the Hyatt twice before and are headed there again this summer. Even though we fly from LA, we always spend the first day on the resort grounds around the lagoon, lunch at the dock side restaurant, and fine tune our week. Make your reservations for the Beach House for later that week, etc.

I wouldn't do the Princeville drive right off, go on Tuesday, and save Thursday for Waimea canyon, since you will be with friends on Wednesday.
A Pacific Cafe closed this year. Also in the same center as Roy's in Poipu, is Keoki's Paradise Restaurant, which is fun casual place. Tidepools at the Hyatt is very good, ask for a table near the waterfall and Koi pond in advance.

Are you on the Sunshine on Sale plan where you get their wonderful breakfast buffet every morning included?
8-)

Thanks to all for the advice, I know it will come in handy.

CK

Happy Trails!!!

We're going in late May. Let us know what you found, what you thought were some of the best eating places, both pricy and inexpensive.

Have a great time.
They probably still have the free dance show at Poipu Shopping Center. I believe it is on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays in the evening. Have dinner before or after at Keoki's in the bar!
Don't forget to get your minimum daily requirement of Lapperts ice cream in Koloa! A great way to end your day.
-Bill

I'm jealous! Kauai is our most favorite place and the Hyatt on Kauai is a jewel. On Monday, I would have lunch at Neide's. It still pains me that we ate at the Princeville on the way back instead of going back to Neide's for more. We did like everyone else - brought clothes with. You would not want to go back to the hotel and drive to Princeville again. Trust me.
On the way to Waimea, I would stop off at Brick Oven for lunch and on the way back, stop at Wrangler's.
Our only bad experience in Kauai was eating at the Beach House and it tugs at me when people say they want to eat there. Absolutely go for a drink at sunset, but I would make reservations at either Roy's or Keoki's that night. Don't forget your sunscreen. Nothing ruins a vacation faster than a nasty sunburn.

pakcing right now.......we'll be on our way this time tomorrow. It'll be quite the flight from Columbus.

Were both very excited. Thanks again for all the help. This message board has been great. I'll send a trip report when I get back.

LATER

Cmkuhlman... Aaaaalohhhhhaaaaaa!!