Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Kauai Trip Report

My family (son – 20 years old, husband 53 years old & me 49 years old) visited Kauai March 13 thru March 22, 2008. After a lot of research we opted to stay at the Marriott Kauai Beach Resort in Lihue. We did lots of fun things and saw so many spectacular sights – what a beautiful island!!!
I will break down my review into segments – for those that are not interested in reading one thing or another:
LODGING:
The Marriott in Lihue is GORGEOUS! From the entryway off of Rice Street to our 1-Bedroom Oceanfront Villa, it was absolutely lovely! Magnificent and well-maintained grounds, pool, beach, great fitness & business center, Yes, as noted in some other reviews, the villa was a bit dated – but very well maintained! There was also some carpeting in areas in the hallways that needed replacement – but they are slated to be doing just that. All hotels have areas needing to be renovated unless they are brand new. The service at this resort was great! Every time I called for something extra – a shower cap, an extra blanket, more towels – they came very promptly and followed up with a phone call to ensure we received them. The villa had everything we needed – 2 bathrooms (20-year old son…. need I say more?), great kitchenette (although – as someone else noted, the height of the sink was very high – a bit odd)… had cutlery, flatware, dishes, toaster, microwave, dishwasher, sink, strainer, can opener, measuring spoons & cups, coffee maker… all very handy things to have! We primarily used these things for snacks, light lunches – etc.
Our oceanfront home away from home had the most beautiful view!!! Beautiful grassy area in front of our lanai, lovely cobble stoned walkway with the sandy beach beyond– and beautiful mountains beyond the bay - simply STUNNING!
The central location of this Marriott could not have been more perfect for anyone looking to explore the island and all of its wonders! Originally, I’d deliberated over staying in Poipu due to the fact that we were going in March, a typically rainy month – and Poipu is known to usually be sunny. However, we had PERFECT weather in Lihue that week! It did rain a few times during the day – one time when I was on a 3-mile walk with the resort’s fitness center – but it was brief and since it was warm – it was fine!
ACTIVITIES & ADVENTURES
WINGS OVER KAUAI: A 70-minute flight around the entire island in a 3-passenger Cessna plane. Owner-operated by Bruce & Ellen Coulombe, this was a wonderful alternative to viewing Kauai from above without being in a helicopter.
We chose Wings Over Kauai because Bruce came highly recommended on numerous trip web sites – and Bruce had a lot of experience – not just flying in general, but specifically flying over Kauai (that was important to us). There was another plane outfit that had 2 pilots – one with a lot of experience flying over Kauai, the other with only about 2 years – and we could not get a guarantee of getting the one with the more experience.
We were so happy we went with Wings Over Kauai!!! Bruce was very professional and we couldn’t have felt safer… he’s a very intelligent & conscientious pilot, to be sure!! The plane is a 3-passenger Cessna – which gives everyone a window – and creates for a very tailor-made, personal flight experience!
Another wonderful aspect of going with Wings Over Kauai the fact that it was about half the price of a helicopter tour, yet just as spectacular…. And I have the photos to prove it!
BACKCOUNTRY ZIPLINING: I did not do this, but my son and husband absolutely LOVED IT!!!! They would have done it again, if we had the time!!!
OUTFITTERS KAUAI: We did the Hidden Valley Falls Picnic kayak tour of the Hule’ia River with Anna as our guide. It was beautiful, serene and a fairly easy paddle. Anna was a great guide - she was fun and very informative, stopping periodically along the way to explain things we encountered. After kayaking about 2 miles down the river, we docked our kayaks and hiked (easy hike in water shoes) about ¾ of a mile to a rope swing where my son and another guy did the rope swing into somewhat CHILLY water. We then hiked a little further to the lovely “hidden falls” where we were picnicked with pretty nice sandwiches – complete with all kinds of condiments, yummy pasta salad, fruit juices, water and brownies – courtesy of Outfitters Kauai. After our little feast, we walked back to where our kayaks had docked but were taken back by speed-double-hulled kayak. A great tour!!
SMITH FAMILY LUAU: I should have known better. We are not a touristy-type family. The Smith Family Luau seemed like it gears itself to little old ladies and people with small children who have not yet experienced their fill of touristy things in life. We had. We gave it a try anyway, because we felt we should do a luau while in Hawaii… since we’d done one while in Disney World when my son was 8 (should have stopped there). We arrived and got on their little tram that takes you through their grounds – which are indeed lovely – BUT, it is very corny & hokey. After the Imu ceremony (where they unearth the cooked pig), we were herded into their canopied structure for cocktails, dining and something that was supposed to be “music” but the acoustics were horrible – so it was simply loud, annoying sound… combined with the sounds of a LOT of people. We had cocktails – then after waiting (a long boring, annoying wait) we were finally summoned up (by table) to partake in a lackluster buffet. I won’t get into the food, let me just say that is typical Chinese-Buffet without many choices. The dessert assortment was terrible… but at that point, who cared? After eating, we realized the show didn’t start for another hour! We looked at each other and agreed that this kind of hokey, contrived thing is just not for us and left… never seeing the show itself. Oh well… we finished our evening with good-ole family time – talking, laughing, relaxing on our lanai looking at the grounds, water & mountains.
WAILUA KAYAK & CANOE: After experiencing kayaking the Hule’ia River with a guide, we decided to paddle the Wailua on our own… and we were so glad we did! We rented 2 kayaks (20-year old son had his own, hubby & I shared one). We loved that we didn’t have to put the kayaks on the roof of the car and transport – because the launch is right there! We spent a lovely afternoon paddling up & back. This river was even more GORGEOUS than the Hule’ia!!! We stopped & picnicked with some snacks we’d brought along – making it another wonderful excursion!
HIKING: We did several - most about 2-4 miles each – and none too treacherous… all were beautiful – as Kauai – is BEAUTIFUL!!!
Kuilau Ridge, Shipwreck Beach & Kaluapuhi Trail to Kalalau Lookout were our favorites –
The book: Day Hikes on Kauai – 55 Great Hikes by Robert Stone was a very good little investment!!!
RESTAURANTS:
KALAPAKI BEACH HUT: We had quite a few breakfasts and some lunches here as well – EXCELLENT food, very reasonable prices – and the staff is so nice & friendly!!
MARKET STREET DINER: Great place for breakfast (or any meal – but we only had their breakfast). CLEAN, FRIENDLY SERVICE, GREAT FOOD & very reasonable prices (see my review under Restaurants)
DUKE'S: Pretty good. We ate dinner here our first full day on island – it was very convenient since we were in a villa only feet away! Service was friendly, food was pretty good… nothing fantastic – but the ambiance is very nice.
COCONUTS: Very good food, good service, nice atmosphere.
MEMA'S: Very good food, good service (although it’s difficult communicating at times – the staff’s English is not the best)… Interesting dishes – we ate here 2 times.
HUKILAU LANAI: As many of the reviews state – it is one of the best restaurants (that we’d tried) on Kauai…. Great food, very good service, lovely ambiance.
OLYMPIC CAFE: Very bad as far as upkeep & maintenance – ripped cushions – and not recently ripped, mind you – these cushions looked like they’d been ripped (& filthy) for a LONG LONG TIME. We probably would have left after seeing the cushions and sticky filthy menus & salt & pepper shakers… but we were tired & hungry. Food was not horrible – probably okay for people that like HUGE portions and care about little else.
BLOSSOMING LOTUS: Great food, but uppity, snobby staff! The hostess’s face looked like it would have cracked, had she smiled.
MERMAIDS CAFE Great food, very friendly service, great prices!
JOJO'S: According to my son, the best Shave-Ice!
Kauai lived up to my hopes & dreams - it is a truly magnificent, beautiful island!!! (my heart still belongs to St. John though ;-))