thats affordable and comfortable?

I'm open to suggestions for hotels or B&Bs or condos. But I've never done the B&B thing and condos seem expensive for 1 person.

Last week in Oct '02, I'll be travelling alone and figure that I'll spend most days driving to various sights/beaches. In the evenings it would be nice to be able to leave the car behind and be close enough to walk to a place to eat. I'm sorta leaning towards the Coconut/South Shores area

THANKS

bk, Sounds like you may be interested in
the CocoCoast?

The hotels/condos from Wailua Bay View up to maybe Pono Kai may be what you're looking for since all are within safe walking distance to nice restaurants like A Pacific Cafe (was still open as of 2 weeks ago from what I just heard from a local buddy) Coconuts, Lemon Grass, Mema's, Eggberts, Bull Shed, etc and some local bar/resataurants like Tradewinds, Lizard Lounge where you can meet some people.
Not too many inexpensive places in Poipu w/in walking distances.

Pardon my chauvinism but if you are a single woman, you still need to be careful. While Kauai is something darn close to Paradise, it's still Planet Earth!

Mucho mahalos,
Kal

Thanks Kal-

Can you recommend any SPECIFIC hotel/condo or whatever?

I'd like too book something w/some confidence soon. Guide book blurbs all sound alike.

I appreciate the safety heads up, it's just I don't want to HAVE to feel like I GOTTA get back in the car to grab a quick bite.
THANKS

Hi Bk I went to Kauai alone August00. I frequently travel alone and without a car. I get concerned in isolated places like a hiking trail. Don't know if that is just me but every now and again something does happens. Probably not a good idea to hike alone should an accident occur. If hiking is a big priority (very rewarding on Kauai) I would call Kauai Nature tours ($80) or see if Koke State Park is hosting any free guided tours. Kilauea does free tours although they might suspend that after summer I don't know.

For the most part I think Kauai is safer than my home in NYC. In 00 it was a 12 cab ride into Hanalei. Oh but you will have a car. Coconut coast that time of year is a good place.

In the mid nineties I use to go with a friend to Kauai sands for CHEAP!!! but I can't remember how far it was walking distance, KAL???

Kal I was thinking about doing the kalalau trail to the water falls alone (companion won't do). What do you think?

Kauai Sands still is cheap and in this Coconut Coast area, but it is kinda shabby in my opinion.

You may want to consider the Islander on the Beach. Lots of dining and shopping within walking distance. The Islander is a modest, budget-type property, not a glitzy resort by any means but it's got some charm.

Next door the the Islander is the Kauai Coast Resort (formerly the Beach Boy). Its recent renovation has done wonders for this property, but it may be over your price range.

Best Western Plantation Hale is in this area, tho not as close to the beach. I think it is possible to find a small one bedroom condo here for pretty cheap. Not fancy at all, might hear some highway noise there.

Coconut Beach Hotel is nearby, too. I am not a fan of this spotas it lacks ambiance in my opinion. But lots of people like it for the price.

Someone asked about the Kalalau Trail. The first 2 miles is VERY well traveled,it's sorta like rush hour sometimes. I think it's OK to do alone. Not sure about the second 2 miles to the waterfall but chances are you will meet friendly hikers along the way to tag along with.

DO NOT SWIM AT KALALAU BEACH, it is a notorious place for drowning.

thanks Mary that was me. I guess I was a bit worried also about that creek you have to pass over. No so difficult I have to worry about spains or high water? Bk sorry to high jack your thread I hope this helps you also.

Mary: Kauai Sands was a bit shabby then, was clean well actually I remember waking with back aches:. Front desk told me all the beds were the same . Still I could not believe we had airconditioned beach front Hawaii for $45 a night. Everything else was fine but we were never staying long so it did not matter. We flew over for long weekends from Oahu. I think we had breakfast included for that price! it was cheap if it was not include.

I remember a lot of senior citizens in the pool. B-friend at the time said I am not going in there, same as he would not swim in a crowded kitty pool.

We will be old some day but it is a funny memory.

bk,
Agree w/ Mary regarding the first part of the trail.
Oct. should be a busy month so you could prob. hitch a hike w/ another group. Just be careful if you hike it right after a rain. Gets pretty slick.
Usually a good supply of walking sticks left at the trail head by the sign and the map.
And if it has rained, the stream at the end can get dangerous too.

In addition to the aforementioned hotels, some inexpensive condos like Lanikai, Lae nani, Kapaa Sands are in the area.
Yep, the Kauai Sands does have the reputation of which ssss speaks.
Breakfast at Al & Don's can be an adventure at times due to this! Funny.

We usually unpack our bags at The Islander. The newly remodeled Beach Boy next door looked nice too.
The BW Plantation Hale is a bit too far from the water for our liking but it does look nice and well kept.
Mucho Mahalos,
Kal

Well, a lot of you mentioned the Aston Islander. They have ocean front rooms for $99/night and the cancellation policy is pretty decent.

Is this in line with what you recall paying?

For last wk in Oct is that a decent price should or I check out one of the other places mentioned?

Funny, nobody mentioned the Garden Island Inn?

THANKS ALL!

bk,
I've heard of it but isn't it in the Nawiliwili area down by the Marriott?

We have gone in usually Nov or Dec/Jan high season so I can't comment on the price but it is much less than high season!

Never hurts to check around. Sometimes it pay$ to check around!
Kal

bk,
Yep. That's the place. We've always seen it and even wrote the # down once thinking we may want to stay there.

Close to Duke's, The Burger Hut, Nawililwili Tavern, Cafe Portofino and JJ's. A long walk out to Whaler's Brew Pub but worth the drive/walk to see a sunset.

A bit farther away from the water than any of the other places on the CocoCoast, tho.

If you stay there, make sure you post s trip report on it when you come back.
Kal
http://planet-hawaii.com/g-i-inn/

Just wanted to let you know I had friends who stayed at the Garden Isle Inn last winter and they said they would not go back. They were not happy with the room, and said it was noisy early in the morning, but they were in a room just off the parking lot on the ground floor which may have made a difference. I stopped by to visit one day and can say the room was pretty ordinary and nothing to write home about but could meet your needs. Just wanted to pass this along.

Thanks Brenda! Your post about Garden Island's room mirrors what I thought when I looked at the pics on their web site. Plus, GI's rates are about the same as for an Ocean Front room at the Aston Islander.

Oyy.. I just wanna find a room where I wouldn't mind spending a week and still have some $ to spend somewhere else!

A few comments:

Yes, breakfast at Al and Don's at the Kauai Sands can be an adventure, LOL.
Kauai Sands looks like an old folks home because its the pitstop of Your Man Tours which caters to budget minded midwesterners on their whirlwind group trip!

Here is an alternative to the Garden Island Inn in Nawiliwili....try the website for the newly re-opened Kauai Inn which is close to the harbor. Iniki ravaged it but it's been partially reopened and is really charming and funky and family owned. I would guess it's quieter than the Garden Island Inn. But a car would probably be necessary to get to the eateries by the MArriott (less than a mile) since walking around the harbor alone at night is not wise.

Yes, definitely be careful if the Kalalau Trail is wet, it can be a slippery mess...very dangerous, lots of people get hauled out with broken bones on rainy days.

I have gone alone to Kauai a few times, and have stayed in a studio condo at the Kapaa Sands. I really like it. It's $117/night for a oceanfront room (worth the extra money over the "oceanview"). Will be going back there again in another couple of weeks, and very much looking forward to it.

The Kapaa sands website looks pretty nice. For $117 did you stay on first or 2nd floor? If 2nd floor was there a balcony to sit out on?

The Aston Islander has oceanfront rooms at $99/night. Ever stay there? Kal if your're listening if I do end up at the Islander...any specific room/location or anything I should request?

I appreciate everyone's help. Its tough when ya gotta foot the bill by yourself! Can't wait to get to there! All this thinking is giving me a headache <s>

bk,
If you stay at The Islander's oceanfront rooms, just ask for one away from the Sand Bar.
If you get a 1st floor room, it's about a 20yd walk to the beach from your back door. If you want a view, get the 2nd or 3rd floor. Nice balconies.
Be careful tho. If you're up in 2nd and 3rd fl. territory, no elevators so pack light!

We usually stay in the Molokai wing, I think it called that, or the wing closest to the Kauai Sands/Al and Don's. In the winter months it usually gets the afternoon sun to it's back so it's not as warm as the other ocean front rooms.

BTW, we foot the bill by ourselves, too so that's why we like staying here so we can stay on Kauai a few days longer! ;-)

Did you try BW Plantaion Hale or The Beachboy? The Beachboy looked very nice as it was just remodeled. BW PH maybe a bit more inexpensive but farther away from the water.

mary, Yep. Al and Don's is a good people watching place!
We try and wait for a booth so we can roll up the window and watch the ocean, walkers and joggers go by.
Saw my 1st whale while sitting in one of the booths. (No...it wasn't one of the walkers or joggers!).

Mahalo,
Kal
146 !

Have you done any research on hostels? I'm gng to either Oahu or Maui first wk in Nov w/5 other ladies & staying a wk, then poss a wk by myself. Know there is a hostel near U of Hawaii & Waikiki Bch for $l4/$l7 night dorm room--don't know about private cost or hostel on Kauai.

Debby I visited hostels in Waikiki and other islands in the mid 90's the hostels looked gross and hot. There are other places though I know on the big island there is a place that is similar to a hostel but does not have standard membership. Check out lonely planet then post your question out to people. What do you think of such and such. In England often great hostels often accommodate families. This is how I can tell if lower end types will be discouraged from staying and you want that. This will also insure cleanliness and a suitable enviroment.