Killer view for 2 in Kauai
 

We’ve been talking about going to Kauai for a couple of years but for some reason I haven’t been able to settle on a rental house. Now I’m thinking about it again for next summer and hoping the Kauai experts will steer me in the right direction. We’re looking for a small cottage or house (would also consider a special condo) on the north shore with very nice ocean views. We like to spend time out of the sun on a covered deck or patio – so view is important. I’ve checked the popular rental agency sites and have seen several good options but nothing that really jumped out and spoke to me. I'd really appreciate first hand recommendations.

Bill (iamg) if you are reading this – I’m looking for the Kauai version of House of Merriment, Big Island.

We need to stay within the $250-$300 a night range. Please help me identify the spot so I can get on with my life and not spend every waking moment on the computer :-)

My husband and I stayed at the Moon Beach Cottage a few years ago. Great location--walk across the lawn and you're on the beach. The Kobayashi family has other properties in the area. The web site shows them all. http://www.beachkauai.com/
I've always wanted to stay at the house on this website. Can't beat the price. p://www.how2vacation.com/details.aspx?list_id=13398

My husband and I stayed at the second place in martym's post a few years ago. It was a charming little cottage, with a hottub on the deck, and birds an lush grounds surrounding it. But don't go there for a view of the ocean. To get to the beach you must get in your car and drive several miles. You cant see any water at all from the location. It's a nice spot to explore the island, but not if you want to get up in the morning and walk on the beach.

You might look at these,
http://www.halemakaicottages.com/cottages.aspx
We've stayed there twice and would love to return next year.
Another option is...
http://www.vrbo.com/30434
We stayed here last year when Hale Makai was booked, also very nice. Good Luck, Harry

We've tried to rent Hale Walea several times but it's never been available when we wanted to go. Check it out. I've never been inside but the location is wonderful.
http://www.kauaivacationrentals.com/static/37.html

Good luck.

Want to be mindful of view and how much heat a place can take in when there is a sweeping window against the afternoon sun. I have stayed in the pua poa in August and the view was great but the sun and the floor to ceiling glass windows made the condo unbearable during the day. The windows just magnified everything AND ta boot owner lied about AC and mold and working sotve. Fine to sleep without AC after the sun went down. If you are considering renting at the pua poa let me know and I will look up the unit. I was very surprised that this guy was not booted off VBRO because we were asked to right a letter to the condo board as the complex had heard complaints about this owner before. Very unusual for a condo owner to lie and plenty of other units there where people are happy during the odd day home with air conditioning.

Sarah - thanks for the tip about Pua Poa. One of the reasons I am hesitant to rent a condo is because of the heat -- free standing homes are usually a lot cooler.

Martym - the location of Moon Beach Cottage looks great but they don't show any photos of the inside. Can you provide additional info -- was the deck covered? Bed comfortable?, etc.

Punana Aloha is the place that I had just about decided on two years ago when I explored Kauai before -- but then found a place that seemed perfect for us (and was) on the Big Island so we went there instead.

Punana Aloha is a strong possibility unless something else surfaces . . . still looking . . .

Hi cm,

I would suggest Hale Walea as well. I too have never been able to rent it as it seems to have limited availability during the summer. The owner uses it during the summer apparently. Location, location, location! It is right on Makua Beach and just a few minutes walk to amazing seasonal snorkeling. It has a large deck that overlooks the beach. The only possible drawback might be that it is next to a vacant lot that is next to the camping spots at Haena Bach Park. I'd rent it anyway.

Here is a link to inside shots of Hanalei Moon. There is a link to more on this page as well. Great location as well.
http://www.beachandbluff.com/index2.html

I love this place too, but it is too pricey.
http://www.balihai.com/vacationrenta.../cat_1/page_2/



-Bill

Bill - thanks for the reply and additional information. Of course the expensive one looks ideal - but over our budget as well. I think we have similar tastes since I really liked the place you rented in St. John -- and, we'd love to go there but my husband teaches (yes, even in the summer) so our only break is last week of August /first two weeks of Sept. Probably the worst time to go to the Caribbean - bummer.

Curious if you've been in touch with Mike from Black Bamboo and if you are considering one of his cottages for a future trip. I'm tempted to just return but

sorry . . .

but I really enjoy new adventures and all the joys and frustrations of researching, planning, etc. etc.

Carol

cm,
No, I'm not planning on doing the Big Island in the near future, however when we do decide to do the BI, he will be getting a call.
Good luck.
-Bill

aloha bbq! ((R)) alohas to everyone for that matter.

cm, here's a link to my journal from last year. http://fodors.com/forums/pgMessages....p;tid=34669307
Check out where we stayed. I must agree that a cottage or free standing villa is the way to go. I really disliked having a wall of glass facing west at 3:00PM... HOT HOT HOT!

ssshhhhhhh. doncha know it rains constantly on the north shore... the roosters are unbearable and the bugs will eat you alive day and night. Are U sure you want to go <i>THERE</i>??? ;;)

aloha makai!
You did not mention all the lousy restaurants and the constant battle with BOREDOM you have to endure.:-d
-Bill

makai - WOW - wonderful photos!! Just when I was beginning to think I'd pass on Kauai again, your images have renewed my interest. And, I'm not dissuaded by talks of rain, roosters &amp; bad restaurants :-)

So, . . . you loved Hale Maluhia? I'm not sure how I missed that one - I've bookmarked it now. Thanks!

The living area/kitchen of Moon Beach cottage was spacious. The front of the cottage is all windows facing the yard and the bay. We were there in the winter and I remember sitting in the living room watching the huge winter waves pound the beach one day. (Waves were smaller the next day) The bed was comfortable. I don't recall anytning about the deck being covered. You could ask the owners.

How about Hale 'O Lalani Cottage? Looks lovely though haven't stayed there myself.

Interesting that you should recommend Hale O Lalani - I bookmarked that one two years ago and revisit the site from time to time -- and, I agree, it looks very appealing - great interior - something keep drawing me back to it. The only down side is not having a much of a view - but maybe I'm making too much of the whole view thing.

I agree - Hale O Lalani looks like a winner. We are also looking for a special place on the north shore. Curious if anyone is familiar with the location - proximity to beaches, privacy, etc.

Not on the north shore - but this looks like a special spot - with a great water view - and a good price.

http://www.gloriasvacationrentals.co...holokokai.html

Friends just returned from Kauai and honeymooned at the Mango Shack, a treehouse &quot;shack&quot;cottage near Moloa (sp?) Bay. $90/night. They loved it!! Google &quot;Mango Shack&quot; and check its listing on VRBO.

Not sure if you're still searching -- but I just founds this one and remembered your question --

http://www.kauaivacationrentals.com/static/70.html

Looks like a killer view to me!

Curious if anyone has experience staying at this condo complex?

simbam,

I've stayed at Pali Ke Kua... July in unit 205 was hot hot hot. I'm partial to rental homes or villas for the cross breeze... tradewinds through open windows on all sides rather than just front and back. It's tough for that breeze to make it from the bedroom to the living area and vice~versa. Since the condo faces west and the afternoon sun beats in it really heats the place up.

You can read my detailed report... the link is on my post above from 8/20/06.

The views are gorgeous... don't get me wrong... and the sound of the surf is wonderful... oh and the sunsets... perfect views... the lack of air flow was my ONLY complaint. I think spring, fall or winter months here would be better. Also, there are a few end units that might have better air flow.

Here are a few links to the layout of the property:

http://www.ultimatekauaivacationrental.com/complex.htm

http://www.wizardpub.com/kauai/krpalikekua.html


You can figure the unit numbers by starting at Bldg. 1... closest to the road is Unit 101 (1st floor), or Unit 201 (2nd floor).. then just keep counting up from there.

Cali, I'd like to hear more details~feedback from your friends about the Mango Shack... do they post here?? Looks like a great place.

Aloha!
mak ((R))

If the tradewinds are at their usual level (10-15 mph), Pali Ke Kua is blissfully cool even if daytime temps are in the mid-80s.

But when the trades go slack (which can happen anytime during the year...for one day or one week...whew!), it can make 75 degrees feel like 100 (because of our northshore humidity). That's when the ceiling fans (or A/C) are called into action.

We have friends who come every year, and stay either at Pu`u Poa or Pali Ke Kua (because of their awesome mtn &amp; ocean views). The possiblity of baking in the non-trade heat hasn't deterred them yet! 8-)

CM318, have you found and booked the perfect rental yet??

Makai1, if there's anything speicific you wanted to know, post here and I'll convey the question. (No, none of my friends post here-- excepty my daughter who does so infrequently).
They loved it, would def'lly return, and emphasized that it 's gorgeous but BASIC in terms of amenities. They did not have probs with heat (lots of ventilation).
When i first heard the low price, I thought --anything that sounds too good to be true, usually is. But apparently it IS this good. On next trip to Kauai, I'm hoping to stay, but it seems to be well booked in advance.
Since in the past you've traveled with family ( having seen your wonderful photos last yr) you also might be interested to hear that there's a cottage on the property across a lawn from the tree house.

I appreciate all the suggestions -- and, I keep pondering the options. While I really prefer the island feel of a rental home vs. condo -- it is hard to beat the view from simbam's suggested http://www.kauaivacationrentals.com/static/70.html

Makai1 - thanks for sending the Pali Ke Kua maps - they are helpful -- it is an end unit so the ventilation should be better than a middle unit.

Since we just got back from our '06 vacation - I'm trying to hold off booking our next vacation for another month or two. BTW - we did something different this year - instead of an island vacation we went to Provence for two weeks. While it was wonderful -- I have to admit I consider it more of a great experience rather than a great vacation. European trips are more complicated - and not as relaxing. So -- we've had our &quot;culture&quot; fix -- now give me beach, snorkeling and sunsets!