We will be in Kauai May 21-27. We have heard very mixed suggestions on where to stay. Some have said its better to stay on the north shore this time of year because its cooler and the water is nicer, while other say south shore beaches are nicer and its not that hot until June.
Any suggestions for end of May for first time visitors to Kauai?

We really enjoyed the south side. Poipu Beach area was great! We stayed at Aston Poipu Kai. We were there this past October, so I'm not real sure about the weather when you are going. I'd definitely go back to Kauai, but we're going to go to Oahu & BI this trip!!

hi bethjb1, we will be on Kauai from May 19th-28th..so we will be there part of the same time you are.
We are staying on the east side which is almost in the middle. Good to drive in whichever direction suits your fancy!

iceeu2,

Can I ask, where are you staying??

We are staying a few days at the Courtyard and 7 days at the Pono Kai. If you go to wizardpub.com...and check on their hotel links you can see all kinds of places.

Pono Kai is a timeshare condo..and fine for us old timers. Clean, spacious, but not on a swimmable beach.

The other day I found a Marriott link for 5 nights at the Marriott Waihaoi for $799 and that included a rental car.

If I can find it again, I will post it here for you.

Try this link...the Marriott Waiohai is on the south shore and I think this is a teriffic deal.

vacationclub.com/getawaynow/mvc/

Just my opinion concerning the Kauai North vs. South shores. South is very nice with beautiful beaches but the terrain is very similar to most beach vacation areas. The North shore's terrain is very extreme compared to any other beach area I've ever visited. To me the uniqueness of the North shore is what I expected to experience in Hawaii and what continues to draw me back.

Since it's your first stay, I would recommend somehow staying on both shores for a few days. THey both have their own different type of beauty. (my preference is the north shore, however!) Our first trip we stayed onthe south shore and just drove up to the north side when we wanted. Our second trip we stayed on the north shore in Hanalei. We did LOVE Poipu beach. The snorkeling was great.