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Stayed in this condo a few years back and thought it wonderful. Can rent the condo alone or with attached hotel room. Building was at the bottom of the hill with no other buildings in front to obscure the view.
http://hanalei-bay-resort.com/hbr8231-32/ |
Well Fodor Friends...why Kauai? Living in the West (Wyoming to be specific) ...a few hours from the beautiful Teton Mountains and Yellowstone Natl Park..Hawaii has become our second love. Been there 4x...Maui, Oahu and BI...never been to Kauai and have had 3 different friends in the last year tell us "if I didn't have a dog I wouldn't have come back!". They loved Kauai so much!
Now comes the planning of the days....I'm not to worried about "the night life" as even now our night life consists of watching tv or shopping Walmart on a Saturday night just to beat the crowds! (Our lives have focused around 3 kids as 3-sport athletes...traveling every Fri & Sat to ball games!) On Maui, days were spent beach hopping, snorkeling and bodysurfing..eves consisted of hubby and son stayed in the condo and watched ESPN and daughter and I went to various giftshops or did the laundry! So with that in mind, do you think Kauai vacation will be too "boring"? Are the resorts activie enough the "kids" can find other "kids" to hang with? Excited that we finally booked, just now my family asked..."great Mom! What is there to do?" So my next quest begins. Should I break up the trip...staying at 2 different places? Fly over to Maui for a few days? Day one is shot just traveling...so that leaves us 9 full days and we take a red-eye home on day 10. Any ideas? You all are awesome! Thank you for any ideas! |
i((L)),
We Kauai fans are just giving you a good joshing. Believe it or not a lot of complaints about "too dark-too many roosters-no night life-too expensive.." etc. Go...have fun...and leave some for us! |
You've got a year, yet. See if you can rent one of the Moon cottages in Hanalei, right on the beach.
Why are you arranging activities for your near-adult children as if they were 10 year olds? Surely you can get ahold of some guidebooks and give them the task of finding activities. The NaPali boat trips, Waimea Canyon, beaches, kayaking.... Any decent guide can tell you all. And, if you stay in Hanalei, there is enough for the kids to do independently during the day, but not be dependent on driving. On Kaui, you can have the same activities as Maui, and more because of the relatively unspoilt nature of Kauai. I wouldn't go through all the hassle and expense of going to Maui. |
have you thought about the ziplines? they opened another one, or at least just now afforded a sign, going to south shore. today, was the first day i noticed it, but will remember to pay attention and get a name.
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Aloha from Kaua`i!
If your family is outdoorsy, there's enough here to keep everyone busy...and too exhausted for any type of nightlife. ((H)) Having just finally done the 3-hour ATV tour at Kipu Kai, it's high on my recommendation list. Fun for the whole family (we had our 7-year-old granddaughters along, too)...dirty and dusty (or dirty and muddy, if we've had rain), and an absolute blast! I've got back and neck issues, but had no issues riding with DH in a 2-person Rhino. Up and down hills, up and over lumpy tree roots, through pastures and lowland forests and groves of massive bamboo...with to-die-for views of our beautiful island and the surrounding ocean. Oh and critters, too -- wild pigs running along the road, flock of peacocks & peahens, chickens (surprise!), wild pheasants, cows, cows, and more cows (it's a cattle ranch). Kipu Kai ATV tours. Thumbs up!! WARNING: your clothes -- and you -- will be FILTHY. They supply and require wearing of helmets, goggles and kerchiefs...but no jumpsuits to cover your clothes or your shoes (close-toe shoes, mandatory). With two washings, our jeans came clean. But our t-shirts are now in the rag bag. That Kaua`i red dirt is powder-fine on the tour -- the inside of our t-shirts was as dirty as the outside...as were our bellies! Sorry...got distracted with my in-person report...another activity for the family is paddling kayaks (recommend Hanalei Bay to Hideaways for snorkeling), snorkeling (Ke`e, Makua). Nearby Princeville Ranch offers horseback rides and zipline tours. And be sure to leave plenty of time to just r-e-l-a-x. Have a great visit! |
<i>Hellllllo Auntie M</i>
;;) See you in about 130! |
To OP "ilovemaui"- I think you are a bit afraid that Kauai will disappoint after your good experiences in Maui ( reference your handle). I, too, was apprehensive about Kauai, after just adoring Maui. My first experience was in Poipu, at the Hyatt. It was not a glowing experience. I really like a swimming beach, and the Hyatt is on an unswimmable beach, and it was a big noisy hotel, and it was crowded. The highlight of that trip was the trip to the Allerton Gardens/Arboretum. At that time, you took the old 50's car down into the valley, along old rock walls hidden by vegetation, as if you were transported back into the past. Now, as they sadly predicted, there is a huge condo/expensive residence development practically on top of them.
Ok, back to the point. My second, third, and fourth trips to Kauai have firmly planted Kauai as my favorite, and most endearing island on Hawaii. It's different than Maui, better in most every way. Staying in Hanalei, you will feel as if you are in a different country, far far away from Wyoming. Somewhere very much tucked away from major tourism. If you have 10 days, why not spend a couple of them on the west side, to enjoy the surf. But save Hanalei for last. |
North side would be great in June, most condos are in Princeville so not beachside.
Poipu has many condos within easy walking distance of the beach there and Koloa is close tho' nothing like Lahaina ! We've stayed at both Marriott's Waiohai Beach Club (discounted teaser - but it is very nice indeed & they do have rentals) and at the Manualoha section of Poipu Kai via Suite Paradise http://www.suite-paradise.com/ . There's also houses to rent in that area - just one example: http://www.pbvacationrentals.com/ Good hunting :) |
Should've made it clear that I mentioned Poipu as an alternative to the north end !!
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Again Fodor Friends, thank you for your ideas. Planning for such a trip is easily a vacation in itself!
Marginal, arranging activities as if my "kids" were 10 year olds??? Ever had 5 adults together on a business trip try to make a decision on where to eat dinner? ;-) They have months to read, explore and give input...and we have months to save for any excursions! Even a 2-3 hr trip is usually $1000 for a family of 5. Adds up fast even doing 2 or 3 "planned" events. One thing we love about Hawaii....the beach is free...the snorkeling is free...and the locals are the warmest people on earth! (Exchange the beach/ocean for the mountains/lakes and you've got Wyoming!) Travel books are great, but they are not as personal as my Fodor Friends. Auntie Marie, what are ziplines? |
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I love Kauai. The hiking is gorgeous. The Napali coast hike is quite memorable and I highly recommend a canoe or kayak adventure up the river. I liked all of the island in its variety but I do think Hanalei Bay has a special magic.
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We found the ziplines at Kipu Falls to be expensive ($265 for two, plus tip) and not very exciting. Only three short zips. The kids might be happy with the rope swing into the falls at the end, and its free.
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We will be in Kauai in Jan and I was originally trying to get info on suggested things to do during the day. However, when I read the comment from someone re roaches the size of cigars, I nearly had a stroke. I'd rather come in contact with a boa than a big roach (aka palmetto bugs?) Someone please reassure me I wont encounter these creatures!!!!!
Mo |
The Kauai regulars like to tease on this site.....roosters, roaches etc. Just like the bumper stickers.... if you love Kauai send your friends to Maui.
I've been to the islands dozens of times and in the last 10 years mainly to Kauai and I've only seen a couple and they were small! I have excellent vision or I'm just lucky?? |
mocat, you will love Kauai! I haven't seen one of those cigar sized varmints! iamq is a clown! and, a very funny one at that:-d
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Okay, maybe not cigar-size, but it was at the least the size of a small summer squash...and it flew! Ewwww. Did I mention the fangs?
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