Just booked our 12-night stay in Hawaii and realized that we're staying at all Outrigger properties - Outrigger Eldorado on Maui, Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation on Kauai and Kanaloa at Kona on the Big Island.

Is this too much of the same type of accommodation? Should we make a change? Maui is the one I might think about...but the other facilities we looked at were so much more expensive (we'll be there over New Year's Eve).

Outrigger manages all three properties but that does not mean that they are similar. Outrigger manages them but does not own them.

I am not familiar with the properties on the BIg Island and Kauai. However, Kanoloa at Kona is not on a beach and Kiahuna Plantation is not on a very good beach.

I am familiar with the Maui Eldorado. It is not a luxury property but very adequate. It is not beach front. It is a five minute walk across the golf course to Kaanapali Beach, one of the best beaches on Maui. It is also a five minute walk from Whalers Village (stores, restuarants, bars - a great spot). The Maui Eldorado is one of the best values in the Kaanapali area (if you don't need beachfront). If you want beachfront try the Whaler (right on Kaanapal Beach).

Kiahuna is on one of the nicest beaches on Kauai, IMHO.

This is for the person that wrote about the Eldorado and Whaler. We have stayed at the Sheraton and Kanaapali Alii. We have walked by the Whaler on the boardwalk. The Whaler is right on the beach but doesnt have much of a pool for
our boys 9 and 10 years old. Could you tell me what the pool/pools at the Eldorado are like? Also, which
complex would be better for our kids. Sometimes the Condos on a golf course arent very kid friendly. We will be going late in 2003 and need to decide where to stay. We thought we would go
8 to 10 days this time and stay somewhere less expensive. Thanks!

Neither the Maui Eldorado or the Whaler can compare to the Kaanapali Alii or the Sheraton. However, they are great alternatives of you don't want to pay the high prices at the Alii and the Sheraton.

The Whaler and Maui Eldorado both have relatively small pools and neither have much in the way of other amenities like the big hotels have. The Whaler is a better quality property than the Eldorado and it is beachfront (the Eldorado is not beach front). I think the Whaler is your best bet, with easy access to the beach for the kids. The Whaler also has the advantage of a central location and it is right next door to Whaler's Village.

I stayed at the Kanaloa at Kona for 7 nights in October 2002. It was not on the beach, but the pool overlooks the incredible surf. Our condo wasn't bad. Definately get ocean front. It was worth it to sit out on the big deck at sunset and sip a drink. Our condo was a little dated, and not rented through Outrigger. It was with another rental company, and we got a good price, $200 per night, but NO maid service. We used the washer/dryer in the condo daily.
And ask for airconditioning, in October, it was still 88 degrees! Not all units have AC. There is a large shopping area .5 mile away, with grocery store, drug store, resturants, movies, etc; Very handy. You are about 7 miles from the heart of Kona. I loved the sleepy little town. The people are friendly, and we enjoyed the atmosphere. We ate 3 evenings at Huggo's and sat by the rail, looking down on the ocean..
There is a Bubba Gump Shrimp there, and a Hard Rock, but we kept going back to Huggo's. (great local fish).
There are two beaches a few miles from the condo, packed with people. Looked fun. The snokeling was amazing, my friend told me. (I stuck to the pool)
There was a restaurant at the condo, called Edward's, but it was closed for remodeling or something.
We arrived in the daytime, and still had trouble finding the property.
The turn is about .25 of a mile down the hill to the right. When driving down the hill towards the street to the property, you will see a golf course on your right. There is a sign for golf cart crossing, after that sign, turn right. There is NO sign for the property anywhere outside the gate of the compound!! Also, we couldn't find the condo, the numbers are posted really small, and it is like a maze of condos. We asked security to take us there in the golf cart, and we followed! Please don't flame me for being an idiot. It really was hard to find!!!!!!

Have to disagree that the beach in front of Kiahunw is not good. It Is!!! Kiahuna Plantation is on one of the best beaches on South Shore of Poipu. Nice golden sandy beach with managable waves, sandy bottom, never too crowded, watch whales in season. Kiahuna shares this beach with the Sheraton Resort.

Kiahuna Plantation in Kauai is wonderful! Just got back from a week there. Great condos, nice service (daily maid service, 24-hr front desk, helpful activity desk) and is on one of the best beaches in Kauai (as mentioned in the Ultimate Kauai guidebook). Everyday, just around 5pm, I took my book, got one of the Kiahuna's beach chairs and towels (free use), planted myself on the golden sand, and watched the gorgeous sunset over the turquoise-green waves!

From what I've read, Kiahuna Plantation doesn't have air conditioning. Is this true? Did you ever get too warm in the room?

Thanks!