Poipu, Kapaa, Princeville or Lihue
 

All of you have been SO fantastic answering my questions. I really do appreciate all the help!



We we have points at a Marriott, though only enough to get us 3-4 nights at a nice one. They have a bunch in Kapaa and Lihue as far as I understand. Then we have Starwood hotels points which include st Regis and Westins I THINK! Maybe enough for 2 nights. Then we'd have to pay for the rest of our 8 night stay. I THINK, though I'm still working on points with a flexible card from Chase Sapphire that might have enough for one night at a wide range of hotels. I'm thinking of splitting our stay on Kauai at two different locations, so 4 nights at each.

I'm a bit confused about where I should stay for what I'm looking for though.



• great snorkeling in early May

• sun and gorgeous beach

• stunning mountains and scenery



im guessing Poipu for the first two, and Princeville for the second.

But where do Kapaa and Lihue fit in? How do they compare



thank you in advance for any help! It is greatly appreciated! ?

Our favorite areas are Poipu and Princeville. Really liked the beaches ub Poipu area, Didn't care as much for Lihue, too city-like.

I know that there is a marriott at Kalapaki Beach which I have stayed at. The beach is lousy, not a fabulous area and the hotel has a big pool with water spouting out of lions mouths if that is what you like but not at all impressed with the hotel itself. Lots of twists and turns to get to your room, seriously. It is a huge hotel.....The massage I got was so NOT good for a top notch hotel.It was like an after thought - very small room and absolutely no atmosphere and only 1 bathroom. understand the Westin in Princeville is very nice. there is a Sheraton at Poipu but I wouldn't call it luxurious but has a very nice beach in front. they may have done some remodeling. Princeville is more upscale and is closer to Hanalei and Ke'e beach and Poipu is closer to Waimea canyon and the beaches at Poipu are very nice....Aloha enjoy your trip. Kauai is so beautiful.....

Unless you you need to use these points or lose them, I'd suggest booking a condo at Hanalei. You'd have lovely space, and might even come out ahead of 'free' rooms and eating out every meal.

Kapaa and Lihue are not great choices. Princeville/Hanalei are north -- most beautiful part of the island, but with fewer restaurant options. Poipu has more restaurant options.

Kauai is pretty small, given that you can't get to see so much of it except by air or boat. (It's my top pick for a helicopter tour.)

Don't forget to reserve your rental car for airport pickup.

May is a great time for Kauai.
In Kapa'a that would be Courtyard by Marriott, never stayed but most of the east shore beaches are not swimmable except for part of Kealia and Lydgate State Park.
If you can get into the Marriott Waiohai that is on a terrific beach, but those are mostly timeshare units, not sure if Marriott rents those directly or if you would have to book thru an owner on someplace like tug2.net.
I used to own a timeshare at Marriott Kauai Beach Resort in Lihue, it is a very nice place and I love the pool unlike Shar, couple of restaurants onsite and more nearby within walking distance. The snorkeling is not good at Kalapaki Bay but there is stuff like outrigger canoe rides and standup paddleboarding. Read Marriott is remodeling the timeshare rooms again now (probably be done by May) and if you can get one of those, they are much more spacious, have a kitchenette, dining and living area, etc.

The Marriott Waiohai does rent units directly. Grounds are beautiful, and it's on a very good beach. The units are typical Marriott timeshare units, nice and large, but nothing Hawaiian about them. The pictures on Tripadvisor are accurate.

We've also stayed at the Marriott in Lihue and we are not fans of that property. The hotel is "tired", and the pool is definitely a step down from, say, the Grand Hyatt.

The Sheraton on Poipu shares the best beach with Kiahuna Plantation. Like its sister property on Maui, it's more low-key than the larger glitzier resorts - no swim-up bars and waterfalls at the pool. I understand they renovated recently.