Hello!!

I recently received an offer from a tour operator for a 7 day stay at the Kauai Radisson for $1000 a person (this price INCLUDES airfare and a rental car).

Can anyone tell me what they think about this hotel, the location, etc.

To give you some info., my husband and I are big time snorkelers, love hiking and nature, and also like to eat good food.

Would you recommend this as a destination (the prices is really hard to beat), or does anyone know of any other good deals going on that may be better suited to us?

We were just in Tahiti on our honeymoon so aren't expecting all of that, but some great scenery and water would be very nice!!

Thanks again!!!

Well, I don't think of great scenery and great water when I think of the Radisson. It's an OK hotel, nothing special tho it has just undergone a massive renovation.

It is located just a few miles from the airport. There are no shops or restaurants within walking distance except for what's in the hotel lobby.

The ocean is way too dangerous for swimming on this beach.

A few miles away in the Marriott which I much prefer over the radisson.

Stayed at this hotel a couple years ago when it was an Outrigger, and as you say, you can't beat the price. We found the grounds/pool/room to be nice but the beach wasn't one that you'd want to spend any time on. What we did like about the hotel was the location near Lihue, since it's centrally located to both the North Shore, as well as the Polihale Beach/Waimea Canynon area in the other direction. Acknowledged that Poipu beach is far superior but then again you're paying more.

Agree w/ Jen.
We walked the grounds last year to see what it was like now that Radisson took it over.
If you want an morning walk to some decent snorkeling with the new husband, walk from your hotel to Lydgate Beach.
About a 30-40 min walk along the beach and if you leave early enough, you get to see a beautiful Kauaian sunrise.

As for the good food, some good stuff up in Kapaa, Wailua...A Pacific Cafe, Coconuts (Lobster raviolis), Lemon Grass, Kintaro's, El Cafe, Mema's, Aussie Tim's BBQ...and "Taco Tuesday's" at Duke's!
Kal
13!

Thanks so much for the help. I guess I'll have to think about this one - it may be worth it though to have a place to sleep and shower in Kauai, and spend our days and evening elsewheree.

Can anyone recommend a budget option that may be better than the Radisson?

Thanks so much in advance!!

Vicki,
I agree w/ your last post. When I was there, we spent one day at the hotel just lounging by the pool. We stayed at the Marriott and found the water too rough to enjoy at the beach. We spent the rest of the time cruising around the island.

If you don't plan on spending too much time in your room, this might be an inexpensive option. It is centrally located for drives to both the North and South/West shores. Actually, by car you are only about 10 minutes from the town of Kapaa where you will find lots of stores and restaurants.I think the price sounds right for an inexpensive vacation. The place is not a dump so you can be assured that you will have a clean and safe room.

Spent a week at Radisson in September and would not stay there again. While rooms are clean, they are small, dark & dreary. Staff are rude. Pools are clean and nice, but beach not swimmable. For price, you can do better....

Hi Vicki:

We stayed next-door to the Radisson (at the Kauai Beach Villas) and really loved the pool and Kauai Beach Villa units. I didn't see the inside of the Radisson units, but can back up what the others have said about the beach. It's pretty much ALWAYS empty (and nice for walking along) but is NOT suitable for swimming except under completely calm wind conditions.

Ken

BTW: Anini Beach (just east of Princeville) has conditions very much like the lagoons of French Polynesia - calm water, lots of coral, nice fish. Just stay away from the lagoon outlet. If/when we return to Kauai, we hope to rent a house somewhere in the area.

We stayed at the Radisson, and I liked it, especially for the price. (We used our entertainment card for a great rate.) It's not a "luxury" resort like the Princeville or Hyatt, but it is nice, has good pools, and they have free cocktails at happy hour. My husband and I stayed here as sort of the "budget" portion of our trip, and stayed at the Secret Beach Hideway for the other part. We just planned most of our activities during this time. It's not a 5 star hotel, but we had a tremendous time. We also thought the pool grill and bar was good, and was as good as or actually better than we had at some luxury resorts elsewhere on the island, and on Kauai, but for a much cheaper price.

Author: Sherry ([email protected])
Date: 12/17/2002, 07:00 pm
Message: By the way, here is a virtual tour of the Radisson:

http://www.photowebusa.com/kauai/