Where to stay in Kauai?
 

Hi everyone! I've learned a ton from your wonderful posts. I need some quick advice: where should we stay for our last three nights in Kauai and in Hawaii? We're staying in Hanalei for the first three nights and I cannot decide on a second location. I'm traveling with my husband and kids, who are 11 and 13. We like hiking, snorkeling, they like zip lines :), we all like nature and quiet. I'd really appreciate your help.

I should have mentioned that we're going in August. I was thinking of Waimea, but it seems very hot down there to stay in a place with no AC.

Waimea is nice but as you say will be very hot in August as that is the driest part of the island. Also places to eat are limited so you might find yourself driving to eat dinner at Poipo or Kalaheo. Why not just stay north the entire time? August is beautiful on the North Shore and that is where the waters will be calmest for swimming and snorkeling.
Six days is not a long time and if you stay in a condo or cottage then you might have to pay two deposits, two cleaning fees, etc.
If worried about driving distance to the Canyon, most folks just make a long day out of it and start early and combine it with a few other stops like Spouting Horn, Salt Pond Beach State Park or Poipu Beach.

I would just stay in one location for the time you are there. We found the Kauai Coast Resort on the east coast, just north of the airport to be ideal for reaching all of the attractions...

for 6 days, why move? You can see the other parts of the island via car but packing up and unpacking again seems like a lot of work for just another 3 days. Unless, of course you have to move because as there are no more rooms available for the rest of your time. Not sure you can rent a condo as they often require a week but you might find one for 3 nights. It is 3 nights and not 3 days right? 3 days might mean 2 nights and last day you leave which is 3 days. Hotel? Sheraton is very nice the Grand Hyatt is wonderful both in Poipu area. Not a swim-able beach at Hyatt but great pools. there is great beach at the Sheraton. Poipu Shores is a very nice condo and walking distance to Poipu beach. 2 bedrooms 2 baths and awesome pool right at the water edge, Lots of turtles around there as well. Marriott is huge and close to the airport but prefer the Sheraton over the Marriott. Good luck

There's also a Marriott near the Sheraton (not the one Shar is referring to above - that's the Marriott Lihue, the one near the Sheraton is the Marriott Waiohai). It's a time-share but operated like a hotel. All the units are full two-bedroom with kitchen. The grounds of the hotel are gorgeous (if you look at the TripAdvisor travelers photos, they are very accurate), and it's on a very nice stretch of beach.

I'd remain based in Hanalei--and do day trips to other areas.

Why move? Will you have perishables to move? Most checkout times are morning. Most check-in times are afternoon. Few condos are able to let you park your luggage in between.

Kauai is a small island, and it feels even smaller because you can't even get to all of the nearly vertical parts!

With 6 days only, I also would not move locations. You have to put time, energy, and likely more money into making a move. I'd stay in one place the whole trip.

I will offer a different opinion. If you are set on staying in Hanalei, then appreciate that is about as far north as you can be and the island cannot be circumnavigated by car. Day trips to places like Waimea Canyon will be very long and repetitive driving. I would stay in the Poipu Beach area for your second location.