Please help! We are a family of 3 and can get a good deal on several condos and don't know which to pick--Aston at Poipu Kai, Kiahuna Plantation & The Beach Bungalows, Embassy Vacation Resort, Makahuena at Poipu, Poipu Shores---or the Radisson Hotel. A nice pool is important to us and it would also be great to be able to walk to the beach.

Have not stayed at any of those properties but walked by the Embassy suites they are right next door to the hyatt and the beachfront walk is great. Met a woman on the NS that said she won her condo there in a bid, she was very happy with the lodging. Also recall reading a good review of the Aston Poi Pu in the NYTimes. Have also read great reviews here on Kiahuna Plantation. Do an individual archive search for each listing to get a feel for how foderites feel about each location.

Kiahuna Plantation does not have a pool, however, it does have one of the best beaches on the south shore, if that would make a difference to you.

We stayed at Poipu Kai for a week earlier this month but rented the unit from the owner instead of going through an agency. Very happy with the accommodations. Unit was in need of some updating but was very clean and well maintained, spacious and worked well for us. It was in the Poipu Sands section which is located between the Hyatt and the Embassy Suites. The pool was good and there are nice gas grills at the property as well. If you decide to stay at Poipu Kai make sure you get a unit either in the Sands section or Manualoha section. The other parts of the complex are further away from the beach and have no ocean views. From Poipu Kai Sands you can walk to Shipwreck beach which is beautiful but not a swimming beach. From Poipu Kai Manualoha you can walk to Poipu beach which is good for swimming and snorkeling.

Kiahuna is beautiful, lots of rolling lawns, nice beach. SOme of the units, however, are close to the street and parking lot, they should be avoided as should the condos near the construction site next door. Kiahuna guests are welcome to use the garden pool next door at the Sheraton.

Poipu Kai is a huge development which encompasses the other condos you mentioned (except for Radisson and Embassy.) The units there vary wildly, do your homework first.

Embassy is a newer property---large units, full kitchens, nice (but not huge) pool.

The Radisson is OK, not luxurious, but has had a recent makeover. It is located near Lihue, the rest of the places you mentioned are in Poipu.

Hi,

We stayed at the Kauai Radisson in July. They have a nice pool-grotto like area including a saltwater pool. Direct beach access is available, but not a swimming area. Great for walks! The kids seemed to enjoy it. Check out their web site. (This is very close to the airport.) If you do stay there, try the Kauai Pie Ice Cream in the deli at the hotel!

The food is OK.. We wanted to stay at the Kona Coast Resort which is a condo. I like having a kitchen and laundry facilities available. (The Radisson has 4 washers/dryers for the entire complex!)

Have fun in Kauai!

bsg you can order "Kauai Pie" over the internet, it's a Lapperts ice cream product. Only thing is that you will spend $73 in shipping costs for up to 6 pints. Still I think it is a good xmas gift if your kids loved it.

Hi, Sarah

Thanks for the info! My husband would find that a big surprise! I was a little shocked when we paid over $8.00 for a Kauai Pie in a waffle cone, rolled in chocolate and macadamia nuts!
It was a real treat!

Now, I just have to justify that over his Starbuck's Almond Fudge whatever ice cream!

Thank you!