Background - 2007 started out great with our family trip to Italy... then it went into the toilet with my dad and my brother both getting diagnosed with cancer and both dying. My sister and I have decided we need a restart/refresh, enjoy family, vacation after school gets out in June. (She's a teacher and I have a 1st grader.)

She's flying for free and staying for free on points at the Marriot Beach Resort in Lihue. We don't want to spend that kind of money for a hotel room with a garden view - and are looking at beachfront condos in the area. We're seriously looking at an oceanfront unit at the Kauai Beach Villas
Kauai Beach Villas unit

So... I searched the reviews and listings and didn't see anything about this resort. It's a condo/timeshare resort adjacent to the Hilton Kauai Beach resort. From what I can gather, some units are timeshare, some are privately owned. I *think* this unit is privately owned. (I've sent a bunch of questions to the manager to see if we'll have to sit through a pitch, etc.)

Is there any known reason to avoid this resort?

Ideally, if my sister were staying near Poipu, we'd be staying down there... tons of condos to choose from... but since part of the vacation is about bonding with family - I felt we should stay within 15 minutes of her location.

What are the must sees for Kauai? My kids are very beach savvy (we live in San Diego) so we'lll rent a boogie board and snorkels/fins. I've heard about inner-tube rides through caves... has anyone done that? Is it ok for a 5 and 7 year old (who both can swim.)

Thanks in advance.

Hi Katie,

First of all, I am so sorry to hear about your dad and your brother. I think a trip to Kauai would be a wonderful trip for your family next summer. The island is very mellow and laid back. I love Kauai.

There have been reports of construction in the Poipu area that you should know about. I am not sure how long it will last, but knowing the pace of construction in Hawaii, I am guessing it will be continuing next June.

I have been to Kauai twice, staying in a condo at Poipu many years ago and recently more recently staying at the Mariott for New Year's Eve a few years ago. The Mariott has an amazing pool along with a small beach. I enjoyed my stay there. I don't have much info to share about other places to stay. Hopefully others can help in this area.

I have enjoyed going to Waimea Canyon (go early to avoid the fog), walking on the beaches in Poipu, and going up to Hanalei.

This website is a good website which provides a lot of info on Kauai.

Kauai is a beautiful island. I hope it brings your family some peace.

I haven't stayed anyplace but Kiahuna Plantation, so I can't help you there. The wizard publications website, publisher's of the "ultimate" book series shows where resorts are located in relation to each other, and has aerial views:
http://wizardpub.com/kauai/kauaerials.html

Also, the review which accompanies the pictre for Kauai Beach Villas, says it's "located on a less swimmable part of Nukoli'i Beach." Googling that, I found this to say about that beach:
http://www.to-hawaii.com/kauai/beaches/nukolii-beach-park.php

Thanks caodog! Those links give me a good idea of what we're looking at.

We figure we can hang out at Kalapaki beach in front of the Marriot since my sister is staying there. I also want to check out Poipu beach.

The view looks great, though. And the price was good for oceanfront - especially compared to the Hilton next door or the Marriot where my sister is staying.

Here's a link to our favorite beach on Kauai
Anini Beach
We rented an apartment in a house on this beach one year. We had discovered it on previous trips to Kauai, we stayed in the Princeville area then.

One more thing... Has anyone done the tube-rides through the caves? A co-worker mentioned it - and it sounds like fun. My 5 year old just makes the age limit (no problem with the height limit.) Both of my boys can swim pretty well, so I'm not too worried about that aspect.

Kauai Backcountry Adventures - tubing

It's kind of pricey but it looks like fun... has anyone tried this?

quote:

Originally posted by Travelling Knitter:
Here's a link to our favorite beach on Kauai
Anini Beach

I'm adding that beach to my list! Thanks.

KatieR:
We've spent two weeks in Kauai this past April
for our thirty-fifth wedding anniversary. This
was our sixth time in Hawaii and enjoyed this
island the most. Not as crowded and more laid back.
Spent time at The Point at Poipu in a beachfront condo...it
was exceptional. Be sure to visit The Beach House Restaurant
for great food. Gaylord's is also a great restaurant...pricey
but worth the cost. The carriage ride and train there
were other things we enjoyed. The show at the Grand Hyatt next door was
one of the best. The buffet dinner...was great.
The tubing you spoke of might be Mountain
Tubing by Backcountry Adventures...no problem with younger
children...it was fun...even included a picnic near a quiet swimming hole.
Although we're in our early fifties...we shared the tubing with families with
young children and they had a "blast."
The Na Pali Coast offers great snorkling, a great dinner cruise, and
speed boat adventures. They have zipline adventures...as well.
The airport in Lihue is small, but friendly and accommodating.
Rental cars are easily acquired...cruising in a little convertible PT Cruiser
was economical and fun...there's only one or two highways on the island.
We had a wonderful time there and hope you have the same experience.
Let us know...upon your return.
Smokibaer

quote:

Originally posted by KatieR:
...What are the must sees for Kauai? My kids are very beach savvy (we live in San Diego) so we'lll rent a boogie board and snorkels/fins. I've heard about inner-tube rides through caves... has anyone done that? Is it ok for a 5 and 7 year old (who both can swim.)

[quoted text shortened for thread readability]

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Colleen,

I was on Kauai in November as a first time visitor. I used The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook and found it to be a very detailed resource for just about everything - beaches, hikes, restaurants. The book is highly opinionated, which is a good thing. When the author raved about something it turned out to be worth raving about, and the author is equally adept at pointing out the wastes of time. The book has a description of dozens and dozens of beaches, and it alerts you to the ones that are best for kids. The book is fairly agressive in recommending hikes. When it says it is moderate it may not be suitable for small children. Jurassic Park was filmed on Kauai. If your kids have not seen it, perhaps you might rent it and then go on one of the hikes on the East Shore to see the same kind of primaevil scenery. If hiking the trails is not an option then the National Botannical Garden near Poipu would be an easy way to see sort of a jungle.

I stayed at the Hyatt in Poipu but drove all over the place. Some of things that you and the kids might enjoy are

boat ride up the Wailua river

drive up to the lookouts at Waimea Canyon

dune buggy tour on dirt roads near Koloa

Polihale Beach - to look at not to swim - ends where the cliffs of the Na Pali Coast begin. 17 miles of white sand. It requires some dirt road driving. I had an SUV and it was easy, regular cars made it too but their suspensions were definitely challenged

horseback tours - there are several

North shore beaches were the best looking

Helicopter tours? I used Blue Hawaiian and had a great time. It is spectacular, but a five year old might be afraid.

I was going to recommend looking at Slow Photos, thinking that there would be a ton of them from Kauai. It is worth checking out but there are only 60 or so. Here is one of mine from Polihale Beach, and I will dump some more now into Slow Photos.

How was the noise with the construction at the Hyatt in Poipu?

quote:

How was the noise

My room was on the land side looking toward the golf course. At night when there was no wind I could hear way off in the distance toward the construction what sounded like trucks beeping/backing up and bulldozers. During the day I heard the same thing while at the arboretum, on the other side of the construction. I asked the locals what it was and they were unanimous that they heard nothing. So I assumed that I was imagining it and that the only cure would be to increase my nightly dosage of Longboard Lager, which did not help, although I did forget all about the trucks. The rooms on the ocean side of the hotel had the surf noise so it was not an issue for them. I talked to a lot of locals in Poipu and Koloa and found nobody who is in favor of the development.

KatieR, we have actually stayed at the Kauai Beach Villas - in August of 2006. We really liked our unit - went through the timeshere points system, but met a few of the owners - they seem to own the direct beachfront villas. We were oceanview and had a great view of the ocean etc. No complaints about that!

The pool is small, and I heard some complaints, but we enjoyed jumping in after a day out and about - to relax and cool off before heading out to dinner.

The Hilton next door is beautiful, but it was made clear that we were not allowed to use the pool (previously, the Radisson and the villas management had brokered an agreement that allowed use of the beautiful hotel pool, but new management(Pahio) didn't want to continue the agreement(and pay the $$). This was told to me by an owner/resident at the Kauai Beach Villas.

I would stay there again, and I think you will like the units.

But, the beach is not a swimmable area.