Author Topic: Kauai, HI Master Thread (Read 936904 times)

Dan · « **on:** January 25, 2010, 07:49:21 PM »

Read my trip report on Kauai here:
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/6088

Traveler · « **Reply #1 on:** June 21, 2010, 11:45:04 AM »

Hi I would like to go to Kauai, for a honeymoon I can only go for 4 days in August is it worth going? What are the must dos while I am there. I read Dans trip report sounds like amazing fun just I need help prioritizing my itinerary?
I am going from LAX and tickets are a fortune! Aug 1 - 4 cheapest are $717
Also, I have SPG points and was thinking of using them at the St. Regis Princeville its a whopping 21,500 per night or the Westin Princeville.
The GH Kauai looks gorgeous just way out of my price range $450/ nt and I dont have any Hyatt Points! The Westin has its own kitchen which will be convenient. Did anyone stay there?

If anyone has any ideas how to get cheaper airfare and hotel please let me know?

Dan · « **Reply #2 on:** June 21, 2010, 11:59:38 AM »

Do you have any miles for the flight?
How many Starpoints do you have?

I know in the winter the north shore (St Regis/Westin) can be very rainy and the south shore (Hyatt) is very dry, but all 3 of my Kauai trips have been in the winter so I can't speak for the summer.

They are very far from each other and personally I like the activities around the south shore better.

Definitely order Kauai Revealed as soon as possible, it's an incredible guide book.

Dan · « **Reply #3 on:** June 21, 2010, 12:06:12 PM »

Also airlines often will run very a very good sale into HNL and from there you can book a round-trip flight to any other island for just 10,000 miles on any arline.

Dan · « **Reply #4 on:** June 21, 2010, 12:15:32 PM »

08/22-08/26: LAX-HNL.
$350 on Continental.

08/22-08/26: HNL-LIH
$128 on Hawaiian.

Grab that if the dates work!!!

Traveler · « **Reply #5 on:** June 21, 2010, 01:00:20 PM »

I have about 60,000 spg points. Should I book at the St. Regis or Westin or should I are there any good deals to pay cash? I can only go on those dates. I didn't find any specials for flights . How much is the helicopter tour? Also am I making a good decision by going to kauai and not maui. I want fun but not so jammed as it is summer so I would like emptier beaches etc. Also are there any private beaches I could get into?

Traveler · « **Reply #6 on:** June 21, 2010, 01:09:27 PM »

Also I will be in NY in the end of July so I priced out a ticket on DL Miles including my JFK-LAX leg which would run me $250. I am making a "stopover" in LA then continuing on to LIH. On the return they made me go all the way back to JFK so I am thinking of ditching the last leg. What will happen if I do that? Should I just add a another lax-jfk leg for my next trip to NY its an extra 20k miles?

Dan · « **Reply #7 on:** June 21, 2010, 03:27:05 PM »

Quote from: Traveler on June 21, 2010, 01:00:20 PM

I have about 60,000 spg points. Should I book at the St. Regis or Westin or should I are there any good deals to pay cash? I can only go on those dates. I didn't find any specials for flights . How much is the helicopter tour? Also am I making a good decision by going to kauai and not maui. I want fun but not so jammed as it is summer so I would like emptier beaches etc. Also are there any private beaches I could get into?

The Westin is a category 5, it should be 12,000 points unless it's sold out of regular rooms. The empty beaches are all on the very far side of the island, at least 1.5 hours away each way. In fact I don't think there are any beaches in front of the Westin or St. Regis properties.

Maybe look into the Sheraton on the south side. Nothing special as a hotel, but it's only a category 4.

Truthfully, I'm not sure I would spend that much money/miles/points on a stay of only 3 nights. Maybe save up for when you have a little more time to go.

Quote from: Traveler on June 21, 2010, 01:09:27 PM

Also I will be in NY in the end of July so I priced out a ticket on DL Miles including my JFK-LAX leg which would run me $250. I am making a "stopover" in LA then continuing on to LIH. On the return they made me go all the way back to JFK so I am thinking of ditching the last leg. What will happen if I do that? Should I just add a another lax-jfk leg for my next trip to NY its an extra 20k miles?

Are you sure you can't do an open jaw and just not book the last LAX-JFK leg?

Traveler · « **Reply #8 on:** June 21, 2010, 03:39:24 PM »

Quote from: Dan on June 21, 2010, 03:27:05 PM

The Westin is a category 5, it should be 12,000 points unless it's sold out of regular rooms. The empty beaches are all on the very far side of the island, at least 1.5 hours away each way. In fact I don't think there are any beaches in front of the Westin or St. Regis properties.

Maybe look into the Sheraton on the south side. Nothing special as a hotel, but it's only a category 4.

Truthfully, I'm not sure I would spend that much money/miles/points on a stay of only 3 nights. Maybe save up for when you have a little more time to go.
Are you sure you can't do an open jaw and just not book the last LAX-JFK leg?

This is my only chance to get away and I don't know if I will get another one. Dan you are right!! as usual they let me just drop the last leg!!!! So if I value the delta pesos as you call them at 1.1 then it like $450 per ticket not great but doable.

Regarding hotels thanks for pointing that out. You see I am lost without you. How can I stay at the GH Kauai Hotel for a reasonable price? Can I book on Points and are there any beaches there? The price I get is over $400/ nt and even with Costco gift certficates it is alot! Thanks DAN YOU THE MAN!!

Dan · « **Reply #9 on:** June 21, 2010, 03:58:39 PM »

Quote from: Traveler on June 21, 2010, 03:39:24 PM

This is my only chance to get away and I don't know if I will get another one. Dan you are right!! as usual they let me just drop the last leg!!!! So if I value the delta pesos as you call them at 1.1 then it like $450 per ticket not great but doable.

Regarding hotels thanks for pointing that out. You see I am lost without you. How can I stay at the GH Kauai Hotel for a reasonable price? Can I book on Points and are there any beaches there? The price I get is over $400/ nt and even with Costco gift certficates it is alot! Thanks DAN YOU THE MAN!!

There is a beach in front of the GHK and there should also be one in front of the Sheraton.

Let me give you a picture of the island.

Picture Kauai as a round wall clock. There are no roads between "9:00 and 11:30" so circumnavigating the island is impossible. Figure that is will take about 12 minutes to pass each "hour on the clock." The Westin/S. Regis are in Princeville at "12:00". There are gorgeous beaches on the north shore, but I'd doubt you'll find an empty one. Be sure to wave to Puff the dragon in Hanalei.

The airport is in Lihue at "4:00", about 45 minutes or so from Princeville. In Lihue is Wal-mart and Costco where you can get everything you need. And Jamba Juice

The Hyatt and Sheraton are in Poipu are at "5:30" Poipu Beach (4 minute drive from GHK) is incredible with amazing snorkeling. I've seen turtles, whales, seas monks, and lots of other amazing sealife while snorkeling there. However it won't be empty.

You head up Waimea Canyon at "7:30" Breathtaking place with amazing hiking opportunities.

Polihale Beach is at the end of the road at "9:00" Miles and miles of empty beaches along the west coast from "8:00 to 9:00."

OK, now regarding the GHK, they are sold out of standard rooms, so no FFN's or cheap point rooms. The AAA rate on the Ocean-View room is $436+tax, or about $350+tax with Hyatt certs.
Another nice thing about Hyatt certs is you can use them in Kauai for a helicopter ride for example, knocking down the price from $200 to $160.

Dan · « **Reply #10 on:** June 21, 2010, 07:50:07 PM »

Totally random, but while on the topic of of Kauai, nobody on Jeopardy tonight knew the question to this answer:

"Speaking of this Island's Waimea Canyon, Mark Twain called it the Grand Canyon of the West."

momo · « **Reply #11 on:** June 22, 2010, 08:10:57 PM »

I stayed on the North side of the island and there were plenty of empty beaches. Although I went in March which is not a very busy time, while aug is. Just an aside be very careful of where you go swimming. The undertow and currents are very strong and unpredictable.Before you go into water either ask the lifeguards or if there are no lifeguards ask a local, they generally know the currents. You will never see such beautiful beaches and sites so be careful and enjoy http://opentravel.com/blogs/worlds-most-dangerous-beaches/

momo · « **Reply #12 on:** June 22, 2010, 08:27:30 PM »

"Regarding hotels thanks for pointing that out. You see I am lost without you. How can I stay at the GH Kauai Hotel for a reasonable price? Can I book on Points and are there any beaches there? The price I get is over $400/ nt and even with Costco gift certficates it is alot!"

I stayed in the westin and the GH in my humble opinion the Westin was nicer. It was more of a Timeshare then a hotel. We ended up with a one bedroom suite which had 1 bedroom(duh)

a full living\dining room and kitchen which was great cuz we were there for shab. OK before i get stoned by Dan and others about the Westin being nicer I will say that the grounds of the Gh are far superior. The pool was just a never ending stream of water, the spa was beautiful and there are tons of other things to do there. The rooms were dated though they are starting to renovate so im sure they will be much nicer soon. If you are not planning on spending a lot of time indoors ie not gonna be there over shab then you will enjoy the Gh.

silverfaxmachine · « **Reply #13 on:** June 24, 2010, 10:02:33 AM »

Thanks for all the info!! I heard it gets very very humid in the summer, anyone ever go there in the Summer? I am concerned it will be too uncomfortable to go on the hikes, etc. Also, is it very crowded in the summer, as I was planning to go to this Island because it is supposed to be the least visited.

Dan · « **Reply #14 on:** June 24, 2010, 10:11:22 AM »

Quote from: silverfaxmachine on June 24, 2010, 10:02:33 AM

Thanks for all the info!! I heard it gets very very humid in the summer, anyone ever go there in the Summer? I am concerned it will be too uncomfortable to go on the hikes, etc. Also, is it very crowded in the summer, as I was planning to go to this Island because it is supposed to be the least visited.

Never been to Hawaii in the summer, so I can't help you here. Definitely can't do any whale watching in the summer.

If you want the "least visited" Hawaiian Island look into Molokai or Lanai.

Traveler · « **Reply #15 on:** June 29, 2010, 02:39:34 PM »

Did anyone stay in kekaha? There are beautiful cottages and houses for rent for very reasonable prices. Is it too far away from the action? I just like the secluded aspect. They say it is only 45 min away from poipu beach?

Dan · « **Reply #16 on:** June 29, 2010, 02:42:55 PM »

Quote from: Traveler on June 29, 2010, 02:39:34 PM

Did anyone stay in kekaha? There are beautiful cottages and houses for rent for very reasonable prices. Is it too far away from the action? I just like the secluded aspect. They say it is only 45 min away from poipu beach?

Beautiful area with lots of beaches (though the water may not be swimmable there)
It's close to Waimea Canyon.
But it is very far (1 hour each way) from Wal-Mart/Costco should you need any provisions, and extremely far (2 hours each way) if you want to tour the north shore.

Also beware that pictures can be deceiving, see if they can supply references to make sure you don't rent a dump that may have used to look nice 15 years ago.

Dan · « **Reply #17 on:** June 29, 2010, 02:47:36 PM »

Quote from: momo on June 22, 2010, 08:27:30 PM

"Regarding hotels thanks for pointing that out. You see I am lost without you. How can I stay at the GH Kauai Hotel for a reasonable price? Can I book on Points and are there any beaches there? The price I get is over $400/ nt and even with Costco gift certficates it is alot!"

I stayed in the westin and the GH in my humble opinion the Westin was nicer. It was more of a Timeshare then a hotel. We ended up with a one bedroom suite which had 1 bedroom(duh) a full living\dining room and kitchen which was great cuz we were there for shab. OK before i get stoned by Dan and others about the Westin being nicer I will say that the grounds of the Gh are far superior. The pool was just a never ending stream of water, the spa was beautiful and there are tons of other things to do there. The rooms were dated though they are starting to renovate so im sure they will be much nicer soon. If you are not planning on spending a lot of time indoors ie not gonna be there over shab then you will enjoy the Gh.

The advantage of the GH Kauai is not necessarily the rooms (although I got a beautiful suite as a Diamond member there last year) but it's the amazing grounds. Endless amounts of pools and hidden hot tubs, beachfront access with cabanas and hammocks, and beautifully manicured gardens, free spa access and Grand Club access for diamond members, multiple luaus weekly that you can watch from the open-air hallways, etc.

I've read that the Westin rooms could also be mistaken with a timeshare in Florida, nothing particularly Hawaiian about it.

But to each there own.

Personally I also strongly prefer the South side to the North side, but I've only been there in the winter when it's constantly raining up north. Maybe in the summer it rains less up north. But still there are more "attractions" on the south side.

Traveler · « **Reply #18 on:** June 29, 2010, 08:21:38 PM »

Guide books recommend 4WD jeeps. Do you think it's needed? Would a convertible be better?

Dan · « **Reply #19 on:** June 29, 2010, 08:23:33 PM »

Quote from: Traveler on June 29, 2010, 08:21:38 PM

Guide books recommend 4WD jeeps. Do you think it's needed? Would a convertible be better?

I would rather have a convertible.
There are some a couple places high up in Waimea Canyon where a 4WD would come in handy, but overall I don't think it's worth it.

Name	Area	More Info	Comments
____________________________________________________________________________________________________	_____________________________________________________	__________________________________________________________	____________________________________________________________________________
Grand Hyatt Kauai	South side	Website	Generally considered to be the top hotel on Kauai, and countless DDF'ers have stayed there. The weather is perfect year-round, it's right by Poipu beach, and you drive through an awesome tree tunnel to get there. There are countless pools and exotic birds all around.
St. Regis Princeville	North side	Website	Another beautiful hotel, this is an SPG category 7. The setting of the SRP is absolutely breathtaking, with the ocean crashing on the cliffs below and the waterfall-filled mountains in the background. The views from the rooms are unparalleled, but most rooms have no balconies.
Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas	North side	Website	SPG category 6.
Sheraton Kauai Resort	South side	Website	SPG category 5.
"Get your own place"	Anywhere	Website	There are countless condos, timeshares, or villas available to rent on the island. The advantages are that you get more for your money - a couple of bedrooms, living/dining rooms, and a full kitchen. There will usually be a pool, sometimes even a private one. Additionally, they're often cheaper than a hotel. There are many places to find them - HomeAway Kauai VRBO Kauai Airbnb Kauai, etc.

Name	Area	Comments
______________________________________________________________	____________________________________________________	_________________________________________________________________________________
Poipu	South side	This beach is right by the GHK. Full amenities (lifeguard, showers, etc.). Snorkeling is amazing here, especially in the morning. Sea turtles and the critically endangered Hawaiian monk seal are commonly seen here. Gorgeous sunsets.
Ke'e	North side	This beach is the gateway to the famous Kalalau Trail. The view from here is amazing, looking out over the majestic Na Pali cliffs. Great snorkeling, with a large fringing reef. This beach could be deadly winter, when 20-foot waves crash onto shore. However, at times it's perfectly calm. Use common sense. The beach is part of Hāʻena State Park
Tunnels	North side	Beautiful crescent beach, with a lovely view of "Puff the Magic Dragon" mountain. Great snorkeling, and beautiful sunrises. May be dangerous in winter.
Lumahai	North side	Very pretty beach, where they filmed South Pacific. Extremely dangerous winter.
Polihale	West side	17 solid miles of uninterrupted sand. Fairly remote, and accessible only via dirt and sand road, so 4WD is preferred. Unswimmable most of the year, but the area called Queens Pond is safe all year round. Since it's so huge, you could easily find a secluded spot. Great view of the south side of Na Pali, with amazing sunsets.
Queen's Bath	North side	This is a rocky beach by the cliffs under Princeville. Very cool during the summer, when you could swim in a rock pool with the fish, but absolutely deadly during the winter (people die there all the time).
Kalalau	North side	One of the most beautiful beaches in the entire world. Unfortunately, it's only accessible via one of the most difficult and most dangerous hikes in the world, the Kalalau Trail.
Honopū	North side	Another one of the top ten beaches in the world. The only way to get there is by swimming - from Kalalau beach !
Hanalei Bay	North side	A beautiful crescent beach with wonderful views. Mediocre snorkeling, but safe even in the winter. Very predictable waves, so this is the top spot for learning to surf or paddle. Breathtaking sunrises and sunsets.
Secret	North side	Relatively secluded beach, and needs a bit of a hike to get there.
Lydgate	East side	A fully protected beach, with pretty good snorkeling. Great for little kids, but is usually very busy.
Nawiliwili	East side	Boring beach, but the park of the the side is a nice place to stop for lunch and watch the kitesurfers.
Kapa'a	East side	Another relatively boring beach, but a nice place to have lunch if you're in Kapa'a.

Name	Area	Comments
______________________________________________________________	____________________________________________________	_________________________________________________________________________________
Hike 1	Area 1	Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
Hike 2	Area 2	Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Activity	Comments
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________	_________________________________________________________________________________
Helicopter tours	Easily the most expensive activity on Kauai, and easily the most amazing. You get to see otherwise inaccessible places - among others, you fly into Waimea Canyon, along the stunning Na Pali coast, and into the crater of the extinct Mount Waiʻaleʻale, now the wettest place on earth. It's an experience that could simply not be matched. Blue Hawaiian is the most popular and usually recommended. Jack Harter also flies amazing doors-off tours, which are wet, windy, and exhilirating .
Powered hang gliding	This is a unique flight lesson (counts a flying time for a pilot's license) in what's basically a motorized tricycle with wings. Supposed to be tremendous fun. Offered by Birds in Paradise.
Waimea Canyon	Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
Kalalau Valley overlook	Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
Hanalei Valley overlook
Kayaking
Biking
ATVing
Horseback riding
Ziplining
Cruises
4 Wheel Driving

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Author Topic: Kauai, HI Master Thread (Read 936904 times)