Kauai - accommodation advice please!

Hi,

I am in the early early stages of planning a trip to Kauai.

Thinking of going either the first 2 weeks of March (DH birthday) or the first 2 weeks of April 2007.

I already have a copy of the Ultimate Kauai Guidebook.

But I need some help/advice on where to stay.

Has anyone stayed at or know anything about the following places-:

1. Kalalea Kauai Guest House

www.kalaleakauai.com

2. Kauai Palms Inn

www.kauaipalmsinn.com

3. Kauai Country Inn (Orchid Suite or Yellow Ginger Suite)

www.kauaicountryinn.com

4. www.vrbo.com/74265

5. Woodrose Cottate

www.woodrosekauai.com/woodrose.htm

6. Hale Maalea Cottage

www.alternative-hawaii.com/halemaalea/

7. Kauai Banyan Inn

www.kauaibanyan.com

The more I keep looking, the more overwhelmed I get.

Also, will I need airconditioning - coming from Alaska, anything over 70 degrees is a heat wave!!

Would April be better than March, or is there not that much difference at that time of the year. DH would prefer to go in March.

Thanks a bunch

Gilbert56

Kauai - accommodation advice please!

Good morning Gilbert! You are going to love Kauai!! Gee, as a fellow Alaskan, I would go in March, just because it%26#39;s nice to leave here during the winter. I have only been to Kauai during the summer, but never felt the need for air-conditioning - there were always nice breezes, so it never had that overwhelming hot feeling like I have felt in other places. But perhaps that depends on what part of the island you are staying as well - I have only been on the Northshore.

This is a great forum, so you should receive lots of helpful replies. The book is great as well.

Have a wonderful trip, even if it is a year away! :)

Kauai - accommodation advice please!

Check when Easter is next year before deciding on your timing. You don%26#39;t want to try either the week before Easter or during Spring Break. March would probably work for you. The weather should be good and not terribly hot with the trades blowing.

The only caveat I would include to the above is that it can still be quite rainy in March - especially on the north and east shores. This past March was exceptionally rainy with flash flooding and all sorts of problems, even though those storms were coming from the south.

Hopefully there won%26#39;t be a repeat performance next year, but it may be something to keep in mind.

I think March is closer to ';prime'; whale season, although you may still see some in April...

Thanks for the info so far.

I checked online and Easter is in early April, so I am pretty sure it will be the first 2 weeks of March (hubbys birthday).

Can anyone comment on the accommodation choices??

Thanks again

Gilbert56

Anyone ???

Gilbert

depending on how high end you are willing to go and given the time of year you are planning I%26#39;d suggest staying in the ';sunny'; south shore or perhaps the west coast area. My suggestion (and where I just spend 8 exceptional days and nights) is The Grand Hyatt Kauai. It is located in the South Shore area (Poipu) and is close to a lot of different areas of interest. Also if by chance you encounter a rainy day there is plenty to do on the Hyatt grounds. There is a fabulous spa, gym and yoga room. There are numerous pools and nearby hiking trails as well. There are plenty of restaurants and eating options on the property and some nice shops too. They have some resident koi fish, swans, nee nee%26#39;s and some black swans too. and oh yes the Grey Heron . They also have a variety of exotic birds on display in the morning until early afternoon. Being an avid animal and nature lover I was happy to have all the animal life around me.

Hope this helps you out in your decision making. We are hoping to get up to Alaska sometime in the near future. I%26#39;d love to do some whale watching up there. I hear it is gorgeous!

You have plenty of time to plan. Kauai isn%26#39;t that big and it is a very relaxed place. Make sure you book one of the Zodiac boat tours and a helicopter tour. Those will be highlights in your trip.

jlh67

A BIG NO NO to large expensive resorts - they have absolutely NO appeal to me whatsoever. Many people love them, and I%26#39;m glad they enjoy them, but not me.

Thanks anyway.

Gilbert - I am with you on the resort thing. I did look at all of the sites you listed but two that wouldn%26#39;t work (vrbo and woodrose). They all look lovely - I wouldn%26#39;t hesitate to stay in any of them. Maybe it depends more on what town you want to be near . . . or how near some of them are to the beach - perhaps that would help you determine which accommodation would best suit you. I have a preference for the North shore, but I also haven%26#39;t stayed during the season you are going. I wish I could help . . . how I would love to be paid to go hang in Kauai and check out all the accommodations! Just saw a swan today in the Nenana river - so pretty, Spring is here! :)