usvi-on-line
First Time to Kauai Trip Report (Long)
We were going to change things up and go to Mexico for our Christmas vacation this year. After seeing all of the problems Mexico is having right now we decided that we want to stay in the USA.
We have been wanting to go back to Hawaii, specifically Kauai, and I think this is going to be the year to do it.
So, I just started looking last night. The airfare is just over $1000 per person (typical for XMAS travel--I know shocking for those of you who don't travel during tourist season). Is that a fair rate right now?? We are from Iowa and there is not a direct flight. Note: fly time and cooler waters have been part of why we haven't gone back to Hawaii. Anyway, I am going to use economy plus through United like Chicagians did.
My husband said that there are deals right now and that I am probably missing them. I might use a travel agent this time. I think with the economy problems that it would be wiser to get some help. Do you agree??
Also, Chicago, is the place, Kauia Plantation, that you stayed on the North side?? I have asked questions on tripadvisor about the area to stay at during December and they are telling me North. Also, how did you book the condo?
I see that you did a lot in the water, including surfing lessons (FUN!), are you normally a family that tolerates the cold well?? We, especially myself, have a really hard time jumping in frigid water unless it is 90 degrees out.
Any other suggestions??
We have been wanting to go back to Hawaii, specifically Kauai, and I think this is going to be the year to do it.
So, I just started looking last night. The airfare is just over $1000 per person (typical for XMAS travel--I know shocking for those of you who don't travel during tourist season). Is that a fair rate right now?? We are from Iowa and there is not a direct flight. Note: fly time and cooler waters have been part of why we haven't gone back to Hawaii. Anyway, I am going to use economy plus through United like Chicagians did.
My husband said that there are deals right now and that I am probably missing them. I might use a travel agent this time. I think with the economy problems that it would be wiser to get some help. Do you agree??
Also, Chicago, is the place, Kauia Plantation, that you stayed on the North side?? I have asked questions on tripadvisor about the area to stay at during December and they are telling me North. Also, how did you book the condo?
I see that you did a lot in the water, including surfing lessons (FUN!), are you normally a family that tolerates the cold well?? We, especially myself, have a really hard time jumping in frigid water unless it is 90 degrees out.
Any other suggestions??
Thank you Jim. We are over 5 hours from Minneapolis. That probably will not work. It is tempting because I really don't like flying--the seats just do not have enough leg room and I swear that I am ALWAYS in a middle seat with two men on each side of me taking the arm rests. One of them is my husband!!
That would save us about a grand though with the 4 of us. It is something to think about.
Gina
That would save us about a grand though with the 4 of us. It is something to think about.
Gina
-
chicagoans
- Posts: 1586
- Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:51 pm
- Location: IL
Hello Gina,
Kiahuna Plantation (where we stayed) is on the South Shore in Poipu. The reason I chose South Shore, even though the North Shore is more lush and stunning (think Jurassic Park), is because we went in December. The high North Shore surf in the winter decided us. (I read alot about where to stay, and the recommendations were all North in the summer, South in the winter. That's from TA, so if you were told North that's funny because I was told the opposite.) See this link:
http://www.kauaiexplorer.com/guides/bea ... trends.php
I would love to go back in the summer and stay on the North Shore!
Check out this link for investigating lodging; scroll down to the map and click on a resort name: http://www.wizardpub.com/kauai/kauaerials.html
I selected the resort first (I liked that I could get a nice condo on a beautiful, swimmable beach), then I looked on VRBO to find individual units. I rented direct through the owner. That let me save some money (about $30/night) and also it let me reserve a specific unit. The management company wouldn't guarantee a unit OR building, just a room type, and I didn't want to be in a back row building. If you're interested in Kiahuna, I'd be happy to PM you with the list of condos that I looked into. (FYI the first many that I called were already booked in February for a New Years week trip.)
Regarding flights, $1000 does sound high even for high season. Have you tried using Kayak.com? You can track flights and it will let you know when the fare drops. Also, I haven't done this but alot of people tag their flights with Yapta when they book, and if the fare drops they often get a credit back.
Regarding cold water... I spent a few summers life guarding on Lake Michigan. I remember bringing buoys out into the water in May, when the water was so cold I couldn't feel my feet when I got out. Yikes. So I think my tolerance for cold water is a bit higher than normal! In Kauai we all were fine in the water -- we were in it for a long time every day. I do think it was cooler than the water in STJ though, for the same time of year. But still definitely fine for swimming and snorkeling.
Hope this helps!
Kiahuna Plantation (where we stayed) is on the South Shore in Poipu. The reason I chose South Shore, even though the North Shore is more lush and stunning (think Jurassic Park), is because we went in December. The high North Shore surf in the winter decided us. (I read alot about where to stay, and the recommendations were all North in the summer, South in the winter. That's from TA, so if you were told North that's funny because I was told the opposite.) See this link:
http://www.kauaiexplorer.com/guides/bea ... trends.php
I would love to go back in the summer and stay on the North Shore!
Check out this link for investigating lodging; scroll down to the map and click on a resort name: http://www.wizardpub.com/kauai/kauaerials.html
I selected the resort first (I liked that I could get a nice condo on a beautiful, swimmable beach), then I looked on VRBO to find individual units. I rented direct through the owner. That let me save some money (about $30/night) and also it let me reserve a specific unit. The management company wouldn't guarantee a unit OR building, just a room type, and I didn't want to be in a back row building. If you're interested in Kiahuna, I'd be happy to PM you with the list of condos that I looked into. (FYI the first many that I called were already booked in February for a New Years week trip.)
Regarding flights, $1000 does sound high even for high season. Have you tried using Kayak.com? You can track flights and it will let you know when the fare drops. Also, I haven't done this but alot of people tag their flights with Yapta when they book, and if the fare drops they often get a credit back.
Regarding cold water... I spent a few summers life guarding on Lake Michigan. I remember bringing buoys out into the water in May, when the water was so cold I couldn't feel my feet when I got out. Yikes. So I think my tolerance for cold water is a bit higher than normal! In Kauai we all were fine in the water -- we were in it for a long time every day. I do think it was cooler than the water in STJ though, for the same time of year. But still definitely fine for swimming and snorkeling.
Hope this helps!
Chicagoans: thank you for all of your help! I am looking at kayak now. I haven’t heard of it. Right now I could get flights at United for $1300.00 per person (went up?? I saw a 3 yesterday and thought it was 1030 but now I doubt that I saw it right--I am not dyslexic really!) but at Kayak it looks like $2300 per person. I must be doing something wrong. I did sign up for an email so I assume that it will let me know when prices drop. I am normally not very hopeful. Update: I found flights for 934 today through travelstoremaker. Has anyone heard of it?? I might book it but need to know if it is a reputable site.
I was wrong about what I thought tripadvisor was saying. They were suggesting going South. That makes a lot more sense.
I am going to look into Kiahuna Plantation a little closer. Thank you for the link! I really like Whaler’s. The pool is heated and there is a hot tub. I think I am your polar opposite when it comes to cool water. I would not be about to bring the buoys in the water like you did! My hero!
I was wrong about what I thought tripadvisor was saying. They were suggesting going South. That makes a lot more sense.
I am going to look into Kiahuna Plantation a little closer. Thank you for the link! I really like Whaler’s. The pool is heated and there is a hot tub. I think I am your polar opposite when it comes to cool water. I would not be about to bring the buoys in the water like you did! My hero!
Oh, did you have to go and do that? Lappert's....yum. Caramel Coconut Macadamia Nut.....that was some good stuff. Now I'm thinking of a Lappert's ice cream cone, a Kalapaki Beach Hut burger, and a stroll on Tunnels Beach.....NoTanLines wrote:I'm hankering for some of Lappert's Kauai Pie ice cream (Kona coffee ice cream swirled with chocolate fudge, coconut flakes, macadamia nuts and vanilla cake crunch).
Hey Chicagoans: We are going to Kauai (finally) in June. We are staying on the North side, Princeville. The place we are staying at is Pu'u Po'a. We are staying on the top floor and have A/C. Have you been there?
When we went to Playa we didn't take the advice to go to Akumal and I really regret it so I just want to run it by the forum to get advice.
I saw your advice about staying at the Big Island and staying at Kona Village. That looks amazing and if we ever get there I think that looks like a great property!
Gina
When we went to Playa we didn't take the advice to go to Akumal and I really regret it so I just want to run it by the forum to get advice.
I saw your advice about staying at the Big Island and staying at Kona Village. That looks amazing and if we ever get there I think that looks like a great property!
Gina
Great report and pictures-you must have some wonderful neighbors too! 
It's such a beautiful island. I was lucky enough to have friends who lived in kapa'a for a while so got to visit them -it is a long flight from the east coast but so worth it!
If you get a chance go to Hanalei while you're there, the beautiful "south pacific" beach, taro fields, etc. I took a helicopter ride over the na pali coast and loved it (I was trying to conquer one of my fears and actually did pretty well!
)Amazing scenery -fantastic pictures/views.
I wish Hawaii was closer-the islands are so beautiful-have fun XOXO and whomever else is going!
It's such a beautiful island. I was lucky enough to have friends who lived in kapa'a for a while so got to visit them -it is a long flight from the east coast but so worth it!
If you get a chance go to Hanalei while you're there, the beautiful "south pacific" beach, taro fields, etc. I took a helicopter ride over the na pali coast and loved it (I was trying to conquer one of my fears and actually did pretty well!
)Amazing scenery -fantastic pictures/views.I wish Hawaii was closer-the islands are so beautiful-have fun XOXO and whomever else is going!
-
chicagoans
- Posts: 1586
- Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:51 pm
- Location: IL
It was fun to see this resurrected on a Monday morning when I'm battling a nasty cold -- ugg!
XOXO I'm so excited for you that you're going to Kauai! It's really breath-taking.
Sadly we never made it up to the North Shore at all. They had lots of rain while we were there; in fact the beach at Hanalei Bay was closed for swimming one day because of all the run-off. (We would check the weather each morning and it just never looked good up there, so we stayed south.) That just means we have to go back to see the amazing sights on the North Shore!
If you haven't purchased a book yet, I'd recommend it. Great advice for hikes, snorkels, etc. We used the Ultimate Kauai Guide (A. Doughty) although there are many on island who aren't a fan of his books. (He has a rather cavalier attitude about trespassing.) Another popular book is Kauai Underground Guide.
Have a wonderful time and be sure to post a TR!
XOXO I'm so excited for you that you're going to Kauai! It's really breath-taking.
Sadly we never made it up to the North Shore at all. They had lots of rain while we were there; in fact the beach at Hanalei Bay was closed for swimming one day because of all the run-off. (We would check the weather each morning and it just never looked good up there, so we stayed south.) That just means we have to go back to see the amazing sights on the North Shore!
If you haven't purchased a book yet, I'd recommend it. Great advice for hikes, snorkels, etc. We used the Ultimate Kauai Guide (A. Doughty) although there are many on island who aren't a fan of his books. (He has a rather cavalier attitude about trespassing.) Another popular book is Kauai Underground Guide.
Have a wonderful time and be sure to post a TR!
Thanks so much for this trip report! We went to Kauai several years ago and stayed on the north shore at Hanalei Bay......absolutely amazing!! The area where we stayed was where the original musical "South Pacific" was filmed. We took the helicopter tour over Waimea Canyon, and beautiful just doesn't do it justice.....it was beyond breathtaking!