Kauai Travel Forum

Hello,

I am sifting through information for a trip in a year or so-- my husband and I and our two children (6 and 9 then). Has anyone been to the Hanalei Colony Resort lately? Is it a good place for families? The north end of the island looks beautiful, but I have heard than rain and getting around is more difficult? I don't know how much of an issue that is.

I also keep seeing descriptions of the Waimai plantation cottages in the central (?) part of the island. Anyone been there?

The Sheraton and Hyatt look great for families, but are really costly, and we'd really like to find a place not quite as crowded as a large hotel.

Please pass along any thoughts or suggestions.

Thanks!

I have heard great things about both of those places, but don't know from personal experience. I would think, though, that specifically the plantation cottages wouldnt be all that kid friendly. I would recommend staying at a condo if you dont want to do the big touristy Marriott or Hyatt. I just stayed at one in Lihue, which was a perfect location in between the north and south shores. There is a pool there and it is walking distance from Lydgate Park, a beach that always has good snorkeling in calm waters as it is enclosed by boulders, so it is great for kids. We stayed at the Kaha Lani resort -- there were plenty of people around, but nowhere near what it was like walking through beach area at the Marriott. It was very nice to have a kitchen, too, as being there for 9 days, sometimes you just want to throw a steak on the grill for dinner!

Waimea Plantation Cottages is located on the southwest coast of Kaua'i. They are in the town of Waimea located ocean front. However, you should not swim in the ocean. The Waimea River empties into the ocean just east of here and clouds the water with its runoff. This cloudy water is ideal shark feeding ground. In one of my Kaua'i Travelogues, I have aerial photos (taken during my ultralight flight over the island) of severe runoff affecting this area.

We stayed here back in 2001. We had Cottage A. It had a large, finely landscaped lawn with a large banyan tree and a great lanai to lounge upon. The cottage itself, as all the buildings here are, was an old plantation house that was moved here and restored. Cottage A was a manager's or even an owners quarters back in its day, so it is larger than most of the other cottages here. The cottage, although restored, still holds an image of long ago. There is no A/C, but the wind crosses through nicely. However, if you're from a northern climate, it may be a little too warm for you.

It's a lovely place and will certainly wisk you away to a simpler time long ago.

I should point out that it is warmest during the midday hours at Waimea Plantation Cottages. Mornings and evenings were very cool inside the cottage with the breeze wafting through.