Frommer's Kauai - Jeanette Foster [79]
2640 Puuholo Rd. Reservations: The Parrish Collection, 3176 Poipu Rd., Koloa, HI 96756. 80 0/325-5701 or 80 8/742-2000. Fax 80 8/742-9093. www.parrishkauai.com. 39 units. $345–$469 2-bedroom, 21⁄2-bathroom. Ask for Frommer’s special discount. DC, DISC, MC, V. Amenities: Barbecue area; concierge; outdoor pool and whirlpool. In room: TV/VCR, hair dryer, kitchen.
The King of Condos
One of the easiest ways to find lodging in the Poipu Beach area is to contact The Parrish Collection (formerly Grantham Resorts), 3176 Poipu Rd., Koloa, HI 96756 ( 80 0/325-5701 or 80 8/742-2000; fax 80 8/742-9093; www.parrishkauai.com), which handles more than 100 “handpicked” rental units for 12 different condo developments, plus dozens of vacation homes, ranging from quaint cottages to elite resort homes. The Parrish Collection has high standards for their rental units and offers extremely fair prices. If the properties are not maintained to their standards, they have no problem taking the units (and, in one case, an entire condominium project) out of their selected rentals. The condos start at $159 for a spacious two-bedroom, garden-view unit in low season, and vacation cottages start at $250 and go up to $4,885 for exquisite multimillion-dollar ocean estates. There’s a 5-night minimum for condos and a 7-night minimum for homes.
If you’re staying on Kauai for 5 days, ask The Parrish Collection about the “Frommer’s Preferred Guest Discount.” You’ll get a large one- or two-bedroom condo, well-equipped (full kitchen, washer/dryer, wet bar, TV/DVD, phone, and most units have high-speed Internet), starting as low as $109 a night for one-bedrooms and $151 for two-bedrooms with garden views, or $180 a night for oceanview condos (see the reviews for Nihi Kai Villas, Poipu Crater Resort, and Waikomo Stream Villas, below). There’s not a better deal on Kauai. Kudos to The Parrish Collection for these fabulous vacation bargains.
MODERATE
Garden Isle Cottages Oceanfront The site is spectacular: a 13-foot cliff overlooking historic Koloa Landing and an ocean inlet (where you can see turtles swimming). Nestled in a tropical garden setting, these one-bedroom apartments have an island feel, with rattan furniture, batiks, and original art on the walls—and great views. (Some of the artwork is by owner Robert Flynn, whose work is also on display at the Honolulu International Airport.) All units, so large that they can easily sleep four, feature full kitchens and spacious lanais. This is a quiet, peaceful place to stay in the heart of the Poipu area, within walking distance of beaches, golf, tennis, shopping, and restaurants.
2666 Puuholo Rd. (overlooking Waikomo Stream), Koloa, HI 96756. 80 0/742-6711 or 80 8/742-6717. www.oceancottages.com. 2 units. High season $240 1-bedroom; low season $216 1-bedroom, plus cleaning fee of $55. Extra person $10. No credit cards. In room: TV, kitchen.
Hideaway Cove Poipu Beach These gorgeous condominium units in a plantation setting are just a short walk to a white sandy beach, and are located next door to an excellent restaurant. The difference between this property and the dozens of others in Poipu is in the details. Amenities are top-drawer, and no expense was spared in the interior decorations. Units have hardwood floors, comfy furniture, roomy beds (either four-poster beds or wood sleigh designs), spacious living areas, kitchenettes with quality appliances and granite countertops, and big outdoor lanais (with top-of-the-line stainless steel grills). You get all of this in a lush, landscaped tropical jungle at affordable prices. Owner Herb Lee is always on hand to guide you to Kauai’s best spots. A few of the units