Frommer's Kauai - Jeanette Foster [83]
Nihi Kai Villas One of the best values in the Poipu Beach area. If you stay 5 nights, the rate for these large, well-equipped, two-bedroom, two-bathroom units starts at an unbelievable $159 a night (for four, which works out to just $40 per person). You may not get new carpeting, new furniture, new drapes, or a prime beachfront location, but you do get a clean, well-cared-for unit just 200 yards from the beach with full kitchen, washer/dryer, and TV/VCR, all at an unbeatable price. The property is a 2-minute walk from world-famous Brennecke’s Beach (great for bodysurfing) and a block from Poipu Beach Park. On-site amenities include an oceanfront swimming pool, tennis and paddle courts, and a barbecue and picnic area. Within a 5-minute drive are two great golf courses, several restaurants, and loads of shopping.
1870 Hoone Rd. Reservations: c/o The Parrish Collection, 3176 Poipu Rd., Suite 1, Koloa, HI 96756. 80 0/325-5701 or 80 8/742-2000. Fax 80 8/742-9093. www.parrishkauai.com. 70 units. Regular rates: $145–$244 1-bedroom double; $159–$380 2-bedroom for 4; $300–$469 3-bedroom/2-bathroom oceanfront for 6 (5-night minimum). Ask about Frommer’s “Special Discount” (5-night minimum). DC, DISC, MC, V. From Poipu Rd., turn toward the ocean on Hoowili Rd., then left on Hoone Rd.; Nihi Kai Villas is just past Nalo Rd. on Hoone Rd. Amenities: Concierge; hot tub; outdoor pool; nearby golf course; tennis courts. In room: TV/VCR, kitchen, Internet.
Moa Better: Chickens & Roosters
One of the first things that visitors notice about Kauai is there seems to be an unusually large number of moa (wild chickens). Kauai has always had a history of having more than its fair share of chickens and roosters running about, but after Hurricane Iniki picked up and scattered the fowl all over the island in 1992, they have been populating at a prodigious rate. Generally, having a few chickens scratching around in the dirt is quaint and downright picturesque. However, the “dark side” of the chicken population explosion is the increase in the number of roosters. In fact, a new industry has cropped up: Rooster Eradicators. Resorts hire these eradicators to remove the roosters from the well-manicured grounds because the large number of these male birds has led to, well, a sort of crowing contest. Generally roosters will crow as the sun comes up. But on Kauai, with the population increase, the roosters crow all day long and throughout the night in some places. Just be warned that part of the “charm” of Kauai is the rooster population, and you might want to consider bringing earplugs.
Poipu Crater Resort Attention, travelers on a budget: Two-bedroom garden-view units for just $119 a night in low season ($60 a couple!) is a deal you can’t pass up. This resort consists of 15 duplexes in a tropical garden setting. Each unit is about 1,500 square feet with living area, kitchen, large lanai, bathroom, and guest bedroom downstairs, and master bedroom and bathroom upstairs. Each has a full kitchen (with microwave), as well as a washer/dryer and VCR. The complex has a swimming pool, tennis and paddle ball courts, sauna, Ping-Pong tables, and barbecues. Poipu Beach is about a 10-minute walk away, and the entire Poipu Beach resort area (offering everything from restaurants to golf courses) is within a 5-minute drive. The only caveats are no maid service and no air-conditioning.
2330 Hoohu Rd., Poipu. Reservations: c/o The Parrish Collection, 3176 Poipu Rd., Suite 1, Koloa, HI 96756. 80 0/325-5701 or 80 8/742-2000. Fax 80 8/742-9093. www.parrishkauai.com. 30 units. $119–$205 2-bedroom garden view (5-night minimum); ask about Frommer’s “Special Discount” (5-night minimum). DC, DISC, MC, V. From Poipu Rd., turn toward the ocean on Hoowili Rd., then left on Hoone Rd.; continue on Hoone Rd., past the bends, where the road is now called Pee Rd; turn left off Pee Rd. onto Hoohu Rd. Amenities: Barbecue area; nearby golf course; outdoor pool; tennis courts. In room: