Frommer's Kauai - Jeanette Foster [87]
4579 Puuwai Rd. (P.O. Box 872), Kalaheo, HI 96741. /fax 80 8/332-7812. 1 unit. $65 double. Extra person $10. 2-night minimum. No credit cards. Turn off Hwy. 50 toward the mountain onto Puuwai Rd. at Steve’s Mini Mart, then turn right immediately again to stay on Puuwai Rd. In room: TV/VCR, kitchenette.
Seaview Suite Even if you are on a really tight budget, you can still stay in the popular south shore area. Located in a private home in a residential area about a 15-minute drive from the beach is this budget place with two small but affordable rooms. The Seaview Suite, a large studio with separate bedroom area hidden behind sliding shoji doors, contains a full kitchen, big bathroom, walk-in closet, and private lanai with barbecue. Downstairs, owner Monica has added a tiny “ti suite” for those on a very strict budget. The small one-room unit has a tiny kitchenette (microwave, full-size refrigerator), a king-size bed, and just enough room for a small sitting area with TV. Great for the frugal crowd that plans to come home only to sleep. Monica has lots of beach paraphernalia she’s happy to loan out and her husband recently added a washer/dryer laundry area just for the two units.
3913 Ulualii St., Kalaheo, HI 96741. /fax 80 8/332-9744. www.seakauai.com. 2 units. $75 small studio; $95 larger studio. $10 extra person. 3-night minimum. Credit cards through Pay Pal. Amenities: Complimentary watersports equipment. In room: TV/VCR, Internet, full kitchen in 1 unit, kitchenette in other.
3 Western Kauai
Inn Waimea The former residence of a church pastor (good karma!), converted into a four-suite inn, this quaint two-story inn occupies an ideal location in Waimea. It is 1 block from the ocean, 1 block from “downtown,” and walking distance to restaurants and shops. Each of the suites is uniquely decorated and has a special feature; for example, one room has a Jacuzzi for two, another room has an ADA-compliant shower. All of the rooms have private phones (free local phone calls), bathroom, coffeemaker, refrigerator, cable TV, ceiling fans, even free high-speed Internet. The same company also has one- and two-bedroom cottages available in the Waimea area. If you plan to visit the North Shore, this is not a good location, as you will be on the road doing quite a bit of driving.
4469 Halepule Rd., Waimea, HI 96796. 80 8/338-0031. Fax 80 8/338-1814. www.innwaimea.com. $110–$145 double rooms; $150 double cottages. 3-night minimum for cottages. Extra person $25. AE, MC, V. Amenities: Barbecue. In room: TV, fridge, free Wi-Fi. Cottages: TV, kitchen.
Kokee Lodge This is an excellent choice, especially if you want to do some hiking in Waimea Canyon and Kokee State Park. There are two types of cabins here: The older ones have dormitory-style sleeping arrangements (and resemble a youth hostel), while the new ones have two separate bedrooms each. Both styles sleep six and come with cooking utensils, bedding, and linens. We recommend the newer units, which have wood floors, cedar walls, and more modern kitchen facilities (some are wheelchair-accessible as well). There are no phones or TVs in the units, but there is a pay phone at the general store. You can purchase firewood for the cabin stove at Kokee Lodge, where a restaurant is open for continental breakfast and lunch every day. The lodge also has a cocktail lounge, a general store, and a gift shop. Warning for light sleepers: This area is home to lots of roosters