Frommer's Kauai - Jeanette Foster [9]
9 The Best Inexpensive Accommodations
• Brennecke’s Beach Bungalow ( 88 8/393-4646): Attention honeymooners (or honeymooner wannabes): This is your place—so close to Poipu Beach that you can see it from your private lanai (about a 45-second walk from the front door to the waves). Tucked into a large two-story house is this private-entrance studio decorated with bamboo floors, maple cabinets, and lots of Hawaiian decor. This studio also has a small kitchenette (microwave, toaster oven, blender, coffeemaker, and fridge), cozy sitting area, and a comfortable bed. Outdoors there’s a beach shower, barbecue area, and a big, green lawn. Restaurants, dining, tennis, and golf are just minutes away. Starting at $150 per night.
• Ellie’s Koloa House ( 80 8/635-0054): This two-bedroom/two-bathroom home, surrounded by tropical gardens, is for the traveler who wants a “real” Hawaii experience living in a residential area among locals. The house (with full kitchen) has antique furniture re-covered in old Hawaiian print fabric, with paddle fans to keep the house cool, TV, washer and dryer, and barbecue. Just a mile and a half to the beach and within walking distance to Koloa town’s shops and restaurants. Prices are $125 and up.
• Garden Island Inn ( 80 0/648-0154): Centrally located (a couple of miles from the airport, walking distance to the beach), this small inn has comfortable accommodations at budget prices (from $99).
• Kalaheo Inn ( 88 8/332-6023): What a deal! This boutique inn, located in the community of Kalaheo (10 min. to the beach, walking distance to great restaurants) is comfy, clean, and terrific for families. Prices start at $83.
• Kauai Cove ( 80 0/624-9945): These immaculate cottages, located just 300 feet from Koloa Landing and next to Waikomo Stream, are the perfect private getaway. Each studio has a full kitchen, a private lanai (with barbecue grill), and a big bamboo four-poster bed. The cozy rooms feature beautiful hardwood floors, tropical decor, and cathedral ceilings. The cottages are close enough for walks to sandy beaches, great restaurants, and shopping, yet far enough off the beaten path that privacy and quiet are assured. From $99 a night.
10 The Best Bed & Breakfasts
• Hale Ho’o Maha ( 80 0/851-0291): Kirby Guyer and her husband Toby custom-designed this B&B located on the North Shore in the Hanalei area known as Wainiha. Overlooking the mountains, waterfalls, and pristine Wainiha Bay, the Hawaiian antiques–filled home is just 110 steps to the beach (and a 10-min. drive to golf courses, shops, restaurants, and two riding stables). This spacious five-bedroom/five-and-a-half-bathroom home features an elevator (something you don’t often see on Kauai). Guests are welcome to use the gourmet kitchen, gas barbecue, washer/dryer, refrigerator with ice maker/water, and TV/VCR/DVD in the “great room.” Use of the boogie boards and snorkel equipment, beach chairs, towels, and coolers is all complimentary.
• Lani-keha ( 80 0/821-4898): Step back in time to the 1940s, when Hawaiian families lived in open, airy, rambling homes on large plots of land lush with fruit trees and sweet-smelling flowers. This gracious age is still alive and well in Lani-keha, a kamaaina (old-timer) home with an open living/game/writing/dining room and oversize picture windows to take in the views. Bedrooms come with private bathrooms. The house is elegant yet casual, with old-style rattan furniture—practicality and comfort outweigh design aesthetics.
• Marjorie’s Kauai Inn ( 80 0/717-8838): This quiet property, perched on the side of a hill, is just 10 minutes from Poipu Beach and 5 minutes from Old Koloa Town. From its large lanai it offers stunning views over rolling pastures and the Lawai Valley. Every unit has a kitchenette with dining table, ceiling fan, and lanai. The new Sunset View unit has a separate sitting area and a futon sofa