Frommer's Kauai - Jeanette Foster [94]
Rosewood Bed & Breakfast This lovingly restored century-old plantation home, set amid tropical flowers, lily ponds, and waterfalls, has accommodations to suit everyone. There’s a Laura Ashley–style room in the main house (with a sleigh bed, Jacuzzi bathtub, and heated floor for cool mornings) along with three private cottages: one a miniature of the main house, with oak floors and the same Laura Ashley decor; another is a little grass shack set in a tropical garden, with an authentic thatched roof and an outside shower. There’s also a bunkhouse with three separate small rooms with a shared shower and toilet. Hostess Rosemary Smith also has a list of other properties she manages. Note: Smoking is not permitted on the property.
872 Kamalu Rd., Kapaa, HI 96746. 80 8/822-5216. Fax 80 8/822-5478. www.rosewoodkauai.com. 7 units, 3 with shared bathroom. $95 double in main house (includes continental breakfast); $50–$60 double in bunkhouse; $135 1-bedroom cottage double (sleeps up to 4); $145 2-bedroom cottage (up to 4); $175 3-bedroom home (up to 6). Extra person $15. 3-night minimum. Cleaning fee $25–$200. No credit cards. From Kuhio Hwy. (Hwy. 56), turn left at the light at Coco Palms onto Hwy. 580 (Kuamoo Rd.); go 3 miles; turn right at junction of Hwy. 581 (Kamalu Rd.); go 1 mile and look for the yellow house on the right with the long picket fence in front. In room: No phone. In cottages: TV, computer w/Internet access, hair dryer, kitchen, no phone. In bunkhouse: Kitchenette, no phone.
Wailua Bayview Located right on the ocean, these spacious one-bedroom apartments offer excellent value. All units have ceiling fans, full kitchens (including microwave and dishwasher), washer/dryers, and large lanais. Some have air-conditioning as well. The bedrooms are roomy, and the sofa bed in the living room allows you to sleep up to four. Several of the units were renovated in 1998 with new carpet and reupholstered furniture. Some of the $163 garden units are close to the road and can be noisy; ask for one with air-conditioning, which generally drowns out the street sounds. The oceanview units are more expensive but still a great deal. On-site facilities include a pool and barbecue area. Restaurants, bars, shopping, golf, and tennis are nearby.
320 Papaloa Rd., Kapaa, HI 96746. 80 0/882-9007.www.wailuabay.com. 45 units. $163–$175 double. Cleaning fee $95. 7-night minimum. Dec. 21-Jan. 3, check for 7th night free promotion. Discount car rentals available. AE, DISC, MC, V. Amenities: Barbecue area; small outdoor pool. In room: A/C (most units), TV/VCR, Internet access, kitchen.
SUPER-CHEAP SLEEPS
Kauai International Hostel Located in the heart of Kapaa, a block from the beach, this hostel provides clean rooms in a friendly atmosphere. Guests are generally European backpackers. The low-rise buildings feature a very clean kitchen and laundry facilities, a TV, a pool table, and a barbecue area; just 1 block from the highway, it’s within walking distance of shops and restaurants. In addition to the bunk-bed dorm rooms, there are private rooms for two (with shared bathrooms). There’s also a women-only bunk-bed room.
4532 Lehua St. (off Kuhio Hwy.), Kapaa, HI 96746. 80 8/823-6142.www.kauaiinternationalhostel.com. 32 bunk beds, 6 private rooms (shared bathrooms with showers only). $25 dorm single; $60–$75 private double. AE, MC, V. Amenities: Community-shared kitchen; community TV; pay phone; Internet $3 per 30 minutes. In room: No phone.
Lani-keha Step back in time to the 1940s, when old 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, with oversize picture