Hawaii - Jeff Campbell [405]
Garden Island Inn (Map; 245-7227, 800-648-0154; www.gardenislandinn.com; 3445 Wilcox Rd; r $99-150, ste $145-180; ) You won’t find the Marriott’s beachfront cachet and megapool here. But this two-storey inn across the street holds its own for value and friendliness. Rooms are modest but cheerful, with tropical decor, overhead fans, quality double beds and kitchenettes. The real gems are the suites on the 2nd and 3rd floors, with large ocean-view lanais.
Kaua′i Inn (Map; 245-9000, 800-808-2330; www.kauai-inn.com; 2430 Hulemalu Rd; r with kitchenette incl breakfast $129-149; ) This large inn offers a simple home base away from traffic and crowds. While not fancy (air-con costs $10 per day), the 48 rooms include refrigerator and microwave. Ground-floor rooms have back porches, while 2nd-floor rooms are larger but sans lanai. Rooms vary in decor and bed count.
Kaua′i Beach Villas (Map; 800-367-5025; www.kauaivacationrentals.com; 1br $810-1250 per week, 2br $1050-1750; ) Just north of the Hilton, these condos are like Starbucks coffee. Not fantastic, but definitely better than average. Units include full kitchen, washer-dryer, and lots of space (the two-bedroom/two-bathroom units give two couples ample privacy). Buildings F, G, and H are closest to the ocean and afford the best views. Kauai Vacation Rentals, which manages 30 of the 60 condos, can steer you to an appropriate unit.
Hilton Kaua′i Beach Resort (Map; 245-1955, 888-805-3843, www.hilton.com; 4331 Kaua′i Beach Dr; r $189-229; ) While it doesn’t quite live up to the ‘resort’ in its name, the 350-room Hilton is a decent business-class hotel. The location, north of Lihu′e, might strike you as ‘middle of nowhere’ because there’s no beach akin to the Marriott’s first-class Kalapaki Beach, but it does offer a quieter setting and lower rates. There are restaurants and a spa on-site.
Kaua′i Marriott Resort (Map; 245-5050, 800-220-2925; www.marriotthotels.com; 3610 Rice St; r $219-429; ) For the complete resort experience, the Marriott won’t disappoint. It’s got user-friendly Kalapaki Beach, two top golf courses, the island’s liveliest oceanfront restaurant and a gargantuan pool that could provide all-day entertainment. With 366 hotel rooms and 464 timeshare rooms, finding your door can be a major hike. Room decor and amenities are standard and rather staid. If you can afford an oceanfront unit, go for it. The view is worth it.
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EATING & DRINKING
Budget
Hamura Saimin (Map; 245-3271; 2956 Kress St; noodles $3.75-4.50; 10am-10pm Mon-Thu, to midnight Fri & Sat, to 9pm Sun) An island institution, Hamura’s is a hole-in-the-wall specializing in homemade saimin (local-style noodle soup). Service can be abrupt (think Soup Nazi from Seinfeld) so don’t hem and haw. Expect crowds at lunchtime, slurping noodles elbow-to-elbow at orange U-shaped counters. It’s stifling inside with noodles boiling and no air-con, but save room for the other specialty, liliko′i (passion fruit) chiffon pie.
Tip Top Café & Sushi Katsu (Map; 245-2333; 3173 Akahi St; breakfast mains $4.50-10, lunch mains $5.50-11; café 6:30am-2pm, Sushi Katsu 11am-2pm & 5:30-9pm Tue-Sun) We give this retro diner a C for atmosphere and an A for good ol’ fashioned eats. The main draws are its famous pancakes and oxtail soup. Meat eaters, go local with loco moco (two fried eggs, hamburger patty, rice and gravy), saimin and beef stew. Sushi Katsu offers value-priced sushi and Japanese dishes.
Deli & Bread Connection (Map; 245-7115; Kukui Grove Shopping Center; 3-2600 Kaumuali′i Hwy; sandwiches $5-7; 9:30am-7pm Mon-Thu & Sat, to 9pm Fri, 10am-6pm Sun) Choose from the gamut of all-American, meal-sized sandwiches, including classics like hot tuna melts and classic clubs. Vegetarians won’t starve with a nonmeat burger layered with mushrooms, pesto and melted mozzarella. Fringe benefit: it’s at the mall but not a chain.
Garden Island Barbecue & Chinese Restaurant (Map; 245-8868; 4252 Rice St; plate lunches $5-6.25, mains $7-9; 10am-9pm) Tasty, filling, cheap Chinese food. No surprise, it’s a hit.