Hawaii - Jeff Campbell [414]
Festivals & Events
Taste of Hawaii (www.tasteofhawaii.com) On the first Sunday in June, the Rotary Club of Kapa′a hosts the ‘Ultimate Sunday Brunch’ at Smith’s Tropical Paradise. For $85 to $95 per person, indulge in gourmet samples by 50 distinguished local chefs. With additional booths offering wines, microbrews, ice cream and desserts, you’re liable to stuff yourself silly here.
Aloha Festivals Royal Court Investiture (332-7888; www.alohafestivals.com) The statewide Aloha Festivals in late August is launched on each island with presentation of a royal court. Held at Kamokila Hawaiian Village, the event includes special ceremonies of traditional chanting and hula.
Sleeping
Note that many condos, B&Bs and inns require a three-night minimum and a cleaning fee. For condos, we list contact info for the agency managing the majority of units, but also check www.vrbo.com and smaller agencies. Rosewood Kaua′i (822-5216; www.rosewoodkauai.com), which represents not only condos but many outstanding vacation rental homes in Wailua and Kapa′a.
BUDGET
Bunk House at Rosewood Kaua′i (822-5216; www.rosewoodkauai.com; 872 Kamalu Rd; r with shared bathroom $50-60; ) Hostelers will be forever spoiled by these meticulously tidy bunk rooms with private entrances and kitchenettes. Expect a cleaning fee ($25). For a step up, inquire about the picturesque ‘Victorian cottage’ ($145), and ‘thatched cottage’ ($135), which are also on the storybook-pretty property, complete with white picket fence.
Lani Keha (822-1605; www.lanikeha.com; 848 Kamalu Rd; s/d from $65/75; ) Solo travelers and sociable types will appreciate the low-key, communal atmosphere in this longtime guesthouse. Nothing fancy, the three rooms feature lauhala-mat flooring, king beds and well-worn but clean furnishings. Gather round the kitchen and living room.
Garden Room (822-5216, 822-3817; 6430 Ahele Dr; r $75; ) Find serenity in an immaculate studio overlooking a gorgeous pond with waterlilies and koi (Japanese carp). The aptly named room is compact (hotel-room size) but delightful, with a private entrance, kitchenette and generous welcome basket. Expect to be charmed by the host couple, longtime Kaua′i residents who make guests feel welcome.
Sleeping Giant Cottage (505-401-4403; www.wanek.com/sleepinggiant; 5979 Heamoi Pl; 1br cottage $95; ) Be lord of the castle (no shared walls) at this airy plantation-style bungalow, pleasantly appointed with hardwood floor, kitchen, comfortably sized bedroom and living-dining room, plus a huge screened patio facing a backyard garden. Cleaning fee is $50; discounts for weekly or monthly stays.
MIDRANGE & TOP END
Inn Paradise (822-2542; www.innparadisekauai.com; 6381 Makana Rd; studio/1br/2br incl breakfast $85/100/120; ) Consistently ranked at the top on TripAdvisor, this longtime B&B sets the standard: classy units, spectacular garden view and charming innkeepers. Pick from three different-sized units, all with private entrance and kitchen or kitchenette. Reasonable rates, scrumptious breakfast fixings and shared washer-dryer clinch the deal.
Opaeka′a Falls Hale (888-822-9956; www.opaekaafallskauai.ws; 120 Lihau St; 1br incl breakfast $110-130; ) At a whopping 1000-plus sq ft each, these immaculate B&B units are bigger than the average city apartment. The two units overlook Wailua’s emerald valleys and each includes full kitchen (stocked with breakfast fixings) and private lanai, phone and washer-dryer, plus a lovely swimming pool. DSL internet access only in the upstairs unit. Cleaning fee ($50) charged.
Fern Grotto Inn (821-9836; www.ferngrottoinn.com; 4561 Kuamo′o Rd; cottages $99-150, house $275; ) Charmingly retro, these remodeled, 1940s plantation-style cottages vary in size, but all feature hardwood