Another Luau Question

Sorry, but another luau question. I have read dozens of threads and am still undecided about our week on Kauai in a few weeks.

We are staying at Anini Beach. Me, hubby, 9-month old daughter, and hubby%26#39;s parents (early/late 60s). I am trying to look at the cruise ship calendar as well thinking that if a ship is in port the Smith%26#39;s luau may be more crowded - or who knows - they both may be completely full anyway. We have narrowed it down to two:

Princeville ($99 each except for father in law - he is $90 - and baby is free) = about $390 plus tax

Smith%26#39;s ($70 each, baby free) = $280 plus tax

I like the idea of a beach setting, mother in law will enjoy the food and show, and hubby likes the idea of saving money and more authentic. Princeville is only Mon/Thurs (cruise ships in port) and Smith%26#39;s is available a night a ship is not in port (we would go on Tues night of our Sat-Sat stay)

What would you suggest? I think what I just said splits it all up - beach vs authentic/cost. Thanks in advance! :)

Another Luau Question

Smith%26#39;s is great but remember not to drink to many of the free Miatias...it%26#39;s a 45 minute drive on an unfamiliar road.

Another Luau Question

Good point about the drive. The baby is still getting mommy%26#39;s milk, so that usually automatically puts me as designated driver since I%26#39;m not supposed to have beverages while nursing. The others could enjoy mai tais though! :)

Aloha from Kaua%26#39;i!

Well, I%26#39;ll give you my opinion of these two lu%26#39;aus -- Smith%26#39;s (IMO) is the best lu%26#39;au on the island -- bearing in mind that all commercial lu%26#39;aus are just that -- commercial......for any of them on Kaua%26#39;i it is certainly the least commercial in that it has been operating and run by the same Kaua%26#39;i born family for about 40 years -- the girls that work at the show are all dancers from local hula halaus (hula schools) and aren%26#39;t picked solely for their looks (unlike many other shows which go for the ';showgirl type';) -- it is a much more authentic experience than some of the other shows which are far more high-glitz -- the setting is lovely, a rock ampitheatre in a garden of tropical flowers. The Smiths also operate the Fern Grotto boats and Smith%26#39;s Tropical Paradise (which is actually where the lu%26#39;au is held) -- they are an old kama%26#39;aina family and have deep roots here on the island.

Princeville%26#39;s lu%26#39;au is much newer obviously -- they have some very talented dancers, but are much more of a ';Hollywood Hula'; style show (again IMO) -- more glitz and flash. It is not actually held on the beach either, from what I remember (unless they have changed) - it is up on the area by the swimming pool.

Each has things to recommend them -- some people want a more flashy show and some a more low-key Kaua%26#39;i style experience -- it just depends on your taste!

My vote always goes to Smith%26#39;s.

Malama Pono,

Janet

Thank you Janet! I believe we are leaning more heavily towards Smith%26#39;s. I appreciate your feedback and look forward to visiting!

Okay - we called hubby%26#39;s parents today (they live in a different state) to make sure they want to go to a luau while on Kauai, and apparently hubby%26#39;s dad has been talking to people at work. They were saying there was a hotel that had the most authentic luau on Kauai and had not heard of Smith%26#39;s. (????) I had to ask hubby if his dad knew for sure he was asking about Kauai and not a different island. Anyway, I know I have been following this board the past six months and have done some searches. Could there be any truth in what his dad is believing at this point - that one of the hotels has a more authentic luau than Smiths%26#39;s? I hope to book one today...