Kauai Frist-times - Lodging/Activity Tips.

Hi: We are triying to plan a trip to Kauai over Thanksgiving for our family of 4 and would like some suggestions on the best places to stay either hotel or condos. Our children are typical 6 %26amp; 9 year olds - give them a sandy beach with safe swimming and they%26#39;re happy! We also love to snorkle and take kid-friendly hikes. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Kauai Frist-times - Lodging/Activity Tips.

Thanksgiving time can mean rougher water on the east and north sides. I%26#39;d steer toward Poipu. After that it%26#39;s budget. With unlimited cash it%26#39;s hard to beat the pool and salt water pools at the Hyatt. Esp for kids that age. The beach itself (shipwrecks) is iffy for swimming but you%26#39;re only a 5 min drive from Brennekes which has safer swimming.

The Sheraton has a better beach which they share with some condos. Skim earlier threads re poipu condos or perhaps Janet or Denny will be along in a bit to identify the ones with the best beach access (Kiahuna Plantation????)

Kaha Lani condos are pretty good too. The beach there can be real rough but a few hundred yards stroll brings you to Lydgate park where there is a rocked off area with lifequards where swimming is good. You also have th Kamalani playground there.

As for hiking etc. Just skim backwards a few dozen pages. There are many older threads with that sort of info.

Kauai Frist-times - Lodging/Activity Tips.

Aloha from Kaua%26#39;i!

I live here on the South Shore in the Po%26#39;ipu Beach area -- so I%26#39;ll try to help you out!

As far as hotels go -- you have either the Grand Hyatt or the Sheraton -- the Hyatt is wonderful with several pools and waterslides, but the lovely beach isn%26#39;t swimmable. The Sheraton is much smaller, lovely though and on a usually swimmable beach---the downside -- it is in the middle of the construction boom that is going on in that area (see other threads about construction in the area).

I%26#39;d suggest staying at a condo east of Po%26#39;ipu Beach Park - places such as Po%26#39;ipu Kai, Nihi Kai -- all are within easy walking to lovely beaches such as Brennecke%26#39;s Beach and the very family popular Po%26#39;ipu Beach Park.

There are other condos in that area as well -- these are just two of the better ones and well known -- if you stay in that area you will be well at the far end of the major construction zones in the area and you will also have lovely keiki friendly beaches!

Good luck!

Malama Pono,

Janet

Also agree with the kids swimming at the protected area on the left side of poipu beach. Snorkeling is on the right side with mom and dad!

Easy walk from the Sheraton, or Kiahuna Plantation, and as Janet recommended Poipu Kai, or Nihi Kai condos.

Brennecks is open to the seas, with many boogie borders, and body surfers, and larger waves rolling in. Usually, a close in shore break.

Whoa, I just saw that you are from '; surf city'; , do you and the kids body surf at the pier, or at Seal ? I would think 6 is a little young for brenneckes, but the south shore is calmer in the winter...north shore is body whomping huge at times. UNSAFE PERIOD !

The protected area on that left side of poipu beach would be more safe for the youngsters. You will see the calm area protected by the reef and rocks. They can swim, and even do a little fun snorkeling, if they wish. Plus, the life guard station is right there.

The Hyatt hotel, with their lagoons and slides, are plenty kid friendly.

It fact it looks good to this ol kid. The haytt beach ( shipwreck) is nice, but a bit to rough of water for the youngsters. And, most oldsters if they do not know what they are doing.

There is an easy and interesting kid friendly hike at the Hyatt, up on the dunes and along the lithified cliffs. Lots of various trails going the same direction, so you can stay a bit inland, and away from the narrow area along the cliffs.

Also, a nice, beautiful and easy hike/walk in Koke%26#39;e state park is the Water Tank/Berry Flat trail....you will think you are in the north west, since there are redwoods, and ferns. This is easy stuff.

So, hozit in huntington beach ? Many eons ago, as youngsters, huntington was aways our favorite for body, as well as newport. Plus , it was fun watching the surfers shoot thru the pilings of Huntington pier. Lordy, that was a while back in history during the high school and college era.

In the years prior to moving here, I lived in Huntington Harbour, and Erica in Seal Beach.

Enjoyed riding our bikes from seal, then along the beach bike paths from Bolsa Chica to the Pier, and have lunch at Chumyos..( might have spelled that wrong, but you know the place. Just below Dukes) Very nice, overlooking the beach and the volleyball tournaments. Then bike back to old town in Seal.

Hope some of the above will help your family enjoy your visit.

Aloha

Denny

Thanks so much for the information. There are no surfers in the family yet., but we%26#39;re working on it! We%26#39;re in south HB but love Seal Bch. - esp. Walt%26#39;s and we frequent Duke%26#39;s Friday Mai Tai happy hour often! Maholo!