Kauai Hotels

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Top Kauai hotels

Lihue Hotels: 38 Reviews - 37 Photos
Kapaa Hotels: 28 Reviews - 40 Photos
Koloa Hotels: 13 Reviews - 23 Photos
Poipu Hotels: 62 Reviews - 154 Photos
Kilauea Hotels: 11 Reviews - 41 Photos
Koloa Landing Hotels: See nearby hotels
Hanapepe Hotels: 7 Reviews - 64 Photos
Kalaheo Hotels: 2 Reviews - 8 Photos
Hanalei Hotels: 39 Reviews - 118 Photos
Nawiliwili Hotels: 6 Reviews - 29 Photos
Haena Hotels: 16 Reviews - 38 Photos
Kukuiula Hotels: See nearby hotels
Niumalu Hotels: 1 Hotel
Anahola Hotels: 1 Review
Hale Homaha Hotels: See nearby hotels

Kauai Tourist Traps

by April1985

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Tourist Traps
by April1985
yes, im a sucker for the state fish
by April1985
mom getting excited at the original dirt...
by April1985
Keoki gold draft
by 2rs
Tourist Traps
by goshawk301

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Fern Grotto a manicured jungle

by keida84

I took the Fern Grotto tour in the late 1980's prior to the massive hurricane "Iniki" in 1992 which annihilated much of the island. It was fun, you took a boat down to the grotto and walked a rough and tumbled path to the grotto. At that time you could actually walk in to the grotto area. Ok so in 2009, the flat boats still take you up top the grotto area but to my horror they want everyone to participate in some cheesy songs to get you in the mood to see the grotto. We got off the boat and again to my shock the whole area had been outfitted with beautiful wood planking and the the walk through the foliage was well tended and trimmed. The grotto itself is now off limits and there is a large umbrella that the crew stands under while they yet again sing a couple of songs one including the Hawaiian wedding song. Arrrgh! Too much commercialism in this tour. The Fern Grotto has been sanitized...

Polynesian Adventure Tours

by April1985

Polynesian Adventure Tours, was by far the worst thing we could have waisted our money on. My family had decided that we wanted to see another island besides Oahu. So, we though that we should visit the garden island, Kaua'i ! We were so excited because of how everyone spoke of Kaua'i. It was a paradise! So, we said, lets go for it! We went to our American Express travel assisitant at the hilton hawaiian village desk at Oahu, and he booked it for us. He didnt know much about this company. So he couldnt really say much about it, except it would pick us up at 5:00am. So, $1000.00 dollars later (3 adults) we were off to Kaua'i. Little did we know that we would be stuck on a bus for 8 hours looking at nothing but a highway .. the whole day... the brochure said we would tour a sugar kane plantation, a waterfall, we would have a river boat ride, and even see the fern grotto! We were so...

Souevener shopping... or tourist trap?

by April1985

My family and I decided to go on a one day tour of Kaua'i. The tour is another story! The souvenere shops, were like set ups. Our tour guide would tell us these crazy stories of shells, and how unique they are, and the red dirt shirts and everything, and we would end up stoping at these rest stops and tourist stores... the prices would be way over priced. I think I saw one shell necklace, which was beautiful, dont get me wrong, but it was priced for $1200.00 ! I think that is outrageous ! They people who work in these stores, probably know the tour bus driver, so they know when a fresh shipment of tourists are coming, and they folllow you around the store, and try to haggle you into buying something you would never think of buying... be careful...and be smart We didnt really have a choice, we kind of had to go in. We would much rather be seeing lush mountain sides and waterfalls... but,...

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Do your research on expensive restaurants

by GlobalMatt

One thing I highly recommend is to acquire a Kaua'i guidebook of some sort before you go on vacation. There are some very expensive restaurants on Kaua'i. Some earn their weight in gold...but, others aren't that great for the price. My best suggestion is to read reviews online and check out guidebooks if you want a special dining experience. If you want to stay cost-effective, check out the many local grinds that the island has to offer. Refer to my restaurants page for good info on some of these. If you do want the higher end restaurant experience, one thing you MUST do is make reservations ahead of time....and this usually means 2-3 weeks ahead of time...not 2-3 hours ahead of time...especially if you want special, romantic seating. Try the local eats for a great experience that won't blast your wallet!

Go local - Hawaiian Keoki brewed in California

by 2rs

It's allways nice to taste the local brew. And it may appear that the Keoki brand is the local Kauai brew. Both their Kekoi Gold and Kekoi Sunset are fairly good brews, but have a close look at the label and you'll se that is says "Brewed and bottled by: Keoki Brewing Co. Gilroy, CA". So be aware. The company is supposed to have brewing activities on the island, but it looks like the botteled products available in the shops and bars are mainland brews.

Kayak Secret (or Hidden) Falls

by sissah

Kayaking up the Wailua River, the same river the Fern Grotto boats drive and water skiiers fly, to a 100-foot waterfall is apparently a must-do for many tourists. By must-do, I mean while you are kayaking, you see the other kayakers all over the river, on the trail, and at the waterfall. It's not that expensive (compare to all the other tours on island) at $40-$50. While it is really cool, I hate things that are crowded with tourists, and this one usually is. Do not try to go on a super sun-shiney day. It was by chance that when I went, we put off kayaking to the very last day of our trip. Unfortunately, it had poured the night before and was raining in the morning, and no one would rent us a kayak. So, we started looking at the tours. No one was going due to a flash flood warning that had popped up that morning. Except one company, Kayak Wailua. By the time the tour was to start, it...

Don't get your souvenirs at fancy shops

by Annapet

Wal-Mart has a store in Lihu'e. Stop by to get your PASALUBONGS (gifts) here. Beach wear, macadamia nuts, coffee, anything Hawaiian...Foodland (a grocery store chain) also has a souvenir department.

Buying Souvenirs

by AliasGirl

This is a close to a tourist trap that I can think of, price your souvenirs before you buy. Don't just buy from the first store, when there are a few shops to choose from, first look and then compare prices. We noticed many price variations with stores next door to each other. Sometimes you will buy one item and find the price was doubled upon visiting the next store. This is a typical thing that happens.Shop wisely! Hilo Hattie usually had the best prices. See my shopping tip.

Fern grotto - it's just a small cave

by HarmoniousBotch

It's just a cave with a few small ferns growing near the top. Maybe it was awe-inspiring before hurricane Iniki trashed it in 1992, but now, well...I've got more green stuff growing in my fridge.My disappointment was compounded by the boat ride, which is the only way to get there and back. Not mentioned at the time we bought our tickets were several mediocre singers on the boat performing tired tourist trap songs with poor sound equipment. (The tweeters were completely shot. If the woofers had failed too it wouldn't have been a great loss ) If you have to go, switch boats before you come back. The singers ride one boat up the river and then another back down. When you get your tickets, ask where the singers are. Start without them. When they switch boats, you switch the other way. If you like dank dark wet caves with slippery mud floors, go to Haena Beach Park, and cross the highway....

Time Share makes your tours cheaper

by hat53

If you go to a travel agent to can get a great discount if you will go to a time share presentation. You will get 2 for one offers or even greater discounts. If you want to spend two hours of your holydays listening to a sales presentation you should accept the deal.Take in mind. If you agree to go to a sales presentation the chance of purchasing a time share is big. Sales is very aggressive so be strong and say no to all questions. A sales trick is to ask customers questions they answer with yes. And if you keep answering all questions with yes, you will say yes to the question "do you want to purchase a time share?" Ask for a discount it is easy to get a 10% discount, just for being who you are.