Kiahuna Plantation

I have stayed at this location three times and have loved it each time.

First point that many people do not take into account when staying at this location:

The units are OPEN-AIR. They have screened wooden vents (and big sliding glass doors) that you can open and close to keep in/out or let through the beautiful Hawaiian air. Note that if you stay in the most affordable rooms, they are typically located near the road/entrances. You will get some road noise and you will enjoy all of the local bird noises that start in the early morning (including but not limited to the junglefowl aka roosters/chickens). My wife and I and our one-year old all love it as the birds are part of what makes Kauai great. This open-air aspect really makes you get into the vibe of the Hawaiian environment from the day that you arrive.

The property itself has some great aspects. There is a very usable beach area (nice and quiet in the morning for Tai Chi, yoga or meditation), an elevated grassy area right next to the beach, multiple common area gas grills, a do-it-yourself coin-op laundry facility on-site, and a very friendly staff willing to help out with just about anything you need. Also check out the extensive orchid gardens while you are there!

All of the units have the basic utensils/cookware to get you by for your stay. I was able to cook a few meals quite comfortably in the small but usable kitchen. Our daughter used a playpen (they list it as a crib on their hotel details) to sleep/nap that we paid a small weekly fee to use. She also had fun laying on the fold-out couch in the living room with us from time to time, watching the "birdies" that were landing on our lanai all day long. Another note about the units would be that every unit is a little bit different in decor and amenities. During one stay we had a good cd player/stereo in the unit and one time we did not. This most recent time, we had a cd player/stereo as well as two(!) dvd players hooked up to the one TV in the unit. If you have specific needs, ask the front desk before you arrive. They always let me know that they cannot guarantee anything, but I have never been denied any request (top level room, late checkout..sometimes for a fee, crib/playpen, etc).

Location is prime in Poipu. It is about halfway (driving time) around in either direction to the accessable parts of the island. My wife loves being able to set out in the morning either to go to West to Waimea Canyon or North towards Ke'e Beach, each perfectly doable without planning an entire day around any destination. There is a small shopping area right across the street with everything from the high-end Roy's restaurant experience to a convenience store, simple and very casual Puka Dog, and a new Starbucks. We usually get breakfast early in the morning at Joe's on the Green at the Kiahuna Golf Club. Great views from their terrace seating, able to view the mountains, the ocean and the golf course. And mind you this is in walking distance (a moderate walk...stroller for little ones) from the condo unit. A short drive away is Koloa. Two full-sized (but not super-sized) grocery stores, a gas station and a full-service bank plus some shops and restaurants are easily found there and make stocking up the condo quick and easy.

Basically the best things here are the location and the open-air vibe (don't lock yourself away in A/C while on the islands!). It's simple, friendly and well-maintained.