Address:
420 Papaloa Rd,
Kapaa, HI 96746
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With everything within reach, a stay at the Kauai Sands Hotel makes you feel you’re spending your Hawaii vacation in paradise. From morning to night-time, be enchanted with all that Kauai has to offer.
Wake up to a fresh day with the sun rising by the palm trees and start your day with breakfast at your own kitchen inside your unit. Pump up for the day by taking a quick jog or walk along the ocean. If you’d like to take advantage of the athletic adventures of the island, you can choose from a list of a lot of options. If you’d like to indulge in water activities, head on over to the beach and try some of the water adventures available. Go deep sea fishing, parasailing, scuba diving and snorkeling. Sign up for surfing lessons from a Hawaiian pro. Book a boat tour and watch the Hawaii marine life in action. If you like the water but don’t like the sand that comes with it, you can cool yourselves off at any one of the two swimming pools provided by the hotel.
If you’d like to try some dry sports, hop on over to the Wailua Golf Course to play at the site of two US Amateur Links World Championships have already been held. Or head on over to nearby tennis courts or the stables for some horseback riding.
Don’t leave the island without visiting all the sights that Kauai has to offer. Rent a car or book a bus or helicopter tour and see the wonderful sights of the Waimea Canyon, Fern Grotto and the other historic towns that make up the island of Kauai.
Come back at the end of the day to your room and ponder over the day’s activities over coffee or tea at your private lanai. Sleep off the day soundly at your air-conditioned room to wake up to a brand new morning.
For more info and reservations visit http://kauaisandshotel.com/
Address:
1450 Ala Moana Blvd # 3241
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 941-7715
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California Pizza Kitchen in Honolulu (the Ala Moana Center location) is a place I visit often. I like the food there. They have a wide range of pizzas and recently they have added a new pizza with walnuts, pears, goat cheese and green salad. As almost a vegetarian I used to order their goat cheese pizza but a few weeks ago my friend convinced me to try this new pears pizza. At first I was a bit skeptical since pears on pizza sounded strange but after I tried the pizza I saw it was really good.
The restaurants also have veggie rolls, pastas, salads, and much more. I also love their chocolate and banana cake. But sometimes after dinner I am so full that I cant get to it 
.
California Pizza Kitchen in Ala Moana Center is located on the last floor of the mall and one side of the restaurant overlooks the Ala Moana Beach Park and the ocean. You would be lucky to get a seat at that corner since the place is usually full and there is a waiting list before you get in.
What I don’t like for California Pizza Kitchen restaurant is that the tables are very close to each other and when it is full (which is almost always), the atmosphere is very nervous since everybody is talking, you can hear plates and silverware sound from the kitchen, and in addition often times there is small kids that yell or cry (yeah, great, I know..) . But if you don’t mind the noise, actually the food is pretty good, so give it a try. If you are in Waikiki, have in mind they have a location there too. The address is: 2284 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, 96815.
Address:
1450 Ala Moana Blvd # 125,
Honolulu, HI
(808) 942-3446
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Assaggio is a popular Italian restaurant in Honolulu, located in the Ala Moana Shopping Center and since I live close to the center, I visit the restaurant once in a while. The prices there are a little higher than other Italina restaurants, such as the Old Spaghetti Factory but it is a classy restaurant.
Since this is an Italian restaurant you may think they have a wide selection of pizzas to choose from, but in fact they don’t serve any pizzas there. Instead they have variety of pasta dishes with vegetables, shrimp, chicken, sea food, marinara Sauce, meat sauce and more. They also serve lasagnas with meat souse and ravioli with meat or tomato souse.
Before dinner the server will also serve you complimentary bread and butter, and while waiting you may want to try some of their appetizers, which include garlic bread, fried crab cake, roasted peppers and others. As an appetizer I usually order a caser salad. The last time I went at Assaggio I noticed they have changed the taste of the salad a bit. They use a slightly spicy dressing with really delicious croutons. The cost of the salad was $7 and the ravioli dish was about $16. My friend had a pasta dish - Fettuccini Alfredo with Broccoli and its price was around $15.
What I like about Assaggio is that it is not as crowded as many other restaurants in the Ala Moana Center (such as Bubba Gump and California Pizza Kitchen), especially if you go a bit earlier at 5 pm. If you go after 6 pm you may have to wait a bit in order to be seated because that’s the time it gets a bit fuller. Overall the atmosphere inside is relatively quiet with some quiet music as a background.
Address:
366 Papaloa Rd,
Kapaa, HI 96746
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The Hale Awapuhi Resort on the beautiful island of Kauai is a tropical and lush treasure of Hawaii’s finest that overlooks the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. Within walking distance from the Coconut Plantation Marketplace, guests at the Hale Awapuhi Resort will have plenty of activities to do on their Hawaii vacation.
Although the resort does not feature many amenities within the place itself, guests don’t have to worry about not having enough activities to enjoy. There are a lot of attractions and facilities within walking or driving distance from the resort. That’s why it’s imperative to hire a car while visiting the island of Hawaii.
Start the day by going sightseeing at the island of Kauai. You can go by air, by land, by water or by foot. Book a helicopter tour to view the sights of Kauai from the air. Rent a car and drive down to the different sights to learn more about the history and culture of Hawaii. Or you can go biking to see the beauty of Hawaii up close. Rent a boat and go sailing or watch humpback whales, dolphins and other Hawaii marine animals in action. You can also go hiking or jogging in one of the trails naturally provided for the convenience of the Hawaii visitors.
If you’d like more adventures, sign up for scuba diving, horse back riding, surfing or snorkeling at facilities near the resort. Play some tennis or golf at the nearby tennis courts and golf course. Spend time with your family at the beach or parks scattered all over the island. Go for some downtime at the Coconut Plantation Marketplace and shop for some Hawaii souvenirs or enjoy local cuisine for lunch or dinner.
Whatever you choose to enjoy on your Hawaii vacation, Hale Awapuhi Resort will be able to give you that and more.
For more information and reservations, visit http://www.haleawapuhi.com/
Address:
3-3311 Kuhio Hwy
Lihue, HI 96766
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Located between the towns of Wailua and Kapaa in the island of Kauai, the Kauai Beach Villas stand amidst lush, tropical gardens and freshwater lagoons. With its many amenities and facilities, you’ll never get bored or restless at the Kauai Beach Villas.
Play tennis in one of the four tennis courts in the resort or take a refreshing dip in the cool waters of the resort’s swimming pool or relax at the jet spa provided. Visit the nearby golf course and play a nice game of golf. There are also nearby beaches and facilities for hiking, kayaking and fishing.
Explore the island of Kauai and rent a car to drive the different attractions the island has to offer, including the Hanalei Bay, Waimea Canyon, Wailua River and other remarkable sights. Don’t worry about the sights unreachable by foot. Book a helicopter tour to see all that Kauai has to offer, including the Fern Grotto and Wailua River.
Have no worries about getting hungry during your Hawaii vacation. You can take advantage of the kitchen in your unit or the outdoor barbecue areas in the resort to cook your own food. You can also venture out and explore the dozens of dining options available in town and nearby towns in Kauai.
Stay at one of the one-bedroom or two-bedroom villas to relax at the end of the day. Enjoy garden, lagoon and ocean views from the private balcony of your units. These air-conditioned units are located within a short walk away from the tennis courts and swimming pool. All units have fully-equipped dining and kitchen facilities, a washer and dryer, a private lanai and wireless high-speed internet access.
A stay at the Kauai Beach Villas on your Hawaii vacation means never running out of activities to do. So if you’re ready to face that challenge, then the Beach Villas are waiting for you.
For more info and reservations visit http://www.beachvillaskauai.com/
Brad and Billy were the perfect hosts. This was our first Kauai vacation, and we had found out about the Kalaniakai Bed & Breakfast from friends. We weren’t originally looking for the clothing optional experience, and when we found out that it was it made us think twice. We took some time and decided that we would go anyway.
We weren’t even looking for a Kauai bed and breakfast, but thought this might be a way to go.
We stayed in the Kahuna Suite. It was really nice. It was furnished and styled in a Japanese way, with an outdoor shower, full bath and a king sized bed. the best thing about it was the private lanai.
There was wireless, of course, and Jimmy was thrilled, because he could sit online when he wasn’t doing anything. It took some doing to pull him away from the laptop.
We went around the pool, and at first it was hard to be naked, but we got used to it. Nobody seemed self conscious, so it was okay. It was very low key. Neither of us had even been to a clothing optional beach, so this was really new territory for us. The first day was difficult, but we got very used to it as we went along.
We had looked into a number of Kauai bed and breakfasts, and this one of course was just right for us and for who we wanted to associate with. We decided that this was about the best Kauai vacation we had taken, and it was a much better choice than a Kauai hotel.
For information and reservations, contact: http://www.kalanikai.com
We looked at a lot of Kauai hotels and then decided that we needed something fun and different for this Kauai vacation, so we picked the Bamboo Jungle House. At first, Mimi thought it might be one of those places for swingers or something, but after a little research we found that it was actually an old plantation house up in the hills of Kalaheo.
If you expect to be right in the mix of things you might want to make another choice of places to stay. The Bamboo Jungle House is pretty secluded. We started to have second thoughts about the location, but quickly forgot about that big Kauai hotel when Lucy and Terry, the owners, met us. They remind me of my parents. They were very attentive and made sure that we felt right at home.
Our room was the Waterfall Room. By the way, the Bamboo Jungle House is for adults only. Our room had a big canopy four post bed with netting. I wondered about the netting, and so did Mimi, but we were assured that it’s really more for decoration, but that if we left the doors and windows open, that there might be some buzzing guests at night.
The room overlooked the gardens and waterfalls, which were very nice. It was really relaxing to sit on the lanai, which is private and just close your eyes and listen to the wind and the birds and the waterfalls. I fell asleep out there once.
It’s not for everybody, but it beats an impersonal stay in a typical Kauai hotel. We told some friends about Lucy and Terry, and because they are into natural healing and new age type of things, they are planning to stay at the Bamboo House on their next Kauai vacation.
For reservations and information, contact: http://www.kauai-bedandbreakfast.com
Address:
3957 Ulualii Street
Kalaheo, Hawaii 96741
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It hadn’t been a good year money-wise, but we had promised each other last year that we would take a break and take that Kauai vacation that had been lingering around in our brains for the last decade or so. We looked at Kauai hotel options, and decided that the Hale Ikena Nui fit our budgets and our attitudes.
This is no place if you crave excitement and non-stop activity, because it’s located in Kalaheo, which is a really small town with not much going on. Which was perfect for us, because we were just spent from trying to keep the business afloat and everybody happy, including employees and family.
Patti made us feel right at home, especially after a long series of delays with the flights. Patti is not a native Hawaiian. I’m not sure how many of those are left, but she came over from the mainland a long time ago, and has gone native, so to speak.
We stayed in the Main Suite, which was large — the size of a small house. No worries about having to creep past any other guests or people to get to your room: there is a private entrance. We had a full kitchen, and did cook at least three nights while we were there. We just got so lazy that we didn’t want to get out.
We did do the Zip Line tour. I’m not big on heights, so I had to suck it up for this, but it’s a great experience and a different way to see the island and sights.
Mostly, we just hung out and read and relaxed. I did bring my laptop, so I could check the news and my emails, to make sure nothing really bad was going on back home.
For information and reservations, contact: http://www.kauaivacationhome.com
Address:
6204 Helena Lane
Kapaa, HI 96746
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This was a break or a retreat for me, so this was not like the usual Kauai vacations I’ve taken in the past. I did look over Kauai hotels, but decided I needed a break from the stresses of day to day, and I decided to look into the Aloha Lanai Bed & Breakfast. Normally, I’m not a big fan of bed and breakfasts, because I want to be able to be somewhat anonymous, and most don’t give you that much privacy. I especially wanted privacy on vacation.
But I wanted quiet, and I know that the countryside on the East side of Kauai would have that, if I found the right place to stay. I did some homework, and then emailed Jai. There was space, so I booked it.
The room was nice. Not too big or small, and furnished in modern furniture and lots of wood. It felt very comfortable. There was a large lanai, too, which I used every morning and evening.
I didn’t bring any golf clubs and no laptop and I left my cell phone off. I didn’t want anybody from work disturbing me.
There was a nice bunch of flowers and a weclome basket. Tara would have liked it. She did call once, and was glad I had the time away.
I got a massage, went to the beach at Kealia and didn’t do much of anything else.
My big Kauai vacation was only 5 nights, but it felt like I was there for a month. I didn’t want to leave. I was really recharge. I was glad I chose this and not a busy Kauai hotel or condo.
For reservations and information, contact: http://www.kauai-bed-and-breakfast.com
Address:
2511 S. Kihei Rd,
Kihei, Maui, Hawaii 96753
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We wanted a romantic Maui vacation. We had been to some of the other islands and to Mexico, but we had seen the Sugar Beach Resort one time while driving in South Maui, and decided to stay at this cute little Maui hotel. Tommy wasn’t so sure. He wanted a big, active place. I wanted location.
I won. I don’t always win, but I wen through all the Maui hotels and this one was really cool.
It’s a great setting, right on the sore of Maalea Bay and not far from the mountains.
Tommy wanted to go golfing, but I wasn’t feeling like it. I went anyway, as I had talked him into staying at the hotel. We played 18 holes and I was ready for the beach. I had so much fun just walking the beach. I walked it every morning. Tommy walked it a few times, too.
The rooms were nicely furnished. I like them. Though I thought they could have been more modern. At least they were clean.
The best thing about Sugar Beach is it’s central location. We had a condo on the top floor and the views were really great. Tommy was happy with the whole deal. He stop complaining about three days into the trip, and actually admitted by the time we left that he had had a great time and that this was about the best Maui vacation he had ever had.
I didn’t want to pack up and leave, and we looked into extending our stay, but the rooms were booked. We had not choice but to head home.
For reservations and information, contact http://www.sugarbeachresort.net/