We are planning a vacation to Kauai and have decided to split our stay between the South and North Shore. We will be in Kauai for 12 days beginning 2/26/25. We have accommodations for the South Shore for the end of our stay but would appreciate recommendations or suggestions for the North Shore near Princeville and Hanalei. We would like something with an ocean view but realize anything with ocean views are expensive. There are numerous condos and time share resorts but deciding is difficult and confusing. Some reviews indicate issues with cockroaches (I understand that to be common) and one review mentioned pests (lizards) in the unit. Is this common for the North Shore? We read some favorable reviews for the Makai Club Resort, Cliffs of Princeville and Club Wyndham Shearwater. Depending on what travel platform you search, the reviews vary. We understand that the time period we are visiting is considered the rainy season, but we've read that the rain can be anything from a drizzle to a rain soak. We are active seniors and appreciate the outdoors and have no mobility issues. This is our first visit to Kauai, and we are looking forward to all the beauty the Island has to offer. Any suggestions or recommendations is greatly appreciated.
Posted by
1007 posts
We've spent 30 years staying on the south shore, but know lots of folks who like the Cliffs on the north shore. We've stayed at Hanalei Bay Resort many times.
Any of the condos in Princeville will be fine. It's a master planned community, so it's all a bit cookie cutter. An ocean view is great if it's in your budget, but if not, the mountain views are gorgeous as well. Even just a garden view will be pretty. Keep in mind Princeville is on a cliff, so you don't easily access the beach from Princeville.
You definitely are overthinking some of the reviews. Sorry, but there's no lizards, they are geckos and geckos are everywhere on the island. So you will find an innocuous gecko in your unit, whether you spend $1000/night or $200/night. (Although not sure you can find something for $200/night!)
The north shore is spectacular and Hanalei is so quaint and charming. Mt Waialeale is one of the wettest spots in the world, so the north shore of Kauai in the winter is wet. Aloha!
Posted by
OP
Michigan
18 posts
KD - thanks for the helpful information about the North Shore and accommodations. We always seem to overthink when it comes to places to stay so I appreciate your thoughts. I obviously don't know my lizards - I can handle an innocuous gecko in my unit. It sounds like no matter our price point or where we decide to stay, we will not be disappointed. It does help with finalizing our plans.
Appreciate you taking the time to reply to my post!
Posted by
15 posts
We stayed at Pali Ke Kua but it was about ten years ago. We loved walking down to the beach--it was a bit steep but paved and hardly saw anyone down there. The views from our unit were amazing, just as advertised. We split our first trip between North and South shores and on a second trip just stayed in the north.
Posted by
OP
Michigan
18 posts
cindyeb - Thanks for your reply. The Pali Ke Kua was one of the condos that we were considering as the review were all positive. We ended up booking The Cliffs of Princeville. Reviews were good and we couldn't pass up the discount/credit offer available with our credit card.