Mr_Potts
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2008
- Messages
- 98
I just wanted to thank everyone for the good advice given here for our trip to Kauai. We exchanged 270 DVC points to stay in a 2 bedroom at the Point at Poipu from July 5 to 12. This was our first time visiting Hawaii (or doing an exchange) and we absolutely loved it. Yes, the flight from the East Coast (Boston to Phoenix, then Phoenix to Lihue) was long, but it was well worth it.
The minute we stepped into the airport we felt the trade winds. Hawaii in the summer is much more comfortable than Orlando. Another thing that surprised us was that prices were very reasonable. Although we had only booked a compact car through Alamo, they offered to upgrade us a to convertible for $10 more a day. We paid just about $400 for a convertible Mustang for 9 days. Riding around with the top down was entertainment enough on the first full day when we drove to the North Shore.
We spent the first two nights in an inexpensive motel near Kalapaki Beach just to get acclimated before moving to our villa. Because of the time difference we were up at 4:00 a.m. each morning and were on the road by around 7. Its nice to be alert so early on vacation. The first couple of days passed by in a blur of astonishment at the mountain and ocean views. We moved over to the Point on Monday after stopping first at a wonderful Costco, full of local Hawaii produce at great prices. At check in we were told that our villa was ready, but that we needed to see the concierge in order to get our parking pass. I had been pre-warned that the concierge would attempt to get us to sign up for the timeshare presentation by offering discounts on activities. I have nothing against timeshares (obviously), but I informed him that if we bought anywhere in Hawaii it would be at Aulani. He replied that he was sorry that we didnt want the discounts and wanted to spend all that extra money. I thought this was a little passive aggressive, but it was not enough to ruin my aloha. Needless to say I did not visit the concierge desk again, despite a phone message and envelope in the villa promising a free gift as an enticement to do so. Nonetheless, when I called on my own for our helicopter and boat tours I was offered discounts just by asking if they had one.
Now the good part: the villa was lovely. The kitchen appliances, lanai furniture and bedding were even superior to DVC. Also, the setting on the ocean was amazing. However, the construction of the buildings themselves and some of the finishes inside were not quite up to the standards Disney sets. But the 2 bedroom was so much like DVC accommodations that we felt right at home. We even had a free full housekeeping on the 4th day, which was great.
I am going to give a brief itinerary of what we did. If anyone has more specific questions about any of the activities or about Hawaii in general please let me know.
We went on a sunset cruise out of Port Allen to see the NaPali coast. This included dinner, drinks and a glass of champagne at sunset. The HoloHolo crew was great.
We took a helicopter tour of the Island in a helicopter that had no side doors or windows. It was amazing to hang over the Waimea Canyon and to fly like a bird through the volcanic crater that is the wettest place on earth. The 4th passenger in our helicopter was the assistant director of the new Pirates film currently being made.
Through the National Tropical Botanical Garden, we booked an evening tour of the Allerton Gardens and had evening pupus on the terrace of the Allerton House, which is right next to Queen Emmas cottage in the Lawai Valley. We were told that they had just that day started offering this tour again because the Pirates film crew had been working in the valley for several weeks and had just left. This was a wonderful chance to learn about the plants in Hawaii as well as about its history. The historian at the Allerton Garden sat next to me at dinner and fascinated me for an hour with his stories. Do not miss this intimate tour if you go to Kauai!
As someone recommended here, we had lunch at the St. Regis in Princeville to look at the over the top view of Mt. Waileale and Bali Hai from there.
We had an amazing dinner at the Beach House restaurant. Their macadamia crusted mahi mahi and watermelon salad are justly famous as is the view of the sunset from the lawn out front.
The luau at Smiths Tropical Garden was a great show with great food. I was especially impressed at the members of the Smith Family, who were front and center greeting us, singing, serving and dancing. When we were looking for a good seat to save before dinner, Mr. Smiths auntie pointed us to a table that would be among the first served. Our rumbling tummies appreciated the tip. The kolua pork and rice pudding were scrumptious. The mai tais werent bad either!
We drove to the Waimea Canyon and Kokee State Park, and made a day of it, wearing out our cameras and very nearly getting a flat tire from the potholes at the very end of the road. The museum/gift shop at the Park had a great selection of books and gifts. On the way back, we stopped at the Kauai Coffee Plantation to take their walking tour and to taste their various coffee blends. It was great to see where our morning Joe comes from.
The Grand Hyatt is right next door to the Point at Poipu and we frequently walked over there for lunch next to the pool, for a spa treatment, to shop and, on our last night, to have drinks and pupus at the Stevenson Library, which some say is this most beautiful bar in all of Hawaii. By getting there early (between 6 and 7) we could order their very reasonable drink specials.
And of course we lay on the beach and by the pool. Poipu Beach was especially nice, offering shade and sun. And right nearby is the Honu Bar of the Marriott, where we had nachos and drinks. Speaking of honus (sea turtles) they were everywhere, feeding off the rocks of the Poipu Beach and at the Point. We didnt see the elusive Hawaiian monk seal, but we were happy to find a flock of Hawaiian geese (nenes).
And last but not least, I even miss the roosters, which were everywhere.
For those of you who think you will only want to visit Aulani once, dont be so certain. The islands are already calling us back. We are planning a trip to Aulani next summer or fall. I always knew what the happiest and most magical places on earth are. But now I know where the most beautiful place on earth is: Hawaii.
Mr. Potts (David)
The minute we stepped into the airport we felt the trade winds. Hawaii in the summer is much more comfortable than Orlando. Another thing that surprised us was that prices were very reasonable. Although we had only booked a compact car through Alamo, they offered to upgrade us a to convertible for $10 more a day. We paid just about $400 for a convertible Mustang for 9 days. Riding around with the top down was entertainment enough on the first full day when we drove to the North Shore.
We spent the first two nights in an inexpensive motel near Kalapaki Beach just to get acclimated before moving to our villa. Because of the time difference we were up at 4:00 a.m. each morning and were on the road by around 7. Its nice to be alert so early on vacation. The first couple of days passed by in a blur of astonishment at the mountain and ocean views. We moved over to the Point on Monday after stopping first at a wonderful Costco, full of local Hawaii produce at great prices. At check in we were told that our villa was ready, but that we needed to see the concierge in order to get our parking pass. I had been pre-warned that the concierge would attempt to get us to sign up for the timeshare presentation by offering discounts on activities. I have nothing against timeshares (obviously), but I informed him that if we bought anywhere in Hawaii it would be at Aulani. He replied that he was sorry that we didnt want the discounts and wanted to spend all that extra money. I thought this was a little passive aggressive, but it was not enough to ruin my aloha. Needless to say I did not visit the concierge desk again, despite a phone message and envelope in the villa promising a free gift as an enticement to do so. Nonetheless, when I called on my own for our helicopter and boat tours I was offered discounts just by asking if they had one.
Now the good part: the villa was lovely. The kitchen appliances, lanai furniture and bedding were even superior to DVC. Also, the setting on the ocean was amazing. However, the construction of the buildings themselves and some of the finishes inside were not quite up to the standards Disney sets. But the 2 bedroom was so much like DVC accommodations that we felt right at home. We even had a free full housekeeping on the 4th day, which was great.
I am going to give a brief itinerary of what we did. If anyone has more specific questions about any of the activities or about Hawaii in general please let me know.
We went on a sunset cruise out of Port Allen to see the NaPali coast. This included dinner, drinks and a glass of champagne at sunset. The HoloHolo crew was great.
We took a helicopter tour of the Island in a helicopter that had no side doors or windows. It was amazing to hang over the Waimea Canyon and to fly like a bird through the volcanic crater that is the wettest place on earth. The 4th passenger in our helicopter was the assistant director of the new Pirates film currently being made.
Through the National Tropical Botanical Garden, we booked an evening tour of the Allerton Gardens and had evening pupus on the terrace of the Allerton House, which is right next to Queen Emmas cottage in the Lawai Valley. We were told that they had just that day started offering this tour again because the Pirates film crew had been working in the valley for several weeks and had just left. This was a wonderful chance to learn about the plants in Hawaii as well as about its history. The historian at the Allerton Garden sat next to me at dinner and fascinated me for an hour with his stories. Do not miss this intimate tour if you go to Kauai!
As someone recommended here, we had lunch at the St. Regis in Princeville to look at the over the top view of Mt. Waileale and Bali Hai from there.
We had an amazing dinner at the Beach House restaurant. Their macadamia crusted mahi mahi and watermelon salad are justly famous as is the view of the sunset from the lawn out front.
The luau at Smiths Tropical Garden was a great show with great food. I was especially impressed at the members of the Smith Family, who were front and center greeting us, singing, serving and dancing. When we were looking for a good seat to save before dinner, Mr. Smiths auntie pointed us to a table that would be among the first served. Our rumbling tummies appreciated the tip. The kolua pork and rice pudding were scrumptious. The mai tais werent bad either!
We drove to the Waimea Canyon and Kokee State Park, and made a day of it, wearing out our cameras and very nearly getting a flat tire from the potholes at the very end of the road. The museum/gift shop at the Park had a great selection of books and gifts. On the way back, we stopped at the Kauai Coffee Plantation to take their walking tour and to taste their various coffee blends. It was great to see where our morning Joe comes from.
The Grand Hyatt is right next door to the Point at Poipu and we frequently walked over there for lunch next to the pool, for a spa treatment, to shop and, on our last night, to have drinks and pupus at the Stevenson Library, which some say is this most beautiful bar in all of Hawaii. By getting there early (between 6 and 7) we could order their very reasonable drink specials.
And of course we lay on the beach and by the pool. Poipu Beach was especially nice, offering shade and sun. And right nearby is the Honu Bar of the Marriott, where we had nachos and drinks. Speaking of honus (sea turtles) they were everywhere, feeding off the rocks of the Poipu Beach and at the Point. We didnt see the elusive Hawaiian monk seal, but we were happy to find a flock of Hawaiian geese (nenes).
And last but not least, I even miss the roosters, which were everywhere.
For those of you who think you will only want to visit Aulani once, dont be so certain. The islands are already calling us back. We are planning a trip to Aulani next summer or fall. I always knew what the happiest and most magical places on earth are. But now I know where the most beautiful place on earth is: Hawaii.
Mr. Potts (David)
Aaaaaahhhhh! memories of Poipu - and Kauai (the helicopter tour was one of our highlights, too)
. Even as the plane wheels landed us back to the east coast after a very loooong flight, I turned to him and said "I would be willing to stay on this plane and endure another flight if they would turn it around and take us back right now."
