Archive for the ‘Kauai Travel’ Category

Top Things to Do at Poipu Beach: The Options are Nearly Endless

Thursday, June 13th, 2013

Top Things to Do at Poipu Beach: The Options are Nearly Endless

Kauai’s stunning South Shore offers visitors nearly endless options for things to do at Poipu Beach. Its breathtaking coastline and expansive climate often lures travelers from other islands. Here you’ll find everything from heart-pounding adventures to more gentle pursuits, with activities to suit the tastes and requirements of nearly all.

Consider these top things to do at Poipu Beach as a great start for creating your “must-do” activities list.

Oceanfront Luaus

The island’s only oceanfront luaus can be found right at Poipu Beach via the Grand Hyatt and Sheraton Kauai Resorts; both are excellent. When the White House put together a luau, they called in the performers from the Grand Hyatt Luau as the evening’s entertainment.

A luau is a must experience for travelers to Hawaii and an ideal way to delve into the rich Hawaiian culture and traditions. Enjoy music, dance, incredible traditional cuisine like kalua pig, poi, fresh fruit and lomi lomi salmon, and of course, most importantly, the Aloha spirit.

The amazing hula performers and fire dancers make for what many refer to as the best luau throughout all of the islands – with the unsurpassed sunsets of Kauai and the dazzling Pacific as the backdrop.

Swimming at Poipu Beach

The Garden Isle’s alluring southern coastline offers some of the most pristine white sand beaches in the islands. Some of the best swimming, surfing, stand up paddle boarding, snorkeling and boogie boarding can all be found within a one mile stretch of shoreline. Poipu Beach has a large protected area and is the only beach on the south shore that is lifeguarded seven days a week. This ideal place for young children and infants is sometimes called “baby beach.”

Poipu Beach was also named “America’s Best Beach” by the Travel Channel as well as Dr. Beach with its series of golden sand crescents that are strung together to create an idyllic place to advantage of the many water activities available. A lifeguard keeps a watchful eye here seven days a week.

Biking

One of the best ways to enjoy the crisp ocean breeze and spectacular beauty of Poipu Beach is to get out on a bike. Outfitters Kauai, located at the traffic circle (look for the yellow submarine) has bicycles and helmets available for rent.

For a heart-pounding thrill, join Outfitters Kauai on their guided downhill bike ride through nearby Waimea Canyon. They’ll drive you there in an air conditioned Mercedes van while your bikes are towed in a trailer behind. At the top, your guide takes the lead on her bike while the van follows the last rider in line, blocking traffic and making this a very safe ride. You’ll take in the magnificent views of “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” a breathtakingly beautiful canyon that is ten miles long, a mile wide and over 3,500-feet deep.

Scuba Diving

Koloa Landing at Poipu Beach is an excellent location to shore dive. Rent gear and tanks from Seasport Divers (located next door to Outfitters Kauai. Remember the yellow submarine just after the traffic circle. If you prefer a boat dive or would like lessons, Bubbles offers both plus a certification program.

Surfing and Stand Up Paddle Board Lessons

Poipu Beach is a great spot to learn to surf and stand up paddle board (SUP). Charlie, a former professional surfer, is one of the most patient instructors we know. With an hour to cover the basics, you’ll be “hanging ten” in no time. Nu Ka Moi Surf Shop, right at Poipu Beach, also rents surfboards and offers lessons.

Dine Alfresco at Brenneckes Beach Broiler

Enjoy open air dining with a fabulous view of all of Poipu Beach at this popular restaurant. It features a varied menu with everything from burgers to fresh fish. Speaking of fish, you can’t go wrong with the fish tacos. There is also a large bar area with lots of HDTVs for sporting events.

Eat a Shave Ice

One of the most popular taste treats in the Hawaiian Islands is shave ice and it’s available right at Poipu Beach at Brenneckes Deli. Located downstairs from the restaurant, the deli also has sub sandwiches, sodas, potato chips and beer. What more could you ask for? Try one of the giant brownies at the counter where you pay for your purchases; homemade and very good.

Watch the Sunset by Land or by Sea

The best place to watch the sun set into the water is at The Beach House Restaurant. You can sit in the newly redecorated bar, have a pupu (appetizer) and a glass of wine and watch the sun sink into the sea. If you’d like to stay for dinner, be sure and call for reservations first. Or you can bring your beach towel and sit on the grassy area in front of The Beach House. If you’d like to watch the sunset from the sea, there are sunset sailing trips that depart from the Kukuiula small boat harbor in Poipu Beach.

With nearly an endless number of things to do at Poipu Beach, you’ll likely be planning your return trip before you embark on your journey back home.

Posted in Kauai Poipu Beach Accommodations, Kauai Travel | No Comments »

4 Reasons to Choose Hideaway Cove for Your Romantic Getaway

Monday, May 13th, 2013

If you’ve made the decision to visit the Garden Isle for your romantic escape, you probably already know that the breathtaking isle is often referred to as the best when it comes to a tranquil, romantic setting filled with spectacular scenic wonders. From awe-inspiring sunsets to cascading falls, translucent freshwater pools, picturesque beaches and emerald colored-mountains that dip dramatically down to turquoise waters, the scenery is hard to beat.

When it comes time to choose the idyllic place to stay, there is no doubt you’ll want accommodations that meet or exceed the best of what the island has to offer for the ultimate Kauai romantic getaway, including a blend of the ultimate in relaxation as well as romantic activities and more thrilling adventures.

We believe Hideaway Cove is the ideal answer for honeymooners, those who are celebrating an anniversary, or any type of romantic holiday – here is a look at just four of the reasons why.

Concierge Services

A special vacation deserves special treatment and the ultimate in pampering. We’ll go out of our way to ensure each guest has an unforgettable, fantastic experience by providing the services that will help you to do just that.

Looking for the best beach to view the most gorgeous sunsets on the island? Do you desire an intimate, upscale dining experience? Want to know where the best tours or activities can be found? Our concierge services will make recommendations based on your needs and even make the reservations for you so that you can spend your time enjoying each other’s company and your ideal Kauai romantic getaway.

Private Chef

Have you ever fantasized about having a private chef? You can make that dream come true at Hideaway Cove – what better time to utilize this incredible amenity than on a Kauai romantic getaway? Concierge Services will make all the arrangements while you indulge in Hawaiian-inspired cuisine featuring fresh, local ingredients without having to leave the comfort of your home away from home.

In-room massage

A couples’ massage is an especially enjoyable way to spend time relaxing together, allowing your cares to melt away in the presence of each other’s company. If you don’t want to head out to a spa, an in-room massage is another option you can choose at Hideaway Cove. A side-by-side massage is a wonderfully romantic experience.

Luxurious rooms

Of course, your ultimate Poipu Beach romantic vacation must include a luxurious room to come back to after a day of enjoying what the island has to offer. Elegant furnishings here are top of the line including four-poster carved pineapple, canopy and sleigh beds with high thread count Egyptian cotton linens. Baths offer Jacuzzi tubs and rainfall showers, just right for two.

Enjoy the endless sunshine by dining outdoors in your covered lanai, or cuddle up together indoors and enjoy the entertainment center featuring a large cable television, cable radio, CD player and DVD player.

We think you’ll agree that Hideaway Cove is the best choice for a romantic getaway on the Garden Isle.

Posted in Kauai Poipu Beach Accommodations, Kauai Romantic Vacation, Kauai Travel | No Comments »

New Poipu Beach Fine Dining

Monday, May 13th, 2013

The Poipu Beach area, where Hideaway Cove is located, has always had a large concentration of restaurants. Several years ago I would mention to potential guests that there were 10 restaurants within a mile of our property. Although not all of the new locations are within a mile, they’re probably within two miles. That’s because the majority of them are in the new Kukuiula Village Shopping Center. Here’s a quick run down of what’s new on the fine dining front.

FINE DINING

Josselin Tapas Bar and Grill-808-742-7117. Owned and operated by Jean Marie Josselin of Pacific Cafe fame, this is a fun, well decorated restaurant with a full bar. Don’t miss the sangria, which is served on a cart that is wheeled to your table.

Merriman’s Fishhouse- 808-742-8385. Merrimans became pretty famous on the Big Island as one of the first pioneers of the farm to table movement in the Hawaiian Islands. Peter Merriman located his restaurant literally out in the middle of no where and it required a 45 minute drive from Kona to get there. His Kauai location has struggled, changing from the original steakhouse (with locally sourced beef, of course) to the present fish house. The decor is plantation style, you have any ocean view and the food is fabulous. The only caveat is that the prices are high, even by Kauai standards. We have foodie friends who come to Kauai twice a year and rave about their experience there. See Casual Dining for the downstairs cafe.

Tortilla Republic Grill-808-742-8884. Located upstairs from the Margarita Bar and open only for dinner. This is not your traditional Mexican restaurant, with tacos, tamales, rice and beans. The chef trained in New York and brought back with her a variety of recipes that are sure to delight anyone who likes good food. Some of these tables also have ocean views. Be sure and try one (or more) of the margaritas.

Posted in Kauai Travel, Restaurant Guide | No Comments »

Best and Worst Airlines for Lost Luggage

Monday, March 18th, 2013

Nearly 1.8 million pieces of luggage were lost, stolen, or damaged by major U.S. airlines in 2012 — and that’s just on domestic flights. While it sounds staggering, mishandling 3.09 bags per 1,000 passengers actually represents an 8 percent decline since 2011.

“The rate of mishandled baggage reports filed by carriers is at an all-time low,” says Department of Transportation spokesman Bill Mosley. (The problem reached crisis level in 2007 when U.S. carriers lost or damaged more than 4.5 million bags.) “A number of factors are helping to reduce the rate,” he adds, including improved on-time performance and new baggage-tracking technologies.

Of course, the airline you fly also affects your chances of sticking with your bag. Regional airlines like SkyWest (ranked a lowly 13 out of 15) tend to have the poorest records, while budget carrier AirTran comes in at No. 2.

Before you book your next flight, find out which airlines are best and worst for lost luggage. And if you don’t have a choice and need to book one of the airlines in the “worst” category, be sure and follow the tips in our last newsletter to help speed your bags back to you if they’re misplaced.

The Airlines below are ranked from worst to best based upon statistics compiled by the Department of Transportation.

15. American Eagle – 5.80 baggage reports per 1000 passengers

14. ExpressJet (a SkyWest subsidiary) – 5.52 per 1000

13. SkyWest – 5.26 per 1000

12. Mesa (operates as Go!, United Express, U.S. Airways Express) – 4.68 per 1000

11. United – 3.87 per 1000

10. Southwest – 3.08 per 1000

9. Alaska – 2.93 per 1000

8. American – 2.92 per 1000

7. Hawaiian – 2.88 per 1000

6. Frontier – 2.22 per 1000

5. U.S. Airways – 2.14 per 1000

4. Delta – 2.10 per 1000

3. Jet Blue – 1.88 per 1000

2. AirTran – 1.58 per 1000

1. Virgin America – 0.87 per 1000

How does Virgin American obtain a rate so much lower than everyone else? They are a relatively new carrier (six years old) and they’re small, only 52 aircraft to 17 domestic destinations.

This was a continuation of the article by Joe Yogerst from Travel and Leisure Magazine. I hope it helps with your travel planning.

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Seven Tips To Avoid Lost Luggage

Thursday, February 28th, 2013

One of the unpleasant facts of life when traveling by air, is that sometimes airlines lose or damage baggage. Although the overall percentage of lost baggage is going down, airlines can’t take all the credit. Changing passenger behavior has played a key role: as airlines have zealously adopted baggage fees, there’s been a dramatic drop in the number of checked bags.

Punishment has also helped. “Airlines face potentially greater liability for lost baggage today than in years past, giving them greater incentive to prevent baggage problems,” says Mosley. Since 2009, the DOT has increased baggage liability limits to match rising consumer prices; the domestic limit is now $3,300 per passenger.

Compensation is surely on the minds of those who still have the unpleasant surprise of arriving without their luggage. To avoid that fate, Sarah Schlichter, editor of IndependentTraveler.com, has these tips:

1. Whenever possible carry on your baggage and don’t check it.

2. If you can choose a non-stop flight, rather than one that requires changing planes, that’s a plus.

3. Arrive at the airport early. Baggage handlers will not be rushed and are less likely to make a routing mistake.

4. Always display your contact information on your luggage.

5. Purchase a permanent baggage tag rather than using the paper ones provided at the ticket counter.

6. Put a copy of your travel itinerary inside your baggage. Should it be lost, the airfare will know where to send it.

7. Invest in high-tech luggage tags with radio frequency microchips, such as the SuperSmart Tag and Rebound TAG. While both devices make it easier for an airline or airport worker to match a bag with its owner, they rely on the bag actually being found and reported.

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Archive for the ‘Kauai Travel’ Category