Any recommendations for places to stay? Original plan was to splurge on the Hyatt, but I found something in New York magazine that says that it's better to rent a condo on the beach since you won't be spending much time indoors. The rate listed for one place is $800-$1000 per week. I'm slightly worried that I'm going to book it and find it a nightmare. So, please, if anyone has experience, please let me know what I should consider. I would rather not stay in a gay hotel (as they tend to be small and kinda dinky--let me know if I'm wrong).

Hey Tom Ford, I just came across your post today. I LOVE Kauai. We try to go every year, we were there in February. I always stay on the North Shore in Hanalei, we rent a cottage right on the beach, gorgeous. Kauai is paradise, there is no night life and the options for fine dining are few, but if you want a true hawaiian vacation, Kauai is the island. Snorkeling, hiking, surfing, swimming, bicycle riding, boating, parasailing, kite surfing it's all here. Plus, the absolute beauty of unspoiled Hawaii, the way Oahu must have been back in the 50's. I cannot praise Kauai enough. The cottage we rent is ideal for two people, although it can sleep 5, it sits on 2 1/2 acres of beach front property on Weke Road in Hanalei, rented through Waimea Plantation Cottages in Waimea. Also on the property is a large Plantation house, built in 1922, which we've also rented on other trips, it can sleep up to 17 people comfortably. The three times we've rented that house, we have had large groups of our friends, what a treat for all of us. It's a big old rambling house, perfect for a large group of friends to bond and enjoy friendships. The rates are competitive with the large resort hotels on the South Shore in Poipu. I hope this information is helpful and hope you do decide to go, you will fall in love with Kauai.

I agree. Kauai is my favorite island. But don't be surprised by all the wild chickens on the island. They are everywhere.

Tom Ford,
You've made a good choice in Kauai - I go there every summer for a couple of weeks to relax. I highly recommend the Waimea Plantation Cottages in Waimea on the West side of the island. It's a wonderful collection of restored plantation worker cottages situated on about 3/4 mile of beachfont (not a great swimming beach) and tied together by a lush garden. The cottages are very simple - hardwood floors, board and batten siding, corrugated metal roofs, double hung windows, ceiling fans, large lanais, and remodeled kitchens. There's no air -conditioning but it's not needed as the windows on all sides allow great cross ventilation. It's not the resort for everyone as there is only a very well maintained swimming pool and no organized activities. Bring some books, take your watch off, enjoy the dry weather of the West side, and ask them to bring a bbq over to your cottage. As Sobayman mentioned, the family that owns the Plantation Cottages also rents out their old family vacation house in Hanalei. I've always wanted to try it but I find the North side of the island too touristy. If the Hanalei house is anything like the atmosphere of the cottages though, then I agree you'll get a feel for what Hawaii may have been like 50 yearsago.
The website is: www.waimeaplantationcottages.com
If you stay on the North side, there will be more things to do and more people. The West side is primarily local residents with vistors passing through Waimea to get up to Waimea Canyon (a great place to hike). Try a catamaran trip along the Napali coast - spectacular views of the island, snorkeling, dolphins and whales (winter), and if you book it on Liko Cruises out of Waimea the catamaran will just fit through a cave and into an open air grotto in the cliffs. The beach - accessible only via a bumpy clay road through a sugar cane field - is worth the drive. It's the longest beach on the island - pure white sand, gorgeous sunsets, and not crowded. Enjoy!

There are advantages to both the large hotels and the cottages/condos in Kauai. As stated, the condos give you a lot of privacy, kitchens, close beaches, etc..., but hotels give you nearby dining, shopping, room service, etc... -- depends on your personality, whether you like to clean to get your deposit back, make the bed, etc... and your budget.

We go to Kauai once every two years and usually rent a group of condos. If we hotel it, we hit the Poipu area which has some great restaurants like Brenneckes and Keoki's Paradise in the Poipu Shopping Center. Also, my favorite pizza is at Brick Oven heading toward Waimea from Poipu--awesome portugese sausage on the pizza! Try a PukaDog if you're in the Poipu shopping center--not cheap, but really tasty--they insert a hotdog inside a sealed bun and fill it with island relish (ie. mango, etc..) and it's really good. In Hanalei, a great greasy spoon is Bubba's burgers.
The beaches are beautiful around the island--Waimea has the dirtiest water (most sand/dirt pull up) but the surf is still beautiful.
Definately hit Hanalei and the caves at the end of the road (old lava tubes). Shopping is fun at Coconut Grove, Hanalei and Koloa Town.
Must sees are Waimea Canyon and Kalalau lookout.

Shush! All-a y'all! We don't want the fairly unspoiled Kauai turning into Oahu, do we? Let's just keep it our little travel secret. (I've gone the last two Decembers for a week of R&R in the Anahola area. The roosters wake you up at 5:30 a.m., you go for a long walk on the deserted beach before breakfast and watch the sun come up, then have the day free to hike, horseback ride or just lounge around reading if it's raining. And it does rain a lot -- so don't go! It's the rainiest spot on earth. No, really, Mt. Waialeale is.)

Guys, thanks for all the info. Sorry it took me so long to reply.

Sobayman and Kennysf: thanks for the Waimea Plantation Cotteges info. The place in Hanalei is sadly already full for the dates we had in mind, so we looking at Waimea cotteges instead. But my heart's really set on Hanalei--it looks awesome.

jcboltfan, I've printed that list out to make sure we try some of those places. dwb56--I love rain, and I wouldn't mind if it rained everyday. Besides, I'm told that rain there is in really short spurts, and that once it's over, it's clear and beautiful again.