Hawaii - Any recommendations for an inexpensive place near Poipu, Kauai?

I got a good promo deal for the Westin in Princeville as an SPG owner, ($798 for 5 nights, including 7000 SPG points and a week's car rental via Avis), and I would like to spend 7 nights on the island, rather than 5, and spend the other 2 days in Poipu, rather than in Princeville - because it's drier, and closer to some parts of the island such as Waimea Canyon, and I'd prefer to avoid starting my day in paradise by sitting in traffic.

The Sheraton Poipu is pricey for the quality, at $255 a night including resort fee, or 12000 SPG points as a Cat. 5. (and cash+points is not available).

The Hyatt is nicer, but more expensive at over $350 a night - and I don't have Hyatt points.

These are off-season rates for the first half of December.

As I'm traveling alone, I would be happy to go a bit down-scale and pay somewhat less. I see plenty of more moderate cost options around Lihui or Kapaa, but I'd prefer to be in the Poipu area, rather than Lihui or Kapaa, but I'm not seeing anything available, other than rentals that would require a week's stay and I will only be in that area for 2 night.

Any recommendations for moderate places in Poipu, or, failing that, are any of the moderate cost places in Lihui/Kapaa standouts?

You don't have a lot of choices in Poipu, the only three hotels are the Sheraton, Grand Hyatt and Koa Ke'a. Most condos a 3 night minimum. If you can add one night look at Waikomo Stream Villas, Piopu Kapili and Kiahuna Plantation.

I would avoid the Kapa'a area like the plague. Did you check the Marriott Lihue?

Did you check the Garden Wing at the Sheraton?

You don't have a lot of choices in Poipu, the only three hotels are the Sheraton, Grand Hyatt and Koa Ke'a. Most condos a 3 night minimum. If you can add one night look at Waikomo Stream Villas, Piopu Kapili and Kiahuna Plantation.

I would avoid the Kapa'a area like the plague. Did you check the Marriott Lihue?

Did you check the Garden Wing at the Sheraton?

That price WAS for the Garden Wing at the Sheraton: $229 plus a $26 resort fee. Kiahuna Plantation is similar price and much bigger than I need.

The Marriott in Lihue is selling for a similar price to the Sheraton ($234 published rate), but I am pretty sure I will be able to pick it off for $125-140 a night on Priceline or Hotwire, as my days are for a Wednesday and Thursday night off season in a slow market. Failing finding a better deal in Poipu, that's my fallback plan. A property that I am 95% sure is the Marriott is $140 including taxes and fees on Hotwire.

I think about the only option to have a fairly decent place without a high price is through Priceline.

I think about the only option to have a fairly decent place without a high price is through Priceline.

Pretty certain that I can pick off the Marriott for $118 plus taxes and fees on Hotwire ($140 all in). The Sheraton Kauai might be gotten for a similar tab on Priceline, but they have a $25+ tax resort fee on top of that (It's $155 plus taxes + fees + resort fee on Hotwire). I'm reluctant to bid for the Marriott on Priceline as there is another resort in Kapa'a that I might get instead - believe it's an Aston) as Kapa'a and Lihue are in the same Priceline zone, whereas I can isolate Poipu as a zone there.

Don't to anything yet. The early part of December is extremely low season and there is a good chance you will see a sale for your dates.

Or, if you can, protect yourself with a refundable reservation at the Sheraton, and then worry about using Priceline if there aren't any deals around.

Don't to anything yet. The early part of December is extremely low season and there is a good chance you will see a sale for your dates.

Or, if you can, protect yourself with a refundable reservation at the Sheraton, and then worry about using Priceline if there aren't any deals around.

I don't plan on it, other than maybe some lowball bids for the lowest prices I've seen the Sheraton go for on PL. I am well aware that it's off season, which is why I was surprised at how high the current pricing at the Sheraton is, and that they weren't offering cash+points.

It's still a bit early for them to start selling at the deeper discounts. For some reason the rates in Kauai stay high until a few months before the expected lower season.

I've often booked the Hyatt at a AAA rate only to have it go down, and go down again, and then go down one more time, before I actually go.

Thanks for everyone's help - I'm pretty sure I have a strategy for getting either the Sheraton in Poipu or the Marriott in Lihue for a reasonable price when I'll need it, and that there isn't anything that's an appreciably better bargain in southern Kauai.

The December before last I got the Aston at Poipu Kai for $90/night plus fees. That was for a five night, mid-December stay.

My guess is that even some condos are willing to accept a few short-term stays in order to fill in their occupany gaps.

The December before last I got the Aston at Poipu Kai for $90/night plus fees. That was for a five night, mid-December stay.

My guess is that even some condos are willing to accept a few short-term stays in order to fill in their occupany gaps.

Thinking about spending 2013 spring break here. Yeah I know it's a year away, but I gotta start planning now.

I wouldn't necessarily avoid a condo...VRBO or other similar sites...even some of the local real estate agencies handle condos. Even with posted minimum stay requirements, I've had luck contacting owners and getting them to agree to lesser numbers of days, especially if they have shorter blocks of available dates remaining between rentals and especially in off-peak periods. there are a number of smaller units in the Poipu area...even studios. you can check out the on-line calendars. it never hurts to ask.

Don't to anything yet. The early part of December is extremely low season and there is a good chance you will see a sale for your dates.

This. I stayed at the st regis during low season last year for $350, but had to book week of for that rate. ;D

This. I stayed at the st regis during low season last year for $350, but had to book week of for that rate. ;D

And I will already be staying at the Westin in Princeville for most of my stay, so I am looking for sunny Poipu for the rest.

FWIW, Mrs. jacknyoc and I were on Kauai last June-July for two weeks...majority in Hanalei and last few days in our normal spot in Poipu. Generally, weather was much nicer up north than in Poipu. patterns can change and nothing's predictable...especially these days with all the storms hammering the islands in past weeks/months. maybe we were lucky...maybe it's global warming...mabe my memory isn't as good as it used to be re: past trips and weather...

And I will already be staying at the Westin in Princeville for most of my stay, so I am looking for sunny Poipu for the rest.

FWIW, Mrs. jacknyoc and I were on Kauai last June-July for two weeks...majority in Hanalei and last few days in our normal spot in Poipu. Generally, weather was much nicer up north than in Poipu. patterns can change and nothing's predictable...especially these days with all the storms hammering the islands in past weeks/months. maybe we were lucky...maybe it's global warming...mabe my memory isn't as good as it used to be re: past trips and weather...

After the past few years I honestly don't think I would ever consider the north shore for anything other than a day trip or a night or two. And I would certainly never consider owning property there. There have been several flash floods, rains of several inches per hour, Hanalei cut off from the lest of the world, bridges out, etc. And it seems to happen a couple times a year. Granted, you might hit great weather and when you do it's glorious, but Hawaii is too far away and too special a trip (for most) to have it spoiled by 10 straight days of rain. Poipu is still the sunniest part of the island - by far.

FWIW, Mrs. jacknyoc and I were on Kauai last June-July for two weeks...majority in Hanalei and last few days in our normal spot in Poipu. Generally, weather was much nicer up north than in Poipu. patterns can change and nothing's predictable...especially these days with all the storms hammering the islands in past weeks/months. maybe we were lucky...maybe it's global warming...mabe my memory isn't as good as it used to be re: past trips and weather...

That's June-July. In December, Poipu is guaranteed to be drier than Princeville. I'm staying in Princeville because I got a genuinely great deal on the Westin as an SPG owner, but even with that, I considered not taking it because of the weather in that part of the Island. Poipu is definitely more reliably sunny. That being said, for me, Hawaii is not a "special" trip, per se, as I go somewhere in Hawaii at least once a year, and have for the past 20 years or so. This is my 4th trip to Kauai, and I've been to Maui, the Big Island, and Oahu quite a bit more.

I generally go to Kauai in early November during the same week(s), except for last year when I went in June.

For the last 5 trips in November, 2 of them had washouts in Hanalei. For one of them it was extremely rainy. That left 2 trips that I could pick any day of the week to take the drive from Poipu.

Though you got a good deal for early December you just may be wet/cloudy a good amount of the time. I hope not, and your expectations seem to be reasonable, so pick your hotel and location in Poipu wisely - possibly for the end of your stay :D

I generally go to Kauai in early November during the same week(s), except for last year when I went in June.

For the last 5 trips in November, 2 of them had washouts in Hanalei. For one of them it was extremely rainy. That left 2 trips that I could pick any day of the week to take the drive from Poipu.

Though you got a good deal for early December you just may be wet/cloudy a good amount of the time. I hope not, and your expectations seem to be reasonable, so pick your hotel and location in Poipu wisely - possibly for the end of your stay :D

Unfortunately for me, I have SPG status, not Hyatt status. If I had Hyatt status, I probably would go to Poipu more often, as that is arguably the best Hyatt resort in all of the Americas. That being said, I have reason to hope that I could pick off the Hyatt for well under $200 including the resort fee via Priceline (mid-week days in early Dec.) as I approach the time of my trip. People were winning it for bids under $160 + fees and taxes during the past December. Unless, of course, Obama drasticaly improves the economy moving forward :D

Unfortunately for me, I have SPG status, not Hyatt status. If I had Hyatt status, I probably would go to Poipu more often, as that is arguably the best Hyatt resort in all of the Americas. That being said, I have reason to hope that I could pick off the Hyatt for well under $200 including the resort fee via Priceline (mid-week days in early Dec.) as I approach the time of my trip. People were winning it for bids under $160 + fees and taxes during the past December. Unless, of course, Obama drasticaly improves the economy moving forward :D

I think the Sheraton Poipu is great. It isn't the Grand Hyatt, but it is on a better beach and is in a better location.

I think the Park Hyatt Aviara can give the Grand Hyatt Kauai a run for its money, BTW.

I think the Sheraton Poipu is great. It isn't the Grand Hyatt, but it is on a better beach and is in a better location.

I think the Park Hyatt Aviara can give the Grand Hyatt Kauai a run for its money, BTW.

Perhaps, but I don't typically give the Aviara much thought as a resort destination that I might stay at, because I live about 10 miles from it.

The first time I was ever scheduled to stay at the Poipu Sheraton, the trip was cancelled because the place got trashed by Hurricane Iniki, so I ended up in Maui instead.

I got a good promo deal for the Westin in Princeville as an SPG owner, ($798 for 5 nights, including 7000 SPG points and a week's car rental via Avis), and I would like to spend 7 nights on the island, rather than 5, and spend the other 2 days in Poipu, rather than in Princeville - because it's drier, and closer to some parts of the island such as Waimea Canyon, and I'd prefer to avoid starting my day in paradise by sitting in traffic.

The Sheraton Poipu is pricey for the quality, at $255 a night including resort fee, or 12000 SPG points as a Cat. 5. (and cash+points is not available).

The Hyatt is nicer, but more expensive at over $350 a night - and I don't have Hyatt points.

These are off-season rates for the first half of December.

As I'm traveling alone, I would be happy to go a bit down-scale and pay somewhat less. I see plenty of more moderate cost options around Lihui or Kapaa, but I'd prefer to be in the Poipu area, rather than Lihui or Kapaa, but I'm not seeing anything available, other than rentals that would require a week's stay and I will only be in that area for 2 night.

Any recommendations for moderate places in Poipu, or, failing that, are any of the moderate cost places in Lihui/Kapaa standouts?

Um..."moderately priced" and "Poipu" are not commonly seen in the same sentence. :(

Here are my recommendations as follows:
Poipu:
Kiahuna Plantation is nice. They're condos owned by individual owners that allow you to rent a couple days or less than a week. They're managed by two companies where you can check their availability:
http://www.outrigger.com/hotels-resorts/hawaiian-islands/kauai/outrigger-kiahuna-plantation
and
http://www.castleresorts.com/home/accommodations/kiahuna-plantation-and-the-beach-bungalows

next:
Poipu Kapili.
You can check the availability at this site:http://www.kauai-vacations-ahh.com/ss-poipu-kapili.htm#anc
the company also manages other condos in Poipu, so you can see what other places they have located in Poipu while you're browsing their website. They also let you rent for less than a week.

Moving east from Poipu:
Islander on the Beach: http://www.astonhotels.com/resort/overview/aston-islander-on-the-beach (the address is technically kapaa, it's closer and almost in wailua).

Kauai Beach Resort: http://www.kauaibeachresorthawaii.com/
the address is technically in lihue, but nowhere near downtown or what you'd think of lihue -- it's more like in between past Lihue before Kapaa.

Last but not least: Coral Reef Hotel. http://www.hotelcoralreefresort.com/ you should look it up on tripadvisor. It's smack dab in Kapaa. Yes, it looks yucky from the outside, but looks pretty nice on the inside, nice enough, clean enough, overlooking the ocean, nice spot, although not a swimable beach...soooo reasonable, though!!! 89-110 a night. I would check into it.

Hope some of these recommendations help! :)

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Um..."moderately priced" and "Poipu" are not commonly seen in the same sentence. :(

Here are my recommendations as follows:
Poipu:
Kiahuna Plantation is nice. They're condos owned by individual owners that allow you to rent a couple days or less than a week. They're managed by two companies where you can check their availability:
http://www.outrigger.com/hotels-resorts/hawaiian-islands/kauai/outrigger-kiahuna-plantation
and
http://www.castleresorts.com/home/accommodations/kiahuna-plantation-and-the-beach-bungalows

next:
Poipu Kapili.
You can check the availability at this site:http://www.kauai-vacations-ahh.com/ss-poipu-kapili.htm#anc
the company also manages other condos in Poipu, so you can see what other places they have located in Poipu while you're browsing their website. They also let you rent for less than a week.

Moving east from Poipu:
Islander on the Beach: http://www.astonhotels.com/resort/overview/aston-islander-on-the-beach (the address is technically kapaa, it's closer and almost in wailua).

Kauai Beach Resort: http://www.kauaibeachresorthawaii.com/
the address is technically in lihue, but nowhere near downtown or what you'd think of lihue -- it's more like in between past Lihue before Kapaa.

Last but not least: Coral Reef Hotel. http://www.hotelcoralreefresort.com/ you should look it up on tripadvisor. It's smack dab in Kapaa. Yes, it looks yucky from the outside, but looks pretty nice on the inside, nice enough, clean enough, overlooking the ocean, nice spot, although not a swimable beach...soooo reasonable, though!!! 89-110 a night. I would check into it.

Hope some of these recommendations help! :)

I can get the Courtyard Marriott in Kapaa for 106 a night. I am hoping to get, via Priceline, the Sheraton during my off peak dates in early Dec. for a Priceline bid of $115-120/nt plus a $25 resort fee as my first choice. Failing that, or something comparable in Poipu for no more than $150/nt all in, I'd go with the Courtyard in Kapaa

I can get the Courtyard Marriott in Kapaa for 106 a night. I am hoping to get, via Priceline, the Sheraton during my off peak dates in early Dec. for a Priceline bid of $115-120/nt plus a $25 resort fee as my first choice. Failing that, or something comparable in Poipu for no more than $150/nt all in, I'd go with the Courtyard in Kapaa

I'm sure plenty of the hotels snobs will disagree, but the Courtyard is nice if you're not wanting to spend $200+/night. I stayed there back in 2010 when it was still an Aston, and I understand they've done some work since then.