Kauai Marriott
 

I will be at the Kauai Marriott in February. Does anyone have any comments and / or insight that can help make this a better stay ?

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=337795
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=338427
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=385584
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=319853

Recent stay at the Kauai Marriott (Lihue)
 

I stayed here for a weekend respite from a lengthy business trip to Honolulu so understand my comments in the context of an escape from that noisy traffic-clogged city!

The Marriott Kauai (Lihue) property is drop-dead gorgeous. The pool is in the shape of a flower and has an island in the middle and multiple hot tubs cleverly sited. Reportedly it is the largest fresh-water pool in Hawaii. As a gold, I was upgraded to an ocean view room on the top floor. We had a lovely breakfast on the balcony one morning. (It is not a high rise). Pretty views of the green mountains nearby. I was there in mid-November (not Thanksgiving) and I would call the vibe "mellow" but it's still a full-service property.

The beach is small -- you could walk from one end to the other in less than 10 minutes -- and on a protected bay. Good or bad, depending on what you're looking for. Great for kids, bad for bodysurfers. There are volleyball nets set up on the beach and there were several games going. Not sure if these were locals or tourists.

There are about 4 restaurants on the property. We ate at Duke's one night (predictable but good fare from this chain) and at the more upscale Italian restaurant the next. Very good food with a nice outdoor seating area.

This hotel is very close to the airport but we were not bothered by airport noise during our short stay. If you don't plan to leave the property much, a car is not necessary. But there is much to see (not do) on this tranquil Garden Isle so you may want to rent a car for day trips.

Make sure to drive up to the end of the road to the quaint little shopping center. It is nestled right along the golf course with great views of the ocean. It was hit by a hurricance some years back, but the owners have meticulously restored it to all of its previous grandeur. You could spend a full day there alone.

I'm sure someone else here will echo my sentiments.

Are there different types of rooms ?
As a platinum member, what might I expect while there at the end of
February ?
Is there a concierge lounge ?

No concierge lounge at Kauai Lihue Marriott
 

There is no concierge lounge. I made plat during my 2-night stay here but I wasn't treated like a plat. I told the CSR this when I checked in; he was nice enough and said he upgraded me to a nicer room but it seemed like a normal room, sizewise and all. It had a very nice view of the pool/ocean and it was on the top floor, FWIW.

See also this post regarding Hawaii properties:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showp...26&postcount=5

Ok, no on else took the bait. The shopping center has never been repaired and is in such a state of disrepair it is a hazard. It was that way on my first trip in 1999, and was only worse in late 2004.

Are there any other comments about this property ?

I will be there in February and would appreciate any comments / suggestions.

Thanks

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=337795
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=338427
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=385584
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=319853

There is a Dukes and Cafe Portofino restaurant adjacent to the property. Mrs. Juiceman and I dined at the Portofino for our anniversary in December and were only midly impressed. They make homemade gelato daily that was great but our server was slack: brought out the wrong entree for my wife, said the correct one would be right out and left me staring at my food for 15 minutes. Their Specialty di Casa wasn't any more special than what I cook in my casa. In early January there were torrential rains on Kauai and the sewer line ruptured at the Marriott and everyone was on the verge of being evactuated. Definitely venture out of Lihue (often). The Marriott is a nice property but on the least magical part of the island.

They are in the process of remodeling the center. I don't know when it will be finished but as of 2 weeks ago they had some of the roofs repaired.

My wife and I ate in Cafe Portofino 2 weeks ago and were disappointed in the service also. The decor and ambiance were very nice but they didn't offset the poor service. We also found that the prices were much higher since they moved to the Marriott from Harbor Mall and the portions were smaller.
By the way the rains caused several sink holes, one swallowed a Ford Explorer.

Actually I read your post at the above link and the Renaissance Ilikai is in fact a resort. The way you tell is to go to Marriott’s web site, click on More Search options link right below the find button. When the Hotel Search Option web page is displayed type HNL, or other destination airport code, in the City field; then scroll down and check the Resort box under Choose Hotel Features and un-check the No preference box; and then click the Find button. The Resorts in the area you have chosen to search will then be displayed.

Regarding room upgrades, and rooms in general, at the Kauai Marriott Resort. While this is a very nice hotel, it is much older and as such the rooms are unimpressive. I was upgraded as a Plat about 6 years ago and they put us in a OV room, but the room itself was bland. Now if you want nice rooms, nice Spa, nice accoutrements, then go stay at the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa at Ko Olina on the SW coast of Oahu past Barbers Point. No big city like Waikiki, no traffic, less crowds, un-crowded beaches, peaceful and private, 18 hole golf course, and scuba diving near by. Also IMO, Ko Olina Beach is much nicer than Kauai or Ilikai, which really doesn't have a beach. I cannot comment on the Waikiki Marriott as I have not stayed there, but have heard that it is not on the beach, but instead, across the street.

I second the Ihilani recommendation. It's a fantastic property. When you reserve, specify the lower profile building closer to the beach....a little more, but well worth it. And be careful for the sumo-like strength of the male staff in the spa. Last trip had to be cut by 3 days after my wife suffered horribly following a massage treatment. Other than that......

It's probably too late now, but you can also try to get rooms at the Kauai Beach Club, which is the timeshare side of the property. Having stayed in both, from my experience the timeshare side has nicer rooms and many are ocean front.

I'd agree that the rooms are aveage, but the property itself is very beautiful and spread out. Pool area is great. We have stayed twice and are returning for a week (in the timeshare side) in May.