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ResortQuest's Islander on the Beach (formerly Aston Hotels),
is a charming plantation-style hotel and one of Kauai's
best oceanfront values. They recently finished a $10 million
renovation with wonderful results. The lobby was redone
and is now open-air with ceiling fans and a veranda that
looks out to the wide green lawn and pool complex. With
their great location on the island's east coast, six acres
of prime oceanfront land, lush gardens throughout the
property and now, beautifully renovated rooms, the Islander
has become a very special getaway on a very special island.
The rooms are beautifully decorated with island-style
furnishings and large furnished lanais or patios, stone
flooring and granite countertops on the wet bars. The
Islander's eight, three story buildings offer garden,
partial ocean or ocean views. There are no elevators,
but the views from the 2 upper floors are more than worth
the slight trek, which you can always consider exercise.
Amenities include Cable/Satellite Flatscreen TV, CD player,
refrigerator, voice mail, internet access (fee), in-room
safe, coffee/tea maker and more. There is no charge for
two children 17 years and younger occupying the same room
as their parents.
You can relax on a lounge chair on the lawn, or spend
your time by the pool, sundeck or the large hot tub where
they keep the greenery low enough so you can enjoy the
views of the ocean. The beach is beautiful, wide and white,
but swimming is not recommended due to strong currents.
But if you love to swim in the ocean, just a few minutes
away are beaches with calmer waters and some great snorkeling
areas. The Islander on the Beach also has a picnic area
with barbeque grills for the use of guests and The Sand
Bar, next to the pool serving tropical drinks and light
meals.
Across the street is the Coconut Marketplace, an open
air shopping center with stores and restaurants. The Wailua
River is just five minutes away and is the longest navigable
river in all the islands. One of the most popular things
to do is rent a kayak and paddle up the river where you
then stop and hike to a waterfall - it's quite an unforgettable
experience. A short distance away is the 19th century
plantation town of Kapa'a, well worth a stroll through.
It's a charming, funky town with lots of small boutique-type
shops, unusual items to purchase, including some unique
items made in Hawaii and a varied choice of restaurants.
Drive to the South and visit Kokee State Park and Waimea
Canyon, called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. There
are great hiking trails in the Park and Canyon area. Go
in the opposite direction and be in the land of Princeville
where pristine golf courses and luxurious resorts are
the norm. Be sure to visit Hanalei Bay where the movie
South Pacific filmed scenes. It's a beautiful bay and
lovely spot to swim.
Some recommended restaurants include Eggberts, great for
breakfast, located right next door in the Coconut Marketplace.
The charming Café Coco, just off the main road of a canefield
in Wailua serving excellent gourmet fare cooked to order
at cafe prices. Then there is Café Portofino serving excellent
Italian dishes at reasonable prices located in Harbor
Mall, Nawiliwila and The Lighthouse Bistro Kilauea in
the Kong Lung Center on the way to Princeville, serving
great food with an eclectic selection.
And although Kauai is not known for their night life,
you can always check out Whaler's Brewpub, located at
the end of the road in Ninini Point, Lihue. Perched over
the harbor, they specialize in seafood, but are also known
for their selection of great appetizers and their burgers.
There is live entertainment on Tues. and Fri. to Sun.,
the place is extremely popular, the food is good, the
company interesting. And, if you're there during the winter
months, you might just see a Humpback Whale or two swimming
past on their way to Maui.
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