1 Star -- WARNING: This property management company will take your money and put your family at…read morerisk. We booked a week at Mele Kai (March 11-18) for two families, including kids, one of whom was celebrating a birthday on the island. Nearly $8,000. On March 10, with a massive Kona storm bearing down on Kauai, we reached out to Garden Island Properties to discuss our options. Our VRBO messages went unanswered. Our phone call went unanswered. When we finally got a text response, they told us the rain is what gives Kauai its nickname "The Garden Island" and suggested we bring "a flexible plan and rain gear." We weren't being difficult. We wrote back and told them we weren't opposed to being rained on -- our concern was flooding, loss of power, or being stuck on the island. I asked them directly: "Will my family be safe during this massive storm in your place?" Their response? They told us, "I don't mean to downplay the news coverage, but this is fairly typical winter weather for Kauai." They assured us the rental was "not located in a flood zone." Fairly typical winter weather. Not in a flood zone. Here's what actually happened: The Governor declared a STATE OF EMERGENCY. Roads in Poipu -- the exact neighborhood of this house -- were closed due to flooding. Ho'one Road and Ku'ai Road, right by this property, were shut down. The islands were hit with up to 44 inches of rain and 135-mph winds. Schools and government offices closed. Over 120,000 customers lost power across the state. Beaches were closed under brown water advisories warning of sewage overflow and hazardous bacteria. The Red Cross and Salvation Army mobilized relief efforts. Residents were evacuated into emergency shelters. So much for "fairly typical winter weather." So much for "not in a flood zone." And here's what makes it worse: the forecast they themselves included in their own message showed 90-100% chance of rain with thunderstorms and wind gusts up to 50 mph for EVERY SINGLE DAY of our trip. Their own evidence showed this was not typical. They sent it to us and still told us to come. We never made it to Kauai. We couldn't. It would have been dangerous and irresponsible to bring our families -- our kids -- into that situation. Garden Island Properties refused any refund. VRBO has been contacted twice by phone, was promised a resolution email both times, and as of this writing we've received nothing. $8,000. Gone. For a house we never stepped foot in, on an island we never reached, during a declared state of emergency that the property manager called "fairly typical." This is not a review about the weather. Nobody controls the weather. This is a review about a property management company that had every piece of information -- including their own forecast -- telling them this was a dangerous, historic storm, and they still chose to encourage a family with children to fly into it rather than do the right thing. I asked them point blank if my family would be safe. They couldn't even answer the question. They chose profit over safety. Period. If you are considering booking with Garden Island Properties, understand this: when things go wrong -- and in Hawaii, weather can go very wrong -- this company will not have your back. They will take your money, send you a canned aloha, and wish you luck.

I never leave reviews, but once in a blue moon I do business with a company that's so exceptional,…read moreand whose staff is so above and beyond that I find myself looking for outlets to let others know of my experience. This is the case with the people at Garden Island Properties. A week prior to our departure, we sadly had to cancel our travel to Kauai Island because our daughter was hospitalized. I had already paid in full for our three week rental (60 days prior to our departure date) and I did not purchase insurance. This could have been the end of the story because everyone had already been paid. But, the people at Garden Island Properties worked tirelessly to find another renter so we could recover some of our money. The humanity they showed, and the effort they made on our behalf has made me a loyal customer, and I plan to use them to help me with future rental properties going forth. I will also purchase travel insurance!

Absolutely everything was perfect. Kauai , the Capt was awesome! Same name as the island. Ask for…read morehim by name. Knowledgeable, funny, highly skilled, professional , safe and let you know what to expect. Great staff Audrey, Ariel and Elee. Was the most beautiful and lovely adventure tour covering the NaPoli Coast. Gave so much information even down to the waves and weather as they changed. Very comfortable. Some enclosed areas but mostly open. Gets lots of air flow so you don't get sick. Take dramamine just in case. Loved this the most of a 12 day stay! Golden!

The staff is super cool & friendly Waking up to the sound of…read morethe ocean is amazing!! There is a little beach within walking distance of the hostel..

This is the beach to catch the most amazing sunrises!…read more The sounds of the waves plus the picturesque scenery makes the place ideal.

I wish I could give zero stars…read more Our stay started off on the wrong foot, and unfortunately, it set the tone for the rest of our trip. We checked in, and right away, the room wasn't impressive. There was a strange scent lingering in the air--like something was being covered up with multiple plug-ins. Everything felt dated: the furniture, the decor. The kitchen looked decent with updated appliances, but that was about it. We tried to brush it off and went to the pool (which looked much smaller in person than in the photos), then came back to the room. That's when the real nightmare began. My youngest daughter went to take a shower in one of the bathrooms. Moments later, I hear screaming. I run in and see sewage--yes, actual dark, smelly sewage--coming up from the shower drain. My daughter is crying, I'm shaking, and the stench is overwhelming. We immediately called the front desk, and someone was sent to "unblock" it. I begged the manager to move us to another room due to the smell and potential health hazard, and all he said was: "There are no rooms. You can check out, or stay and we'll send housekeeping." Excuse me? This isn't a spilled drink--they're talking about cleaning up sewage with a mop? I asked if they planned to professionally decontaminate the area, and the answer was no. Just their regular housekeeper. It wasn't until I was clearly desperate--three kids, nighttime, a trip we booked months ago--that they finally offered to send us to their sister hotel for one night. But we'd have to pack up, drive there, then return the next day--basically waste precious time and energy. This was a special occasion trip. We paid extra for an ocean view, and it was supposed to be an anniversary celebration. And to make things worse, nobody seemed to care. The manager responded with a condescending tone like I was overreacting. He actually said, "These things happen once in a blue moon." Okay--then have a plan for when they do! It honestly felt like he thought he was doing me a favor by offering a one-night refund or a small room at a different hotel. No real apology. No accountability. Just a lot of shrugging and gaslighting. We ended up staying, but were only refunded for one night. The second bathroom was out of commission (we didn't feel safe using it), so our whole family had to share one shower for the rest of the trip. The awful smell never fully left the room. Also--the in-unit washer and dryer? The washer smelled horrible, was full of sand, and looked like it had mold in the plastic lining. Just gross. This whole experience left a horrible taste in our mouths. I honestly don't understand how this place is being managed. If the rooms are owned by individuals and managed by this hotel group, do the owners even know how badly things are being handled? What was supposed to be a beautiful anniversary trip with our kids turned into one of the worst travel experiences we've ever had. Stay far, far away from this place!!!

Location, view, and staff were great, but the room was NASTY! There were cockroaches, cockroach…read morepoop, and ants everywhere! We stayed in a two-bedroom unit (3rd floor), and the "no elevator" wasn't an issue for us, but the sticky, rusty, dusty, and just plain dirty everything was! The room was in dire need of a deep cleaning! We woke up to the view of gross screens every day, the bathroom vent was beyond dirty, the handrail to go up to the main room was sticky, the microwave hadn't been cleaned prior to us arriving, the fans were extremely dusty, the cable box looked like it hadn't been wiped down in months, and everything was just ICK! Do yourself a favor and stay somewhere else! Take a look at my pictures go an idea of what's in store for you.

Chanel is an amazing front desk receptionist. She is so friendly and welcoming and outgoing! She…read morehas made us feel at home and we love staying here! She will keep bringing us back! Thank you chanel!!

Clean, comfortable rooms in a stunning setting on the Kaua'i coast. I've heard that resorts are no…read morelonger allowed to build so close to the coast, so this is a real gem, especially if you want to get right out on the beach for a beautiful sunrise. The pool area and all the landscaping is especially lovely. All the staff we interacted with were very nice, especially when I lost an item and the front desk gave us a call later for a status update. Parking is easy and convenient, and the Coconut Marketplace with ABC store within walking distance really made this location awesome with easy access to shops, grocery, and food. We really missed the convenience later in the trip at another resort. Downtown Kapaa is also a short drive or walk away. The lack of elevators is a major downside at this location, however. For our party, staying three floors up with no elevators was inconvenient but doable, but for others it could be impossible so please be aware and call ahead if this is an issue for you. I did hear that the resort will be undergoing a renovation soon, and I sincerely hope elevators are a priority.

This is a beautiful resort. You are right on the ocean and if you get up early enough, you can…read moreenjoy the sunrise. They keep everything perfectly neat and clean. You are within walking distance of stores and restaurants. I would definitely return!

Everything about this cottage is so Aloha but honestly the bed and linens made me feel like a…read morequeen! It was incredibly comfy. Here's my morning around the cottage...

These cottages are adorable and so well maintained. The owners go to great lenghts to make sure…read moreyour stay is fabulous! The location is great, close to many good places to eat and the beach is very close (within walking distance). This is the place to stay and very reasonably priced. Much better then staying at a hotel. Very relaxing and private area. Two thumbs up!

It is the best place to stay on Kauai. Lazy Pool river is awesome.Kitchen has everything you need…read morefor cooking.Comfortable beds including the sleeper sofas in living room. Stayed in two units both provides top notch accommodations.

From the owner: Vacation rentalsread more

Had the most amazing stay at Fern Grotto Inn. It's a very cozy property with different sized guest…read morehouses and cottages. I stayed in CANAL A (Perfect for one person or 2 max). I was welcomed / greeted with a beautiful tropical floral arrangement. There were hibiscus flowers all over the room. The provided me a fresh lei on one of the towel arrangements, that I got to wear around my 1st day there. The place was so immaculate and clean! It was cleaner than my own house! It made me feel so good! Housekeeping prepared a welcome card and note with phone #'s for calls and txts. There was a kauai guidebook on the coffee table. They also had a binder with alot of tips, local recommendations and guides. The mattress is nice and firm, pillows are of a good quality. You will get wonderful sleep there. The plumbing worked well. The hot hot showers were amazing. It is on a removable shower head (just like I have at home) that is so convenient. You do have to take out your own trash, but they provide the trash liners under the bathroom sink. Paul and housekeeping happened to be on site when I arrived. They greeted me so warmly. I was having pain in my knees, and needed help with my luggage. Paul was so kind and helped me out. Cottage A was a charming studio. With a queen sized bed. There is absolutely everything you could need. Paul even prepared 2 beers, 2 water bottles and a box of chocolate in the fridge. It has both a fan and A/C wall unit that works very well! The kitchenette is stocked with everything you could need in terms of appliances, cookware, utensils, houswares, and even tupperware and ziploc bags. The cottage was well stocked with towels, bug spray, sunblock, extra blankets, etc. It was so thoughtful. Oh and the property has free laundry for the guests. They even provide laundry soap. It was outstanding. Such a huge blessing. They even have equipment: kayaking, SUP, ice boxes, beach chairs, beach umbrellas, water shoes, snorkeling equipment, etc. The freezer even has an ice tray and blue ice things to use for your daily picnics on the beach! I property has gorgeous flowers that bloom every day. You will be greeted daily with new orchids, ginger plants, ti leaves, etc. There is even a star fruit tree. Paul showed me how to pick when it's ripe (yellow color). I didn't have to buy fruit, I had so much organic star fruit, it was great! I had an amazing 7 night, 8 day stay. It was so quiet and serene. It's right on the river. Other guests were very nice to me. Every one is pretty quiet and keeps to themselves. It is well located 12 min from the airport. It is on the east side of the island, so you are pretty central to the north and south portions of the island. Nearby is a nice beach within 2 minutes - Lydgate Park. There are chickens everywhere on Kauai. But Paul thought of it all, the room comes with ear plugs. I enjoyed the roosters - it was a pleasant change from city life. I would like to return and stay at the larger cottage - the Ohana house next time! I would recommend this place to anybody looking for a safe, quiet, serene place to enjoy Kauai.

Best place to stay if you want to be centrally located. They provide a home away from home for you…read morewith everything you need. You can even kayak or paddle board right from your backyard on the Wailua River. They have a special personalized touch with all the fine details specific to your stay. Very clean, efficient, and warm home feeling.

Stayed there this past weekend. It was a nice room overall. Only cons were the Room had no A/C…read more WiFi wasn't working as well and we had no parking spot. We had to park on the side of the entrance road. No daily room cleaning. They charge you up to $30 depending one what kind of housekeeping service you need for that day. Office to check in is not located on the actual property but down the road at another hotel called the ISO.

I hesitantly booked KK219. I say hesitantly because I really wanted the resort experience that I…read morewas able to enjoy last time in Kauai. However, due to a last minute flight deal, I was unable to get into a resort I wanted due to lack of rooms and high prices. I thought a condo with a kitchen was an OK compromise, but I was REALLY worried about choosing this place because AFTER I paid for the nonrefundable room, I read many poor reviews. The day before arrival I received an email with my check in information. There was no mention of having to check in at a different location like others mentioned. I worried about not "officially" checking in anywhere, but no one called or came to the unit so...? 219 had a portable window air conditioner, which I was thankful for. Even in November the temp reached 85 each day with near 90% humidity. It wasn't quite enough to cool the bedroom the way I wanted, but it made it bearable. Like others said, the unit was not sparkly clean like one would expect when paying such an exorbitant cleaning fee. It was good enough though, and nothing made be feel grossed out. We also had a washer and dryer, but it had a small load capacity and they only gave us 5 laundry pods. That felt pretty cheap. There were plenty of dishes, towels, toilet paper, etc, and they were clean. Others mentioned the "second bedroom" and the crappy sofa bed, and I have to agree that they could really up this place by replacing it with a real bed. Particularly because not only is the AC in the same room (and not able to be moved, so it was the coolest room), but because there is no TV in the bedroom. We attempted to use the sofa bed and gave up because it was awful. Beach access: No, there is none directly from the property, but there is a gate the leads immediately to the adjacent (and really nice looking) property next door. The beach is not suitable for swimming, but like I said about the last place I stayed, there are so many other beaches on the island that you cant really complain. Plus, no swimming equals very few people. My biggest concern, and only gripe, was that on our first morning a man just WALKED into the unit. We were both in bed and, alarmed, I yelled, "Excuse me!!!" He said sorry and quickly backed out. Our door was shut and locked, and so I called Vacasa. The guy seemed totally uninterested and I don't even know if anyone came to look at the lock, but we regularly checked it when leaving after that it was always secure. All in all I would stay again. Four nights cost just under $900 and having the full kitchen enabled us to skip paying for breakfasts, dinners, and snacks, so that was a great way to save. I would stay here again if I were looking for a budget place. Oh, and last but not least: we were in the building closest to the road and didn't hear any traffic at all. Maybe it's because we had the hum of the AC.