Fourth time we have stayed at Lawai Beach Resort, ocean view timeshare on Kauai, walking distance of a dozen restaurants, snorkeling across the street at Lawai Beach.
Came here Friday, previously on Tuesday or Thursday. Direct flights from San Jose to Lihue only on select weekdays in December and March.
Called as soon as we got a rental car at Lihue airport 14 miles, 27 minute drive away. Room was ready at noon, 4 hours early.
Stopped by Costco 12 miles and a 23 minute drive away. If you arrive before your room is ready, the lobby has a refrigerator. Luggage carts and elevators available .
Again assigned room in either the oldest building Coral, with obstructed ocean view, or bottom floor of Alii or Banyan, as owners reserve upper floors of Alii and Banyan with the best ocean views 2 years in advance.
Drove up to the third floor of the garage parking structure adjacent to Coral, with fitness center, tennis court, and miniature golf on top of the structure. Can unload luggage without getting rained on, in Kauai, the rainiest of the Hawaiian islands.
3308 a third floor Coral two bedroom unit, 30' x 33' or 1000 square feet, double the size of a one bedroom unit. Pull out sofa bed in the living room. Unit sleeps 6, but only 1 bathroom.
No AC. Cross ventilation through window louvers in bedroom, above front doorway, and sliding window balcony. Ceiling fans in both bedrooms and living room. Floor to ceiling full room width balcony door/sliding window facing the ocean. Keeping the room cool meant closing the windows and curtains when out during the day.
Sister in bedroom next to corridor bothered by TV noise from next door bedroom on corridor late at night.
3 flat screen TVs and overhead ceiling fans in living room and both bedrooms.
Fully equipped kitchen, with four burner electric stove, full size refrigerator, dishwasher, granite counters, and coffee maker. Bring your own folding ice chests for picnics. Narrow galley kitchen can only hold 2, even though 6 people may be in unit.
Tiny granite bathroom sink counter, full bathtub/shower, quiet vent. Resort supplies one 2 ounce conditioner/shampoo. Won't last one week for 6 people. Bring your own.
Ali and Banyan units have their own washer/dryer, whereas Coral has a communal room with 4 washers and 4 dryers.
Linen closet has 12 beach towels, 12 bath towels, 12 hand drying towels, and 12 wash cloths. If you have 6 people, you are limited to 2 bath towels each for the week!
Wife had to give mac serial number of Kindle tablet to wifi provider to get wifi connection.
Convenient garbage chute near elevator on each floor.
Hula show Wednesdays in the lobby.
30 minute walk to Spouting Horn, with no sidewalks the last half mile, along winding road, passing Allerton's Tropical Gardens, with Hula show Thursdays at 2pm .
Jogged on the mile long concrete sidewalk, past golf course and the $4 million ocean front homes to Kukuiula Beach.
Walked 17 minutes uphill on sidewalks with no street lights, using flashlights to The Shops of Kukuiulas: Eating House 1849, Merriman's, and Kiwae Roots. Wednesdays farmers market, Friday evenings live Hawaiian music.
Walked 30 minutes to Keoki's Paradise and Anuenue Cafe in Poipu Shopping Village, street lights, but no sidewalks the last quarter mile. Walk on side with bike lane. Bring flashlight, or become road kill!
Poipu Beach 2 miles away, Shipwreck Beach and start of Makauwahi Heritage trail to Makawehi Lithified Cliffs and Makauwahi Cave 3 miles away.
Big Save supermarket 2.4 miles drive in old Koloa, which has farmers market Mondays.
Waimea canyon 29 miles or 53 minute drive away.
Carabella's Pizza food truck Tuesdays, and Rafael's Aloha Tacos food Wednesdays in the parking lot. But sister doesn't eat pizza, nor Mexican food.
No housekeeping during our week stay. $150.51 surcharge on departure , including $75 resort fee and the rest taxes. First time Hawaii taxed timeshares, unlike hotel rooms.
Downgraded from 5 stars to 3 stars. Up to 6 people sharing 1 bathroom for a week? Not told in advance that it had only 1 bathroom. The 24 two bedroom units on the ends of the 3 buildings, have 2 bathrooms and 3 balconies.
Still want to stay here? Try www.redweek.com for openings.
First night wife woke up at 4am to go to bathroom. I woke up at 530am to go to the bathroom, only to find sister had started to take a 15 minute shower.
Tough to walk 200 yards to the lobby bathroom in the Banyan building, on an overflowing bladder!
Next night sister waited until I had gone to the bathroom in the early morning, before taking shower. Toilet seat down meant wife had last used bathroom, toilet seat up meant I had last used bathroom! read more