Beautiful tropical paradise! Arrive early to the luau for the tram ride that takes you completely around their facility and grounds! The tram ride is very quick. Not sure if they're just trying to get everyone in and out to prep for the luau, but I would have loved a more relaxed pace. We are, after all, on island time! LOL! To the left you'll see this, to the right you'll see this...it was a lot to see in a short amount of time. It's also fun to walk around the grounds a bit and see things on your own. It's all beautiful, so take it all in before the luau! read more

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Excellent food and beauty all around in this gorgeous garden setting. They make you feel like part of the family.

It was a amazing show and garden as well the dinner that was provided was absolutely Great the purple yams and the mixed veggies

To get into the parking lot, the state charged $10/car to park and $5 per person. Just to walk up to the front entry of the Gardens. Then another $10/ person to enter. So it was $40 for the 2 of us to get in. This seems unreasonable. The gardens were pretty but the plants were not labelled often. read more

The food was very good. However, dining experience was noisy and crowded, as to be expected with this type of venue. The show was very nice, but a bit too Las Vegas for my taste. Would have been more "authentic" without the glitz. read more

This is such a beautiful place! We did the boat ride and the show. I would prefer to patronize Native Hawaiians while I travel to their land, and I loved hearing about the creation of the business, and the history of the people of the Wailu River. read more

We loved the Luau when visiting Kauai! Amazing food for a buffet! Everything was delicious. The show after was just as good! Definitely arrive early so you can explore the grounds, it's absolutely stunning! Highly recommend checking out read more

Smith's Tropical Paradise - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

This was my third time at Smith's luau and I don't know if it's because there was no more surprise there but it felt overall very average & way overpriced. The gardens are beautiful and the show was good overall especially the fire dancer part. The food and dining area felt more like a canteen. It was very average but I liked the pork and teriyaki beef. Cocktails were meh. The crowd was very middle class. I'd say $90/100 would have made more sense than $140 pp. read more

We spent a rainy day doing this boat tour on our first day in Kauai. The boat tour went to the fern grotto. While it was pretty and I enjoyed the scenery, the tour was a bit cheesy. The tour boat was cover though and did keep us dry. On the ride down the river they play music and teach you how to hula. To get to the fern grotto from the dock, we had to follow a guide. The guide walked at a snail's pace and was very grumpy and rude. This was by far the worst part of the tour. The fern grotto was incredible though and a different, much more pleasant guide, took over once we got there. On a nice day, I would definitely rent kayaks and go to the fern grotto instead. The fern grotto is a short walk from the dock and it's gorgeous. The river itself is the real attraction here in my opinion. Rent a kayak and spend some time exploring! read more

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Overall: While it's a rather large-scale operation, Smith's knows what they're doing and how to throw a good Luau. Definitely recommend! The good: Gorgeous space - Plants and animals of all types throughout the entire, massive compound. It really is a sight to behold, with lush greens and blooming flowers. The buffet-style food was, for the most part, really good. The highlight of the meal, kalua pork, was fantastic - tender and flavorful. The staff, whether it was the waiters, bartenders, dancers, and bussers, were all friendly and helpful. The not-so-good: The poi was watered down and not flavorful at all, and the mai tai's were hardly effective alcohol-wise. The seating for the dance portion of the night was also crammed and the seats themselves were uncomfortable. Food/drink: 8/10 Service: 8/10 Atmosphere: 8/10 read more

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Came here during our visit to Kauai. Was not expected to be so packed but it was. Not overly so, just a lot of people. We arrived around 5-515pm. I used a previous reviewer's review to figure out the itinerary for the night (check it out, it was accurate to the T). The visit started off with a trolley-type tour around the grounds. Then it deposited us at the imu ceremony location that was starting at 6pm. Until the imu ceremony, we walked around the grounds taking pictures and also staked our seats (per the reviewer, and also per me, if you want first dibs on the food, you have to sit alongside the tables immediately facing the imu ceremony). It's kind of hard to explain but one of the employees also told us how the order would be. The imu ceremony was cool, and fast, because by that time we were so hungry. After that was done, they brought us to the dining room area and we first had drinks. Now, it is unlimited drinks until 730pm. I seriously thought they would be watered down, but they weren't. So be careful. You have your choice of mai tais (premade), beer, wine and other cocktails of your choice. There are also non-alcoholic drinks. Now for the meal, oh, the meal. I thought it was delicious. I tried to taste everything, from the salad to the poi (interesting; they had warned us), to the chicken, and the pineapple fish, to the bread. However, the VERY BEST part of the meal was the pig. OH the pig. I have had pulled pork before (I lived in the South) and you eat pulled pork with BBQ sauce (honestly, I think it's because the pork is basically tasteless). But this Hawaiian pulled pork was THE VERY BEST pulled pork you will ever have. I am not exaggerating even though it seems like it. It was absolutely FLAVORFUL and you did not need, by ANY means, any sauce to make it more tasteful (actually that would have made it worse). During the dinner, you also had some musicians, but if you sit along the outside of the dining area, facing the imu, your view is mostly blocked by pillars. But it was nice to listen to. Before the 8pm luau show, we actually also staked our seats in the very front (mostly because we wanted to go to a more quieter area). I swear they had mentioned the Luau was going to be 30min, but it was a whole hour and we started a bit late. The show was lovely, but call it food coma and/or a bit of alcohol infused tiredness, but I had a bit of trouble watching the entire thing. It was beautiful, the dancers were fantastic, just a bit long (FOR ME specifically). Overall, this was a great experience. I absolutely loved it and for anyone who has never seen a Luau, I'd definitely recommend! read more

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This was a great luau! I booked via Expedia and just showed up to the event with the vouchers. The process went smoothly. Once you enter, you get on a tram, which takes you around the grounds while the driver explains some of the flora. Next is gathering around the imu to watch them remove the kalua pig they've been cooking. Then, you head to the banquet area and pick a seat. There's live music and an open bar (wine, beer, mai tais) while you wait for your table to be called up to the buffet. They have many of the traditional luau food items like the pig, lomi lomi, poi, macaroni salad, guava bread, along with other dishes like short ribs, fish, and salad. For dessert, they have haupia, rice pudding, papaya, and pineapple. The food was better than I expected it to be. Normally, buffets serving mass quantities of food are just okay. Plus, they encourage you to go up for seconds. After dinner is when the show starts, at around 9 pm. You take a short walk to the ampitheater for an hour-long performance of hula dancers, fire dancers, some Hawaiian history. It felt a little long, but that might have been because we were exhausted from being out all day on boat excursion. The only annoying thing is the shuttle. It didn't mention on the Expedia voucher that there would be a complimentary shuttle (I believe this is only to/from Aqua Kauai Beach Resort, which is where I happened to be staying. Other hotels might be extra). We didn't find out until we were leaving, when the guy asked if we were going there. Other than the whole transportation snafu, the luau was still a great experience. read more

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A stunningly beautiful gardens, perfect to stroll and be away from crowds. Perfect to take a wheelchair or stroller through. Wide paved paths. A bargain for $10. Highly recommend! The hours say 5-9pm (maybe for the luau?) but we went after the touristy Fern Grotto trip. So glad we did. It was the quiet island decompress we needed. A budget friendly alternative to Allerton Gardens. Though not as spectacular, well worth it! read more

Gorgeous view! No one was there, just us and the chickens who followed us around the entire time. The trees, flowers and wildlife were breathtaking. The attendant at the front was so pleasant. We were offered umbrellas from the sun which were given back after our walk. We just walked the grounds, nothing else, but we enjoyed every part of what was shown. read more

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Smith's luau was a great experience. The grounds are beautiful, the food was delicious and the staff was very friendly. And finally, the show was great. read more

the very nice folks (including the founder's great, great, great, grandkids) at SMITH's TROPICAL PARADISE LUAU work really, really hard at getting it right: huge venue, gorgeous grounds, careful attention to detail. there are giant challenges in sharing "an authentic island experience" with hordes of goofy tourists and by-and-large they do it masterfully. from the time you walk through the gates and board the tram for a tour of the grounds and a visit with the giant stone statue of Uncle Aku, there's a bit of magic about this place. particularly loved the ritual surrounding the unearthing of the Kaula pig. from their website: "The heart of any luau is the pa'ina, the feast, and we'll make sure you don't go hungry." SMITH's TROPICAL PARADISE LUAU kept that promise. the food was good and had the feel of an upscale, pot luck dinner. i'm Kama'aina and have eaten at enough graduation and wedding luaus for it to feel familiar​. after stuffing ourselves on Kalua pig, teriyaki beef, mahi-mahi​, chicken adobo, and (always my favorite) lomi lomi salmon, we waddled over to the outdoor amphitheater to watch the show. again from their website: "Food may be the heart of a luau, but music is the soul. Our Hawaiian ancestors preserved their history by passing down songs and chants called mele. At our luau, we celebrate these traditions, as well as the songs and dances from other cultures that live in our tropical paradise. The lyrical sway of the Hawaiian hula, the colorful precision of the Tahitian drum dances and the fiery emotion of the Samoan fire knife dance all speak deeply of the people who have come to call Hawaii home." to: Kamika Smith, our joyful and generous host. mahalo for your sharing your aloha spirit with my son and me​. read more

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Darkness and fire is how this ends. I visited a luau on my first visit to Hawaii. In the beginning one of the owners takes us on a tour of the garden and tells about how the Smith family began having luau's on the property. Afterwards we walked around the grounds and got close with all the cool plants and birds. A horn blows to assemble us around an imu oven. There is a ceremony to unearth a pig from the imu oven in the ground. The pig was buried earlier to cook with hot rocks and wrapped in banana and ti leaves. Ironwood is burned to provide most of the heat and to add aroma. Hawaiian sea salt is the only spice added to the pig. The resulting kalua pork was tender, juicy and full of rich flavor. Delicious kalua pork fresh from an imu oven is one of my favorite parts of a luau as it's the only place I know of to get kalua pork prepared this way. The buffet was all you can eat and I started with a sample plate then I loaded up with kalua pork. Kalua pork was melt in your mouth tender and juicy. There was that awesome smoky flavor you can only get from a pig smoked all day in a imu oven. Teriyaki beef was tender, and had a delicious sweet and beefy flavor. Adobo chicken was good. Mahi mahi had a real nice fresh flavor but I don't like sweet and sour sauce so the local cat got a free meal. Sweet Hawaiian pineapple + papaya was delicious. I loved the spongy coconut cake but did not care for the frosting. Haupia had a jello like texture which I loved but the flavor was not quite the same as Helena's in Oahu which is my gold standard. After that great meal it was time for the show. There were beautiful dances by hula girls, many island dances and at the end fire dancing. It was amazing how the fire dancer was one with the flame and together they bonded and thrilled the crowd. All too soon the show was over and we followed the flames back to our car. read more

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Lovely location and gardens. Go an hour early to walk the park. The buffet is very good (free drinks). The Show was very nice and relaxing. Have been there 5-6 times :) read more

Smith's Tropical Paradise, Family Garden Luau & Rhythm of Aloha Show 08/22/2017 What first drew me to this place was that fact it's been a family business for the last 60 years! That in itself is very impressive to me because it shows such unsurpassed family devotion, unity and loyalty that you just don't see too much of on the mainland. Upon arrival our eyes were greeted with acres of Hawaiian flora and fauna. The narrated tram ride around the 30 acre botanical & cultural garden ( over 20 plus types of fruit) property was beautifully dreamlike. Boarding the tram a senior family member greeted everyone along with his two pet dogs. Of course I had to pet the dogs. After the tram ride your free to wander the property, stake out your place at the eating tables (we just left my hat) and discover each and every gem peppering this paradise. They do a traditional Imu ceremony, complete with shell trumpet, singing & prayer. Shortly after the Luau feast begins serve yourself style with seconds encouraged after everyone has been served once. On the main stage you are entranced by lovely Hawaiian singers & music putting everyone in the mood for the upcoming show. My favorite singer by far was Kamika Smith, his voice & Ukulele skills are truly magical. I made sure to give him a compliment after his performance. My unexpected and most welcome dinner companion was a local cat. Chatting with one of the Smith's I found out she just had babies, but nobody had seen them yet since her hiding spot had not been found. She just showed up a few days prior with her belly flatter, but no kitties. At first I was a bit apprehensive they might tell me not to feed her, (she loved the mahi-mahi) but it was the opposite, they were very pleased to see someone feed her. Ohhhh the food, don't know where to begin as each dish surpassed the last. It was hard to concentrate on anything else because the food shined so brightly. Which of course made it hard to stop eating. The food was offered Buffett style with two very long tables laden with numerous dishes. The drink stations and dessert stations were separate. Seconds were encouraged after everyone attending had their first plate. So once your completely full, it's time to head off to the Rhythm of Aloha Show. My favorite feature of the show is the performance diversity showcasing, Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, Philippines, New Zealand, China and Japan. For the fire dances, it's not only the men, women hold their own enchanting fire dance as well. We managed to record some of it and I've played it back a bunch of times now. Each performance was spot on, the energy exchanged between the dancers is contagious. The theatrics including the erupting volcano is breathtaking. The synergy between the live band and dancers is remarkable. This place will live on in your memory. read more

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Such a hospitable group! I didn't know what to expect as this was my first luau, but I didn't regret it! The surrounding land was beautiful and very instagram-worthy and the food was exquisite! I highly enjoyed learning how they cooked the pig and the historical tidbits offered throughout. It seemed like the folks running the show learned from past experiences and were able to accommodate large groups without lengthy delays. Drinks flowed and the food was abundant. They could probably change up the schedule of the performers by the end of the night as my family and I entered a food coma and the wait for the fire performance (which was our main draw) felt long. Nonetheless, I would definitely come here again if provided the opportunity. read more

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SMith is "the other" luau dinner in Kauai. One of the top two on the islands. The feast are just "the rest". This is a real family style dinner, property and business. The owners dad welcomes you with their family dog. The owner is the MC and he also helps serve and clean food. The dining experience is amazing and the food is wonderful. It's authentic island flavors and methods and they explain the customs at this show much more than the other. The other one is More theatrical and historic. This show is the family members on a stage in a little pond amphitheater that is very nice and customary dances with a voiceover but not as elaborate as the othe. Bring bug repellent they will get you. read more

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I had the most amazing 4 hours in Kauai while attending Smith's Tropical Paradise Luau. The tour started off with a brief tour of the garden, which was beautiful and created great photos. There were numerous chickens, chicks and peacocks roaming around the garden, with pretty flowers and some oddly aesthetic trees. Definitely an eye-opening experience for the nature-lovers. Foodies like myself would also enjoy the kahlua pork and buffet segments. The food was a bit limited, but tasty - especially the adobo chicken, fried rice, beef, rice pudding and coconut jelly. There were some dishes that I could've done without, but all in all, the food was pretty decent. Drinks were watered down, but you can't complain about the unlimited supply. The one downside about the meal that must be mentioned was the volume of the live music. We weren't situated too far from the stage and barely heard a thing! The dinner would've been that much better if we ate with pleasantry to our ears. Lastly, the luau performance was awesome! The ladies shook what their mommas gave them and the fire show was out of the world. The one negative thing I can say about the show was how horribly the young group of men were dancing. They were out of sync and showed no expertise nor enthusiasm. I would've been fine just watching the ladies shaking their bom boms. Oh, speaking of which, my bom bom was in pain sitting on the uncomfortable bench for an hour. That's an area where the luau can improve. Besides that, I would definitely recommend Smith's to Kauai visitors. read more

Smith's Tropical Paradise - Surrounding the peacock - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

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Quite late posting a review here, but Smith's deserves the praise. This family-run luau and gardens provides visitors with a great glimpse into Hawaiian aloha spirit! AMBIANCE (5/5) The Smiths cultivate beautiful 30-acre gardens representing a number of Hawaiian and Asian cultures, complete with tropical fruit trees, charming islands connected by bridges, and pavilions. Arrive on the earlier side and take the guided tram tour or stroll about! The luau is held beneath a permanent covered structure and easily seats 250-300+ guests, and the show afterward is held at an amphitheater next door that has covered bleacher seating and an open stage. FOOD (4.5/5) The Imu ceremony unearthing the kahlua pig from its underground oven is very interesting - and the kahlua pork is delish!!! Unlimited drinks by way of wine, beer, and mai tais along with sodas, juices, water, tea, and coffee are available from the cocktail hour on. Smith's offers multiple buffet lines for ease of operations, and each buffet is stocked with a wide variety of Hawaiian dishes: kahlua pork, teriyaki beef, adobo chicken, lomo salmon, poi, purple sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, pickled three bean salad, green salad with choice of two dressings, assorted breads, coconut cake, coconut jelly, and rice pudding. I liked the pork, three bean salad, and coconut cake the most! SHOW (4.5/5) Wow! The Smiths put on an excellent sequence of dances that cover the numerous cultures that have influenced Hawaii. From Polynesian dancing to Samoan fire knife twirling, we were thoroughly impressed by the repertoire, costumery, and skill of the younger members of the family. SERVICE (5/5) The MC, a third-generation Smith, was incredibly funny and welcoming! Several family members circulated to say hello. The evening was interspersed with hula dancing, hula lessons, and jokes. Servers roved constantly offering water, coffee, and tea and quickly cleared used buffet plates. I would wholeheartedly recommend this luau to folks visiting Kauai! read more

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Smith's Tropical Paradise Luau is such a fun experience! When visiting Kaua'i, I would say it's a must :) My husband and I had tickets to this luau as part of a Costco package we bought for our honeymoon, and I was so excited to see that this luau was rated as the best luau on the island (at least in one magazine). From our experience, I can see how it would be! It was the perfect mix of learning about the culture, the hula dancing, and luau show, and then just having fun and enjoying the experience. Plus, it's all you can eat and drink! (Even the Mai Tais!) Between the two of us, my husband and I tried just about everything - all the food was amazing (even regular things like the mashed potatoes, all absolutely delicious). The only thing we were bummed about is being too full to eat more. If you're looking for a luau to attend while in Kaua'i, I highly recommend Smith's! We even got to purchase a cute photo of us taken when we entered (I fell into the peer pressure and bought one for $25 lol), but now we at least have that and the cute shell leis they gave us as a keepsake. read more

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5 star all around. Arrived about an hour before all of the festivities started. Paid, walked in, took pictures, and boarded the tram for a tour of the facilities. After being dropped off, we walked around and took pictures. When the events were ready to start, we gathered around the pit. The owner's son provided some insight while the guys unearthed the pigs. From there we walked into the seating area. We were entertained while we waited our turn in the buffet line where it was all you can eat with an open bar. We then walked over to the theater to watch the show. If you are looking for a Luau in Kauai, I would definitely recommend this one. read more

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I didn't do the dinner portion and just did the show option only due to my dietary and time restrictions for the day. For $15 it was absolutely worth the price and probably the cheapest attractions you'll find in Hawaii. Show only options comes with transportation to the show if you're in the local area. The entrance opens avout 40 minutes prior to showtime and you are taken on a trolley directly to he theater (all done while dinner guests are finishing their dinner) The show itself was beautifully done and is enjoyable for all ages. Would consider a must see if you're in Kauai. read more

Very nice luau in lovely grounds run by several generations of the same family. The tour was nice and it was a very pretty place to walk around prior to eating. They educate you on the process of cooking the pig in an imu and they'll let you watch the ceremony as they take the pig out of the underground oven. The food is plentiful and you can eat to your hearts content. There is live music as you dine. The show afterwards is informative and well done. Probably an hour long. Nice luau! read more

I went on vacation with my boyfriends family and we had amazing dinner at this Luau. They really make sure you get the Luau experience with seeing the pig being pulled from the ground and all the food and cocktails you can possibly imagine! To top it all off they out it on a hula and fire show after dinner. Lots of birds and flowers around the grounds to look at. You don't wanna miss it! read more

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Spectacular dinner and show! See the breakdown of itinerary: 4:45 doors open and you enter into the beautiful botanical gardens. You can hop on a tram and enjoy a 10 min tour of the property ( or your welcome to walk around- but it's big). The tram then drops you off at the covered dinner location. 530-545 they have a small imu ceremony right outside the dinner location (this is the only portion not covered, so just be careful if it starts to rain) 545 they begin dinner. It is open seating unless you have 8 or more in your party. All the seats are good. If you are hungry, sit closer to imu ceremony as they start with those tables first :). It's unlimited drinks and buffet. Food was delicious and they had nice variety. 715 last call for food/drinks 730 you walk over to the outdoor covered theatre for the show. This was absolutely spectacular! The light and extra special effects were mind blowing. Plus, the dancers, especially the fire dancer were so talented. *no bad seat in the theatre. Just sit a few rows up Incase it rains with wind* 830 show ends and you exit and go home. Even though the tickets are a little pricey. We felt it was worth it! read more

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I had a really great time at this luau! It offered a complete luau experience, unlike your typical watered down hotel luau experience. Upon entering, there's a small stand near the entrance that sells bird food. Get a bag, and become a peacock whisperer. There are peacocks galore, and they'll eat right out of your hand! That bag lasted my entire vacation actually, and I was glad I had it! You can roam the grounds or take the shuttle for a guided tour. I recommend the shuttle for a quick overview to scout out the spots you want to roam on your own. The grounds are lovely, and there are photo ops aplenty. The beginning of the imu ceremony starts with the blowing of the conch shell. The welcome includes a nice story about the Smith family history. It's a family run business, and it shows throughout your stay here. Be on the lookout for a small dog riding around on a golf cart! The food selection was great, and I finally learned to love poi here! So much so that I continued to order poi whenever I could during my Kauai stay! I really enjoyed my food. In fact, I wished I had room for seconds! No room for dessert even, despite everyone telling me how much I was missing out. Drinks are also aplenty. I would skip the mai tai table, and go straight to the beer/wine kiosk. Tip the bartenders, folks!! I was semi-appalled by how flimsy the tip jar remained. There was some light entertainment on the small stage during dinner. But the real entertainment takes place outside on the bleachers after dinner. The show seemed at first like it was going to be quite the production, but quickly you learned that the "talent" is cast by Smith family members, and not so much by actual talent. It clearly showed that these folks could use some more practice. You can't just throw your nephew-home-from-college into a costume, and throw him on stage after showing him a couple moves backstage....yet, that's what it seemed! It read like a family reunion talent show rather than a professional production. It was sweet still, having been given the lowdown about the importance of keeping the business within family. The coolest effect of the show this evening: it seemed that Mother Nature was in cahoots with the show. The rain was perfectly timed at the most dramatic beats. The impeccable timing of the sudden downpours was not lost on the crowd, as it drew a lot of gasps of surprise then gradually turned to "ooohs" and "ahhhs" from the audience. Several times it seemed that the chanting would start the rain. The performers seemed somewhat surprised themselves. At first, I wasn't sure that it was legit rain, as it seemed to rain on cue. And it happened repeatedly. I was pretty awestruck. (It was indeed legit rain, btw!) It wasn't the best luau I've been to, but I found it completely charming, and I would come back again! read more

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I celebrated my 40th birthday here with my family and bestie's family (total of 6). I couldn't have asked for a better birthday. By booking online in advance (2 days required in order to receive the discount) we were able to save money as well as pass the crowd of people waiting in line. Amex is an accepted form of payment for online booking. Upon entering, each person is given a shell lei then ushered to a photo opportunity with a couple of hula gals. The photo taken will be available for sale later in the evening for $20. Visa/MC are accepted forms of payment and the photo is a glossy 8"x10" print. After photos are taken a narrated tram tour is offered which lasts about 15 minutes. After the tram tour is completed there is about 40 minutes to walk and view the gorgeous grounds before the Imu Ceremony (cooking of the kalua pig). The Imu Ceremony takes about 15-20 and is quite interesting. Once the Imu Ceremony was completed we were ushered into the dining hall (groups of 6+ have reserved seating) for cocktails and music. There was a bar for soft drinks and juice, a bar for beer and wine and lastly a bar for Mai Tai's and mixed drinks. Photo ID is required if one looks younger than 21. A limit of two alcoholic beverages per person at one time is in effect (we each grabbed our 2 drinks and set them at seats then went to grab an additional 2 each). Lines moved fast the drinks were always available. Once people had settled with their drinks and after a bit of Hawaiian entertainment the feast/buffet begins. I was impressed with how organized and smoothly the feast/buffet was. Rather than allow a free-for-all, tables were individually called upon which eliminated the mad rush and bottle necks. The food was plentiful and tasty. If one left hungry it was their own fault. The kalua pig was juicy and delish! After everybody was nice and full (about 8pm) we were instructed to go to the amphitheater (open seating with no bad view - cushions also provided on the metal seats) for the night's entertainment. Entertainment consisted of several different cultural dances and lasted until about 9:15pm. Thank you Smith family for making my 40th such a memorable experience! Keep up the great work. read more

Smith's Tropical Paradise - Photo opportunity upon entrance which can be purchased later in the evening for $20. Visa/MC are accepted forms of payment. - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

Wedding & luau 5 stars- I would highly recommend the place for a wedding. The solo singer was great before & during the wedding. The pictures all turned out great, even the peacocks helped. The grounds are just beautiful back drops. This was my first and only laua on Hawaii. We experienced this the day before the wedding. I knew how they cooked underground, but still found the unearthing cerimony interesting. Great photo ops with the diggers after the ceremony. We were seated for the feast. It was like a wedding reception as other described. I did find food to enjoy- the pig, teriyaki beef and fresh fruits topped the list. The Longboard beer was a pretty good lager. Nobody seemed to enjoy the poi. The show was interesting mesh of different "imagrants" to the islands dance styles. I found it interesting, but I was with my baby niece and she makes most things fun. I can see how, if I was alone or with just a date... or honeymoon... being seated in the back and having to wait a long time to get in line for the food.... then realizing that I was sittng on bleachers watching a OK show... this could be not worth it. However, I walked away a fan. read more

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Perhaps the best luau on Kauai. Food excellent, entertainment colorful, open bar, beautiful grounds (peacocks, ducks, chicken, ponds, trees, exotic flowers). What's not to like? O yeah, $30 per adult or kid. Tip: They even accept AAA card discount! read more

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Of course a Luau is an experience that everyone should have once in Hawaii. We decided on this one and were a bit disappointed. It's not cheap-$80 for adults. It includes a short tour around their grounds, a buffet dinner, drinks and a show. The grounds have seen better days. The greenhouse is severely damaged. There are beautiful flowers there and nice trees. The dinner was just fine. There is plenty of it. The pork was very tasty. The show was fine. Long and uncomfortable seating. The actors did a good job and had nice costumes. read more

Smith's Tropical Paradise - Removing the pig from the ground cooker - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

Great experience Great ,had good time ,good food ,and great people..easy to find,good parking,right off highway and great laiu show read more

This review will have multiple parts with a focus on handicap accessibility: We made our reservations a month or more in advance. Our reservations were for 4 adults and 2 teens, one toddler and an infant. I noted in the reservations that my dad didn't walk well and we could use help. 1. The show - amazing and beautiful, not sure due to my lack of knowledge of the authenticity. Yet, it hit all areas I expected with the fire and dancing. I loved seeing the Filipino and Japanese influences in the art. It started with the cooking of the pig ceremony explaining it was a family run place was wonderful as I was with my family. 2. The food - buffet style with all the food and drinks you can want. Loved the pork and the Chinese rice. Our table person even told us they'd bring my dad a plate since doesn't walk well!! She brought him a plate better than mine!!! We all were excited. 3. Handicap access - parked in a normal dirt parking lot where parking lines were made by the drivers and man guiding the cars. My dad walked to the front and waited for the rest of the 6 out of 8 party. Then we walked to the pig being brought up from the ground ceremony. Awesome. Behind that was where our tables were. We ate and had a good time. Reminder event started at 6 and the Luau started at 8pm. 4. The Luau - it was going to begin so they had golf carts for handicaps. My dad took a ride in the golf cart and I assumed I had to walk but the kind women driving said I could jump on. We were taken further into the property and we were given seats for handicaps. Once dropped off we were told we could get a ride back. Mind you, everyone else had their entire families but us! My dad said it's okay let's enjoy the show. We did. 5. Departing - I went to the golf cart behind me and said my dad needs his ride back and the man said he could walk, there aren't any trams. I said what?! I was told my dad would get a ride. He looked at me like I was dumb. My dad was walking up behind me so I repeated what the man on the golf cart said. My dad just said fine we will walk. So we walked and we walked and we walked ...then my dad asked for a seat and I said I don't know where there is one. Another guest said there are some farther up on the right. At this point my dad is holding on to me for dear life to walk while shaking. We see more people pass us and my dad gets back up. We keep walking and we finally get to the exit and the man who was onstage, who owned the place, said you didn't take the tram. And in unison my dad and I said, "No, they said it wasn't available". And we kept walking! Overall - the 8 of us had a good time. Up until the end the service for handicaps was amazing and my dad felt like he was part of the group. I wouldn't go back unless I knew my handicapped person was cared for start to finish. My star rating reflects the handicap portion of the experience mostly. read more

Well-organized and fun. Keoni narrated the 'imu ceremony that showed the unearthing of a pig, roasted underground. The drinks and dishes left us full (but not stuffed) and were delivered promptly. Each buffet line moved well. Mai tai and soft drinks included. The MC teasingly reminded everyone to try poi (mashed taro)! Many of the cultural performances were on the more distant back stage, but we preferred the few performances on the front stage near the audience. read more

Smith's Tropical Paradise - Roast pig from 'imu - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

"Best Luau in Kauai" is what I was told by multiple people and they weren't lying! We skipped the buffet and bought tickets for the luau only. It didn't disappoint and was only an hour long. This fit into our busy schedule perfectly! read more

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Absolutely a must do luau while visiting Kauai! This is one of the most impressive Luaus that I've ever attended. This family-run, lush botanical garden setting provides a remarkable backdrop for an incredible feast of traditional Hawaiian dishes. Many visitors come to celebrate memorable occasions, like engagements, birthdays, anniversaries... The roasted pork was the most delicious dish I had during my visit, seasoned only with local salt. Absolutely divine. The staff members were super friendly and helpful. The entertainment was fun and engaging for all ages. Wear bug spray to avoid the mosquitos. read more

Smith's Tropical Paradise - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

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We attended the luau on Christmas day, which was a bit of a risk since most of our friends seemed to think luaus were hokey things that you just 'had to do' in Hawaii, but nothing terribly exciting...and certainly not the way to celebrate such a big holiday. A few things set Smith's apart from the large, cookie cutter luaus on the island. First, the people. Smith's is a family-run business, with four generations helping out in every aspect of the luau. We especially loved Kamiko, the host cum singer of the night, whose gentle humor and sharp sense of organization ran the show beautifully. Everyone seemed to take special pride in their work and sincerely care about all of us in attendance. I know they probably run these luaus on a daily basis, but you really couldn't tell from the way they took the time to check in with each of us and make sure we were having a good time. The food was served buffet style, and I literally ate myself sick because it was so good. I loved the mahi mahi with sweet and sour sauce, while my husband raved about the adobo chicken (heretofore nicknamed "fall-off-the-bone-chicken"). The beautiful gardens are also such a big draw. Whether you decide to take a tram tour or simply take a stroll through the mile-long path, the serene grounds are a lovely way to start off the festivities to come. We opted to come early enough to also attend the traditional imu ceremony, where the kalua pig is unearthed from the underground furnace. It was all well-explained and fascinating. One last tip: choose your seats before the imu ceremony starts. Parties of 6 or more have reserved tables, but smaller groups are left to choose whatever spots are left over. Simply claim your seats by mussing up the napkin in the setting. That way, you're not fighting the crowds to try and find good seats. read more