Islander on the Beach.

Has anyone stayed here recently? I%26#39;d like to know if the 2 oceanfron bldgs. are as irresistable as they look, as far as location? I know the resort is not a 5-star place, but it does look fairly nice. Just wondering if we should opt for the oceanfront or not?

We are also looking at the Outrigger Waipouli. Here we would only get as far as P.O. view. However, this place looks...Wow!

Islander on the Beach.

Islander oceanfronts are quite nice, according to DH, who stayed there for a couple of days last year. The grounds and pool are nice. Not opulent, but nice.

Outrigger Waipouli is newer, fancier and more expensive.

Islander on the Beach.

Pattie,

Suggest you cross-post this also over on Fodor%26#39;s, there is a regular poster there named Kal who stays for a couple of weeks every year for the last ten years or so.

DW and I stayed there July 31-Aug 8. Oceanfront Niihau bldg, 3rd floor. No elevators, which didn%26#39;t bother me. Parking can be tricky, but it was never a long walk at all. Plenty of close shopping and dining at Coconut Marketplace. Amazing views, comfortable bed, microwave, small fridge, sink, 4 place settings of dishes, coffee maker, maybe a toaster, I don%26#39;t recall for sure.

This was our first trip to kauai, I loved the location, as we did a lot of island exploring, north, south and west. One hour to end of the road in either direction. very convenient to get anywhere.

We really did not spend any time there though, too much to see and do to stay in one place, IMHO. I imagine that if you are looking for a place to stay and ';resort'; (is that even a word?) that Outrigger would be more suitable. We were just looking for a clean comfortable bed with an amazing view. IOTB suited that bill perfectly.

I was very happy with the property and the value it offered for our recent trip.

WBR and Islander are very different properties. WBR is new, larger, better pool. Islander was redone a few years back and they have sold some off as condo/hotels and I think timeshares too. I have stayed there a few times for just one night and the interiors are nice and some have very nice views. It has a small pool and a nice lobby. The best thing at Islander is the location and it being right behind the Coconut Marketplace. It can be good and bad. You might not like that in your front yard, but it was nice for us to walk right over, have breakfast, shop and eat dinner without leaving the resort. Kauai Coast is next door and that has a very good restaurant. WBR will give you a bigger,more resorty feel. Try and get an ocean view at the very least at either place.

My wife and I stayed in the Kauai building on the third floor in the corner unit. The room was not exotic but was clean and well kept. If I had one gripe it would be that there was a sodium vapor light attached to the building just above our lanai that was used to light the path below. If you wanted it pitch black in the room, you needed to close the curtains. If you like the roar of the ocean in your room, there are not many units on the island that are closer to the ocean. Enjoy.

A P.O. view can be quite nice. Hawaii has some of the nicest Post Offices in the country!!

You really are comparing apples and oranges. Waipouli is much newer, and fancier. Islander has been around a while is cheaper. If you really care about a fancy condo with granite countertops, high end appliances and fancy pool -- do Waipouli. If you want the ocean view from your lanai to enjoy each morning and evening, take the Islander. Also, the kitchen is very limited at Islander. So if you want to cook a lot, don%26#39;t stay there. Frankly, if i were comparing these two, I would just go down the beach a short distance and stay at Lae Nani whih has some beautiful units with ocean views for a lot less than Waipouli Beach Resort.

Leave to Rusty to a smart a__.

HaHa, Actually I thought that was pretty funny!

Pattie,

We stayed in one of the oceanfront rooms at the Islander and we liked it very much. Its not as close to the ocean as Kuhio Shores and there are trees in front of both buildings but they are nice, not badly priced and there is a very tropical feel at the Islander. You can get the best rate by calling them directly.