Aston Waimea

I would describe the cottage we stayed in as "Hawaiian Pottery Barn". It was very clean, comfortable and easy to call home for a week. The heat and humidity is to be expected, and the ceiling fans in every room were very effective at making the rooms comfortable for sleeping. Thankfully, I did not have to listen to an air conditioner running all night. :)

The kitchen was well stocked. It was nice to be able to cook our own meals. We grilled almost every night on the patio adjacent to our lanai. We also ate outside on the lanai and sat out there to read or just watch the scenery with a cup of coffee or glass of wine.

Grocery shopping was easy in Waimea town. Ishihara's market has a great selection of fresh meats and fish, and Big Save has a good selection of kitchen staples in small sizes so we didn't have too much at the end of the week. Charcoal for the grill was easy to find at Ishihara's market (someone else recently posted that they couldn't find any in town).

I won't repeat what's said below. If you read the past couple pages of reviews, you should be able to decide if this place is right for you. It definitely depends on what you're looking for. And I would avoid paying full price, because that's overpriced for what you get.

As a frequent repeat visitor, I'll share a couple of tips.

Be a little picky about your cottage. They're all individual, and some are better than others. If you don't like yours, try to relocate.

Dining options in Waimea are a bit limited -- especially at night. Nothing special about the hotel's restaurant and it feels overpriced. Think about asking for a grill and cooking at least some of your dinners. There are 2 decent supermarkets in Waimea. They are across the street from each other, and I usually go to both and buy their sale items, which makes Hawaiian groceries more affordable. Big Save is generally better for general groceries, but Ishihara generally has local steaks (great on the grill!) at better prices, and more local specialty items.

Waimea is a great town -- one of my favorites in Hawaii. You'll feel like it's your "Hawaiian home town" -- not a tourist town. There's free lei-making in the Visitors Center on Fridays. And go see a movie at the old-time theatre one night -- ask the front desk for their Aston discount book which contains a 2 for 1 coupon. Jo-Jo's has great shave ice -- but remember they close by six, so no shave ice in the evening. There are actually two Jo-Jo's -- but stick to the one on the main drag. The one called "Jo Jo's Anueanue," on the side street and owned by the original Jo-Jo's owner, suprisingly had much worse ice consistency on my last visit.

Drive to Poipu at least once to swim at the beach park and see the blowhole. When you're in the area, as long as it's not the weekend when they're closed, you MUST stop at Mark's Place in Lawai, on the main highway (Rt 50) next to the post office. (He also has a location in Lihue). Mark's serves "gourmet local" takeout food, in many ways comparable to Roy's, at very reasonable prices (generally under $10 meal). Almost everything is very good. I make up excuses to drive by at meal times to eat his food. Many of his dishes reheat pretty well, so you can also bring stuff back to your cottage to eat later.

Think about spending a couple days on the North Shore. It's possible to day trip there from Waimea, but it's not a great idea. The weather is usually MUCH better in Waimea, but the North Shore has some great sights and unique charm.

My wife and I stayed here for a week in January 2009 for our 10-year anniversary. We were astounded to find that we had been upgraded to a waterfront, two-bedroom cottage, but we would have been happy with a one-bedroom place. We really felt at home, and loved being able to cook for ourselves. We also enjoyed the company of a little gray cat with whom we made friends.

This place probably isn't for everybody, with no swimmable beach and its location far from the beaten path. The cottages are also somewhat primitive and some have poor locations. However, we lucked out and visited when it seemed not so busy, and got upgraded to a two bedroom, ocean-facing cottage (just two people traveling.) The cottage had screen windows and doors everywhere, including the two large open showers, and magnificent views of both the ocean and canyon. We sat on the huge lanai grilling fish from Waimea watching the sun set, or lay in hammocks under banyans and palm trees watching the whales. If you are looking for an authentic Hawaiian experience, both the town Waimea and the Plantation Cottages offer a unique place to unwind in real Hawaii.

First off - we got 50 % by using our Entertainment Book. Our rate for a 3 bedroom house was under 200 a night.

We were traveling with a group of 18 for a family reunion. We could not have chosen a better location. Before we booked - we did read all reviews and they are pretty accurate. We found their staff - EXCELLENT. They were more than accommodating. We had a total of 5 houses - and located in the center of the plantation.

All of the houses are uniquely different, kitchens are all stocked with slightly different utensils. If you need anything - staff got it - no problems. On site restaurant was just okay - over priced.

It is true - if you are looking for a fast paced environment - this is not for you. This is a very private location - we spent a lot of time on our linai, or in one of the many hammocks. We even cooked our thanksgiving turkey on the grills they provided.

Local grocery store was reasonably priced too.

True - cannot swim on the beach. But it is okay - we went into Poipu and other beaches for snorkeling.

Before we came to Plantation Cottages we were at Hyatt Grand hotel. Wow - it was great - spa like - beautiful and very, very expensive. But we LOVED the cottages. Remote, beautiful grounds and so incredibly relaxing.

Only real downside was location - to get to Princeville it was a 1.5 hour drive. But for us, it was near the canyon - and the remoteness was well worth it.

This place is great. The plantation is on the very quite, west side of Kauai. The cottages are old plantation cottages with a lot of charm.

We spent 5 days here for before and after our wedding. Many of our guest stayed at the cottages so I was able to see their cottages. All were amazing. I was very jealous of the beach front cottages! We stayed in the cottage that was on the cover of Sunset magazine. There was an old claw foot tub in one of the bathrooms. The porch was great for meeting up with friends and family for afternoon drinks.

We had our wedding rehearsal in front of on of the beach front cottages. Followed by rehearsal dinner at the restaurant, Waimea Plantation Brewery. The staff was amazing! They made the night perfect! The food was even more amazing! Our guest loved it more than our wedding reception!

The plantation is wonderful! We spent our official honeymoon on the north end of kauai near princeville. But loved the west side so much more.

We thouroughly enjoyed our stay at the cottages. Here's the bottom line for those skimming through the reviews: the cottages are charming, and while old, they are clean and practical. What the cottages lack in glitz, they more than make up for it in charm. The grounds are quiet and expansive. The beach is perfect for a stroll,a glass of wine and watching the sunset. Hammocks and sunset view chairs abound. The beach is not a place to swim. However, 3-5 minutes north is Kekaha Beach Park, which is great for swimming, body surfing and body boarding.

I'd reccomend the cottages to anyone with an adventurous soul and respect for Hawaiian charm. It's a great place to start hikes on the North Shore. If you're into beaches, hit Kekaha and Polihale State Park. They're incredible beaches. Buy some steaks and fish, sit out on your cottage deck with a glass of wine, and enjoy the real Hawaii.

If you want a fancy pool, like to get poolside service, like to get your butt kissed by a cheesy concierge, or want the McHotel experience, it's not for you. Head to Poipu.

for those of you who love old world charm, this is the place for you. very sweet. very clean. very quite. and no cheesy upgrades. our 4 year old loved it as well, as she could run around the grounds right from our lanai. the pool was an added plus, it was lovely. we woke to the sound of hundreds of cooing doves, with the ocean waves in the background. a truly relaxing spot. and absolutely gorgeous. true, the beach is not the most beautiful on the island, but the grounds are so lovely that it made the beach irrelevant, frankly. amazing trees and flowers. and lots and lots of space to roam. it is a great home base from which to explore the island. after a day of adventuring, it was a treat to return to the serene grounds and charming cottages to simply relax. in fact, it always ended up being our favorite part of the day. absolutely perfect. we spent a week at the cottages then headed up to the north shore.....only to return to the cottages after one night becuase nothing could compare. truly a wonderul place.

We love this place and just returned to Alaska from our 4th stay at Waimea Plantation Cottages. WPC does not have the glitz and buzz of a big resort. What it does offer is an authentic piece of old Hawaii -- peace and relaxation, quiet evenings, good star gazing, welcoming staff, lovely restored sugar plantation-era cottages set among a palm grove along a black sand beach (no ocean swimming here due to strong currents and murky water, but wonderful beach walks on the nearly deserted beach), dips in the pool, lounging on the grounds in a hammock or on a lanai that stretches the length of your cottage, great sunsets, walks into nearby Waimea for a lei making class at the visitor center or a walking tour of this historic town, a stop at the onsite brewpub for a glass of good beer (Thursday night's local slack key guitar music is great), or a drive to nearby Waimea Canyon or Kokee State Park. When you find yourself walking into the lobby and feeling the stress of the Mainland rolling off your shoulders with an "ahhhh," you know you've come to the right place.

We spent 3 nights at these unique cottages and loved every minute of it. Between the beautiful grounds, the character filled cottages and the peace and tranquility overall we can't wait to return.

We stayed at the Cottages in September and found the experience to be absolutely delightful. It is not for everyone as it is laid back, relaxed and peaceful. That is the beauty of this resort. The fact that you are staying in old plantation cottages makes it so much more charming. There is not air conditioning which again is not for many people. There are however ceiling fans and trade winds. We really enjoyed having the means to cook some of the great Hawaiian fish that we found in the market and dine on the lanai for breakfast and dinner. I could have stayed forever. There were books left to read, cats readily available for feeding, and quiet beauty. All of the staff that we encountered were gracious and kind. I hope that this resort remains the same for many years to come as it is a special place in the world.

We enjoyed two weeks at Waimea Plantation Cottages in July of this year. Although we have visted Kauai many times over the past few years, we have always stayed on the East side and at Poipu. This was our first time on the West side. The Cottages are wonderful, but if you are looking for the busy resort with a concierge, this is not for you. The grounds are spacious and well-maintained. The resort staff is very friendly and helpful. The black sand beach is not a good swimming beach, but it is great for long walks in the morning or at sunset. Salt Pond Beach just a few miles south is an excellent beach with facilities. Waimea is a friendly small town. We like to barbeque and found great food selections at the two grocery stores in town. The two ladies at the fresh fruit stand just a short walk from the Plantation have the basics (papayas, mangos, bananas) along with some more exotic selections that were fun to try. We attended an Oban dance in town and enjoyed a Sunday service at the Waimea Hawaiian Church - the only church of it kind in the Islands where the entire service is in Hawaiian. The Hawaiian hymns are beautiful and a very nice lady helped us follow the service. We also enjoyed the beers and food at the Waimea Brewpub on the resort grounds. The wait staff at the brewpub was also friendly and helpful. As I noted above, if you are looking for the high-end resort, this is not for you, but Waimea Plantation Cottages is our new favorite place.

I really enjoyed the Waimea Plantation Cottages and I believe they were a wonderful value an oceanfront resort in Hawaii. This is out of the tourist area completely, the grounds are expansive but have a homey feel rather than a manicured golf course feel. We had a 1 bedroom cabin #65 which is not one of the original cabins, but a replica built 20 years ago. Some cabins are vintage and are "funky". Its best to call the desk ahead of time to talk over the particular layouts of the cabins.

The cabins are not air-conditioned, but ours had an air-conditioner in the bedroom window. The cabin had so many wonderful windows that the winds kept it pleasant and we turned on the air about an hour before we wanted to go to bed. Closing the bedroom door and running the air, really helped with the rooster noise. Feral fowl (aka wild chickens) are EVERYWHERE on Kauai, very amusing. Most of them are offspring of those that were set free by Hurricane Iniki in 1992. Good news is that chickens eat mosquito larvae. I'll take the chickens over mosquitoes.

Take the walking tour with Chris Faye. Chris is the great granddaughter of the founder of the Waimea sugar plantation. The tour is $10. We gave her a little extra and she was thrilled as it will buy a gallon of paint for ta cottage they are restoring.

We stayed three nights to attend a wedding, and it was amazing! We booked a one bedroom cottage but were upgraded to a two bedroom cottage. We were separated from the ocean by a lawn, and we could hear the surf breaking. The cottage we stayed in is called "Unit B", and it was secluded from many of the the other houses, so we felt as if we had the entire property to ourselves. The kitchen was large, and there was a separate eating area. It was a little retro, and could use a bit of updating, as could the bathrooms. We were in other cottages, and many of them have very modern kitchens and bathrooms. Although our cottage could have used a bit of modernization, it was immaculately clean.

The living room was also very spacious and had a dining area in front of the large sliding glass doors, which led to a large ocean facing deck. The bedrooms were huge, and there was a sitting area adjacent to the master, with a day bed and chairs - very cute. The mattress was wonderful, as were the pillows and linens - all of great quality (high threadcount, feather pillows, etc).

The wedding was hosted at the property, and it was amazing. They were married on the lawn facing the ocean, and it couldn't have been a more perfect setting.

We would definately recommend staying at the property; it's ideal for couples looking for peace and quiet. The beach in front of the property, however, is not ideal for recreation. It's murky because the nearby river empties into it, and sharks like murky water. Also, the surf is a bit rough. There are many wonderful beaches nearby, so this isn't really a problem, and the pool area is nice.

We stayed 4 nights in an ocean front cottage and absolutely loved it! It was immaculately clean, great view of the ocean with our "own" hammock directly in front of our lanai. Fantastic place to relax.

My only suggestion of improvement would be for them to offer some lightweight breakfast service in the main lodge - so you wouldn't have to make coffee, etc. (or go out) in the morning.

My wife and I wanted a quiet, romantic getaway, and that's exactly what we got! Well, there was the occasional rooster crowing at the oddest hours, and one night a wedding party kept us up for a while, but otherwise we couldn't have been happier. Our cabin faced the ocean, and sitting on the porch petting the local cats and reading was soooo nice. The cabin itself was old and small, but we weren't looking for luxury. The grounds were beautiful, and there was a hammock right by the beach in front where we spent several evenings cuddled together watching the stars and enjoying the sound of the surf. My biggest complaint was that they had closed the brewery, which we'd visited on a previous trip and had led us to come back. Oh, well... food and beer from the store is cheaper anyway. This is no luxury spa, but in our opinion, it's the most romantic getaway we've been to yet!

We spent the week before Christmas here, and loved it. In the past we've stayed on the North Shore and the West Side is definitely a less-touristy experience.

We stayed in Cottage 59 which is a 2 bedroom, 2 bath ocean-view cottage. I agree with everyone who said if you're going to stay here and can afford it, upgrade to an ocean view cottage. All of the cottages are cute but I really think it's probably a whole different experience staying in one of the cottages set further back on the property. Also, that's where all the roosters seem to congregate in the morning--back in the garden-view cottage area.

The grounds of this place are just lovely. From our lanai we could sit and look at the beautiful lawn, a coconut grove, banyan trees, and of course, the ocean.

Another reviewer said to ask for a new cottage. None of the cottages is new...they are all former plantation worker's homes from the 1920's-1930's. We loved the simplicity of the interior design, wood floors with straw mats, rattan furniture and kitchy, vintage Hawaiian paintings.

We will definitely go back, but I can share some lessons learned. The North Shore, where we usually stay has more tourists so there are more restaurants/shops that cater to them. In Waimea...not so much. There are two grocery stores in town but the selection wasn't great (Finding cheese that wasn't "processed cheese food," was impossible.) When we go back we'll get our supplies at one of the bigger grocery stores in Lihue. As most everyone else said, the Waimea Plantation Brewery is just awful. Skip it...I wish we had. We waited an hour to be served our lunch and it was just bad. Wrangler's restaurant in town was good, as was The Shrimp Station. Most nights we grilled outside our cottage.

It gets buggy at night, so I'd go armed next time with lots of bug lotion/spray. Swimming isn't safe at the beach in front of the cottages, but if you go back toward the airport to Hanapepe there's a nice swimming beach at Salt Pond State Park...it's just a ten minute or so drive.

And lastly, the service was really friendly at the front desk. We'll definitely be back to our little ocean view cottage!

After agreeing to the Travel agents recommendation of this resort, I began to read the reviews and was then very skeptical on the decision to stay. Even when we first checked in to our little cottage, I was still skeptical. Then I decided to just relax....and the beauty of the place just fell into place. The grounds are so well kept. Our cottage was "quaint". We really enjoyed preparing our own meals in the kitchen and I loved the visits of the cats and roosters to our back door. Their are many fruit trees on the property that you are more than welcome to pick the ripe fruit off of. The staff was extremely polite. When we return, we will request an upgrade so we can have an ocean view.....I don't regret not having it the first time though cause we did a LOT of exploring of the island while there so we weren't at the resort during the day.

We stayed here for 4 nights - it was quiet and relaxing - totally different than the North side of the island - which is beautiful - if you are on Kauai for a week - I recommend 4 nights in Hanalei or Princeville and 3 nights here - you will get to see most of the island and the contrast between the windward and leeward sides - We went to the beach at Poipou and Salt Pond Park

One caution - do not eat at the restaurant on site (Waimea Brewery) - it's terrible

If you want something other than the developed golf course resort on Kauai, then consider Waimea Plantation Cottages. It is unique and beautiful. We were out and about everyday to a different part of the island, so some days that meant a lot of driving to get back to Waimea, but it was worth it. It was so comfortable, relaxing, and quiet here. No crowds, no drunken rowdy groups or big noisy families clanging around. We loved our one bedroom cottage -- it was clean, comfortable, quiet, and not very pricey. The cottage was cute and spacious for just the two of us, our porch was nice with comfy chairs, and the king bed was very comfortable. Housekeeping did a fantastic job every time they came. The bathroom was a little dated in appearance, but charming. It was great to have a kitchen for simple breakfasts in the morning, snacks, and easy dinners. There is also a small patio with a bbq grill for each cottage. There are plenty of markets nearby for stocking up, and the prices weren’t too bad compared to home for us (in southern California).

The grounds here are very pretty, wonderful variety of plants, amazing aromas of flowers, and our view of the grove was very peaceful. The pool area was nice also. The beach that this property sits on is not one for swimming, but it's good for beach walks. There are roosters everywhere on this island, but you get used to them. After a day, we barely noticed their noises. They even have them at Princeville, so don't let it color your opinion on where to stay. And the cats, just ignore them, don't feed them, and they will go away. The staff that we interacted with (very rarely, they know how to do their thing without getting in the way of your vacation, very good service) were all very nice. We will go back to Waimea Plantation Cottages for sure. It was nearly perfect for us.

We went to the restaurant (Waimea Brewing Co.) on the property just once for a light dinner. Although it was not busy, and there seemed to be plenty of staff, the service was so slow and poor, the food was not very good either. We decided not to go back lest it ruin our otherwise lovely time here. It's a shame, they could really make it special, it's a nice older building, if only the food and service weren't so messed up (and if the beer was good). Waimea town was good for eating: JoJo's shave ice really is the best, Shrimp Station-must go, great steak at Wrangler's, Aunty Lilikoi's and Sugar Cane Snax have unique delights for gifts.

Just wanted to say I LOVED the Waimea Plantation Cottages - absolutely beautiful - great place to relax, I was looking for a place to experience old Hawaii among the hustle and bustle and I found it here.

It's definitely not the Princeville on the other side of the island, and that's just fine. We loved the grounds and the quant little cottages that were nestled in amongst the coconut trees. So picturesque. Can't be real. Yep. It is! The big resorts are great, but if you want a sleepy charming setting, this is it. Can't wait to return.

Quite simply my favorite place in the entire World. Period.

We first stayed here in 1988 and have been blessed enough to visit virtually every year in May/June time frame and I can't begin to say enough good things about it, but here are just a few for starters:

serene, peaceful setting. Nestled up on Waimea beach. No crowds, no hustle-bustle, no contrived additions. This is the REAL Hawaii of old and of years ago. My father was in the Islands in the 1940's and 1950's and this atmosphere and the warm friendly people of Waimea town, the surrounding areas and of course, the Cottages reminds him exactly of what it was so much like back then.

We have a favorite. The Justo Domingo cottage and you can either make a fresh cup of just ground Kaua'i plantation coffee or roll into a nearby bakery, talk story with people there and grab a fresh mango pastry or the like to boot. Whenever I am stressed out or harried I take a minute and visualize myself back there.

If you want the real thing, with real people and perhaps what you envisoned "Bali Hai" from South Pacific to be like then come to stay here. But **PLEASE.. don't tell TOO.. many people!

Plus, aside from the excellent Brew Pub there is awesome low key authentic dining at places like the Camphouse Grill and you must hit all the Sunshine ("farmers") Markets at different local outdoor places. You've NEVER tasted mango, papaya, guava, pineapple and yes, taro and poi like this!

Mahalo Nui! Ken

My husband and I along with my sister, her husband and toddler spent a week and half at the Plantation in Cottage C (2 bed/2 bath) for the first part of February. My parents and aunt/uncle stayed next door in Cottage B (2 bed/2 bath – I think). This was a lovely, wonderful experience. This is not a resort, you’re not surrounded by a lot of people. Yes, the roosters will inevitably find your open window at 5 am (or earlier). And the three cats at Cottage C are almost like pets (ears are notched) and they always enjoyed our leftover BBQ.

You need to reserve in advance and pay the extra money to get the ocean front cottages, otherwise you’ll likely be sandwiched away from the ocean, on the road. There is an aerial photo available through one of the popular guidebook’s website (Ultimate Kauai Guidebook). You’ll be able to see which cottages are near the ocean and have a little space in between them.

The cottage was very comfortable with a full kitchen. Visit the Costco/Walmart/Kmart in Lihue when you fly in – you’ll save a ton of money and Costco will have the best fruits/seafoods/meats, etc. The food in Waimea isn’t the best. I ended my first night of the vacation in the emergency room with food poisoning - I’m guessing after eating dinner at the Brewery the night before or breakfast that morning at Obsessions. So after that, I was too paranoid to eat out much. The ER staff was nice– two minutes away. The Brewery at the plantation was ok – but they were consistently out of menu items (no gardenburgers the whole time) and beers.

While in the ER a local police officer warned my husband to lock the doors at night. Apparently there have been some break-ins the last month or two. We made the mistake of leaving a lawn chair on the beach – a local drove off with it. Yes, vehicles are allowed on all the beaches if they can find access.

Hope you have a wonderful visit.

We like the smaller, boutique establishments. Waimea Village series of small, individual bungalow style cottages of expansive, well manicured, and beautiful grounds. It was actually a plantation...that's not just a name. Each cottage has lanai and views to stunning grounds, with almost all of views to ocean. You won't find this expansive of a place or this setting in today's day and age. This is old world beauty. With this know that the cottages are essentially Polynesian cabins so they are rustic. Expect some dirt, some rust, and some old furniture. If you like location, old houses, setting, and roughing it a bit this is definitely the place for you. If you like Hiltons and Hyatts...go there...this won't be it. Enjoy.

We spent October 9 - 15, 2006, at the cottages for our honeymoon. Neither my husband nor I have been to any of the islands before, and we chose Kauai on the opinions of many of our friends who suggested it the perfect island for a honeymoon/first trip to Hawaii. They were right.

We chose the Waimea Plantation Cottages after researching a wide range of hotels and other resorts and places to stay. It had the ambience, charm, and seclusion we were looking for to have a week of quiet romance. We were not disappointed!

The staff upgraded us from a one bedroom oceanview to a 3 bedroom oceanfront cottage when they learned from my husband ahead of time that we were on our honeymoon. So we were pleasantly surprised when they led us by car in the rain to our beautiful cottage. We were greeted when we walked int he door by two beautiful fresh flower arrangements, both of which lasted the entire week. The cottage was clean and airy.

Sure, there were geckos. And yes, there's a rustic charm to the place. But all that was part of the wonderful adventure of our honeymoon. We had NO noise, other than the ocean waves and birds, the roosters didn't bother us, and our private hammock between the trees was the perfect afternoon nap spot.

We also loved the town of Waimea. The people were sweet, down-to-earth, and very friendly and helpful in every shop and restaurant we went to. We bought most of our food at the grocery store and cooked in our stocked kitchen at the cottage.

It was the perfect way to begin our new chapter as husband and wife, and we would recommend it to anyone. Plus, we plan to return many times in the future!

This was our second visit to Waimea Plantation Cottages. We love Hawaii and have visited all of the islands many times over the years. This property is such a unique jewel, and there's nothing on the other islands even remotely like it. My advice is to spend the extra $$ (it's not that much, and it's your vacation!) and get an ocean view or, even better, an ocean front cottage. They're all unique and one-of-a-kind, and it's difficult for the management to catagorize them in a uniform manner, so the only way you can really guarantee your location is to book the ocean view or ocean front catagory. You won't regret it!! The guest gook in our cottage had entries from people who had rented the same cottage every year for 10 years! People come and stay there for special occasions from other parts of Kauai, as well as from the other Hawaiian islands. They know where to go to find a true, laid-back Hawaiian experience. If you are the type of traveler who needs daily maid service, truffles on your pillow, and everything to be shiny-new and luxurious, go to the Hyatt. But if you want to go home feeling like you've had a rare, authentic Hawaiian experience, go to Waimea Plantation.

We recently spent one week at Waimea Plantation Cottages on the West Side

of Kauai. Being we live on this island, we had always in the past gone to neighbor

islands for our vacation. With all the security restrictions on flying, the 2 hour advance

check in for a 20 minute flight, and rental car expense taken into consideration, we

decided we could spend a whole week at the cottages and not even leave this island.

(Of course, we didn't tell anyone that were actually going to be right here on our own

island.)

We drove the scenic drive to the West Side and checked in with the friendly front

desk staff and never left the property, except for short trips to local markets. We

wanted a peaceful getaway and this was it! Our unit was superb. I don't even want

to mention which one it was, as it almost seemed like a secret cottage. It was very

private, with no cottages close by, and huge palm groves, mountain views, and ocean

views from the wrap around lanais. It had a new love seat and a wonderful chaise

lounge, that I spent most of my time in, right on the lanai. We also had a dinning table

on the lanai and new Weber grill on the patio. The inside furnishings were comfortable

and very old style Hawaii looking. The bedrooms were large with comfortable beds,

and the master opened onto the lanai with ocean view.

It was clean, it smelled wonderful with the fragrant plumeria trees around our cottage,

it was like a little bit of heaven. It was a large 2 bedroom 2 bath with wonderful trade

wind breezes.

Most of these units are not air-conditioned. If you are not used to Hawaii's weather, this

might not be the place for you. If you want air-conditioning, stay in a hotel. But it won't

be the same experience as this wonderful property. If you are squeamish about geckos,

this also might not be for you. There are beautiful wild roosters roaming the grounds and

they didn't bother us at all. They are very common all over the island of Kauai. Luckily

the ones at the cottages have very pretty plumage.

I cannot express just how wonderful and relaxing this experience at Waimea Plantation Cottages

was. My husband and I also had massages right on the property in Cottage 40. It was

heavenly. Our Junior High age daughter had so much fun the 2 nights she was with us, that

she didn't want to leave with the babysitter on day 3, so she stayed an extra day. She made

leis every day from the big blossom plumeria trees. It was the most wonderful time we have

had together. We cannot wait to go back next year.

I have to give this an excellent rating. It just was so much better than the bed and breakfast we

used to stay in on Big Island. The staff was very friendly, helpful and accommodating. True aloha

spirit everywhere we went!

We have just returned from a mid-Oct trip. We reserved a 1-bedroom, oceanfront cottage and were given #49. It was absolutely a wonderful experience. This is not a sterile resort but a place with history and character. We enjoyed everything about it. They do not have AC, which I have read some complaints about, but that is part of having a tropical experience! And it makes your mai tai taste all the better. Our ceiling fans and breezes were fine.

The furnishings were tasteful and a great palette. Our lanai was a real treat, like a whole extra room to enjoy. We did get some bug bites, but again, you are in a tropical location. On our way out, we realized they sell some lotion near the front desk. If we had just put that on our ankles, we would have had no problem. So get some of that or bring your own for post-sunset time.

The resort is spread-out enough that usually you felt like you had plenty of personal space. It is a gorgeous setting and we will definitely return. We even hope to arrange a group vacation to take advantage of the great entertaining spaces and wide open lawns.

Also, the grounds there are wonderfully landscaped and maintained. We also each had 2 massages at the Hart Felt Spa and found them to be excellent and skilled.

By day 2, you will really be in the swing of the plantation and extremely relaxed.

We did not really care for the brewery food or beer but it was fun knowing it was an option. We just mostly cooked all our own food. Ishigara Market nearby has good fish for grilling.

The cottages felt like home - they were fully stocked, very cute and extremely comfortable. I wish I could have stayed for longer.

If you are superstitious, you should probably ask for a cottage away from the graveyard end of the property.

The swimming pool was small, and the beach out front is not for swimming, but there are other nice beaches close by.

We rented a 2 bedroom 2 bath cottage overlooking the Ocean. It was perfect. Both bedrooms were the same size so there wasn't a "good room" or a "bad room" Both beautiful and spacious. Large bathrooms too. The property is 27 acres and absolutely lovely. The pool overlooks the ocean and is beautiful. The management was friendly and very helpful. It's the perfect place to stay in Waimea. They have internet access at the main building and are trying to get wireless out to the cottages. I was able to access internet from my Iphone in my cottage. If you go, I suggest stopping off at Costco in Lihue and picking up provisions. Food/beverages can be expensive on the island. The Waimea Canyon is nearby and a mus see! Also, make the drive to PoliHale beach. One of the prettiest beaches in the world!! It recently reopened at the end of April 2009.

The Cottage we stayed at was ideal in location and comfort. The only problem was, the cottage was a little outdated and in need of some tender loving care. My husband and I stayed at another cottage in Feb. and it was in excellent condition and above average in care.

The grounds are lovely to walk on, the beach close by and the professional level of the staff was excellent. We cooked some meals in the cottage and enjoyed the passing showers as the rain hit the roof.

The early morning call of the roosters make you think you are far out in the country. This is a very romantic place and also an ideal place for children.

I stayed here because of a wedding being held here. I thought it was the perfect choice for a wedding. The majority of the guests stayed here and it was a nice way to spend time with everyone. The cottage setting made our get togethers more intimate.

Unfortunately, the beach is not swimable. Yes, you can go to other beaches, but if you enjoy swimming first thing in the morning then you may want to consider another place and the pool is somewhat small. Also, It would have been nice to have a food mart on the grounds.

Other than that, it's a great place. The staff is phenomenal. I would definitely stay here if I was planning a reunion or wedding.

Here are other tips, if you are a big fan of raw fish. go to Ishimura market in Waimea town and have their poke. It is out of this world. Also, take the time to drive to Hanalei Bay( which is approximately 1.5 hours away). It is one of the most amazing beaches I've ever seen.

My husband and I just returned from our first trip to Kauai and spent all 7 nights at the Waimea Plantation Cottages. We loved it. We stayed in a one bedroom ocean front. Every morning we drank coffee on the front porch looking out over the ocean. It was so peaceful. Yes the cottages are old, we knew that and it is part of the charm. Our cottage was clean, and my only complaint would be that the mattress was very hard... as for the brewing company, I ordered a sample platter of their beers and could not drink any of them. They might want to rethink the beer thing and concentrate on food and service, either that or learn to make good beer.. The plantation is beautiful, I have many postcard pictures. Listening to the ocean at night and feeling the breeze through the windows. I know I smiled the entire week... If you like the feel of a big resort, dont go.

I spent a week in one of the studios (#82). It was a pleasant little duplex with a great view of the grove.

However, there were two aspects that made it one of the noisier choices.

First, it is near the main drive and parking area, so I heard a lot of the car noise.

Second, it is right next to the main building, which includes a hanging-out area and the restaurant and bar. I could hear the music from the bar nearly every night. When it wasn't that, it was people playing the piano in the porch area late at night . Not the quiet evenings I was hoping for!

Other than that, it was a terrific visit, and I plan to return. I'm just going to make sure to pick a cottage farther away from the noise!

We stayed in Pakai, Cottage 57.

Super cute and clean.So serene and relaxing....except for about 4:30 in the a.m.,when the roosters start.They mostly made me laugh,one blurry morning in particular was the only time i really wanted to strangle any of them...We passed out so early everynight from jetlag-we didn't so much mind the "alarms".They don't really stop til late morning.

The cottages and grounds are very sweet,set apart enough.Trees seperate the properties well.The roosters,chickens and cats just add to the rustic quality.

The only thing i would add to this place is better dining options.The Brewery is the only place to go close by-and well,the other reviewers were right...it lacks so much.The beer is just not great and the food is a bit better,but this was the only place on 2 islands-that had such poor service.I figured we wouldn't mind the Hawaiian pace of things-and we don't,but this place was just ridiculously unorganized.

We also hitup the HartFelt Spa before departing-hubby had a great massage,i did not.The most 'clinical' massage i've ever recieved.Not the establishments fault,just too bad.

Over all the Waimea Plantation Cottages was completely worth it-i would love to bring our families back someday.It is a bit away from anything-but you have to expect to drive alot while on Kauai-if you want to explore-

It would be just as lovely to spend most of your days andnights bbqing and lounging.The pool was great-the beach isnot for swimming.

If you're into nightlife-this place is not for you.We didn't love driving too much at night-the roads are super dark,it was too stressful....and we're Boston drivers!

Bottom line--This is a wonderful place to chill out!!

This was our second time to Kauai, and likewise for Waimea Plantation Cottages. This place, is like non other. If you love having your own place/space while away from home, then this is what your're looking for! There is a little country to this place too...so if you are looking for the resort style, this isn't your place. The cottages were established in the early 1900's for the migrant workers that worked the coconut groves in the surrounding area. In other words, things are rustic not new...but CLEAN and every necessity is provided. Every cottage has it's own unique outdoor area, private but not completely secluded. There are several roosters and chickens that live on the property, so it's a unique experience to see and hear. There are a few kitties/cats that live on the grounds too. They make their presence seen but they are not a nuisance. The only thing we did not like this time, that we did not remember from last time, is the Waimea Brewery which is the attached resturant on this property. The food was awful (and we tried one appetizer and two entrees!) The service was lacking...(slow.....and not abundant!) We preferred to cook on our lanai...believe it or not! There is a Big Save about five minutes or less away, VERY CLEAN and STOCKED....go there...and enjoy the slow, kicked back, beautiful evenings, at your home away from home! Enjoy!

My husband and I arrived here October 8, and stayed for 3 nights upon our arrival in Kauai. The drive to Waimea is a bit longer than other accommodations, but totally worth it IMO. Plus, we used our time on the west side to explore Waimea Canyon, the west side beaches such as Kekaha and Salt Pond, and the towns of Waimea and Hanapepe.

We arrived around 2:00 p.m. and were allowed to check in a bit early. I had called the cottages before our arrival and asked to be upgraded to ocean-front rather than garden view for an extra fee.

We were given #39 and absolutely loved it! It was a 2 bedroom, 2 bath unit with a huge wraparound lanai. On the lanai were 2 rocking chairs, a chaise lounge, a wicker chair and side table, and a dining table with 4 chairs. We spent as much time as we could sitting out here looking at the lovely grounds and listening to the ocean. We were one of the units closest to the swimming pool, and were able to walk over several times for a dip.

Even though we only used one bedroom, I was happy to have the second bath so we were both able to bathe at the same time after swimming. I cooked both breakfast and lunch at the cottage and we ate only dinner out.

There was no air conditioning in the unit, but this was not a problem in the evening. We were out touring during the day, so I truthfully cannot comment on that.

There were several cats that hung around the back door and tried to dart in when I opened the door. I was not too pleased with this.

The grounds are absolutely gorgeous. There were banana trees by the pool loaded with bananas. There were flowers of all sorts everywhere on the grounds. It is truly a paradise! We were sorry to leave our cottage, but we were anxious to see the north shore before leaving.

If we return to Kauai, we will definitely stay here again.

The cottage we stayed in was nice.It had everything we needed in the kitchen to make meals. There are few restaurants in Waimea,so having the kitchen was great.We grilled most of the time,bring some matchlight the local grocery didn't have any.

Our cottage had two great deep bathtubs.The lanai was a nice place to sit,we had to spend alot of time on the lanai because it was so hot, in the cottage there is no central air in the cottages and the trades were light. I would not stay there unless it was winter time when it is cooler.

There is quiet time before 8am and after 10 pm.Good thing because soon after 8am the gradeners start with the lawn mowers,leaf blowers etc..a new noise every morning.Quiet time should start earlier every night I could hear the noisy neighbors until 10 pm every night.

I lost something in my cabin after repeated phone calls I made I found out that this item was not found.I really think someone should have returned my calls.Since this is a $700.00 item.

We stayed here only one night, but I am rather familiar with the property since I live on Kauai and also use their spa services (massage) on occasion.

You will be staying in an old plantation cottage. Most of these are quaint and charming. They have been brought up to mostly modern standards, in general. Our 1 bedroom cottage actually had a window AC unit and was very pleasant. However, as with any old cottage, some things will vary. No two units are the same, and some may have more wear and tear than others. Our cabin was actually fairly solid, the worst thing I saw was a single flying cockroach, which was no big deal. I expected to see much worse, considering that there were various gaps, holes, etc. around doors and windows and so forth.

The grounds are generally rustic. Be aware that the ocean here is not for swimming, ever. The ocean water is often very muddy and is a haven for sharks. As far as beaches go, this is one of the worst on the island. However, a nice grassy lawn fronts the ocean and here you will find benches and hammocks. The pool is okay.... looked clean, but nothing special. The grounds are not the well manicured stuff you might expect when you think of Hawaii. Whenever we walked around outside, I felt I had to wash my feet off afterwords even though I was wearing slippers. They really should at least repave the driveway though the property. Currently it is just a mix of old asphalt and dirt. Also, the walkway to the lawn/beach area from our cottage was just dirt and mud.

I think the number of high reviews on this site indicate that most people know what they are getting. Some of these reviews seems to bash the concept of a modern hotel or resort. In my opinion, both types of properties have good and bad qualities.

My overall opinion is that this is a great place for people who really want to get away from it all and just have some peace and quiet. I also think the property is overplaying the "rustic" card just a bit too much. For example, you could still be rustic while providing a better way for walking around the property that didn't turn your feet black. I also feel the property is overpriced for what you are getting.

The spa services are good, as I've enjoyed their massages many times. The restaurant is neither great nor terrible, although you can do better down the street at Wranglers.

Beware Cottage 9. The property was lovely and the other cottages they show on the web site around the grove looked charming. We, however, were put in Cottage 9 (3 bed) which is basically off the property in the maintenance area looking out on a cemetery and a shipping container. Further, the cottage was overrun with mosquitos. We left after 2 nights switching to a wonderful condo in Poipu with a balcony over the water, great whale watching and better beaches for the kids. We were really excited about Waimea and went in knowing it was off the beaten path and not a typical resort but nothing prepared us for getting stuck with what was clearly the overflow cottage even though we asked many times about our options when we made the reservation.

The Waimea Plantation Cottages are unique and full of character, but in my opinion are overpriced, and service was disappointing for simple requests. It may be worth staying here if you value character above all else. However there are *big* tradeoffs staying here which you should be aware of.

My wife and I stayed in Cottage G June 2008. We stayed in Poipu the previous 4 nights and moved over to this side of the island to be closer to Waimea where we were attending a wedding. Since we were there for only two nights and the purpose of our stay was primarily to be close to the wedding, we were glad we stayed there. However, if we had stayed there longer or just for general vacation enjoyment I think we would have been VERY disappointed. Below I've outlined are important factors I think you should consider if you are thinking about staying here:

Ocean/beach: The water is brown on this side of the island due to the nearby river and the beach is muddy black. You cannot go in the water as it is unappealing and dangerous, so if you're seeking Hawaiian beach paradise, you'll be disappointed here. If you're seeking character above all else, you may love this place.

Service: The staff seemed unresponsive to simple requests. When we checked in, I asked the hostess if the room had a hair dryer for my wife. She said yes, and that if for some reason there wasn't, to call and housekeeping would send one over. We looked in our room and there was no hair dryer, so I called and was told that one would be right over. After about 5 minutes, the hostess called back and said that she could not locate one, so they would bring one tomorrow. I told her that we needed it immediately because we were going to a wedding in 30 minutes and that was the reason I asked for it at the desk upon checking in. She said she'd locate one and would call back. After 25-30 minutes and no follow up I called the desk again. The hostess said she said she was sorry that she could not locate one and that they were "overcapacitated" [sic] that day. For $270/night I would expect better service and a little initiative; perhaps a call to another cottage to ask if one could be borrowed or even driving down to the Big Save to buy one. So I walked over to a neighboring cottage and borrowed one. Problem solved. This could have been done by staff. Did this ruin our stay? Absolutely not. Were we upset, even angry? Definitely. I realize things are lower-key in Hawaii, as they should be, but again for nearly $300/night, guests are going to expect a little bit of service.

Overall price/quality:

My wife and I are not they kind of people who stay in four-star hotels and need everything to be aseptic and pristine. However, I did find that the cottages could have been in better shape in ways which would make people feel like they are really getting their money's worth and that the hotel had pride in its offering. Besides the dryer issue, which I previously mentioned, the iron in the room was cracked badly and was clearly very old and demonstrated that the hotel didn't seem to care about details and I thought it reflected poorly upon it. The shower too just felt old and cheap. Preserving the character of the cottage means that things are not going to be fancy and modern in some cases. I get that and actually cherish it. But in areas like the shower which are clearly utilitarian and not part of the character, I'd recommend they put in a nice modern shower.

So, overall we really did have a good stay, but expected more for the price and felt there were strong tradeoffs in staying here. It's not for everybody.

Thank you for your response to the service levels of our resort as it pertained to your visit during a wedding celebration in early summer. That evening I personally received a call from our frantic front desk clerk who shared with me your need for a hair dryer. Not knowing behind the scenes what we were trying to do to get you a hair dryer I can understand your disappointment. We had just purchased over 20 new hair dryers for the property, and with the amount of requests for extra dryers in the units because we were full that particular weekend with wedding parties, we had none left on the shelves. I was on my way to my residence to give you my personal dryer, when the clerk called that you had borrowed one from a friend. Trust me I would have gone to Big Save immediately,but none of the stores in Waimea have that type of item. They are only available in the stores in Lihue (35 miles away). Your comments about the shower and improvements to the cottage have been addressed, and we will be redoing the entire cottage in November. My apologies for the condition of the iron. Needless to say that is NOT part of our standards, and another training for our Customer Service attendants took place.

Thank you for sharing your concerns. Its the way we can be up to par in servicing our guests. I hope you had a nice time at the celebration that night at Managers. The couple was simply delightful, and left very happy with their magical moment.

I'm sure you were so happy to be apart of this night for them.

Again our apologies for any inconvenience you experienced, and I hope one day you will give us another "chance" to make it up to you.

Aloha and Mahalo nui loa...

We had previously visited the Waimea Plantation property, so at booking time, we requested a cottage in the lawn area.

We were booked for 7 nights - May 25 - May 31, 2008. Upon arrival on Sunday afternoon, the front desk people put us in cabin 84, the 3 bedroom closest to the Reception/Lobby building. (They supposedly upgraded us from a 2 to a 3 bedroom.) We knew the cottages were old and somewhat funky. What we did not know was that they turn on high-powered floodlights- affixed to the Reception/Lobbly building - all night long that lit up all 3 bedrooms of our cottage like a gas station! Since the cottages do not have air conditioning, we had to keep the windows open, and the floodlights kept us awake throughout the nights. The window coverings were very lightweight cotton partial window curtains. We tried hanging towels from the curtain rods, but couldn't cover the open window part or would have suffocated.

Our complaints to the front desk staff about the floodlights brought comments of "oh, that is always a problem." They said we could email the management about it when we got home. There were many other vacant cottages during our 7 nights there, and we wonder why they chose to insist that we be put in 84.

In addition, when we checked into our cottage, the garbage can and recycling bin at our cottage was full of previous guests' garbage and recycling. Finally, after our being there for 2 days, we had to call housekeeping and ask that it be emptied.

The charm of the beautiful grounds, the pleasant swimming pool, and the laid-back, non-touristy atmosphere of the Waimea Plantation property was greatly diminshed by the intrusive floodlights into the bedrooms.

Aloha from the Cottages. In reviewing comments about the flood lights that unfortunately caused you an inconvenience during your visit, I humbly apologize. The property has the lights on to allow our guests who walk the grounds at night to have some type of lighting in this area. After seeing your comment, I have removed these lights and relocated them to the side of the building facing the road.

The comments of the staff were clearly unacceptable and this is not the response they should have shared. Recently our organization provided another "refresher" course in "making things right" for our valued clients and continued reminders and classes are offered to get our philosophy part of our lifestyle. Thank you for your compliments of our grounds and atmosphere, and we know that if you didn't care...you wouldn't share your concerns on how to get us better !

Aloha, and we look forward to the next time we can make it up to you. Have a wonderful Waimea Day !

We booked 5 nights in the cottages, after staring at the awesome pictures they have in the web site. It looked like colonial style cottage, with a spectacular blue ocean in the front and a paradise beach.

The fact is that what we found was something different:

- Our cottage (we were upgraded to a 3 bedroom) looked old, and just as if no maintenance had been done in the last years: key lockers and courtains were broken, and some moquito nets had holes.

- The cleaning was horrible. I even asked reception if we were suposed to wash the kitchen stuff. Some cutlery had rests of meals from previous guests.

- The beach was full of debris. You could not step on the sand.

- The ocean water (the first 200feet, at least) is brown. Note that the pictures only show ocean in the horizon, where it is blue. But the Waimea River (a.k.a the Red River) is next to that beach, and all the brown water mixes right there.

- There was an army of mosquitoes. Don't know if it is their fault, but the fact is that we didn't see so many of them anywhere else in the island.

- The area is not the best in the island. If you are looking for nice beaches, and nice restaurants, you'd better move to the south (Poipu) or north side (Hanalei Bay).

Apart from that, the place is quiet, the garden is very nice (with palm trees) and we enjoyed the barbeque for dinners.

Aloha from The Cottages.

Thank you for your comments regarding your visit to our Cottages. Our apologies for your experience. We have worked very hard to upgrade most of our cottages on property. The historical nature of our cottages make the upgrading process challenging, but I know the unit you stayed in has been redone this September. As for our beach front, having the Waimea Canyon at the mouth of our town causes the run off into our ocean certain times throughout the year. We share with our guests to enjoy a run, or stroll on the shore, but to utilize our pool for swimming purposes. We also encourage our guests to take a short drive only 5 minutes away to a beautiful white sand beach with lifeguard attendant. Waimea has some of the most beautiful beach parks surrounding our property that surfers and swimmers alike come from all over the island to enjoy.

Our Cottages also has a beautiful beach estate in Hanalei right on the Bay with a large house for 12 and a cottage for 3.

Again, we apologize for not fulfilling your expectations but appreciate your comments as it will continually keep us "on our toes".

Happy that you enjoyed our peace and quiet.

Much Aloha...for coming to Sunny Waimea...and not if, but when you return to Kauai in the future...please give us another chance to make it up to you and your loved ones... if not in Waimea...then Hanalei on the Bay !

The idea of Waimea Plantation Cottages is better than the reality.

The cottages were plantation worker cottages that have been fixed up to varying degrees for guests.

The setting and grounds are lovely. The black sand beach is made for walking with views of Ni'ihau in the distance.

My group of 5 adults stayed in a three bedroom cottage which had had some renovation. The bathrooms were clean, but dated, and kitchen basic.

The beds were fine, sheets nice, but the problem we had at Waimea had nothing to do with the cottage itself, but the roosters on the property.

Roosters are everywhere in Kauai, and the ones on the grounds started crowing at yes, 12:30 a.m., and did not stop all night.

My group was quite bleary-eyed come morning.

Other than the roosters, the place was cool and funky.

We did not eat at the Brew Pub, so can't comment on that.

Staff were very nice, and the free coffee in the morning was good and strong.

If they dealt with the roosters, it would be worth going back; otherwise, I don't think so.

Aloha from The Cottages...

Thank you for your response to your stay at our Cottages this January. Knowing that you appreciated the amenities we offer to our customers is heartwarming. Although we are not 100% completed, we did upgrade most of our kitchens and bathrooms this year. It is our intention to finish this project by early 2009.

As for our "friendly roosters" on Kauai, together with the County of Kauai, we are working with a program to relocate our roosters to farms in the area and/or the humane society in order to ensure the comfort of our guests. Their population has been reduced considerably here at the Cottages, as we do understand that they tend to wake up a little earlier than appreciated by most of us. Mahalo and we look forward to welcoming you back to The Cottages in the future.

My wife and I were so excited to be staying at the plantation cottages. We had booked a 2 bedroom superior grove view cottage for 3 nights. When we checked in we were given a map and told our cottage, unit 60, was not ready. So we decided to eat lunch and walk over and take a look. Unit 60 is located across the street from every other cottage. At first I thought this might offer some privacy. When we got there the first thing we saw was 4 rusted chairs and a rusted table on the porch along with 2 rattan chairs covered in bird poop. And the cottage was located in between a nursery and salvage area with no view of a grove, let alone superior grove view. We walked around looking in the windows and it looked like an abandoned house. We were both sick to our stomachs.

So my wife decided to express our disappointment and we were given unit 50. This was a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom unit. It had a master bedroom with a king size bed and attached bathroom, second bedroom with a queen size bed, and the third bedroom had 2 twin beds. In between the second and third bedrooms was the second bathroom. The kitchen opened into a good sized family room which opened into an absolutely fantastic wrap around porch that covered the whole back half of the cottage. It even had a door into the master bedroom.

The layout and potential of unit 50 was fantastic. But this is as far as it went. It had a VERY VERY rustic feel. With no a/c you HAVE to leave the windows open. This is fine unless the window screens don’t fit the window openings very well, like in unit 50. Plus some screens had cuts and breaks in them. There was a slight musty smell in the unit and I could see mold growing on the walls near the ceiling in a couple of spots. Plus there was peeling paint. We were so overwhelmed to not be in unit 60 we actually overlooked these problems.

The only insects I saw were a few ants in the shower in the master bathroom of all places. And every night, whether the front porch light was on or not, it was swarmed with geckos on the front porch walls and ceiling. It was a little creepy walking under the geckos to get inside the cottage. On our last day I saw a gecko climbing up the family room wall and hit it with my shoe. I thought it was dead, but 45 minutes later it was gone.

The grounds are very lush and tropical. There are wild cats and chickens/roosters everywhere. The birds and roosters start up at 5:50 am every day. The mosquitoes are fierce. I sprayed myself 3X a day and was covered with bites. The ceiling fans do cool the rooms off at night with the windows open, but it can get warm during the day.

We ate at the Waimea Brewing Company, which is how we actually found this place. Love the Nui nachos and pork sandwich. Just as soon as you find a beer you like there they will run out of it. On our 3rd day they were out of 4 of 7 of their own beers. Although we have come to expect this, it can be frustrating.

If you stay at a nice resort first then come here you will be in for a real shock. I don’t know how the rest of the units are but unit 60 was totally unacceptable and unit 50 was just marginal. I probably should have asked for another unit and next time, if there is a next time, would only stay for 2 days.