Puu Poa #305

The apartments have views and a balcony or lanai, and they don’t feel crowded together like some complexes do. I was worried the place might feel generic or lack character, but that turned out not to be the case. The north shore of Kauai is lovely, and the views are spectacular. Condos at the northern end may also look out toward Hanalei. The pool area is clean and tidy, and property management was helpful and easy to reach with questions. I’d happily come back.

You’ll need to drive a little way to get anywhere, but that’s a small tradeoff for this place. It sits on a cliff above the ocean, with amazing views, and the spacious unit can sleep six if you have a group. It had all the amenities you’d want at home, and the pool was nice and just a short walk away. My wife and I stayed here on our honeymoon and would absolutely come back.

The afternoon sun made the living room too hot to use from about 2 to 5, so we’d have liked a shade or drape there. We ended up going to the beautiful on-site pool overlooking the ocean during those hours. The showers were the other small frustration. Getting lukewarm or cold water was nearly impossible, and the odd knobs and settings seemed to make higher pressure mean hotter water. I know how to use a shower, but a cool rinse would’ve been lovely in the heat and humidity. We were in end unit 214 on the second floor at Puu Poa, with fantastic ocean views and unbelievable sunsets. The unit was immaculate when we arrived and nicely decorated. Property management couldn’t have been kinder, and when I needed a few more kitchen items to make it functional for someone who loves cooking on vacation, they brought them right away. The beds were fantastic, and the sheets and linens were high quality. We’re sad the vacation is ending.

We stayed in a ground-floor unit at the end of the cliff, not #306. It was spacious, private, and quiet, with a pool nearby. At the bottom of the cliff was some of the best snorkeling on the island, with monk seals, big turtles, coral reef, and sea life. Great place.