Took a trip to Kauai and based on what I've heard, trying the oxtail soup and banana mac nut…read morepancakes was a must! And my goodness was it the best pancakes I've ever had. It's light, fresh, but packed with soo much flavor that exploded in my mouth! I couldnt get enough of it!!! At first my friend and I were debating whether or not to add macadamia nut inside d/t the extra cost, but boy is it worth it! The oxtail soup was really good too. Especially how easily the meat fell off the bone and the flavor that warmed the heart and soul. By far my favorite food stop in Kauai. And I'd come back to visit just for their food! Service was efficient and fast and at the end they give u a receipt to which u then go up front to pay. Ambiance is like an old school dinner that's frequently packed with locals and guests 5 stars!!

As someone who's never been to Kauai, I'll say the one spot/food that was repeatedly recommended by…read morelocals was tip top's oxtail soup. Like brah, it kept coming up whenever anyone would list their favorites. So you know your boy had to check em out. The setting is def unique hahaha. It's a lil restaurant on the first floor of a motel? Also, check their hours and days bc they're at least closed on mondays and I think close at like 130 every day. Now what you see is their half-size portion of oxtail. I think I paid $25-30 after tax and tip. Something like that. But brah, even after a sunrise hike, my big back struggled to finish allll that. The taste was definitely solid. I will say I've had better oxtail soup in Oahu, even from Liliha. BUT no complaints, I'm glad I tried out tip top's! It was obviously a local favorite as the entire place was packed with straight up locals--don't think I saw one tourist in there.

Pane Road Hale review. Everything went well with our rental…read morewith Kauai Vacation rentals. As for our rental it was very nice. Old with a very outdated kitchen but is was perfect for a family of 5 including older kids. It was close enough to the beach to walk and there were plenty of chairs and boogie boards in the garage. The one thing I liked most was the openness of the house and there was a nice breeze all day and night. - If you're not fussy and looking for a convienient location at a value, this rental will work for you. - Chickens wake up early and will be in your backyard.

BEWARE OF KAUAI VACATION RENTALS. To all Contractors and…read moreCustomers. We are a Hawaiian family here in Kauai and we run a Full Service Company. Throughout the years our experiences with Kauai Vacation Rentals has been horrible. We have received threats even due to the policies of sone Resorts on Island to which Do Not Allow Contractors on site after 6 P.M.. they have pushed to have emergency rates removed and discounts given when work performed. Not to mention the repairs we are asked to stop in order to have a Handyman finish for cost efficiency.They continue to be unprofessional and lack of empathy for the ones striving to go above and beyond for Customers.

We stayed at the Banyan Harbor Resort when we went for a short family trip to Kauai. It's located…read morepretty central and gave us easy access. Staff was friendly and the condo that we had was pretty clean and has a full kitchen. The unit was two bedrooms and two baths. There is no central air conditioning, but there are window ACs. In the bedroom, it can be a little bit awkward as the AC is blowing right in your face when you're trying to sleep at night. There are also several ceiling fans, so the unit was a comfortable temperature. Note this is not a fancy high class resort. If you're expecting a lot of services with room service, maid service, then this is not the place for you. It's not even actually a resort, just condos. If you're looking for a reasonable condo to travel with children then this is a good option. We enjoyed our stay.

We chose Banyan Harbor since it was available through RCI. We checked in mid January 2026 for a…read moreone week stay. We were excited to visit Kauai. We paid for one extra day since our reservation with RCI did not start until Saturday. There were four adults in a two bedroom condo. We stayed in bldg C for one night and bldg D for the remainder of the nights. These buildings were about 50 feet from a very busy highway. There was a lot of noise because of the busy street. We were on the first floor and could hear footsteps from the occupants above. The footsteps and noise started at about 5 am. We also heard conversations from the occupants near us. I had a bad experience the first night since my sheets were stained and it was obvious the sheets had not been cleaned. I reported it to security since the front desk closed early. Security brought new sheets and mgmt apologized the next morning. There was AC in the rooms but it was next to the beds and would hit you on the face. The pans were old and front desk brought other ones for us to cook. There were grills outside which we never used. They had a pool which was cold and needed to be cleaned. Did not see a jacuzzi and never approached the tennis courts. Front desk staff were polite and helpful. However, they are limited and do not have someone to help book excursions. I was told that many people live there full time and the condos are privately owned so they are different in what they offer regarding amenities. We did not have beach chairs or umbrellas. Had a small amount of salt and pepper and a decent size refrigerator. The place is old and does not have an elevator. That is an issue if you end up on the third floor having to struggle with luggage, kids, groceries. My main complaint was the thin walls and just not getting a good night sleep. Our beds were also very uncomfortable. I was happy to leave so I could get a good night of sleep. Oh, the cruise ships also stop at the harbor which was across the street. Also, there were tons on unhoused/homeless who had permission to sleep in their cars across the street near Duke's restaurant. They never caused us any problems but be careful if you choose to walk towards that park area. In summary, the stains on my sheets, the noises at night and at 4 or 5 am justifies a low rating.

I booked a condo at the Waipouli Beach Resort about 8 months ahead of time. Before booking, I…read morecalled this management company and asked what happens if someone in my family is sick and is not able to travel. The person on the phone told me they would allow us to move our dates if needed. Of course, 2 of my young kids came down with a virus 3 days before my trip, I called to change dates, told them we were flexible, but they would NOT let us change dates. The manager, Sean, told me "All of my staff knows our policy and they would not tell you that." Essentially calling me a liar. They had no compassion or empathy and said "We aren't doing anything wrong, this is our policy." We were going to lose out on $3000 so we ended up still going but it wasn't the easiest or most enjoyable. We also called to request a late checkout the day of leaving but they wouldn't honor that either, 10am sharp. Update: After reading Sean's response, I would like to make it clear he is incorrect in a few details. 1.I did not ask for a cancellation, I wanted to move dates. Prior to booking, I called and the person I spoke to said if I had a sick kid they would be able to move dates. This led me to book, feeling I had insurance from them. 2. I was not upset on the phone when they told me I couldn't late checkout. I told them I understood, but I just wanted to mention on the review that there was no late checkout. 3. I did not have 3 separate people call and threaten them with bad reviews. The other person who called was my mother in law who was going to book with them if they let us change our dates. Even after reading Sean's response, I still feel no empathy from him or the company. I really wish we could have changed dates. This was my 40th birthday, and having to deal with 2 sick kids on vacation was tough. They were not able to enjoy the beach or pool at all. Not to mention, I was shaking and in tears on the phone with him and he just kept saying "this is our policy."

Pros: the condo was super spacious with great amenities…read more Cons: Shawn Allen the manager we have contacted for 4 days with multiple calls made each day and messages left with no return call. We were calling him in regards of a return due to seeing cockroaches in the unit and they were getting into personal items such as shoes and purses. We moved out three days in on a Saturday when we found numerous ones. We took pictures and immediately contacted them to let them know we left the unit. They told me they contacted the pest company and they would be there sometime Tuesday (4 days after us leaving the unit). ADDRESSING TO MY POST AND REPLY MANAGEMENT....yes the property is beautiful and condo. We booked in full in June 23rd. We NEVER received a call back or messages from Manager Shawn Allen since the day we left. We had told them we had many cockroaches in our items. Yes as far as noise from the tenants above us is correct but when we noticed all the cockroaches that was a done deal. We won't stay in a place that we would have the chance of taking them home. I have all the conversations recorded that were sent by text even where they said they had sent out pest control and that was four days after we left the rental. NOBODY SHOULD STAY AND LET COCKROACHES ROAM IN THEIR STUFF AT NO COST. They call customers liars so who would wanna deal with a company like this. I wish I would have read alot more reviews on this company before we booked. We don't want a full refund just a refund for the nights we didn't stay which was 13 nights worth. Own up to your mistakes not make customers the problem. We have visited th Islands for the last 13 years and never had a place with cockroaches.

Makana Properties has done an incredible job as my property manager for over ten years…read more The house is fully rented in all economies. More importantly, the vacationers have been respectful of the property and have treated it like their own house. This does not happen by accident - Makana Kauai's handling of new bookings and vacationer stays encourages repeat business from people who care about the property. I am in Kauai only infrequently. Christine, my primary contact, is always available to quickly follow up on any property issues that arise and resolve them professionally and seamlessly. When repairs and freshening are needed, Christine's knowledge of the local craftsmen and vendors is invaluable. I give her and her company, Makana Kauai, the highest rating.

They canceled our reservation 48 days from our trip and we learned of the cancelation through an…read moreemail. We thought there had been a mistake. And we had just paid the 2nd half of our payment. The owner of the property had apparently decided to move back into the property. We were offered no consideration for the money they had held and the inconvenience of having to rebook with less supply and higher prices. And we have to wait 5 days for our money to be returned. They appear to be friendly people, but that's not a great rental experience and so I must give a 1-star review. UPDATE: The response to my review by the property manager is incorrect. The owners decided to move back into their place and did not honor their existing reservations. There were no emergency repairs needed at all. How do we know? We found a unit 50 yards away (without the help of this manager) and observed this to be the case. I think people need to understand that owners and property managers see their renters as cash flow versus people who might be inconvenienced.

1 Star -- WARNING: This property management company will take your money and put your family at…read morerisk. We booked a week at Mele Kai (March 11-18) for two families, including kids, one of whom was celebrating a birthday on the island. Nearly $8,000. On March 10, with a massive Kona storm bearing down on Kauai, we reached out to Garden Island Properties to discuss our options. Our VRBO messages went unanswered. Our phone call went unanswered. When we finally got a text response, they told us the rain is what gives Kauai its nickname "The Garden Island" and suggested we bring "a flexible plan and rain gear." We weren't being difficult. We wrote back and told them we weren't opposed to being rained on -- our concern was flooding, loss of power, or being stuck on the island. I asked them directly: "Will my family be safe during this massive storm in your place?" Their response? They told us, "I don't mean to downplay the news coverage, but this is fairly typical winter weather for Kauai." They assured us the rental was "not located in a flood zone." Fairly typical winter weather. Not in a flood zone. Here's what actually happened: The Governor declared a STATE OF EMERGENCY. Roads in Poipu -- the exact neighborhood of this house -- were closed due to flooding. Ho'one Road and Ku'ai Road, right by this property, were shut down. The islands were hit with up to 44 inches of rain and 135-mph winds. Schools and government offices closed. Over 120,000 customers lost power across the state. Beaches were closed under brown water advisories warning of sewage overflow and hazardous bacteria. The Red Cross and Salvation Army mobilized relief efforts. Residents were evacuated into emergency shelters. So much for "fairly typical winter weather." So much for "not in a flood zone." And here's what makes it worse: the forecast they themselves included in their own message showed 90-100% chance of rain with thunderstorms and wind gusts up to 50 mph for EVERY SINGLE DAY of our trip. Their own evidence showed this was not typical. They sent it to us and still told us to come. We never made it to Kauai. We couldn't. It would have been dangerous and irresponsible to bring our families -- our kids -- into that situation. Garden Island Properties refused any refund. VRBO has been contacted twice by phone, was promised a resolution email both times, and as of this writing we've received nothing. $8,000. Gone. For a house we never stepped foot in, on an island we never reached, during a declared state of emergency that the property manager called "fairly typical." This is not a review about the weather. Nobody controls the weather. This is a review about a property management company that had every piece of information -- including their own forecast -- telling them this was a dangerous, historic storm, and they still chose to encourage a family with children to fly into it rather than do the right thing. I asked them point blank if my family would be safe. They couldn't even answer the question. They chose profit over safety. Period. If you are considering booking with Garden Island Properties, understand this: when things go wrong -- and in Hawaii, weather can go very wrong -- this company will not have your back. They will take your money, send you a canned aloha, and wish you luck.

I never leave reviews, but once in a blue moon I do business with a company that's so exceptional,…read moreand whose staff is so above and beyond that I find myself looking for outlets to let others know of my experience. This is the case with the people at Garden Island Properties. A week prior to our departure, we sadly had to cancel our travel to Kauai Island because our daughter was hospitalized. I had already paid in full for our three week rental (60 days prior to our departure date) and I did not purchase insurance. This could have been the end of the story because everyone had already been paid. But, the people at Garden Island Properties worked tirelessly to find another renter so we could recover some of our money. The humanity they showed, and the effort they made on our behalf has made me a loyal customer, and I plan to use them to help me with future rental properties going forth. I will also purchase travel insurance!

Everything about this cottage is so Aloha but honestly the bed and linens made me feel like a…read morequeen! It was incredibly comfy. Here's my morning around the cottage...

These cottages are adorable and so well maintained. The owners go to great lenghts to make sure…read moreyour stay is fabulous! The location is great, close to many good places to eat and the beach is very close (within walking distance). This is the place to stay and very reasonably priced. Much better then staying at a hotel. Very relaxing and private area. Two thumbs up!

Check in was super easy. No timeshare stalkers here. Yay! The resort is small and easy to…read morenavigate. They offer daily specials. Sundaes one day, malasadas, etc. I was pretty disappointed though when we went over for malasadas at 9:15 am and they were gone. It said malasadas from 9-10. They should not have run out in just 15 minutes. They should have an idea of number of guests staying there and based on an average percentage they should have had way more to give out. This was a huge disappointment!! Their pool is tiny and just ok. The great news is we are allowed to use the pool facilities at the Outrigger resort next door. They have 3 restaurants, 2 hot tubs, a volleyball pool and regular pool. They also have water slides but not sure they are open. Their pool area has lots of seating and umbrellas. They have waterfalls and it is just a good resort vibe. Our room wasn't the cleanest tho. There is noticeable dust on the fans and dust blobs in the track of the closets. My toilet flushed slow and had a leak. The layout and furniture was good. My bed was comfy. My sister said her bed was not. I may or may not stay here on a future trip. There is another timeshare location here that I will try to stay in next. Overall, things were decent but I am in Kauai. There isn't a lot to be unhappy about.

On previous visits to Kauai, we've stayed at the Wyndham Bali Hai in Princeville. Wanting to be…read morecloser to the island's activities we chose this location for a change. Like many Wyndham properties, it feels comfortably dated rather than luxurious, however the huge bonus here was access to the adjoining property's resort amenities. So while we slept in the unit, much more of our time was spent at the Outrigger's pools and spas. That was a game changer. I requested an upper floor unit, which was honored by the staff. I did this so I can open windows and enjoy the trade winds rather than always use the A/C. However, our particular unit was in a building directly across from the reception building, security gate (which includes a tone upon access), and the next door Wailua motocross track. So, not really a tranquil location. If staying there again, I would also specify a quieter unit. Important to note that there are two resorts in the area, but to do any other sightseeing, shopping, go to restaurants, etc., you will need to drive. There is a bar, upscale restaurant, and beach shack at the Outrigger, but no other food options on site. We did also enjoy the nightly music at Shutters by sitting at the fire pit closer to the pools. And while the resort is ocean front, it isn't a beach that I would recommend for swimming or snorkeling. Our unit was comfortable and had everything we needed for our stay, but we had trouble with the A/C unit throughout our stay. It is located on the balcony of the primary bedroom and would loudly cycle on and off. It did periodically stop working during our stay and maintenance quickly responded. Although the Beach Villas feel past their prime and didn't offer many amenities, the staff during our stay was excellent. We enjoyed getting daily coffees at the reception building and asking the staff for recommendations and they were great. Another notable change from other Wyndham properties was the lack of a timeshare sales team, so thankfully no hard sell to attend an owner update. Overall, a pleasant stay and we did appreciate the more central location. And just a reminder that the whole island is filled with roosters that will drive you nuts if you don't bring ear plugs. Aloha!

This is the beach to catch the most amazing sunrises!…read more The sounds of the waves plus the picturesque scenery makes the place ideal.

I wish I could give zero stars…read more Our stay started off on the wrong foot, and unfortunately, it set the tone for the rest of our trip. We checked in, and right away, the room wasn't impressive. There was a strange scent lingering in the air--like something was being covered up with multiple plug-ins. Everything felt dated: the furniture, the decor. The kitchen looked decent with updated appliances, but that was about it. We tried to brush it off and went to the pool (which looked much smaller in person than in the photos), then came back to the room. That's when the real nightmare began. My youngest daughter went to take a shower in one of the bathrooms. Moments later, I hear screaming. I run in and see sewage--yes, actual dark, smelly sewage--coming up from the shower drain. My daughter is crying, I'm shaking, and the stench is overwhelming. We immediately called the front desk, and someone was sent to "unblock" it. I begged the manager to move us to another room due to the smell and potential health hazard, and all he said was: "There are no rooms. You can check out, or stay and we'll send housekeeping." Excuse me? This isn't a spilled drink--they're talking about cleaning up sewage with a mop? I asked if they planned to professionally decontaminate the area, and the answer was no. Just their regular housekeeper. It wasn't until I was clearly desperate--three kids, nighttime, a trip we booked months ago--that they finally offered to send us to their sister hotel for one night. But we'd have to pack up, drive there, then return the next day--basically waste precious time and energy. This was a special occasion trip. We paid extra for an ocean view, and it was supposed to be an anniversary celebration. And to make things worse, nobody seemed to care. The manager responded with a condescending tone like I was overreacting. He actually said, "These things happen once in a blue moon." Okay--then have a plan for when they do! It honestly felt like he thought he was doing me a favor by offering a one-night refund or a small room at a different hotel. No real apology. No accountability. Just a lot of shrugging and gaslighting. We ended up staying, but were only refunded for one night. The second bathroom was out of commission (we didn't feel safe using it), so our whole family had to share one shower for the rest of the trip. The awful smell never fully left the room. Also--the in-unit washer and dryer? The washer smelled horrible, was full of sand, and looked like it had mold in the plastic lining. Just gross. This whole experience left a horrible taste in our mouths. I honestly don't understand how this place is being managed. If the rooms are owned by individuals and managed by this hotel group, do the owners even know how badly things are being handled? What was supposed to be a beautiful anniversary trip with our kids turned into one of the worst travel experiences we've ever had. Stay far, far away from this place!!!