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Waimea Plantation Cottages

Waimea Plantation Cottages, West Side Kauai
Fodor's Hotel Awards 2011 Local Flavor  |  Winning Attributes

At a Glance

    Pros

  • unique, homey lodging
  • quiet and low-key

    Cons

  • not a white-sand beach
  • rooms are not luxurious
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Waimea Plantation Cottages Review

History buffs will adore these relocated sugar-plantation cottages, which were originally built in the early 1900s. The one- to five-bedroom cottages are tucked among coconut trees along a lovely stretch of coastline on the sunny Westside. (Note that swimming waters here are often murky, but morning and evening strolls on the black sand is special.) It's a great property for family reunions or other large gatherings. These cozy homes of different sizes are replete with porches and feature plantation-era furnishings, modern kitchens, and cable TV. A pretty good restaurant, barbecues, hammocks, porch swings, a gift shop, a spa, and a museum are on the property.

2011 Fodor's 100 Hotel Award Winner

Serene Sugar Shacks
You certainly don't have to be a history buff to fall in love these charming little pastel bungalows tucked tidily into coconut grove on the island's sunny side. This salvaged sugar plantation and the grounds around it are a far cry from the rest of island's hyper-manicured resorts, and that's exactly where Aston Waimea's charm lies. Peace and serenity are the order of the day here—not hard to achieve with a long, undeveloped beach that begs for sunset strolls right next door. Pop into the on-site Grove Café for a sampling of all of the islands' brews.

    Hotel Details

  • 55 cottages.
  • Credit cards accepted.
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Fodorite Reviews

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    Waimea Plantation Cottages Review

    We stayed at Waimea Plantation Cottages twice: the first time on our honeymoon in 1990 and then ten years later with our six year old daughter. Both times it was magical and exactly what we look for in vacation. If a luxury, full service resort is what you want, the cottages aren't for you. But it was secluded and romantic jewel.

    by susanschneier, 1/14/10
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    Great for relaxing!

    I will start by saying that if you want a place to relax in the room or your private porch or by the pool, this is the place to go! Spacious grounds and a beautiful setting make this a peaceful retreat. If you are looking for excitement, or a place to lay out on the beach and swim in the ocean, this is not it. It just depends on what you want. My husband and I honeymooned here, and it was nice -but they did not give us a the cottage we reserved, and 'upgraded' us to a three bedroom cottage next to the highway! We were as far from the ocean as you can get, and we were near no other tourists (kind of nice, but we felt a bit alienated). While the cottage seems to be one of the latest to be renovated - the paint was fresh and it was ultra clean - why would we need three bedrooms? The one bedroom we reserved online said it would have a nice soaking tub - this one had a big tiled walk in room that was a shower and one step away from a shower you might find at a campground. Make SURE you talk to them in person when you reserve to get what you want! That is why I gave 'Service' a low score. Fodor's review says the water is 'murky' - that means dirty. Very dirty. This is next to a river outlet, and the water and sand are saturated with silt from the river. Trust me - you won't swim or even walk on the beach here. That being said, everything else was wonderful, and this is a great place to stay if you plan on visiting Waimea Canyon. The Waimea Brewery is an excellent addition to the grounds - great atmosphere, good beer, and good food. Poipu beach is a great place to snorkel (about 30 minutes away), and also check out Salt Pond Park for swimming - its about 10 minutes from the cottages and a great place to relax on the sand!

    by Wheatons_Wanderers, 3/5/08

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