I always go to Oahu or Maui, but am looking for a different type of Hawaii. I know nothing about Kauai, except that it appears to have two main areas for tourism - Poipu Beach area (sunnier, closer to the airport?) and Princeville/Hanalei area (more rain, maybe lusher scenery?)
All opinions are welcome. I need to decice today. BTW, if anyone is interested, airfare from LAX to Hawaii is in the $270-$350 range
now, depending on the island you visit. Mahalo!
I was there back in 1995 and stayed in Poipu Beach. We did take a drive to Princeville one day and had lunch there.
I think both places would be acceptable, and the island isn’t that big that you couldn’t visit both.
We stayed at the Sheraton, because mom got a great rate while attending a conference. Apparently we were right by a pretty great golf course (not that I golf, so I wouldn’t know)
Beautiful island, and very low key. If you’re looking to do some good relaxing, you’ve picked the right spot.
I wouldn’t worry about one being closer to the airport than another. The island is so small that you won’t exactly have any long drives ahead of you, regardless of location.
Background - stayed on Kauai in 1998 during my honeymoon.
We stayed at The Princeville Resort. It is located on the northern half, on Hanalei Bay.
It was a good place to stay. A little pricey, although the trip was a gift, just so you know where I am coming from. I liked staying on the north side because it was a little more out of the way and felt more like I was away from complete touristy areas. Since our big thing was mountain hiking and finding waterfalls, we were happy with the hotel location since it is closer to the uninhabited areas.
Lilo’s house! 
Zev Steinhardt
I recommend the Inn Paradise in Kapa’a: http://www.affordable-paradise.com/kauai87_e.html
My husband and I stayed there in 1996 and it was really nice. In the alternative, you can stay with one of my parents (dad’s in Lihue and mom’s in Kapa’a). But then, I’m related to them and I didn’t stay with them, so you probably won’t want to either.
You are required while in Kauai to visit the Na Pali Coast and hike part of the Kalalau Trail. Beautiful. Sleeping Giant is also nice.
Also, on this or your next trip, do not neglect the Big Island. Volcanoes National Park is awesome.
Wherever you stay, if you want to experience one of the best beaches on the island, head for Polihale. You take the main road up the west side of the island. Just before it ends, you’ll see a small sign pointing to Polihale, to the left off the road. It’s about 5 miles of unpaved cane road, but worth it. The beach is broad, covered with soft sand, very long (a few miles, IIRC), and not crowded. Just watch out for the currents - one wrong move, and it’s “next stop, Marquesas!”
Kauai is very, very quiet, but extraordinarily pretty. They ain’t kidding when they say Waimea Canyon is the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.
I stayed on both sides of the island, both at Poipu and Princeville.
The Princeville Resort has one of the nicest lobbies I’ve ever seen, also the showers don’t use a curtian but rather a system where when you turn on the light, the glass around you changes opacity.
If you’re in to golf, Princeville’s golf courses are nicer than the ones at Poipu, but the course is VERY windy.
I’m headed to the Big Island next month. But I would like to be there now.
Kauai has a lot Bed and Breakfast places. Some of them can be quite reasonable. The only one I know of personally (back in Kapaa) is a little ways from the beach and across the street from my in-laws. You can probably find better ones though.
So which did you pick?
Remember, watch out for the dinosaurs!