Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club

The pluses to this luxury resort are its oceanfront location on Kalapaki Beach (one of the best in Kauai), several enormous swimming pools combined into an awesome "water playground," a terrific kids' program, and a central islandwide location (about an hour's drive to Hanalei and the North Shore in one direction, and about an hour's drive to the Waimea Canyon in the other direction). The minus: The location -- Lihue Airport is only a mile away -- allows for easy arrival and departure, but it also means you can hear the takeoff and landing of every jet. Fortunately, most air traffic stops by 9pm, but it begins again bright and early in the morning.

Once upon a time, this was a glitzy megaresort (the Westin Kauai) with ostentatious fantasy architecture, but then a hurricane (and new owners) toned it down. The result is grand enough to be memorable, but it's now grounded in reality -- it looks like a Hawaiian hotel rather than a European palace. Water is everywhere throughout the resort: lagoons, waterfalls, fountains, a 5-acre circular swimming pool (some 26,000 sq. ft., the largest on the island), and a terrific stretch of beach. The lagoons are home to six islands that serve as an exotic minizoo, which still lends an air of fantasy to the place and, along with the enormous pool and children's program, makes the resort popular with families.

It's a little pricey for Lihue, but affordable compared with nearby Poipu Resort. Guest rooms are comfortable, with fabulous views of gold-sand Kalapaki Beach, verdant gardens, and palm trees; a recent refurbishment has them all looking brand-new.

There are also timeshare units in this resort.

Facilities: 4 restaurants (including Duke's Kauai), 2 bars; free airport shuttle; babysitting; children's program; concierge; 36-hole Jack Nicklaus golf course; state-of-the-art fitness center; 5 hot tubs; the largest pool on the island; room service; 8 tennis courts; watersports equipment rentals

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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