Interval International Resort Spotlight

• What resort did you book? 

We exchanged to the Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club, an elite-rated resort on Poipu Beach. Poipu is located on the Southeast side of the island of Kaua’i, Hawai’i.

• What accommodations did you book? How many people did your unit sleep?  

We booked our exchange into a spacious two-bedroom unit, which could accommodate up to 8 people. There are two king-sized beds and two sleeper sofas in the unit. We had two adults and two teenagers, and it worked perfectly! There was plenty of room for everyone to eat at the dining table, but we had most of our meals on the balcony to hear the waves and birds.

• What was the atmosphere of the resort? 

Although this is an elite resort, the atmosphere was very laid back. Like almost everywhere we’ve been in Hawai’i, it has a distinctly relaxed island vibe. The staff were incredibly kind and helpful, even when our flight was delayed and we showed up at 10 p.m.! There are gorgeous landscaping and water features throughout the resort. Although the resort is located just a few steps from Poipu Beach, you still feel secluded and can easily find private hot tubs or beach chairs to enjoy.

• What amenities were available at the resort?

The Waiohai has tons of hot tubs and outdoor pools. Our favorite was the small adults-only pool right next to the ocean. It was the perfect spot to watch the surfers and the sunset. There are grills throughout the resort, which we took full advantage of- we cooked ‘ono almost every night! There is also a poolside restaurant and bar called Honu (Hawaiian for sea turtle), and a fitness center if you’re into that!

• Was it difficult to find availability through Interval International?

The Marriott’s Waiohai is difficult to get through Interval, and I can understand why. Elite-rated, right on the beach in Hawai’i, and larger unit sizes are what drew us to the resort, and what draws many others as well. Our Exchange Support agent, Reed, advised us that it would be tricky and helped us set up a waitlist. It took a little while, but we eventually got a match! We lucked out with getting this resort, but if you find another- book it!

• What was Poipu and Kaua’i like? 

We have been to both Kaua’i and Maui, both of which are gorgeous, but Kaua’i is my favorite! Being from Colorado, we are adventurers, and Kaua’i has plenty to keep us busy. You can drive to the farthest points of the island within a couple of hours, so it is a pretty small island, the adventures are endless. Poipu is located on the island’s Southeast side, which has a drier and sunnier climate than the North.

• How did you get to your resort? Do you recommend a rental car?

We flew from Denver to Los Angeles, then onward to Lihue. The resort is about half an hour from the airport. Definitely get a rental car! If you are planning on visiting other parts of the island, going to different beaches for snorkeling, or taking any hikes, you’re going to want a car. They are someone expensive, but it is worth the cost. We used Turo which had the option to include snorkeling equipment and beach chairs- amazing!

• What types of things are there to do at this destination? 

There is so much to do! We spent most of our time hiking, snorkeling, surfing, and checking out the many beaches. The resort is located on Poipu Beach which is incredible snorkeling right out your door. I would recommend visiting Hanalei Bay, Polihale State Park, Waimea Canyon, and the Na Pali Coast. Those are the big ones, but everywhere you go is an opportunity for adventure and breathtaking views.

• Is the area family-friendly or more adult-oriented? 

I would say that this would be a vacation anybody could enjoy! Adults could enjoy relaxing on the beach, and families could enjoy playing in the sand with smaller kids. Kaua’i is an island with a huge tourism economy, so it is expensive, but there are ways to make it less so if you are traveling with a family. We had our two teenagers with us and had a wonderful time!

• Any restaurant recommendations?

There is so much fresh fruit and seafood to enjoy- eat it all while you can! One of our family favorites was a little unexpected. Just down the beach from the Marriott is a little hole in the wall called Puka Dog! They serve a pig-in-a-blanket style Hawaiian hot dog with a Hawaiian sweet bread roll, filled with fruit salsa and Aunty Lilikoi mustard. It was the perfect post-snorkeling snack and the kids wanted Puka Dog every day!