The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook: Kauai Revealed Reviews

• Indispensibly dog-earred

  
  By A1NJ2AR1FDP2X8 on 2000-02-01
  I've spent a total of 6 weeks on Kauai and while I've checked out 4 different guidebooks on Kauaii I have used this book exclusively while on island. The authors do a great job of making it quick and easy for you to experience the best beaches, hikes, and other activities -- just turn to the section you're interested in ("Beaches" for example) and look for the big fat diamond symbol indicating a "gem" of an item (I wish all guidebooks did this as concisely and well as these folks do). The pictures are great and really help decision-making. Only rarely have I disagreed with their advice. Some readers have complained about restaraunt and helicopter tour recommendations -- but that's such a small part of what the island has to offer, and frankly I don't recall be led astray by the book in these activities. If you're mainly concerned about restaraunts and helicopters, simply stay at the Hyatt Regency and have their concierge set up a helicopter ride for you (the Hyatt can't be beat for all-around luxury, good restaraunts, and quality service). But if you want to explore, and get the most from, the glorious natural beauty of this island, this is, as others have said, the only book you'll need. I only wish they had one for Maui -- but I'm stoked they have one for the Big Island and am ordering it today.
  
  

• I wish I had bought this book for my first trip to Kauai!

  
  By A1CKLHQQG32AQ9 on 2000-04-06
  This is an outstanding guide book full of beautiful pictures and right on information. I picked up this book before my second trip to Kauai. We had visited the island the year before for our honeymoon. I really wish we had bought this book a year earlier!

  There were so many things on Kauai that we didn't even think of to do or see the first time and we bumbled around from place to place, seeing little of the island. The second trip, we used this guidebook and checked out some outstanding restaurants and beaches. Without the book, we never would have gone to JoJo's Clubhouse for shave ice or found parking for Ke'e Beach.

  Something we found helpful was the aerial photos of the resorts section where we got to see just how far the ocean is from where you are planning to stay. We were at the Hyatt for both trips and would readily make reservations there again in a heartbeat!

  This is an amazing resource for the island. I wish the authors would write books for Maui and Oahu!
  
  

• Great maps, frank reviews, needs editing

  
  By A2SQF952MG4DKR on 2000-03-08
  We just returned from Kauai and used this book as our guide. I'd strongly suggest purchasing this book if only for the maps, which are completely thorough and seemed very accurate! We followed their driving guide around the island and thought it to be an excellent way to "self narrate" our drive. The authors' frank reviews of the island's activities/companies were helpful in weeding out the bad ones, if not always in selecting the BEST one.

  You'll read a lot about the good in other customer reviews -- I'd agree with much of what was written. What this book SUFFERS from is a good editor, both to curtail the authors' long-winded rambling and to make certain each of the sections are consistent in including key details. The restaurant section, for example, seemed sloppily put together, as some of the reviews excluded addresses/locations and other such details. Likewise, the guide to beaches omitted such useful facts as "the drive to Polihale State Park includes over four miles of dirt road" -- something I'm sure they assume you'd notice on their great maps, but all the same, some of their write-ups included such details, some did not.

  We did follow their restaurant recommendations (about 10 of them, all told) and would advise you, the traveler, only to avoid BRENNECKE'S, whose "legendary Mai Tais" were the worst we had and the view was better than the food.

  OVERALL ADVICE: 1) Purchase this book from Amazon.com, 2) go to your local bookstore and copy down restaurant ideas from Zagat's Hawaii, and 3) browse through the freebie magazines available all over Kauai for supplemental information.
  
  

• Not the book for Ugly Americans

  
  By on 2001-01-15
  In reading through the customer reviews on here, I notice that the handful of people who gave this book 1 star complain about the restaurant reviews, or they say the people of Kauai aren't really as friendly as this book claims. I'd suspect these are the people who expect paradise to be without bugs, rain, or or anything else that might "inconvenience" them... the people whom the reviewer from Kapahi complained about (11/12/00). If you act like a snotty haole, people will treat you like one. If you're looking for five-star restaurants, you probably SHOULDN'T go to Kauai. That said, this book is great for those of us who want to be unobtrusive, low-budget travelers and eat plate lunches with the locals. The maps -- which include 3-D relief shading -- are by far the best non-urban maps I've ever seen printed in a travel guide. My only complaint (and the reason I'm giving 4 stars instead of 5) is that the Accommodations section is all about hotels and condos; there are only 5 B&Bs and 2 Vacation Rental Referral Services mentioned, and I didn't find either of those services to be as helpful as I'd hoped. (For better accommodation info, check out alternative-hawaii.com.)
  
  

• The Best Guidebook for Exploring Kauai

  
  By AQSJFPS3W6P5X on 2000-02-23
  This book is head and shoulders above the others as far as information, layout, and knowledge. I cannot recommend this book enough. We had previously purchased Kauai Underground, and ordered Ultimate Kauai Guidebook just before we went over. The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook led us to all of the best beaches, and was right on in their descriptions. If you want to explore this island, you absolutely need this book. They also have a website which provides updates for the book, which was also a big help. If it is your goal to find the best secluded beaches, the most enjoyable hikes, and the best snorkeling around, you need to buy this book. There is no sugarcoating in this book, and their assessments were right on, in our opinion, and this is the second time we went over to Kauai. This book made it much more enjoyable, and is a bargain at twice the price.
  
  
• I wish I hadn't bothered
  By AFX1OEX1V64JV on 2007-02-20
  This book is a mess--terribly organized, counter-intuitive, and extremely vague. Has the author even been to Kauai in the past 5 years? My fiancee and I were stunned by how out-dated and ultimately unhelpful it was--do not even open the restaurant section. We finally bought another guide book and were thrilled we did because it helped us discover a ton of hidden gems that make up the true beauty of the island. I never write reviews, but had to for this one, because this "guidebook" is a joke. Don't bother buying it--it'll just fill up valuable luggage space.
  
  
• A must buy!
  By A13E9XBNP6YSFM on 2001-11-13
  Until now I have never taken the time to write a reveiw for anything, but I feel need to share my feelings about this book. This book is the reference standard for how guidebooks should be written.

  The maps and graphics are outstanding; very detailed with mile markers etc. shown where needed, and it doesn't include useless details that you won't need anyway. Maps are very easy to follow, and they are broken down for each district on the island.

  It is especially helpful if you are looking for little known hiking trails, beaches, or waterfalls to visit. Some of these you would never find without the help of this book.

  The information is very accurate. The couple that wrote the book live on Kauai, and it is clear that they do their homework, and they even added a touch of humor. We used this book for every activity and restaraunt during our stay, and we have never been disappointed.
  
  

• Paradise revealed!
  By A34404JGASQTJ2 on 2004-11-08
  I just returned from my second visit to Kauai, and first time using this guide.
  
  In a nutshell, get this book before you go to Kauai, read it, follow it's suggestions for hiking and dining etc., and toss all other bloated guidebooks away, as I did!
  
  I had superior meals at "A Pacific Cafe" with superb fast attentive service, very good food at Coconuts and at "Duke's", great less expensive food at "Lihue'i Barbeque Inn". Also a great Breakfast omelet at "Kalaheo Coffee Co",great Ono fish sandwich lunch at the "Hanalei Dolphin" (they sell super fresh fish and real wasabi next door), great Saimin at "Hamura's", top shave ice at "Jojo's" (get the Mac ice cream at the bottom of #2)and wish I had more time to sample more restaurants in one week!
  
  The locals concurred with nearly all of the "Ono" restaurant choices, and they panned some restaurants recommended by Frommer's writers in the 2004 edition...so i didn't try those!
  
  The weaknesses are not giving great directions to the restaurants or having a very detailed map of where recomended places are in Lihue or Kapa'a.. his vague directions for finding hidden "A Pacific Cafe" stink..several people gave up trying to find it till it was explained it was hidden back and to the right in a shopping center, along with several other good places!
  
  The only restaurant he suggested that wasn't even in existence yet was his own financial venture called "Scotty's", and, as of this week, the site just had a sign that it's to arrive...it'll have some strong competition from day one!
  
  His recommendation for Inter-Island helicopters was OVER THE TOP!! It has no doors or windows, sturdy seatbelts, superbly skilled pilots, and it's a peak experience for many... seeing the Na Pali Coast, about 100 waterfalls, beautiful mountains... it's a thrill of a lifetime...and the only way for photographers to go...why bother with shooting through plexiglass with the other choppers?! They fly clockwise around the island, and the left side faces the ocean. The rear left seat is the least desireable, front middle is next least desireable...the front right seat is by far the best...they won't tell what seat you have till you are getting on the chopper...seating is prioritized by weight and then by putting couples together, so I can't fault them...safety first! If you are in the left seat and request, the pilot will gladly swing around to give you a view, so you do see the top sites just as well as the right seaters experience! Women... skirts and wind do not mix too well, long pants are recommended....do bring a light sweater and loads of film or a digital camera! The other chopper companies he recommends have top recommendations...get the discount coupons from the tourist rags, and save $25-$50 per person. (Oops, I can expect a lot of negative reviews from the chopper companies he does not recommend!)
  
  Learn the Ni'ihau necklaces art form, and get your top quality at the Hawaiian Trading Post, and don't bother with 2nd and 3rd rate quality necklaces found in other spots over the island. (Oops, more negative feedback!)
  
  I could go on and on...Best and only guide to get!
  
  
• Disappointing
  By A21G8ZKEPF69PJ on 2005-05-16
  Kauai is such a wonderful destiniation. I had a great vacation, but I was disappointed in this book as it failed to lead me to the best restaurants on the island. When I visit a new location, in this case Kauai, I like to experience the great cuisine that such new location has to offer. This book failed to lead me in the right direction as far as restaurants were concerned. The only way that I was able to find my favorite dining destinations was through the recommendations of the consierge of the Princeville Hotel. The consierge also let me borrow a copy of his Kauai Underground Guide - which he says is the most accurate book on the island and which he loans to guests who ask for advice on restaurants, beaches and adventures. He was right on.
  
  
• ultimate guide to Kauai
  By on 2000-11-13
  Well this book must be selling, because I live across the street from one of the secluded waterfall trails, and every obnoxious tourist on the island hops out of the car with it, walks up to my front door or just yells from the street, and then asks, "Is this the way to the waterfalls, can we use your telephone (hose, get a drink of water, etc)?" After a million questions and loud noises and tossed garbage from those who stop there, they decide to turn around in my driveway or drive on my plants. I think the writer of this book should mention a little something about respecting the residents of these places he's so proud to spread the word about.
  
  
• The Maps are great, but.....
  By on 2001-03-20
  .....as a resident of Kauai I can attest to the fact that people here don't appreciate trespassers and that's my major beef with this guidebook. The authors seem to take delight in directing tourists to tromp across private property to gain access to hidden sites. This is irresponsible and it really irks the locals.

  The restaurant reviews are outdated and subjective; I usually don't agree with them but this is a tricky area due to constant change in management.

  The maps are really first rate, great detail, easy to read.

  Please be careful at places like Polihale and Queens Bath---way too many tourists have suffered serious injuries at these highly touted spots. (Kipu Falls, on private property is super dangerous.)
  
  

• There's no pricetag for detail
  By on 2001-06-04
  My wife and I just returned from Kauai on 5/30/01 and had a great time, much of that due to this book. The detailed directions to the hiking trails were amazing! Without these directions some of the hidden trails ("The Jungle Trail") we hiked would have been lost. The detail continued to all other aspects of the book helping us feel like seasoned veterans of the island rather than bumbling tourists. The reason for 4 stars VS 5 is due to some of the inaccurate restaurant ratings. I agree with another reviewer when they stated this probably couldn't be helped due to the constant changing of management. But in all fairness to the restaurants that have changed their ways for the better I would like to mention to the new readers to assess the establishment before shrugging it off. We found one in particular our last day in haste that the book frowned upon that was quite excellent. Overall....GREAT BOOK!
  
  
• The Title is True to form
  By A2OKV55L0V43ZX on 2001-12-25
  We just returned from a week vacation in Kauai and kept this book by our side the entire trip. It truly was the "ultimate guidebook." The book was easy to read (informative and funny) and was accurate on all accounts. We enjoyed visiting the spots "off the beaten path" such as the Kipu falls that the authors recommended. Future travellers should get the book several weeks before their trip and read it through. They make great recommendations for packing/preparing that we didn't get a chance to take advantage of prior to departing. The only recommendation I would make for future editions is to add more detailed maps for the hiking areas, especially in the ADVENTURES section. If this isn't possible, then the authors could suggest where the hikers can go to find the maps that will aid in navigation. The written text was helpful but better serves to supplement a map. (e.g. Secret Tunnel to the North Shore). Mahalo
  
  
• Add to your checklist!
  By AS0TXZQJLG2I8 on 2002-03-02
  My BF and I have gone to Maui 2 years in a row and then we decided to visit Kauai the next year. This guide was extremely helpful in planning our trip and allowed us to find out quickly and easily the best things to do and see while we were there. What scored big points for me were the detailed maps and recommendations on activities, places to visit, and dining locations. It was funny because while we were driving around the island I would have the book on my lap--if we saw something interesting we would flip through the pages to see what they had to say about it. The descriptions and ratings were almost always right on the mark. Whenever you're going somewhere new, the hardest thing to do is find accurate information about the place, especially information that only 'the locals' would know about, in this case where you can get the best shaved ice (the truck), what restaurant has the best dessert (Roy's), which hole in the wall serves the best rice plate, which rental place offers the best deals and equipment, etc. Almost everyone we know that decides to go to Kauai ends up borrowing the book from us and finds it just as useful as we did. If you're planning on going to Kauai I would highly recommend you get this book before you go. I wish all guide books were written like this one!
  
  
• Only for people who read the entire guide before the vacation
  By ATJ8OMKQMYJ19 on 2006-09-04
  This guide although very popular was very poor.
  We don't read guides before the vacation and we like to browse them through the vacation or trip.
  This guide is written like a story. So if you read it all, I guess it is ok. But if you want to know the highlights and plan your trip on the fly or look for a good restaurant while you drive - it is not good at all.
  
  
• The good and the bad...
  By A2NSDP0SJZNTUJ on 2007-08-08
  In reading some of the reviews for 1 and 2 stars about being out of date, they do publish updates on their websites. (Though I wish they were a little quicker about it and they still don't update some things people send in ever so definitely room for improvement) Also saw some complaints about getting some stink talk from locals at certain beaches. While all beaches are public, the locals have very few places left that are "theirs", I encourage tourists to stay at tourist beaches and let the locals have their secret gems. The biggest thing that dropped the rating for me was they stopped publishing the addresses of restaurants in their dining section. That has always been very helpful in the past and there's no good reason to stop doing it especially when they're making as much money off these books as they are.
  
  
• Greatly Dissappointed
  By on 2004-02-27
  Though the maps were noteworthy I was shocked at the manner in which some of the business establishments were reviewed in the the book. Curious we decided to ask the "experts", (locals), on the island about some of the businesses in the book. We were glad we did because we would have missed out on one of the best adventures on the island - Kauai ATV.

  So reader beware. Do your homework and remember that these are the opinions of 2 people with questionable taste. We found some of the reviews to be inaccurate and unnecessarily slanderous. Remember that the best advice is from those on the island who have an intimate knowledge of what is great about Kauai...and as soon as a book is publised it is outdated....
  
  

• the only book you'll need
  By A1L06QZM4QMAZV on 2005-03-07
  I read many books on Kauai before our 02/05 vacation and packed 3 to take with. I ended up needing only the Ultimate Kauai. I loved that this book had several magnificent places listed that no other book made mention. The hikes were great (and very well marked, I thought) and let us actually experience the parts of Kauai that others only saw through a helicopter window. We found a marvelous beach for swimming that was the highlight of our trip and enjoyed many of the little restaurants mentioned. We plan to return and this book will be our bible.
  
  
• Be careful of bad advise
  By A4Q8MVMK29Q48 on 2005-07-11
  This book was wrong with their advise regarding places to stay and NaPali boat tours. This book isnt the last word on Kauai.
  
  
• Not always the best advice
  By on 1999-12-03
  A book which is often on target but can be way off target. Very helpful in finding the best beaches, views, and some activities (especially horseback riding). Poor recomendations on some restaurants and helicopter tours. Still a book worth purchasing
  
  
• Easily the best(most candid/honest)guide book I've ever read
  By on 1999-11-20
  If you are going to Kauai, this is the only guidebook you need. The authors are incredibly honest about their experiences and quite thorough in their description of restaurants, hotels, activities, etc. A MUST if you plan on doing any exploring, beach-hopping, swimming, diving, snorkeling or sight-seeing while on the island.
  
  
• nothing new
  By on 2003-04-03
  We were disappointed to find so many people at places they claimed would be secret and out of the way. The authors need to refresh the text with new areas and better organize the information. We supplemented with two other books we had along.
  
  
• BAD ADVICE
  By A3K2E4VWAS31KT on 2007-11-01
  As a resedent of Kauai I am always shocked at the advice that this book gives our visitors. This book lists beaches that are dangerous as good places to swim, tells of very advanced (hunting) hiking trails as being good for a family hike, etc...
  I urge our visitors to please take advice from your concierges and local travel magazines rather than this book.
  
  
  
• Beware - buy another
  By A35K1V31EYKAML on 2008-02-04
  Full of inaccuracies. Can't even waste my time, just buy another book, there are many available.
  
  
• Great Book, but lacking in off roading details & describing local attitude
  By A6Q4935VAYWEB on 2008-05-07
  This is my 2nd trip to Kauai, and really did find this book very helpful in many respects. The hikes are great, although I did find the book was organized in a very scattered manner. We followed the off road routes near Anahola, south to Donkey's Beach, and it was a disaster. For one thing, the roads were not accurately drawn for their description and quantity. Although we had a brand new Jeep 4WD, we were met with with huge boulders, narrow and bushy roads that scratched our car to no end. The worst part, however, was going to the wonderful smaller beaches only accessed by these roads. Although there was no doubt the beaches themselves were absolutely phenomenal, the "locals" attempted to intimidate us by standing by their jacked up trucks, starring until we left, ready to dial "911" on our cell phones. We asked a local about this later, to which they replied that the area is known to be "Angryhole-a" territory--all the angry locals tend to meander that way, especially on the weekends. No where in the book did it mention the true nature of this small town, the local attitude toward tourists, and the confusing and dangerous nature of off-roading, especially when their maps were really off!
  
  
• A Poor Choice
  By A317BGGIWE8847 on 2000-01-28
  I have to agree with the reader from California (December 3): "Ultimately" a waste of money (and time, I might add). On our recent vacation to Kauai, we were sorely disappointed with the advice and biases in this book. A poor choice indeed, for which we have no one to blame but ourselves. But here's some advice for fellow travelers: definitely avoid this book (and some of the other disorganized ones as well), and get the free brochures that are so readily available all over the island. Also, buy the University of Hawaii maps: an excellent value if you are exploring the island on your own (not on an organized tour). By the way, Kauai is a beautiful island, the experience of which you should not dilute with the "Ultimatelies" of the world.
  
  
• Not Useful
  By on 2002-11-19
  I was surprised by the inaccurate information within this book. More than once I followed the advice of the author which led to unsuccessful dining experiences. This book is in need of an overhaul.
  
  
• A must if you know nothing about Kauai
  By A7AANTZAE44AN on 2005-01-25
  We did book our tickets to Kauai but had no clue what the island had to offer. This book told us exactly that without having to go through the countless leaflets floating every where in Hawaii.
  
  Pros:
  + Excellent maps. We didn't really need any other maps than the ones in the book.
  + Very honest reviews. This is a very hard to find thing (even in lonely planet type of guides).
  + A good selection of Activities catering to all kinds of people (singles, couples, families with little kids ...).
  
  Cons:
  - Do not try to use this book if you are into hiking. You will need something that has more detailed trail maps and the trails are rated on difficulty level. This book makes all the trails sound really easy. We tried the one to the "drop dead view" and there were 2-4 intersections every 10 feet and pink ribbons marking them all. After the first half hour we gave up and turned back. We ended up taking a completely different path even then. Getting lost there would not be pretty.
  - They should have a bigger section on personal responsibility. This should include, not feeding any wild life (I guess roosters dont count :). Not stepping on reefs/corals and not littering. I wish this is mentioned as many times as possible in the book. Sadly, there are many boat tour/snorkeling companies that let you feed the sea life and also chase whales.
  - It didnt really mention that certain spots can be very rough in winters. Readers should be encouraged to check local weather. We ended up on some turtle watching spots (after long drives) only to see giant waves crashing the shore and ofcourse no turtles.
  
  Use this book as a guide. Take second opinions from locals. I think you are better off selecting hotels/condos from trip advisor or something. But you can start with the list in the book.
  
  
  
• If you eating well, either this book or Kauai isn't for you
  By A1MPKK8NBXWJCV on 2006-01-05
  This is a well-written guide book. I appreciated the good and bad puns and much of the historical context. The authors clearly love Kauai and took great care with their choices. They steered us right on a Napali Coast/Whale Watching tour and clued us into the National Botanic Gardens. Both were worthwhile and highlights of our trip. Waimea Canyon was also teriffic.
  
  But all of our wondrous moments would contrast alarmingly with extreme food disappointment. At first, as my family went from one disappointing "ono" rated restaurant to another, we blamed the book for steering us wrong. Why say an Italian restaurant has pleasant surroundings when it's in a mini mall with views of the parking lot and highway? Why name a place the best taqueria on the island when its burritos taste like canned beans with iceberg lettuce added for excitement? Why call a sushi place upscale when it is cramped and stashed behind three other restaurants in a cheesy hotel ballroom-like area? I could go on and on.
  
  However, the problem seems to be with food on the island. Even our best meal, at the Beach House near Poi Pu, was inconsistent. The notion that the authors really may have been pointing out the best food is frightening. Also, the prices are so ridiculous that it makes the sub par stuff in front of you even more insulting. In terms of the surroundings, I can only conclude that our idea of aesthetically pleasing environments differ sharply.
  
  If you are even close to being a foodie, take a positive review and diminish your culinary and ambiance expectations by 80%.
  
  
• Overall pretty good
  By A36KPUYBMM2OI8 on 2007-03-30
  This was a pretty good guide book. It's especially detailed when it comes to informing the traveler exactly where (right down to the mile marker) to turn off to get to a particular location. Unfortunately, every other tourista on the island had a copy of "Kauai Revealed" and sure enough, whenever we found a place we thought was just ours for a moment, another horde of people would come swarming in, so my partner and I suggest that you head out early to visit some of these places. Also, beware when visiting certain beaches frequented by the "locals"...My partner and I had the distinct feeling (was it their glowering at us?) that visitors were very much resented.
  
  We had two areas of disappointment with the guide, the first being that some of the recommended restaurants had been closed down. True, it must be difficult to stay on top of everything there is to do and see on the island. Kauai is definitely not for foodies and we were hugely disappointed by the lack of good food and even by the lack of ingredients in the supermarkets.
  
  The second thing was the descriptions of the hikes. For example, one of the hikes described as "moderate" was a real killer. It literally took us over an hour to get one mile into the trail, which was straight up and filled with mud. We had to use tree roots and stumps to haul ourselves up what amounted to four foot high foot-holds. I am a seasoned hiker, and I found this particular trail daunting. We turned back after a mile and a half because it really looked like rain and considering that the trail was already difficult to navigate, we really didn't want to attempt it in the rain. Another series of trails was located past a stream that flowed over the road. This gave me some pause because I am unused to driving over streams and it was once again threatening to rain. I had no idea if we'd be completely screwed and forced to stay on the ridge overnight if the flow of water over the road became too heavy. We took the chance and all turned out o.k. I really think a bit more info concerning the fitness level required to hike some of the trails is required. Most of the "moderate" trails would not be ideal for the very young or most older folks. I found myself a bit flummoxed by some of the author's recommendations, which were then followed by a warning. For example, the author urges hikers to take a refreshing dip in certain streams after hiking (he states that he does so), HOWEVER...do be cautious of Leptospirosis. A bacteria found in the mud and fresh water there. Be careful if you have any area of broken skin, plus water splashed into your eyes, nose or mouth counts as an "exposure". After hiking the "moderate" trails, my partner and I had many areas of broken skin, so that was definitely out of the question. Also, I don't think I'd take a chance on a bacteria that can cause anything from mild nausea to multiple organ failure.
  With that said, the amount of information covered in this book is amazing and mostly accurate.
  
  

• Maui Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook (Maui Revealed)
• Hawaii The Big Island Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook
• Oahu Revealed: The Ultimate Guide to Honolulu, Waikiki & Beyond (Oahu Revisited)
• Kauai Trailblazer: Where to Hike, Snorkel, Bike, Paddle, Surf (
• Kauai Underground Guide: And Free Hawaiian Music CD