Aston Islander On The Beach Kapaa

I am surprised at the number of people that expect a Hyatt for a budget price. Disregard them. This is a very nice place to stay with nicely kept grounds, none of the chickens that used to be there, an excellent, helpful staff, and good facilities. The second floor room had a bit of a musty smell, but was very nice otherwise. It was completely quiet and soundproof from any neighbor rooms. Although the pool and spa are small , they are set in a nice location, convenient to the bar, and central to all hotel rooms. The coconut marketplace behind the hotel has many choices for food and shopping, and the location of the hotel is very central to all island destinations. We paid the absloute minimum price through a last minute deal and were very happy with the accomodations. However, if you are looking for luxury and expect to be pampered, spend the money and go somewhere that will not disappint you. For the average traveler, this is the best deal on the island.

We booked an Expedia hotel and airfare package just a scant two weeks before our wedding, for a short honermoon on Kaua'i. Consequently, we were locked into this hotel for the duration. Aston's website literature said they upgrade honeymooners, so I booked a partial ocean view with hopes of upgrading due to the new married status. The partial ocean view did not mention the mildewy room, noisy air conditioners drowning out the sound of the ocean, or the urine-scented lanai on the ground floor with zero privacy. My bride kept getting stuck in the bathroom because the pocket door would roll off its tracks. The hotel staff were extremely polite and friendly and as accommodating as possible, but the hotel was full up and no upgrades or even other rooms were possible for two days. The front desk was able to finally upgrade us to an "Ocean View" room on the second floor, which solved the mildew, stinky smell, and privacy issues, and the new room had a bathroom door that worked fine. However, the "full ocean view" was only marginally better than the previous partial view, and despite the online promise of a free upgrade, we had to pay for it anyway. HOWEVER -- that said, I would recommend this hotel for its good service, excellent central location for exploring the island, and the easy access to the beach. Rooms are servicable but nothing fancy, and could definitely stand to be redecorated. Please note that the Jolly Roger is now closed and one must go half a mile down the road for the included breakfast. It is also quite difficult to initially FIND the hotel, as it does not have a sign on the main highway and is effectively hidden behind the Coconut Marketplace. Oh, and hotel next door has a better pool (with waterfall) and hammocks under the palms, something Aston Islander should look into.

Both my wife and I enjoyed my stay at the Aston Islander while we were in Kauai. We had an ocean front room there for 10 days. The rooms were nice enough and clean, the grounds were well kept, and the staff was friendly...BUT if you are expecting the something along the lines of a Sheraton, Hyatt, Hilton, etc... DON'T! If you wanted to stay in your room or on a resort then Kauai is not the island for you anyway. We spent our 10 days hiking, swimming, snorkeling, shopping, all over the island. Kauaii is just a fantastic island and the Aston Islander worked out well for us since it was reasonbly priced and centrally located on the East side of the island. Also, the Coconut Market was right there for a variety of food and plenty of shopping.

We stayed for a week and a half at the Islander on the beach. The hotel was clean with friendly cleaning staff but the rooms are in bad need of updating and repair. The pool is small and not a lot has been done with the grounds around the property. We found the front desk staff quite distant and not very accomodating. Everything at this hotel is an extra charge including the in- room coffee! Overall we thought this hotel was overpriced in comparison to many others on the island.

We stayed there for two weeks and had a great time. Better than I was expecting. Great value. Sure it was moist but you are right next to the ocean!!!!

stayed for 7 days at christmas with my family clean rooms good housekeeping friendly staff will stay here again

We stayed at the Islander 11/24/02 - 12/1/02. We loved everything! Great pool and hot tub with poolside bar, friendly staff, CLEAN, QUIET, beautiful private beach, gorgeous landscaping, within walking distance to dinning and shopping...what more could we have asked for! We upgraded to an ocean front room on the top floor. We awoke every morning to breath taking sunrises and the sound of the pounding surf just outside our door. We spent many afternoons lounging on the beach and playing in the surf. Many times we were the only beachgoers, except for the Monk Seal that seemed to love the Islander's beach as much as we did! The Monk Seal must have figured out just as we had, that despite the warm water and clean sandy beach, the Islander's ocean front was amazingly private and very quiet. The staff at the Islander was wonderful. Having clean beach towels upon request at the front desk whenever you wanted was great. The grounds around the resort are stunning. The friendly staff is out there all the time! Huge Hibiscus in every imaginable color graced the entire front of every building. We were regulars at the Jolly Roger located right next door to the Islander. It's not four-star dining by any stretch of the imagination, but we enjoyed the resident kitties that joined us for breakfast every morning! Their Macadamia Nut pancakes with Coconut syrup are heaven on a plate! The Islander is centrally located to all the wonderful adventures and activities that Kauai has to offer. One day we drove to Tunnels Beach on the North Shore, the next day to Polihale on the West and all within an hour or two! Located in Kapa'a, the Islander is within a few minuets drive to the local grocery, fine dining, and many beach parks. You'll want to visit the local grocery to stock up your mini fridge, an bonus we weren't even expecting in the room along with an extra sink and microwave! The Islander is, in our opinion, the best oceanfront value on Kauai. We are planning a return visit in October of 2003...

We stayed at the Islander for 4 nights while on the island of Kauai and it was very enjoyable. The price (50% off with the entertainment book) and location can not be beat. Our oceanfront room was well kept up and always very clean. It is centrally located on the island so that travel to the north and south are easily achievable. The grounds were well kept and the receptionists were very helpful.

Kauai was the second leg of our honeymoon, and after having stayed at Aston Ka'Anapali Shores in Maui, we were totally disappointed with Aston Islander on the Beach. It was very dark and damp, almost to the level of mildew. There was an air of basement, almost dungeon like room.

When we first checked in, we asked to see another room to see if it was better. And it wasn't. So we spent the night and payed $100 a night extra to switch to the Radisson in a bit closer down towards the airport.

The pool and overall exterior of the hotel is nice, but the rooms are so 70iesish... almost 60ish.

The shower is a standing shower, and is probably only 2.5 or 3 ft wide, not very big. Also, the cable is like your home cable, no movies to order or games to play like in the more modern hotel.

Kauai was the second leg of our honeymoon. When we checked in, the room was damp, moist, almost mildew like. We asked to see another room because of allergy sensitivity. After seeing a second room, we realized that all the rooms there were very similar. They were damp and mildew like.

The bathroom is a small closet; one with a toilet and a standing shower. The standing shower is about 2.5 feet wide.

I'd say the hotel is probably older than 30 yrs and I would say that you can feel that.

So we switched for the remaining 3 nights to the Radisson in Kauai which was much better. But that is probably pricier.