Location. Nestled in a large coconut grove amid hundreds of palm trees, the smoke free Aston Kauai Beach at Makaiwa offers guests an opportunity to experience authentic Hawaiian luaus, excursions up Wailua River and helicopter sightseeing trips along the Napali Coast. Benches along the beach provide seats for watching sunsets and whale watching. Although swimming is not recommended due to unpredictable currents, visitors can relax on the beautiful sandy beach or take a stroll on the parallel jogging/walking trail. The Aston Kauai Beach at Makaiwa is within 15 minutes of two golf courses. Other activities include scuba diving, surfing and boogie boarding, horseback riding, deep sea fishing, snorkeling, hiking, biking and rafting.

Hotel Features. Mornings begin with tasty breakfast buffets in the Luau Halau, and afternoon relaxation is best found by the outdoor pool, sundeck and spa tub. The Voyager Grille Steak & Seafood Restaurant overlooks Waipouli Beach and serves American and Pacific Rim dishes. Cook's Landing Lounge delivers tropical drinks, a creative pupu menu and nightly Hawaiian entertainment. Tihati's Hiva Pasefika features luaus with traditional imu (pit steamed pig). Tihati's Spectacular Polynesian Revue takes guests on a musical journey of the South Pacific Islands, ending in Samoa with an exciting fire knife dance.

Guestrooms. The Aston Kauai Beach at Makaiwa offers 311 guestrooms with views of the Pacific Ocean, mountains and pool and include furnishings imported from Bali. Amenities include coffeemakers, refrigerators, complimentary wireless Internet access and Lanai's toiletries.

Expert Tip. There is a Safeway and a Foodland in the nearby Coconut Marketplace, where guests can purchase snacks/groceries to take on day trips or tours. This is a great way for budgeting guests to cut some economical corners.