Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Hanapepe, on the island of Kauai, is considered the art capital of Hawaii's most tropical island. The plantation-style buildings that once were home to sugar cane workers now house art galleries and shops like the Banana Patch Studio and the Talk Story Bookstore. Hanapepe is also a favored locale for Hollywood projects. The mini-series "The Thornbirds" and the feature film "Flight of the Intruder" were both filmed here. While there are no hotels within the community, accommodations are available just a few miles away.
The cottages that make up the Waimea Plantation Cottages at one time housed plantation workers for the sugar cane fields. Built in the early part of the 20th century, these individual homes are hidden among coconut palms on a landscaped grassy field. Some of the cottages feature the old fashioned claw-foot tubs, clapboard siding and large wooden lanais complete with hammock. Choose an ocean front cottage and walk out your back door, across a bit of lawn to the sand and sea. The cottages are equipped with modern amenities such as wireless Internet, cable TV and phones. Each unit has a fully-equipped kitchen. Along with the nostalgia comes the opportunity for a bit of pampering. Have a meal at the on-site Waimea Brewing Company or a massage at the Hideaway Spa, both onsite. Waimea Plantation Cottages is six miles west of Hanapepe.
Offering a collection of colorful suites and two-bedroom cottages, the Inn Waimea is six miles from Hanapepe. The suites, sporting names such as the Banana Suite, the Hibiscus Suite and the Taro Room are all in a refurbished home built in the early 20th century. Hawaiian quilts and home-made wooden furnishings using native koa woods and bamboo are featured in the rooms. The Banana Suite offers an in-suite jetted tub-for-two and is sometimes referred to as the honeymoon suite. The two free-standing cottages combine modern amenities such as microwave and TV with old fashioned claw-foot tubs, pedestal sinks, built-in cabinetry and large lanais. Local eateries within walking distance include Subway and the Obsessions Café, both a block away and the Shrimp Station, three blocks. The Waimea River Park is just over a block away.
The West Kauai Vacation House is actually a duplex with each side offering a two-bedroom apartment for short- or long-term rental. The apartments are located in a residential area of Waimea, two blocks from the oceanfront Lucy Wright Park and only a block from the Big Save Grocery and Ishihara Market. Kitchens are fully equipped and patios include charcoal grills. Beach chairs, mats and towels are available for that day at the beach. Each apartment has a business center with copier, fax, scanner and high-speed wireless and cable Internet access. Wranglers Restaurant is one block away and Subway is three blocks away via the Captain Cook Memorial Park.
The tiny village of Kalaheo is located seven miles from Hanapepe via Kaumualii Highway. Nestled in Kauai's mountains, the Kahaleo Inn offers 15 suites surrounded by tropical gardens. Ranging in size from studios to three bedrooms, all suites offer kitchens, high-speed wireless Internet access and phones. Décor is laid back Hawaiian style with plenty of rattan and florals. Guests are welcome to use the barbecue grills, books and games in the guest library and even to pick the bananas on the property. All but three suites have lanai's. Kahaleo looks much as it did in the early 20th century. It does have its own Kukuiolono Park and Golf Course and a surprising number of restaurants for the size of the town. Eateries within walking distance of the Kalaheo Inn include Pomodoro's Italian, Kalaheo Steak & Ribs and Brick Oven Pizza, all within a two-block radius. The Menehune mini-mart is two blocks away.