The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook

588 rooms, 2 tennis courts (including a stadium court--crowds are extra), 4 restaurants, room safes, empty refrigerator, coffee maker with free coffee, room service, child care program, wedding coordinator, 2 adjacent golf courses, 24-hour health club, free airport shuttle, valet parking (for $10), 8 conference rooms, 24-hour business center, hi-speed Internet access in rooms, Nintendo, a gigantic ballroom, valet laundry and coin-op, 26,000 sq. ft pool with five spas and keiki pool. From the immaculate, garden-like grounds to the smashing pool area, this place works. The overall feel is calming. They have tons of artwork strewn around the resort. Marriott has an unbelievable circular pool with a bridge to the center island and spas along one edge. What strikes us as most impressive about the Marriott is the service. They obviously take great pains to provide whatever the guest wants. They're nicely furnished and make good use of colors. They stick you for $7 to self-park, but at least there's no resort fee (for things that should be free like the fitness center and room safe). Their Kalapaki Kids program does a good job keeping kids entertained for $45 per day. They also have a night camp on Wednedays for $35 and will take non-Marriott kid guests at all the programs for $5 more. There are lots of shops here. They organize many activities, such as scuba diving in their pool, beach massages and private beachside dinners. They are fairly close to the airport and you will hear some noises, but it's not bad--probably because the pool area is filled with the white noise of falling water. If you desire one of the poolside cabana chairs, it will cost you $35 per day, and one at the beach will run you $50 per day!

They devoted 232 of their rooms to timeshares (which are all sold). The hotel type rooms are only in the Kahili and Ha'upu buildings, so if you want to directly face the ocean you will want the Kahili building. Rooms (332-520 sq. ft.) are $379-$524. Suites (1,000-2,114 sq. ft.) are $689-$2,600. Packages such as "Paradise Plus" can get you lower rates.