Best Western Plantation Hale

Hotel Information: Budget-minded travelers intent on touring Kauai find this resort makes a comfortable vacation home. Lying in a narrow strip between Kauai's main highway (two lanes) and a 15-mph side street, the resort is screened from most traffic noise by gardens on the highway side.

Amenity highlights: Enclosed by fencing, iron railings, and pretty hedges, three pools offer sunning and swimming options. They're surrounded by sundecks furnished with lounge chairs and umbrella-shaded tables and chairs. Two have spa tubs on their decks, and all three have barbecue grills beside them.

Insider tip: The Royal Coconut Coast is an 8-mile strip of sandy beaches, unsurpassed ocean views, and low-key activity. Long ago the Wailua River, fed by rainfall on Mount Waialeale (the wettest spot on earth), provided abundant water for ancient Hawaiians to cultivate crops in this area. As a result, the coast abounds in archaeological sites worth visiting.

This Best Western Plantation Hale comprises 160 rooms in 10 two-story buildings with plantation-style wood-shingle roofs. Staircases, not elevators, provide access to upper floors. Lanais are furnished with chairs and fronted by wood panels for privacy. Full kitchens include cookware, dishes, glasses, and flatware. Some rooms offer complimentary high-speed Internet access.