Kauai Surf, Kauai, HI (hotel) - Locating Tiki

MM Molokai Mike Member the birthplace of the Mai Tai Joined: Jun 26, 2003 Posts: 513	MM Molokai Mike Posted posted on Fri, Nov 26, 2010 11:21 PM What a trip! Here I am in what once was the Kauai Surf hotel, main tower, overlooking the crashing waves. The family has gone to sleep and I get on TC, only to see a post about the Kauai Surf! Kauai Surf is still with us, in another incarnation and after all these decades, it is still one of the most popular Hawaiian destinations. It was bought by Westin in 1985, completely overhauled (to the tune of $22 million) and reopened in 1987 as the Kauai Westin. Out went the tikis and in came an over the top pan-Asian motif! There are literally dozens of Asian statues, some small, some huge, still scattered across the hotel's incredible 51 acres. What was the KS's pond and gardens, became the Westin's swimming pool, the biggest in the state (!) measuring 26,000 square feet of water surface and 210 feet in diameter. Barely out of debt, the Hotel was devastated by Hurricane Iniki in 1992 and stood vacant until 1995, when the property was purchased by Marriott. Today, it is the Kauai Marriott Resort and Beach Club. Apparently "extensively" remodeled yet again, Marriott replaced most of the Westin's Asian art with Hawaiian art. Many of the Asian statues still remain. Probably too hard to move. Then again, why would they? I'm sure they cost a pretty penny! Throughout the hotel's common areas are dozens of exhibits of shark-tooth weapons, hula instruments and drums and Kapa cloth (a couple of pieces dating back to the 18th century) and all the art is of pre-colonized Hawaii. Bright tropical patterns characterize the newly reupholstered restaurant and lobby furniture. The new lobby area rugs also have tropical themed patterns. Overall you will definitely feel that you are in a Hawaiian resort. The interesting thing is that despite these extensive remodels over the years, it still looks and feels like the old gal!(I would think) Denise and I were married within it's grounds eight years ago and we've been coming here ever since. The awesome mid-century furniture and swings are gone, and so have the Tikis, except for 3 carvings on the beach, but the rooms still look the same (or maybe it's the amazing view that hasn't changed!) The Planter's Lounge is now Duke's Canoe Club, serving up delectable seafood dishes and IMHO a far superior product to it's Waikiki counterpart. I am just thrilled and thankful that throughout these remodels, they never tore down or altered the basic structure of the Kauai Surf. A new tower has been added, flanking the pool, but the original towers still remain, seemingly untouched! I've spent many a day at the beach, looking back at the KS main tower, in absolute awe. People stare at me taking photos of it and I'm probably the only one NOT looking at the beach. The view from the main tower (the Kahili tower) is absolutely breath-taking! Built before HI capped Hotels and high-rises to Palm tree height, the Kahili tower boasts 12 floors and the view here is second to none! Even on the 9th floor, where I'm currently sitting on the lanai, facing Kalapaki Beach, the waves crash a stone's throw ahead of me. I think of all the generations that have experienced this very feeling, on this very lanai. I'm totally blown away, again and again and thankful that this gem is still with us, not run-down and a perceived embarrasment, or altered beyond recognition. Instead, it's still going strong, having been given a new lease on life by Marriott. In front of the Kahili Tower The rooms today The breathtaking view from the lanai The pool, formally the Kauai Surf's pond and garden area The shopping area as it now looks (boring!) A tiki or two still stand proud The lobby has a display of KS pics, with the tagline "The legacy continues" The Kauai Surf circa 1965 [ Edited by: Molokai Mike 2010-11-27 10:21 ]

What a trip! Here I am in what once was the Kauai Surf hotel, main tower, overlooking the crashing waves. The family has gone to sleep and I get on TC, only to see a post about the Kauai Surf!

Kauai Surf is still with us, in another incarnation and after all these decades, it is still one of the most popular Hawaiian destinations. It was bought by Westin in 1985, completely overhauled (to the tune of $22 million) and reopened in 1987 as the Kauai Westin. Out went the tikis and in came an over the top pan-Asian motif! There are literally dozens of Asian statues, some small, some huge, still scattered across the hotel's incredible 51 acres. What was the KS's pond and gardens, became the Westin's swimming pool, the biggest in the state (!) measuring 26,000 square feet of water surface and 210 feet in diameter. Barely out of debt, the Hotel was devastated by Hurricane Iniki in 1992 and stood vacant until 1995, when the property was purchased by Marriott.

Today, it is the Kauai Marriott Resort and Beach Club. Apparently "extensively" remodeled yet again, Marriott replaced most of the Westin's Asian art with Hawaiian art. Many of the Asian statues still remain. Probably too hard to move. Then again, why would they? I'm sure they cost a pretty penny! Throughout the hotel's common areas are dozens of exhibits of shark-tooth weapons, hula instruments and drums and Kapa cloth (a couple of pieces dating back to the 18th century) and all the art is of pre-colonized Hawaii. Bright tropical patterns characterize the newly reupholstered restaurant and lobby furniture. The new lobby area rugs also have tropical themed patterns. Overall you will definitely feel that you are in a Hawaiian resort.

The interesting thing is that despite these extensive remodels over the years, it still looks and feels like the old gal!(I would think) Denise and I were married within it's grounds eight years ago and we've been coming here ever since. The awesome mid-century furniture and swings are gone, and so have the Tikis, except for 3 carvings on the beach, but the rooms still look the same (or maybe it's the amazing view that hasn't changed!) The Planter's Lounge is now Duke's Canoe Club, serving up delectable seafood dishes and IMHO a far superior product to it's Waikiki counterpart.

I am just thrilled and thankful that throughout these remodels, they never tore down or altered the basic structure of the Kauai Surf. A new tower has been added, flanking the pool, but the original towers still remain, seemingly untouched! I've spent many a day at the beach, looking back at the KS main tower, in absolute awe. People stare at me taking photos of it and I'm probably the only one NOT looking at the beach. The view from the main tower (the Kahili tower) is absolutely breath-taking! Built before HI capped Hotels and high-rises to Palm tree height, the Kahili tower boasts 12 floors and the view here is second to none! Even on the 9th floor, where I'm currently sitting on the lanai, facing Kalapaki Beach, the waves crash a stone's throw ahead of me. I think of all the generations that have experienced this very feeling, on this very lanai. I'm totally blown away, again and again and thankful that this gem is still with us, not run-down and a perceived embarrasment, or altered beyond recognition. Instead, it's still going strong, having been given a new lease on life by Marriott.

In front of the Kahili Tower