Renovated in 2009, this 356-room, family-oriented resort on Kalapaki Beach boasts big flat-screens in every room, a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, and the biggest single-level pool in Hawaii. It might not have the fancy frills of the pricier Grand Hyatt, but it's still the best resort for the buck in Kauai.

The Hilton Grand Vacations Club offers an affordable two-bedroom option within the Waikoloa Beach Resort. The living room, dining, and kitchen areas are well-equipped for multiple guests and longer stays, much like other condos in the area, but access to the Waikoloa Hilton allows guests to enjoy resort-like perks close by. The lobby area and main pool are beautifully designed, though both can easily become crowded (along with other facilities) due to high traffic and small space. Some areas are a bit dated, but overall it's a great value for the price and for those looking for a more at-home-type extended stay.

This private, quiet property has large rooms, gorgeous sunrises over a rugged beach, a waterslide and sand-bottom pool, and a romantic bar with live music. It's a good choice for a quiet, relaxed stay. Just know that for similar rates, the Kauai Marriott has better service, better food, high-design pools, a more usable beach, and more stuff to do.

The Holua Resort at the Mauna Loa Village is a bungalow-style condo complex, located to the south of Kailua-Kona in the Keahou Bay area. These large units feature full kitchens, living/dining areas and expansive lanais. The decor is generic and overly bright, but the beds and furniture are extremely comfortable. Eight fenced-in pools with hot tubs are located throughout the property, which prevents overcrowding. But there's no beach access, and having a car or rental is a necessity if planning to leave the property.

This 108-unit time-share resort in Kapaa offers full kitchens (in most condos), free Wi-Fi, a popular seafood restaurant, proximity to good beaches and dining, and one of the cheapest resort pool bars around. You can't swim off its shore, but all told, it's one of the best deals in Kauai.

This 645-room hotel looks and feels like a shopping mall, with chain restaurants on the ground floor, an escalator to the lobby, and service that seems to emphasize speed over personal touches. But the beachfront location is great, and recently renovated rooms feature fun décor and flat-screen TVs. Plus, most have ocean views.

A top pick for those who want more than a budget hotel but less than a mega resort, this affordable, 72-room boutique a block from the beach is high on style, but short on amenities.

This clean, affordable condo property in Waikoloa Village on the Kohala Coast offers an uncommon level of privacy: It's located inside a gated community and surrounded by a golf course. Ranch-inspired buildings house multi-room units, complete with full kitchens and washer/dryers, and property features include an attractive (if small) infinity pool and an open-air fitness room. But the living rooms and kitchens are a bit smaller than you'll find at competing condo properties, the decor varies by unit, and the beach is a half mile away.

A 15-minute walk outside Kaanapali's main strip, the family-owned Royal Lahaina has what the Kaanapali mega-resorts lack -- a quiet, isolated beachfront. Its amenities -- just three small pools, a nightly luau, and an 11-court tennis facility -- don't rival those at the mega-resorts, but this is still a great pick for peace and relaxation.