OK, so you've decided to travel to Kauai... you won't regret it! The island is lush and beautiful... it was the vacation of a lifetime for us. If you're like we were, you now have to find a way to make it work financially.

You may soon discover that most of your accommodation options are bank-breakers. Island lodging is dominated by the mega-resort with the mega price tag. If you're looking to drop some serious cash for an inauthentic island experience, then maybe the resort is for you.

We, however, found Koloa Landing Cottages to be more what we were looking for. The price is very reasonable... it basically made the trip possible for us. The location is great... all the amenities of the South Shore are very close. Gorgeous sunsets over the ocean can be seen just steps away from the property. It's a great home-base for seeing everything on the island, due to its more or less central location. The cottages are landscaped beautifully and nicely integrated into a real island neighborhood. There are kitchens in the cottages... another budget helper. And the woman who runs the place is very warm and welcoming... she sat us down on Day 1 and gave us a great intro to the island, pointing out things to see and things to avoid. Very helpful, very accommodating.

You do need to keep a few things in mind while staying here. This is not a resort, so don't expect the place to be absolutely immaculate. Don't expect the unneccesary luxury of air-conditioning or total soundproofness. The cottages are closely clustered and close to neighboring houses, so you will hear the activity of the neighborhood. The cottages are quite comfortable and in fantastic condition though, and I found the experience of living like a local to be very fulfulling.

If what I'm saying resonates with you, you should really consider the cottages as a prime option.

Enjoy Kauai!