The first thing to catch your eye when your crew arrives at your spacious suite is a dazzling view of the Pacific Ocean. When visiting Hawaii, oceanfront is always the way to go - that’s why every single condo suite at Castle Poipu Shores has an expansive ocean-facing lanai. Begin each day sipping freshly brewed Hawaiian coffee on your private patio as you watch sea turtles frolic in the surf below. Poipu Shores literally overlooks a Green Sea Turtle sanctuary, enhancing the resort’s serene, pristine setting. As easy as it would be to spend the whole day lounging on the lanai, don’t be surprised if the crew is raring to hit the water the minute they’re up. Just grab sunscreen and snacks, and head out - the beach is right there! Kick back with a good book while the kiddos build the sandcastle to end all sandcastles. Or, if your crew is more of a poolside bunch, hang out at the resort’s oceanfront pool. As dinnertime draws near, fetch the fixings for a cookout from your suite, and enlist your crew’s self proclaimed grillmaster to fry up something tasty on one of the complimentary barbecues. Time it so that you and your crew are chowing down as the sun sets on the Pacific Ocean, and congratulate yourself on a trip well-planned (or unplanned).

Individually decorated two- and three-bedroom condo suites are spacious, homey and well appointed. Simple decor with a bit of island flair perfectly matches the open, breezy layout. Fully equipped kitchens have everything you need, while a washer/dryer makes sure everyone has a dry beach towel. The living room with cushy couches and cable TV is the perfect space for downtime with the crew. One of the best parts about the suites remain the large, furnished lanais with stunning ocean views (your Instagram followers are going to be so jealous).

As handy as home cooking is, be sure to sample plenty of Kauai’s fine cuisine. For casual island fare and a hopping happy hour, try the nearby Brennecke’s Beach Broiler. Planning a classy date night? Plantation Gardens Restaurant & Bar dishes up gourmet seafood in a historic setting surrounded by lush flora. The Garden Isle’s biggest draw is, after all, its natural beauty. So get back to nature with an array of outdoorsy adventures from kayaking the Wailua River to off-roading at Kipu Ranch. For some epic sightseeing take a day to drive along Holo Holo Koloa Scenic Byway and check out gotta-see spots like the Maluhia Tree Tunnel, Old Town Koloa, and Puhi Spouting Horn.