Independent – Kauai, Havaiji

"We can't understand how this hotel has a 5 star rating. We travel several weeks a year around the world and I've relied on reviews until now, but... The main pool is full of screaming children, so if you're an adult without children, it's not for you. The adult pool was small and secluded with no amenities. The only restaurant in the hotel is a bar by the main pool, which honestly can't be called a restaurant. The "Deluxe studios" are in separate 3-story buildings with dingy and untidy hallways. The room and its view were perhaps the biggest disappointment. A worn and untidy room and bathroom. Of course there can be cockroaches in the tropics, but this was the only hotel where we shared a room with them. The ocean view was of someone's backyard, which was basically a dump. $700/night would lead you to expect a good hotel, but that's not the point, it's the end result. We would not choose this hotel at any price, with or without children. Fortunately, there were good restaurants nearby (Eating house 1849, The Merrimans, Red salt) and the hotel shuttle service worked really well."