New Poipu vacation rentals near Poipu Beach.

The Poipu Beach area is one of our favorite places to stay in Kauai. The beaches are safe and swimmable all year long, it gets less rain that the North Shore, and there are lots of good restaurants to choose from.

Until now, Poipu vacation rentals didn’t have the same level of amenities you’d find at Waipouli Beach Resort & Spa on the East Shore or the Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas. But the new Villas at Poipu Kai offers all the bells and whistles, including hardwood and tile floors, stone bathrooms, and kitchens with granite countertops, and SubZero Refrigerators.

Located in the Poipu Kai Resort complex, the Villas has 27 condos in eight plantation-style buildings. All have full kitchens, washers and dryers, and free WiFi. There’s also a spa, swimming pool, and fitness center. Poipu beaches are about a five minute walk down the pathway that runs through the resort. And there are two golf courses nearby.

Both garden and pool side villas are available. One-bedroom, two-bath condos start at $269 a night. Two-bedroom units start at $299 a night. With travertine floors, 1,200 square feet of living space, and two full baths, these are a great deal for families. The five-bedroom model will sleep more than a dozen. And the four-bedroom pool side penthouse has two master suites.

It’s a short stroll to numerous restaurants and bars. The Grand Hyatt is a few minutes to the south, and Brennacke’s and the restaurants in the Koa Kea and Marriott Waiohai are in the other direction.

A grand-opening special makes the Villas an even better buy. If you reserve a three-bedroom condo before August 31, 2010, you’ll get a rental car free for seven days. You must complete your stay by December 15, 2010 and stay a minimum of five nights.