Planning to visit Kauai for your next sun-and-sand vacation?
As well as seductive beaches, Hawaii’s “garden island” is also known for its lush, tropical and mountainous scenery. Meaning… There are lots of awesome things to do in Kauai from hiking and kayaking to snorkeling and surfing!
The island has some fabulous accommodations too.
But while Kauai has bloomed over the years, it has thankfully still managed to retain its old Hawaii feel. Indeed, it’s one of the reasons you may pick Kauai instead of Maui – Kauai has a slower, more low-key vibe.
Thankfully, most of the best hotels in Kauai (as well as condo vacation rentals) also have a distinctly Hawaiian feel about them.
Heads up: There are four main areas of Kauai – the South Shore, North Shore, East Shore and West Shore. Each offers a unique experience, so consider the part of Kauai where you want to stay carefully.
Okay, let’s go check out the best Kauai accommodations!

Quick look: Best luxury Kauai hotels + top Kauai vacation condos
No time to read the complete article? See our short list of Kauai’s best hotels and vacation resorts:
- Best boutique hotel in Kauai: Koa Kea Hotel – See #2
- Best 5-star hotel on Kauai: 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay – See #9
- Best Kauai resort for families: Kiahuna Plantation Resort – See #5
The best hotels in Kauai, Hawaii
We’ve visited the island several times and stayed at most of the top Kauai hotels and resorts.
Below you’ll find our first-hand reviews and insights to help you decide where to stay in Kauai.
You should find these reviews useful when making your Hawaii vacation plans, so you can pick the right place for you.
You’ll discover the best Kauai hotels for couples, family-friendly condos with kitchens, top places to stay in Kauai for a splurge – and more!
The 11 best hotels on Kauai, Hawaii (+ Vacation rentals)
Best resorts on the South Shore
Best hotels on Kauai’s North Shore
Other top resorts in Kauai, Hawaii
Best hotels in Poipu and South Shore
Poipu is a favored vacation spot on the sunny south side of the island – it’s the best area in Kauai for sunshine.
Along with sunny days, you’ll find restaurants, shops selling lovely Hawaiian souvenirs and authentic Hawaiian gifts, and a farmer’s market all nearby.

1) Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa
Yes, it’s a large, sprawling, oceanfront resort in Poipu with 602 rooms and suites.
But it’s gorgeous!
Think luxuriant grounds graced by koi ponds, waterfalls and tropical gardens.
There are also three freshwater pools, including an adult pool and a lazy winding river and waterslide.



Best for
Everyone! The property attracts families, couples and multi-generational groups.
Simply put, the Grand Hyatt has a well-deserved reputation as one of the best Kauai hotels – with something for everyone.
What we love
Treat yourself to a massage at the Anara Spa (the largest spa on the island), and you can lather up afterward underneath an outdoor lava rock shower.

Daily parrot talks are fun – a wildlife handler takes a macaw from the lobby atrium for a daily show-and-tell by the beach.
And hiking the historic Maha’Ulepu Trail along soaring red cliffs, starting just beyond the property’s edge, is a great way to start the day.

We also like that the Grand Hyatt Kauai has gone to great lengths to be green.
You’ll find complimentary water flasks in your room, which you can refill with chilled filtered water, found throughout the property.
Much of its power comes from solar panels.
And swimming pools are heated with recaptured heat from the air-conditioning system.
Cons
The beach is too rough for swimming. (But there’s a huge saltwater lagoon with a man-made beach that’s especially popular with wee ones.)
Pesky irritant
After shelling out big dollars for accommodation here, you also have to pay an additional daily resort fee of $45 USD per room.
In exchange, you get self-parking, self-service washer and dryer use, and activities like guided sunrise walks, fitness and yoga classes, and tennis and pickleball court time. (WiFi is included in your stay.)

Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa: Check rates and availability
2) Koa Kea Hotel & Resort

This is a delightful Kauai boutique hotel in Poipu.
The hotel’s 121 guest rooms were all renovated in 2022. The new look includes headboards with shell insets, Polynesian-inspired lounge chairs and Hawaiian art and tapestries.
(Poipu is a favored vacation spot in Kauai. Along with sunshine, you’ll find restaurants, shops selling lovely Hawaiian souvenirs and authentic Hawaiian gifts, and a farmer’s market all nearby.)
The hotel’s 121 rooms feature in-room Nespresso machines, marble showers with dual showerheads, deluxe bath amenities and free WiFi.
Each guestroom also sports a private lanai.

Koa Kea has won a slew of awards over the years.
It was recently voted one of the 10 best hotels in Hawaii in Travel + Leisure’s 2023 “World’s Best Awards.” It 2022, it was named the No. 2 “Best Kauai Hotel” byU.S. News & World Report.
When it comes to luxury hotels in Kauai, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better small hotel than Koa Kea.
Best for

Most guests are couples – kids are discouraged. This is the place to book for a casually luxe adult or romantic getaway.
Koa Kea is simply one of the best hotels in Kauai for couples, if not the best.
With few children, it’s also blissfully quiet. Honeymoon, anniversary or special occasion coming up? Think Koa Kea.

What we love
The intimate feel is especially appealing – it’s mere steps from your room to the pool and sandy swimming beach.
And the hotel’s acclaimed Red Salt restaurant serves delicious, fresh and locally-sourced seafood in a casually elegant setting.

For breakfast, try the lobster Benedict.
We ordered it every morning of our stay at Koa Kea.

And have we mentioned the beach? Yes, we have, but it’s worth repeating.
Koa Kea is right on Kiahuna Beach, one of the best swimming beaches in Kauai. It boasts a great location!
Cons
Garden-view rooms don’t have the same smashing ocean views as rooms facing the ocean – so you don’t get that same beachy feel as you do in the oceanview rooms. (But the rates are lower. And these rooms have been renovated too.)

Koa Kea Hotel & Resort: Check rates and availability
3) Koloa Landing Resort

Koloa Landing is one of the best resorts in Poipu with some of the largest condos and villas.
It’s a luxury condo-style resort development in Poipu boasting deluxe studios (500 sq. ft.) right up to huge four-bedroom villas.
One-bedroom units are 800 sq. ft., while the largest villas are 3,600 sq. ft. in size.
Well-equipped kitchens with cupboards galore will appeal to your inner chef. (Be sure to stock up on lots of Hawaiian fruit! The mangos, pineapples and lychees are so fresh, sweet and delicious.)
The grounds are lovely. And the resort has three pools, including a quiet adults-only pool.

Best for
Families who enjoy eating in and travelers who want all the comforts of home will feel, well, right at home at Koloa Landing.
What we love
Sometimes, you just want to kick back after a day on the beach. You don’t want to dress up and go out for dinner.
At Koloa Landing, kitchenettes (in the studios) and full kitchens (in one-bedroom and bigger units) give you that option.
The resort also offers a free shuttle to nearby shops and restaurants in Poipu.

Cons
Koloa Landing is not on a beach. (See this Google map for the location of Koloa Landing.)
You have to drive (a few minutes) or walk (15 minutes) to get to Poipu Beach.
Koloa Landing: Check rates and availability
4) Sheraton Kauai Resort

An oldie but goodie, with a distinct Hawaii (though slightly dated) feel, the 4-star Sheraton underwent a “soft” revamp in 2017 and early 2018.
Almost all 394 rooms were renovated with new low-noise air-conditioners, soft blue-and-gray hues for furnishings and in-room refrigerators and coffee makers.
A more major renovation was subsequently completed in 2019. The lobby was revamped, along with the resort’s Garden Wing.
Rates are more affordable here than at the more upscale Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa (see #1).



Best for
The Sheraton Kauai is best-suited for families and couples who like a fun active vibe – and who want to stay right on a great beach.
What we love



The real draw is the Sheraton’s fabulous location on Poipu/Kiahuna Beach, really a series of gold-sand crescents.
You can swim, snorkel, do a little body surfing and sometimes see sleeping monk seals on the sandy beach. (And it’s all free too!)

Cons
As with some of the other top hotels in Kauai, guests have to pay a daily resort fee of $40 USD plus tax. (Extra charges are annoying!)
The fee covers self-parking, standard WiFi (which should be free, right?), local telephone calls, use of the gym and access to activities like yoga and hula classes.

The beachside pool can also get crowded in high season.
But you can splurge on renting one of the eight luxury poolside bungalows, complete with cushioned loungers, TVs, coolers and table service.
Sheraton Kauai Resort: Check rates and availability
5) Kiahuna Plantation Resort Kauai
Once upon a time there was just one Kiahuna Plantation.
Now there are two resorts – Castle Kiahuna Plantation & Beach Bungalows and Kiahuna Plantation Resort by Outrigger.
But both share the same sprawling manicured grounds, which slope down to a dazzling stretch of Poipu Beach on the southern coast of Kauai.

Accommodations are privately owned condos, with full kitchens and large lanais.
Because they’re privately owned, each is differently furnished and decorated.
So you could end up in a lovely renovated condo with hardwood floors and granite counters in the kitchen.
Or… You could be dismayed to find you’re staying in somewhat outdated accommodation in Kauai.
Pro tip
You should read reviews to get a better idea of Kiahuna Plantation. We’d hate for you to go and be disappointed!
See reviews for the Castle-managed units.
It’s also possible to rent directly from the owner through Vrbo.
You’ll find a large selection of units there. Many are 5-star reviewed, fully renovated and owned by Premier Hosts. The cleaning and management are typically handled by Castle Resorts.
For layout and size, it doesn’t matter whether the accommodations are managed by Castle or Outrigger.
The same configurations are offered by both management companies – so one-bedroom units are 880 square feet in size and two-bedroom units (which are split-level) are almost 1,600 square feet.
Views range from garden to partial ocean to full-on ocean views.

Note: Some units don’t have air conditioning.
Ceiling fans and lots of windows keep them breezy and cool though. (The lack of air conditioning has never been a problem for us.)
Best for

Poipu Beach (also called Kiahuna Beach) and the lawns here are very family-friendly, making Kiahuna Plantation perfect for all families – families with babies right up to teenagers.
Couples who want a laidback vacay (and the convenience of a kitchen) should also enjoy Kiahuna Plantation.
In our view, it’s one of the best Kauai beachfront resorts that doesn’t break the bank.
(For guaranteed luxury, however, the Grand Hyatt Kauai covered in #1 above is a much better choice. Except you won’t have a kitchen…)
What we love
Kiahuna Plantation Resort is our favorite condo-style Poipu resort.
We’ve stayed here many times (once on a babymoon) and we just love the “cottage” feeling, the old Hawaiian vibe, the lush lawns and, of course, the perfect location on Poipu Beach.
The last time we stayed, we accepted that the condo we were placed in was somewhat tired-looking. For us, the location trumped the actual unit.
We’ve since checked out two different back-to-back units through Vrbo for a planned stay in Poipu.
They’re totally renovated. They look awesome from the photos, and Vrbo reviews by other guests give the units high marks. So you can find lovely condo units at Kiahuna Plantation.
Pro tip
When booking a Vrbo, we always filter for “Premier Hosts” and “Highly rated for cleanliness” to weed out properties that probably wouldn’t suit us.

Cons
The tennis courts, indoor/outdoor soccer courts, athletic club and pool area are located across Poipu Road, so you have to stretch your legs and go for a short walk to reach them.
It’s not too much of a hardship though… The change of scenery is always nice.
Castle Kiahuna Plantation: Check rates and availability
Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation: Check rates and availability
Kiahuna Plantation Resort on Vrbo: Check rates and availability
6) Whalers Cove

Tucked away on the sunny South Shore, Whalers Cove is one of the best places to stay in Kauai if you’re looking for a small, upscale low-rise development of super spacious, oceanfront condos.
The one-, two- and three-bedroom Poipu accommodations are privately owned. They start at a whopping 1,400 sq. ft in size.
Bigger two-bedroom units are a very spacious 2,000 sq. ft. in size.

The condos come with full kitchens, and you get daily housekeeping.
All bedrooms and living rooms have ocean views – keep an eye out for pods of dolphins!
While there’s no restaurant onsite, you’re walking distance to the Kukui’ula Village with its shops and restaurants.
Best for
Families (with well-behaved children) and couples who want a quiet place to stay as a base for exploring Kauai will be the happiest here.
What we love

While we haven’t stayed at Whalers Cove yet, we’ve seen it (and done a lot of research on it).
The manicured gardens are very attractive. And the pool overlooks the ocean. (You can hear the waves crashing against the rocks while soaking up some Vitamin D by the pool.)
Best of all, we understand the property is well-managed.
Cons
The main downside to staying at Whalers Cove is that you don’t have a beach at your fingertips. You must drive a few minutes to the closest beach area, Poipu Beach Park.
You also don’t have air-conditioning at Whalers Cove. But unless it’s very hot, you shouldn’t need it, as breezes coming off the ocean keep the units cool.
Whalers Cove: Check rates and availability
7) Lodge at Kukui’ula

Ready to be blown away?
This exclusive luxury resort in Kauai has some 40 vacation villas, plantation-style cottages and bungalows on 1,010 acres of private land near the town of Koloa on the south coast.
The villas are four-bedroom homes with private oceanview pools and outdoor kitchens. The two- and three-bedroom cottages offer 2,600 sq. ft. of living space, including covered lanais, gourmet kitchens and outdoor fire pits.
For couples, the spacious one-bedroom bungalows have vaulted ceilings, wood floors and teak cabinets (along with state-of-the-art kitchens).
As for activities, you can book everything from stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and outrigger canoeing to crossbow hunting.
Best for
Couples, families and groups of friends looking for serenity and a private oasis will find it here.
Since opening, the Lodge at Kukui’ula has gained a well-deserved reputation for being one of the finest luxury resorts in Kauai.
Needless to say, the property is not inexpensive.



What we love
The Lodge at Kukui’ula is part of a premier residential club.
So you get access to a host of fabulous amenities at the Plantation House, the community’s clubhouse.
Indulge in a massage at the 18,000 sq. ft. spa, dine at two superb restaurants, soak up the sun by the beautiful pool complex (complete with cascading waterfalls) and play a round of golf on the private 18-hole Tom Weiskopf golf course (one of the top golf courses in Hawaii).
You can also walk, hike or bicycle to The Farm and pick your own fresh fruits, veggies and herbs for your kitchen.

The staff are gracious too, and the vibe is understated and relaxed.
Cons
You’re not right on the beach here. But you’re close to Kukui’ula Harbor Beach and just a very short drive to the beaches in Poipu.
Lodge at Kukui’ula: Check rates and availability
Best hotels in Kauai, North Shore
Kauai’s North Shore is known for its lush tropical landscapes, including the rugged Na Pali Coast. Hiking and surfing are popular activities here.
It also tends to get more rain than the South Shore, particularly in the winter months.
8) Hanalei Colony Resort

We’re so happy this beloved old-timer of a resort is back in business!
Damaged by floods then a fire in 2018, it reopened its doors again in April of 2019.
Set on secluded groomed grounds on the North Shore of the island of Kauai, Hanalei Colony Resort is a condo-style property.
It has 48 units – all with two bedrooms and 850 square feet of space – scattered among several low-rise buildings.

Don’t expect glitz and glamor in the décor and furnishings here; think more understated Hawaiian style.
Guests come for the laid-back Kauai vibe of old – to destress, enjoy the peace and quiet, connect with nature and their loved ones, and unplug.
(This is probably a good time to mention there are no TVs or phones. But you do get free WiFi!)
Oh, and we should add: Don’t expect turn-down service – units are cleaned every three days.

Best for
The resort suits easy-going, self-sufficient families perfectly.
What we love
The bright full kitchens and private lanais make it easy to vacation as a family.
All units have huge picture windows with great ocean views.
But if you manage to snag a Premium Oceanfront suite, you’ll have sweeping views of the beautiful blue Pacific rolling up on a golden sand beach, just a few feet away from your lanai. Priceless.

A complimentary guest shuttle can take you to Hanalei, Princeville and area beaches.
Cons
The bathrooms are a tad outdated and could be modernized.
And the bedrooms aren’t completely separate from the living area.
They’re divided by louvered pony walls rather than floor-to-ceiling walls – light sleepers may not get all their zzz’s if, for example, kids wake up early to play in the living room.
Hanalei Colony Resort: Check rates and availability
9) 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay



It’s big. It’s bold. It’s beautiful. Say hello to 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay!
When it comes to Kauai luxury hotels, it’s right up at the top of the list.
It’s also new, opening under the 1 Hotels brand in early 2023 after a major $300 million USD transformation of the property.
We stayed here when it was the St. Regis Princeville Resort. It was fabulous then. From all accounts, it’s even more fabulous now.
Best for
This swank eco-conscious resort is wellness-oriented.
So if restorative yoga classes, Pranic healing and mindful meditation – along with healthy farm-forward dining options – are on your Hawaiian vacation wish list, 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay will be your happy place.
It appeals to couples and families who appreciate sustainability. (Their children’s activities program includes a trash-to-treasure pickup and teaching kids about marine life.)

What we love
Zen-like rooms with beds that promise the deepest of sleeps?
A cutting edge spa? (And not just any spa. This one has 18 treatment rooms and a spa menu that includes floating in a sensory deprivation tank and massages on a quartz bed.)
An adult infinity pool with breathtaking ocean views and thatched palapas for shade?
Of course! After all, the 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay is one of the best resorts in Kauai.
And have we mentioned the hotel’s gorgeous location in Princeville on Kauai’s North Shore? It’s snuggled up to picture-perfect Hanalei Bay, with a seductive slice of golden sand beach at its doorstep.
And there are no resort fees.
Cons
Hmmm… What’s not to love? Maybe the rates. As a luxury Kauai resort, it’s pricey.
Also, expect rain showers, especially in winter. Your spirits might be dampened by the wet weather, especially if you’re craving sunshine every day. (It doesn’t rain all the time, however.)
1 Hotel Hanalei Bay: Check rates and availability
Other top resorts in Kauai
10) Royal Sonesta Kauai Resort Lihue

This large, lusciously landscaped 356-room resort is found on the east coast of the island.
It’s very close to the airport. But don’t worry, you never hear planes take off or land.
Formerly the Kauai Marriott Resort, the hotel section is now managed by Sonesta.
The hotel’s interior spaces and rooms were all recently renovated in 2022. The exterior is now currently being updated and the work will continue through to 2024.
Sonesta shares the property with the Marriot Vacation Club, which has time-share units in the resort under the name of Marriott’s Kauai Beach Club.
The Marriott accommodations range from rooms to one- and two-bedroom units with kitchenettes. They’re available to book too.
Back to the Sonesta. Their rooms are large, and all have balconies. (Ask for an ocean view, as not all rooms have them.)

The renovated rooms are beautiful and feature custom hardwood finishes, Keurig coffee makers and pops of bright orange and burgundy colors in the fabrics.
Golfers love teeing off on the two adjacent courses designed by Jack Nicklaus.

Best for
Couples and families wanting five-star resort features for less find this and more at the Royal Sonesta.
What we love
The large hibiscus-shaped pool with fountains and no less than five whirlpools is a winner.



The complimentary airport shuttle is also a plus (the airport is just a five-minute drive away).
And let’s not forget that the Royal Sonesta fronts Kalapaki Beach, one of Kauai’s best swimming beaches!

Cons
Bathrooms are on the small side.
And you have to pay an additional resort fee (just under $50 USD) per room per night.
Royal Sonesta Kauai Resort Lihue: Check rates and availability
11) Waimea Plantation Cottages

Looking for Kauai accommodations away from the crowds? Want to stay in an authentic plantation cottage?
Then Waimea Plantation Cottages is for you.
Located on the west coast of the island near the town of Waimea, this Kauai resort has 61 cottages, ranging in size from one-bedroom to three-bedroom cottages.

Built originally in the late 1800s to 1930s, the cottages have been updated and restored. They’re not fancy though. Decorated in floral patterns, they’re more homey in feel.
We haven’t yet stayed at this Waimea resort. (One day!)
But we know sunsets on the west coast are incredible. And you’ll fall asleep to the sound of crashing waves here.

Best for
Families and couples looking for the slower side of Kauai will be happiest here.
And because it’s quite close to Waimea Canyon, the resort also suits guests who love hiking.
Pssst! Here’s a cool Hawaii fact for your collection: Waimea Canyon is known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.”

What we love
The place has an authentic retro charm.
It’s peaceful and quiet (except for the roosters – but the silly birds squawk all over Kauai).
Roosters on Kauai? Yup, chickens run wild all over Kauai

The onsite restaurant – Chicken in a Barrell BBQ & Bar (quirky name!) – hands over all its profit to a free camp for Hawaii’s disadvantaged youth. Nice!
Cons
These Kauai cottages are not located on a swimming beach.
And the sand is black. (But the two-mile beach is beautiful for walking on.)

Waimea Cottages: Check rates and availability
Now you know the best Kauai resorts and hotels!
One of these is sure to be right for your vacation – they’re the best places to stay on Kauai!
And if you can’t decide, you can’t go wrong mixing it up. For example, you could stay half the time near Hanalei in the north part of the island and half the time at a Poipu resort or hotel in the south.
If you’ve visited the island, which resort do you think is the best hotel on Kauai?
If you have any views on any of these resorts and hotels in Kauai, let us know. You can share your thoughts in the Comments section below. You can also see comments from other readers too.
Experience more of Hawaii!
Botanical gardens: Even if you don’t have a green thumb, you’ll love Kauai’s beautiful Allerton and McBryde Gardens.
Lanai: Rock these awesome things to do on Lanai. (Get off the grid too!)
Water adventures: From snorkeling to sailing to SUP, there are oodles of fun water activities in Hawaii!
Our top travel tips and resources
Hotels: Booking.com is great for scoring a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one. (We especially like their flexible cancellation policy!)
Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).
Tours: For the best local food, walking and other guided tours, plus skip-the-line tickets to attractions, check out Viator (a TripAdvisor company) and GetYourGuide.
Car rental: Renting a car is often one of the best ways to explore off the beaten path. Discover Cars searches car rental companies so you get the best rates.
Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more.
Travel gear: See our travel shop to find the best luggage, accessories and other travel gear. (We suggest these comfy travel sandals for city walking, the beach and kicking about.)
Need more help planning your trip? Check out our travel tips and resources guide for airline booking tips, ways to save money, how to find great hotels and other crazy useful trip planning info.
Pssst! If you make a booking or purchase through our site, we may earn a small commission (at no cost to you). Thanks!
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We stayed at these luxury Kauai hotels and resorts as media guests for review purposes, except for three properties, which we paid for. (And we haven’t yet stayed at the Waimea Plantation Cottages or Whalers Cove.) The opinions here are our own; as professional travel writers, we always write what we want, as we see it.
Photo credits: 7, 12, 24, 54 © Janice and George Mucalov, SandInMySuitcase

About the authors
Luxury travel journalists and SATW, NATJA and TMAC “Best Travel Blog” award winners, Janice and George Mucalov are the publishers of Sand In My Suitcase. Between them, they’ve traveled to all 7 continents. See About.
Find destination guides, global food-and-wine stories, luxury hotel reviews, articles on cultural explorations and soft adventure trips, cruise reviews, insanely useful travel tips and more!
Elena
Wednesday 22nd of March 2023
Thank you so much for these Kauai hotel reviews! Yours is the best blog I've come across for the information that I'm looking for (i.e., pros and cons). For example, everyone mentions how great the "Grand Hyatt" is, but they don't mention that the beach isn't "swimmable" - which removes it from my list (as I'm looking for a beach for swimming, not pools). All the best!
Janice and George
Friday 24th of March 2023
Thank you Elena for taking the time to share your kind words. We're blushing... And we're glad you've found our post helpful :-).
Tom
Tuesday 28th of June 2022
Really enjoyed your blog. Just returned from our second trip to Kauai, where we stayed in the exact same suite we were in the first trip. Probably not a longshot as there are only one or two suites on the beachside of the property. Next time we're looking North Shore or an upscale condo situation South Shore and we'll refer back to your article before booking. Not sure I get your appraisal of the Sonesta. We had dinner there and your description of their rooms doesn't match the many negative reviews we read. Plus the place (from the outside anyway) looks more like a nuclear power plant than a tropical resort.
Janice and George
Tuesday 28th of June 2022
Oh, that's funny - a nuclear power plant! Thanks for sharing :-).
Carrie
Sunday 9th of January 2022
Waimea Plantation Cottages? They weren't for me. You're at least 45 minutes away from EVERYTHING except Isihara market, the best old grocery store on Kauai. Imo, the best deal on the island are the condos just adjacent to the Grand Hyatt. They're reasonably priced, you can hear the ocean and they're centrally located on the south of the island. You can easily spend a day up in the canyon, or enjoying Hanalei and Northern beaches with only a 45 minute drive.
Janice and George
Monday 10th of January 2022
Hi Carrie, Thanks for sharing :-). We personally like the Poipu and south coast too as a base. Best!
Shirley
Thursday 28th of February 2013
These properties all sound very nice. When I go to Kauai, I like staying at Kauai Vacation Rentals and Real Estate, Inc.'s properties. Have you tried them? They are all over the island and come in different sizes and price ranges. And what is really nice is they post specials every Wednesday on their Facebook page. We travel with kids so staying in condos or houses works out best for us. Our kids are young so you don't want to be in a hotel room with these guys. They need space. And I need a full size kitchen, these kids are always eating!
Janice and George
Thursday 28th of February 2013
Yes, a rental condo or vacation home makes good sense when traveling with children. It can save a family a swack of money and everyone can spread out. Even traveling as a couple, we love mixing it up and staying in a suite or condo with a kitchen every now and then. Sometimes you just want the comforts of home when away, at least for a few days, especially on longer trips. (And it's better for our waistlines not to eat out all the time :-).
Kathryn
Thursday 17th of January 2013
They all sound lovely but I particularly like the sound of Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa with the local cliff walk and volunteering at the Botanical Gardens sounds interesting too.
Carrie
Sunday 9th of January 2022
Kathryn, this hotel is so beautiful, and my kids really loved the live parrots in the garden. Also, it's one of the few places where it's easy to see the Nene – either by the Hyatt waterfall, or up on the cliffs in the adjacent golf course.