Kauai is the Hawaiian island known for its incredible waterfalls, epic hiking trails, serene beaches, and small-town charm. This is a true tropical getaway in every sense of the word and a place to truly learn about the culture of the region. Dramatic landscapes are just the beginning for travelers who venture to Kauai! While there are many great places to call home while you’re here, there are our favorite Kauai hotels and resorts on the island right now.
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa
If you love beachfront access and incredible views, it doesn’t get much better than a stay at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa. One of the most romantic hotels in Hawaii, it is situated on 50 oceanfront acres of gardens, lawns, courtyards, and pools in a classic Hawaiian environment. The rooms with views here have Hawaiian-style lanais, plush pillow-top beds, and free Wi-Fi. There’s an 18-hole golf course and an open-air spa here as well. To get active during your vacation, it’s easy to explore the area while ziplining, kayaking, scuba diving, and hiking near the resort. There is a fitness center, the Tidepools contemporary Hawaiian restaurant, Camp Hyatt for children, and resort activities like lei making and ukulele. Self-parking is included in your resort fee, and Lihue Airport is 15 miles away.
Aqua Kauai Beach Resort
Aqua Kauai Beach Resort is situated on 25 oceanfront acres on the eastern shore of Kauai. Come here for your romantic getaway, whether it’s for a destination wedding, honeymoon, anniversary, babymoon, or couple’s spa retreat. There are four swimming pools with waterfalls here, onsite dining, a spa, live entertainment, and cultural activities too. It’s centrally located on the island so that you can access everything from the north shore mountains to Waimea Canyon with ease. Locally made products are used in many of the spa’s signature treatments, and the Naupaka Terrace has a wonderful dinner and breakfast service. Other amenities include complimentary shuttle service to and from Lihue Airport, a fitness center, and an onsite car rental so you can pick up and return your car right at the resort.
Ko'a Kea Hotel and Resort
Ko’a Kea Hotel and Resort is a Poipu Beach boutique resort that was once named the Best Resort in Hawaii by Travel + Leisure. It offers a romantic and intimate vibe with a saltwater pool, an oceanfront spa cabana with indigenous services, and an onsite beach activity center with rentals and lessons. Other amenities include a fitness center, complimentary daily outdoor fitness classes, complimentary seaside yoga classes, and opportunities to rent snorkeling, surfing, and stand-up paddleboarding equipment. You’ll enjoy fun highlights like a lei greeting upon arrival and an in-room bottle of private label wine. For onsite dining, head to the Red Salt restaurant for fresh Hawaiian seafood.
Sheraton Kauai Resort
Sheraton Kauai Resort is located on 20 acres of southern shoreline on Kauai. It’s a great place to spend your days hiking or relaxing poolside, as there are two fresh-water pools onsite. It’s 30 minutes from the Lihue Airport, has poolside bungalows available for rental, and has a spa onsite as well. The Beach Activities Center is open daily and has all the water sports and beach lounging equipment you’ll need. Onsite and beachfront dining experiences include RumFire Poipu Beach, Lava’s on Poipu Beach, Link Café, and even the Aulii Luaus held on the beach lawn. Check the resort’s daily activities calendar to see what’s happening during your stay, such as island crafts, surf lessons, lei making, hula lessons, and cultural workshops.
The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas
The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas lies along a cliff on the northern shore and 200 feet above the Pacific Ocean. Here you’ll find studios and one-bedroom villas with lanai space, onsite daily cultural activities, four heated swimming pools, a spa, fitness studio, kids’ club, and golf courses nearby. The Westin Kids Club is designed to entertain kids between the ages of five and 12 with crafts, games, movies, and other activities. The signature dining experience here is the Nanea Restaurant and Bar, but there’s also the Princeville Market for casual and poolside options.
Marriott's Waiohai Beach Club
Marriott also has a strongly recommended presence on Kauai, and Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club offers three outdoor pools, al fresco dining, massages at the onsite cabanas, and close proximity to nearby attractions like Old Koloa Town and Spouting Horn Park. This is a family-friendly option where you can stay in a villa with a fully equipped kitchen as well.
Royal Sonesta Kaua'i Resort Lihue
At the Royal Sonesta Kaua’i Resort Lihue, you’ll have access to multiple restaurants, a spa, weekly luau, and the largest one-level pool in Hawaii. This is a popular Kauai hotel for tourists and also for events because there are more than 27,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor meeting space here. The modern and stylish guest rooms have views of the ocean, gardens, and pool. You can easily explore Waimea Canyon State Park and Hanalei Bay when you stay here. Bed and breakfast packages are available for an additional fee, but many amenities, such as Wi-Fi, are complimentary.
Hilton Garden Inn Kauai Wailua Bay
Another option for your Kauai trip is to stay at the Hilton Garden Inn on Kauai’s Coconut Coast. It is by the Lydgate Beach Park and within walking distance of Wailua Bay. Within a five-minute drive, you can reach the Sleeping Giant Trailhead and Fern Grotto. The hotel has two pools, a poolside bar, an all-day restaurant, and rooms with balconies and ocean views. Pet-friendly rooms are available here, as well as a business center, fitness center, and meeting rooms.
The ISO
The ISO offers ocean-view rooms with private lanais and chic island décor. Your stay here includes a grab-and-go breakfast each day. Bull Shed is the onsite restaurant that serves steaks, seafood, and tropical cocktails with oceanside seating and entertainment available. You’ll love being at this boutique hotel on the eastern edge side of the island when you want relaxation and beautiful sunrises to start your days.
Aston Islander on the Beach
Aston Islander on the Beach is a Kauai hotel with plantation-style architecture and a great location by the beach. It is a resort situated on six acres of land and offers an oceanfront pool, whirlpool spas, bike rentals, and outdoor grills. Poolside happy hour is offered daily at the pool bar. When you stay here, you can enjoy hiking nearby at Waipouli Beach Park, cycling along the Ke Ala Hele Makalae bike path, and checking out the fun town of Kapaa. This resort is one of the closest resorts to the ocean, so you can easily walk to the beach from your room. It’s not necessary to have a car during your stay because so many things are within walking distance.
Marriott's Kaua'i Beach Club
For your next island getaway, consider staying at the Marriott’s Kaua’i Beach Club, which has premium guest rooms, parlors, and condo-style villas. The resort has a 26,000-square-foot outdoor pool, a whirlpool spa, a children’s pool, and a fitness center. There are opportunities to go scuba diving, surfing, and snorkeling when you stay here, or just take it easy with a treatment at the tranquil day spa. Onsite golf and beach access are other perks of staying at the Marriott’s Kaua’i Beach Club. Complimentary onsite parking is available.
Waimea Plantation Cottages
Located on 43 oceanfront acres of tropical landscaping, the Waimea Plantation Cottages has 59 cottages with one to five bedrooms each. They were built between the 1880s and 1930s but have been refreshed since then, while still retaining the original rustic charm. Each of these cottages has a full kitchen and private lanai. There is an oceanfront pool, hammocks, and lawn games on the property. There’s a private beach here that is great to walk along but not for swimming. Meanwhile, you can enjoy a tasty BBQ meal at Chicken in a Barrel and get active with water sports and other types of fun at the activity center.
Kauai Shores Hotel
At the Kauai Shores Hotel, you can enjoy a day at the beach, two pools, and yoga. Standard, garden view, pool view, and ocean view are available to suit your travel style and budget. All of the rooms here are decorated with bright island décor and have complimentary Wi-Fi. They also have air conditioning units and private, open-air lanais. Guests have complimentary use of bikes, in-room coffee, and outdoor yoga classes hosted daily on the oceanfront lawn. Grab-and-go breakfasts and lunches are available here as also dinner, happy hour, cocktails, and dessert.
Waipouli Beach Resort and Spa
Waipouli Beach Resort and Spa specializes in family-friendly and luxury activities in the heart of Kapaa. Studios have microwave ovens, refrigerators, and coffee makers, while one-bedroom and two-bedroom rooms have showers, bathtubs, washers, and dryers. This hotel is on the east side of Kauai and right on the beach. The onsite Oasis on the Beach restaurant serves lunch, dinner, cocktails, and Sunday brunch.
Kauai Cove Cottages
As an alternative to a standard hotel, you can stay in a Poipu Beach vacation rental on Kauai at the Kauai Cove Cottages. Options for your stay are the Plumeria Cottage, Pool Cottage, and Hibiscus Cottage. They are perfect for relaxing couples retreats and anniversary celebrations on the island. When you stay here, you’ll be off the beaten path but still within walking distance of beaches, shops, and restaurants. Baby Beach is just two blocks away to enjoy the sunset. The hotel is run by a friendly family that fell in love with Kauai and all it has to offer.
O'Luina
O’Luina is a romantic getaway spot and luxury retreat on Kauai that couples absolutely love. It has a sophisticated vibe and all the comforts of home on 11 acres of rural hillside land. The unique retreat features a 30-foot infinity pool and has lovely organic architecture. The Polynesian-style villas are about 20 minutes north of Poipu. The hotel staff can even set you up with local gourmet chefs, massage therapists, and yoga instructors to make itinerary planning easy and fun.
Tip Top Motel, Cafe, and Bakery
A unique place to stay in Kauai is the Tip Top Motel, Cafe, and Bakery, which has been serving people for over 100 years. This establishment is close to the Lihua Airport and offers clean and affordable motel rooms. It has a famous café that serves up delicious local foods as well. The history of the Tip Top Motel, Cafe, and Bakery dates back to 1916, and it is now run by the 4th generation of the original family. All of the motel room have king-sized beds or two twin beds, as well as air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, cable TV, and free self-parking. The café serves breakfast and lunch on all days except for Mondays.
