The upscale Waipouli Beach Resort is a collection of individually owned units, about half of which are managed by Outrigger. The 198 condos at this oceanfront property are a handsome exercise in island-home style, and they include high-end kitchens and terraces. The property has one of the nicest pools on Kauai's east side, but other services and activities are limited. Additionally, while the beach is pretty, reef outcroppings make it better for wading than swimming. On the other hand, it’s conveniently located across from a Starbucks and Safeway, halfway between north and south shore sights, and there’s an independent restaurant on-site. You can’t beat the sharp digs or central location, but those seeking upscale pampering and a better beach might consider the comparably priced Koa Kea in Poipu.
The upscale Waipouli Beach Resort is a collection of individually owned units, about half of which are managed by Outrigger. The 198 condos at this oceanfront property are a handsome exercise in island-home style, and they include high-end kitchens and terraces. The property has one of the nicest pools on Kauai's east side, but other services and activities are limited. Additionally, while the beach is pretty, reef outcroppings make it better for wading than swimming. On the other hand, it’s conveniently located across from a Starbucks and Safeway, halfway between north and south shore sights, and there’s an independent restaurant on-site. You can’t beat the sharp digs or central location, but those seeking upscale pampering and a better beach might consider the comparably priced Koa Kea in Poipu.
Plantation Hale Suites is a mid-range hotel with 99 one-bedroom, apartment-style units. Deluxe Kauai Suites feature modern decor and fully equipped kitchens, but Standard Kauai Suites are horrendously dated. There are three pools, multiple barbecue areas, and reaaalllyyyy slow free Wi-Fi, but that’s about it. There’s no spa, on-site restaurant, or fitness center, and the beach is about a three-minute walk from the hotel. It’s an ideal spot for those who need a home base on Kauai, but travelers looking for nicer amenities and more services should check out the nearby (and more expensive) Outrigger Waipouli Beach Resort.
Plantation Hale Suites is a mid-range hotel with 99 one-bedroom, apartment-style units. Deluxe Kauai Suites feature modern decor and fully equipped kitchens, but Standard Kauai Suites are horrendously dated. There are three pools, multiple barbecue areas, and reaaalllyyyy slow free Wi-Fi, but that’s about it. There’s no spa, on-site restaurant, or fitness center, and the beach is about a three-minute walk from the hotel. It’s an ideal spot for those who need a home base on Kauai, but travelers looking for nicer amenities and more services should check out the nearby (and more expensive) Outrigger Waipouli Beach Resort.
Kauai Shores Hotel is a funky, budget-friendly hotel on Kauai’s eastern coast. With its brightly colored exterior and interior spaces, hip retro-inspired design, and cool, laid-back atmosphere, Kauai Shores Hotel is an attractive spot for all kinds of travelers. Here families, young couples, and backpackers lounge around the hotel’s two pools, hit the beach, or enjoy free morning yoga classes on the property’s massive green lawn. The 200 rooms are colorful and bright, with modern tropical decor. Lava Lava Beach Club -- a popular Big Island outpost -- serves fresh fish dishes beachside. The free parking, morning coffee, and Wi-Fi aren’t really free when one considers the pesky, daily resort fee, but Kauai Shores Hotel is still hands-down the best budget-friendly option in Kapaa. If being within walking distance of downtown is a necessity, consider Hotel Coral Reef, but know that its rooms and amenities aren’t as nice.
Kauai Shores Hotel is a funky, budget-friendly hotel on Kauai’s eastern coast. With its brightly colored exterior and interior spaces, hip retro-inspired design, and cool, laid-back atmosphere, Kauai Shores Hotel is an attractive spot for all kinds of travelers. Here families, young couples, and backpackers lounge around the hotel’s two pools, hit the beach, or enjoy free morning yoga classes on the property’s massive green lawn. The 200 rooms are colorful and bright, with modern tropical decor. Lava Lava Beach Club -- a popular Big Island outpost -- serves fresh fish dishes beachside. The free parking, morning coffee, and Wi-Fi aren’t really free when one considers the pesky, daily resort fee, but Kauai Shores Hotel is still hands-down the best budget-friendly option in Kapaa. If being within walking distance of downtown is a necessity, consider Hotel Coral Reef, but know that its rooms and amenities aren’t as nice.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Hilton Garden Inn Kauai Wailua Bay benefits from being right next to Lydgate State Park, with a sheltered lagoon for family-friendly swimming, and a green space that encompasses an ancient Hawaiian sacred site. However, the beach itself isn't the best on the island and it can get crowded with locals. The outdoor pool and a large hot tub is for guests only, and there's also a stylish open-air restaurant and bar. Its 216 guest rooms have an upscale look, with conveniences like wet bars and microwaves amid handsome wood furnishings, and there are private cottages that open to lanais with ocean views. Travelers looking for accommodations that are a step up can check out Waipouli Beach Resort. Changed rating from 2.5 to 3.5 (huge renovation). From the photographer: "This hotel is going thru major renovations and the facilities will need a new visit when done to give them a fair estimation compared to other hotels in the area." Was going to send this one back, but decided enough info was available for a review, though had to be vague in some areas. Needs revisit.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Hilton Garden Inn Kauai Wailua Bay benefits from being right next to Lydgate State Park, with a sheltered lagoon for family-friendly swimming, and a green space that encompasses an ancient Hawaiian sacred site. However, the beach itself isn't the best on the island and it can get crowded with locals. The outdoor pool and a large hot tub is for guests only, and there's also a stylish open-air restaurant and bar. Its 216 guest rooms have an upscale look, with conveniences like wet bars and microwaves amid handsome wood furnishings, and there are private cottages that open to lanais with ocean views. Travelers looking for accommodations that are a step up can check out Waipouli Beach Resort. Changed rating from 2.5 to 3.5 (huge renovation). From the photographer: "This hotel is going thru major renovations and the facilities will need a new visit when done to give them a fair estimation compared to other hotels in the area." Was going to send this one back, but decided enough info was available for a review, though had to be vague in some areas. Needs revisit.
This bustling, 309-room property offers a splash of tropical pizzazz at reasonable prices. This three-and-a-half-pearl resort features an oceanfront setting, a small but pretty pool area lit up by fire pits at night, open-air dining, and even an on-site luau. Plantation-style furnishings and paddle fans define the public areas, and the homey rooms come with mini-fridges, Wi-Fi, and balconies -- many face the ocean. A big plus is the convenient location halfway between the sights on Kauai’s north and south shores, and a five-minute drive from downtown Kapaa's shops and restaurants. Other freebies include a daily mai tai, yoga on the beach, and sunrise ceremonies. For similar amenities scaled up a notch, consider the Kauai Beach Resort at a bit of a budget bump.
This bustling, 309-room property offers a splash of tropical pizzazz at reasonable prices. This three-and-a-half-pearl resort features an oceanfront setting, a small but pretty pool area lit up by fire pits at night, open-air dining, and even an on-site luau. Plantation-style furnishings and paddle fans define the public areas, and the homey rooms come with mini-fridges, Wi-Fi, and balconies -- many face the ocean. A big plus is the convenient location halfway between the sights on Kauai’s north and south shores, and a five-minute drive from downtown Kapaa's shops and restaurants. Other freebies include a daily mai tai, yoga on the beach, and sunrise ceremonies. For similar amenities scaled up a notch, consider the Kauai Beach Resort at a bit of a budget bump.
Hotel Coral Reef is a small, budget-friendly hotel within walking distance of downtown Kapaa -- a scrappy little beach town on Kauai’s eastern coast. The hotel has 21 rooms split between two buildings, but rooms in the oceanfront building are brighter, with nicer decor and better views. Rooms have an airy, Hawaiian feel, but large furniture makes them feel cramped. The pool here is surprisingly nice, but there don't seem to be enough lounge chairs surrounding it. As far as freebies are concerned, the hotel offers free parking, Wi-Fi, and morning refreshments -- which include continental breakfast items like coffee, yogurt, and store bought pastries. Kauai Shores, an Aqua Hotel, is a similar budget option with nicer rooms and multiple pools, but it’s not within walking distance of downtown Kapaa.
Hotel Coral Reef is a small, budget-friendly hotel within walking distance of downtown Kapaa -- a scrappy little beach town on Kauai’s eastern coast. The hotel has 21 rooms split between two buildings, but rooms in the oceanfront building are brighter, with nicer decor and better views. Rooms have an airy, Hawaiian feel, but large furniture makes them feel cramped. The pool here is surprisingly nice, but there don't seem to be enough lounge chairs surrounding it. As far as freebies are concerned, the hotel offers free parking, Wi-Fi, and morning refreshments -- which include continental breakfast items like coffee, yogurt, and store bought pastries. Kauai Shores, an Aqua Hotel, is a similar budget option with nicer rooms and multiple pools, but it’s not within walking distance of downtown Kapaa.
This two-and-a-half-pearl resort is tucked between the tourist-friendly Coconut Marketplace and the ocean, and while there are fewer features here than at nearby hotels, it is quieter. Nice-to-have features include a small, clean pool plus barbecues as well as a shop for beach gear. Each of 198 simple, island-inspired rooms have microwaves, refrigerators, and balconies. The beach here is rocky and currents make it too rough for swimming, but it's a short drive to swimmable spots. There's no restaurant, but a small poolside bar slings drinks and some of Kapaa’s better restaurants are within an easy walk. Guests wanting a spa, gym, restaurant, activities, or larger pool area might prefer the nearby Courtyard Marriott Coconut Beach at a similar same price.
This two-and-a-half-pearl resort is tucked between the tourist-friendly Coconut Marketplace and the ocean, and while there are fewer features here than at nearby hotels, it is quieter. Nice-to-have features include a small, clean pool plus barbecues as well as a shop for beach gear. Each of 198 simple, island-inspired rooms have microwaves, refrigerators, and balconies. The beach here is rocky and currents make it too rough for swimming, but it's a short drive to swimmable spots. There's no restaurant, but a small poolside bar slings drinks and some of Kapaa’s better restaurants are within an easy walk. Guests wanting a spa, gym, restaurant, activities, or larger pool area might prefer the nearby Courtyard Marriott Coconut Beach at a similar same price.
This 221-room condo-style value hotel is fairly unremarkable. Rooms, available in one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, are plain, with dated decor and cheap furnishings. There are two tennis courts, multiple barbecue areas, a volleyball net, and a mini-golf course, but the hotel’s pool and fitness center are tiny. The hotel sits along Kauai Path, a miles-long hiking/biking/jogging trail that runs along the coast and allows for easy access to downtown Kapaa. The beach, often strewn with ocean debris, definitely isn’t the nicest in Kauai, and the rough ocean waters aren’t the best for swimming. It’s worth checking rates at nearby Plantation Hale Suites, which has comparably sized rooms with nicer decor and multiple pools -- however, it’s not directly on the beach.
This 221-room condo-style value hotel is fairly unremarkable. Rooms, available in one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, are plain, with dated decor and cheap furnishings. There are two tennis courts, multiple barbecue areas, a volleyball net, and a mini-golf course, but the hotel’s pool and fitness center are tiny. The hotel sits along Kauai Path, a miles-long hiking/biking/jogging trail that runs along the coast and allows for easy access to downtown Kapaa. The beach, often strewn with ocean debris, definitely isn’t the nicest in Kauai, and the rough ocean waters aren’t the best for swimming. It’s worth checking rates at nearby Plantation Hale Suites, which has comparably sized rooms with nicer decor and multiple pools -- however, it’s not directly on the beach.
This 108-unit time-share resort in Kapaa offers full kitchens (in most condos), free Wi-Fi, a popular seafood restaurant, proximity to good beaches and dining, and one of the cheapest resort pool bars around. You can't swim off its shore, but all told, it's one of the best deals in Kauai.
This 108-unit time-share resort in Kapaa offers full kitchens (in most condos), free Wi-Fi, a popular seafood restaurant, proximity to good beaches and dining, and one of the cheapest resort pool bars around. You can't swim off its shore, but all told, it's one of the best deals in Kauai.