Hilton Garden Inn Kauai Wailua Bay

The Hilton Garden Inn Kauai Wailua Bay reopened after a complete makeover in 2015 that bumped it into a different range of competition. However, as of August 2017, the hotel has plans to refresh a few areas that still need attention. The property has an immense, open-air lobby, which sits under a curvilinear roof that's topped by a long, narrow atrium ceiling. The lounge and reception area underneath is washed in natural light, with a perimeter of rough stone columns supporting the whole thing. Fruit-infused water sits on a table for guests amid contemporary wicker patio furniture, with a mix of gray, aqua, and pale green cushions and throw pillows. The hotel mainly attracts couples, along with some families.  NOTE hotel lobby photos titled "(PRE-RENOVAtTION)" [sic] are misleading; the lobby itself was already renovated.   

The hotel is located along an isolated stretch of Highway 56, far from central dining and most of Kapaa's attractions. It's directly adjacent to the public Lydgate Beach Park, which has a protected swimming lagoon, public restrooms, picnic tables, and a large communal parking lot. While pleasant, there are much better beaches on the island. Hanalei Beach is about a 40-minute drive north, and Poipu State Beach and other South Shore beaches are roughly 35 to 45 minutes by car. The popular 18-hole Wailua Municipal Golf Course is just a three-minute drive away, and some regional attractions, such as Opaeka'a Falls and Wailua Falls, are five minutes and 15-minutes away, respectively. Restaurants and bars can be found within a five-minute drive to the north in central Kapaa. One perk of staying at this hotel is its proximity to the airport -- Lihue Airport is only a 10-minute drive south.

The hotel has 216 guest rooms, suites, and cottages with either ocean, mountain, or garden views. All have a classy decor with textured carpets and handsome wood furnishings. The large standard rooms range from 324 to more than 400 square feet, with king beds or two queen beds that have richly decorated wooden headboards. There's plenty of space for work desks, accompanied by retro metal lamps and Herman Miller-style chairs, plus living areas with round wooden tables and seating for two. Wet bar nooks have cabinets and shelves with mini-fridges, microwaves, and Keurig machines. Big 46-inch flat-screen TVs sit atop long, mid-century modern credenzas, and Wi-Fi is included in the resort fee. Despite the overall improvements, the bathrooms still have average shower/tub combos, but they come stocked with Neutrogena products.Upgraded rooms have furnished outdoor lanais, and some have ocean views. Suites have bedrooms with armchairs and ottomans, along with separate living rooms that have sofa beds, coffee tables, and additional 46-inch flat-screens. Next to the main building, there are also some standalone cottages that open to furnished lanais, which have a similar layout and the same amenities as suites.  

The public park merges with the hotel grounds with just a few "private property" signs delineating them, and guests have easy access to the beach along with its protected lagoon, across a wide green lawn. There's a stone sundeck close to the main building, with an outdoor pool and a large hot tub. It has comfortable loungers and shade umbrellas, though there may not be enough for all on crowded days. There's no spa, but a fitness center has wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, free weights, a row of treadmills, and other cardio machines in a bright room that gets natural light. There's also a 24-hour business center has has both PC and Mac workstations with printers, and the hotel has 7,460 square feet of event space, including two ballrooms (they can accommodate 550 guests in total). For dining, the Garden Grille is an open-air restaurant and a bar that serves American cuisine. The resort fee includes Wi-Fi, an evening drink (Mai Tais or soda), and limited two-hour bike rentals. Free on-site parking is available.