Kuhio Shores Condos

Spend a good five minutes on the Kuhio Shores property, and you’ll slowly begin to feel your blood pressure drop and your heart rate slow. We’re not saying this place has medicinal powers, but its laid-back vibe is something near intoxicating. Surfers in half peeled wet suits carry their boards toward the waves, middle-aged couples set out on bicycles, and groups of local teens hardily recount their paddleboarding adventures on the Hanapepe River. Kuhio Shores is the kind of place where people wear those Life is Good T-shirts and invite neighbors for happy hour on their lanai. During our visit, several condo owners were more than happy to show us around their units, eagerly describing the many facets and features of the property -- “right out there past those rocks is the best snorkel spot on the island,” “just in that cove is where sea turtles like to rest in the afternoons,” “I sit in this exact spot every night to watch the sun set.” Though there aren’t really any amenities -- no pool, spa, restaurant, or fitness center; heck, there’s barely even a lobby -- it’s the warm friendliness of the people who spend their days at Kuhio Shores that continue to attract guests year after year after year.    

Just beyond Poipu’s hotel hub, Kuhio Shores has a quiet, secluded sort of feel, even though it’s within walking distance to a handful of shops, restaurants, and popular beaches. The hotel benefits from the south shore’s near perfect year-round weather -- although the blazing sun can sometimes make without air-conditioning units feel a bit too warm. Kuhio Shores sits on a small promontory between two rocky beaches -- it’s about as close to the water as you can get in Kauai, but the nearest swimmable beach with a sandy shore is a good five- to 10-minute walk from the hotel. For surfers, this place is something close to paradise. Great surfing conditions are literally steps from first-floor rooms. The one problem with being this close to the water? Many guests “complain” that it’s hard to hear the TV, radio, or even the person in the next room with the roaring sound of waves crashing just outside the window.     

There are two room types at Kuhio Shores: one- and two-bedroom condos. There are also three distinct sides of the building, rooms facing east, rooms facing south (oceanfront), and rooms facing southwest. Kuhio Shores owners will argue the benefits of “their side” 'til the cows come home, but from our perspective, each side is equally lovely, and all rooms have pretty spectacular ocean views. Since they are independently owned, no two condos at Kuhio Shores are alike. During our visit we saw everything from dated wicker furniture, to kitchens with stainless steel appliances, to Asian-inspired spaces with palm-frond fans and bamboo ceilings. All condos have fully equipped kitchens, separate living and dining spaces, and large private balconies or patios, but all are tight on space. Since our visit, 60 of the 75 units have installed air conditioners. Aston at Poipu Kai, a similar condo resort nearby, isn’t on the water but offers much larger rooms for comparable nightly rates.   

The thing about Kuhio Shores is that there aren’t really any amenities. Staying here feels more like staying in a friend’s home than at a resort, so don’t expect a pool, restaurant, spa, fitness center, or even a lobby. The entryway is really more of an elevator bank next to the property manager’s office, with a luggage cart, a check-in book, and mail slots where vacationers can retrieve their condo’s keys. There’s a small parking lot where guests can park, and each condo has free Wi-Fi. Each floor also has its own laundry room with a few coin operated machines for guests to use.