Plantation Hale Suites

Plantation Hale Suites is a long, narrow property where 11 low-lying Hawaiian-style buildings form U shapes around grassy courtyards. The casual attitude and atmosphere of the place is immediately recognizable upon check-in, as the lobby is little more than an open-air registration desk that guests can walk up to from the street. Billowy striped curtains and potted green plants surround cushioned wicker furniture and a guest computer, but otherwise the lobby consists of little else. Guests here range from families with children to couples and friend groups. There are three pools spread across the property, but otherwise there’s little else for kids (or adults) to do.     

Located in Kappa, a scrappy little beach town on Kauai’s eastern coast, Plantation Hale Suites is perfectly situated for travelers looking to explore the island. The hotel is about a 15-minute drive from the airport, and about a five-minute drive to all of the shops and restaurants in downtown Kapaa. It is also located within the same complex as the Coconut Coast Marketplace -- a touristy strip mall with kitschy shops and a few casual eateries. Plantation Hale Suites does not sit directly on the beach. Instead guests will have walk about three minutes across a field in order to reach the shoreline. The beach here, like most on the eastern coast, isn’t as nice as those on the north or south shores and the ocean water tends to be pretty rough. 

All rooms at Plantation Hale Suites are one-bedroom apartments with one bathroom, a full kitchen, and a separate living room. There are two room categories here, Deluxe Suites and Standard Suites, with one major difference between them -- the former are nicely updated while the latter are horrendously dated. During our visit, we saw a Deluxe Suite with a pool view. Deluxe Suites feature warm taupe walls and a mixture of wall to wall carpeting and white tile floors. The combined living and dining room has modern furniture with a single sofa and a round table that seats four. Green hues are complemented by dark wood furniture and cream colored pillows and curtains. Black and white beach photographs look simple and elegant, but also add a tropical touch to the space. Kitchens in the Deluxe Suites are on the smaller side, but are equipped with full-size refrigerators, oven/stove combos, microwaves, and coffeemakers. Cabinets are stocked with essentials like plates, cups, utensils, pots, and pans. Although they’re nicely finished, with gray granite counters and dark wood cabinetry, the older appliances and white tile floors keep the space from feeling completely refurbished. The sole bedroom in Deluxe Suites comes furnished with one king or two double beds. Decor is similar to that of the living room, with taupe walls and wall to wall carpeting, accented by green and white bedspreads and grey throw pillows. A flat-screen TV sits atop the room’s single dresser, and there’s a mirrored closet in the far right corner. Rooms with double beds feel cramped and there’s not much space to get around. The large lanai is accessible from both the bedroom and the living room. Bathrooms feature the same tile, granite, and cabinetry as the kitchen. Bathrooms are split between two rooms, one with a single sink and vanity and the other with the toilet and bathtub/shower. Plenty of towels, and a few basic toiletries like soap, shampoo, and conditioner, are provided. 

As previously mentioned, there aren’t many exceptional features at Plantation Hale Suites. The hotel’s three pools are small, but also rarely crowded, and are spread out evenly between the property’s 11 buildings. Each pool is surrounded by a few white, plastic-slatted lounge chairs and umbrella covered tables. One pool has a small even has a small hot tub. All three pools also have their own barbecue area, equipped with a gas grill and a picnic table. For those who’d prefer to spend their days lounging by the beach, it’s about a three-minute walk from the hotel across an open field. The beach, like all in Hawaii, is public, so don’t expect to have the place to yourself. The ocean water on the east coast of Kauai tends to be rougher than on other parts of the island, so it’s best to exercise caution before heading for the waves. The hotel offers free parking and Wi-Fi, but neither really seem free after the hotel’s daily resort fee shows up on the final bill. Many guests complain that the Wi-Fi is also difficult to connect to and terribly slow.