Top Ten Kauai Hawaii Hotels

From luxury resorts to affordable vacation rentals, Kauai has something for everyone.  There are great Kauai hotels in every price range.  And you can bring the whole family, or enjoy a romantic interlude for two.

Here are our picks for the best Kauai hotels.

1) Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa.  It’s big (602 rooms).  The beach is not good for swimming.  And it’s a little out of the way.  But the Hyatt Kauai pampers its guests with six restaurants, Kauai’s best spa, and great weather year ’round.  Poipu Beach is your best bet in winter and the Hyatt Kauai sets the bar for Poipu hotels.

2) Sheraton Kauai Resort.  If swimming and surfing are on your list, the Sheraton is another great choice on Poipu Beach.  The wide, sandy beach, ocean-front lounge, and convenient location, minutes from shopping and restaurants, make this one of the most popular Kauai hotels.

3) St. Regis Resort Princeville.  After a lengthy and expensive renovation, the former Princeville Resort Kauai is finally reopening as the St. Regis Resort Princeville.  The drop-dead gorgeous views of Hanalei Bay are the big draw, but there are also lots of activities for kids and adults.  If you can afford it, this Kauai resort is the place to say on the North Shore.

4) Outrigger Waipouli Beach Resort and Spa.   Kauai vacation rentals aren’t always known for their luxury.  But the Waipouli has top-of-the-line facilities including kitchens with granite counters, Sub Zero refrigerators, and full-size washers and dryers.  A great Kapa’a hotel choice.

5) Koa Kea Hotel & Resort.  Recently opened on the grounds of the old Poipu Beach Hotel, the Koa Kea is a 121-room boutique hotel in a great location.   With 3-night packages starting at $633, it’s also one of the most affordable Poipu hotels that’s right on the beach.

6) Kiahuna Plantation.  Our favorite Kauai condo complex.  If you want a kitchen, a spacious lanai, and beautiful grounds sloping down to sandy Poipu Beach, you can’t beat it.  There’s a lovely restaurant, and you can also walk to the restaurants at the Sheraton Kauai and Koa Kea.

7)  Hanalei Colony Resort.  As Kauai  vacation rentals go, the Hanalei Colony is on the small side with just 48 rooms.  And it doesn’t have phones, air conditioning, and TVs.  But what the 2-bedroom, 2-bath units lack in amenities, they make up for in location.  The white-sand beach is beautiful, the views of Hanalei Bay are sensational, and there’s a terrific spa and restaurant next door.

8) Kauai Marriott Resort and Beach Club.  One of the biggest Kauai resorts, the Marriott has all the amenities you’d expect and it’s usually less expensive than the Sheraton Kauai or the Grand Hyatt Kauai.  It’s a great choice for families because there’s plenty for kids to do.

9) Hotel Coral Reef Resort.  Recently renovated, the Coral Reef in Kapa’a is one of the top Kauai hotel bargains.  Ocean-front suites start at just $245 a night, and the location is great.

10) Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club Hotel.  Technically, this is timeshare, but you can stay here without being an owner.  The two-bedroom ocean-view units aren’t cheap, but they sleep six.  Full kitchens, private lanais, and a convenient Poipu Beach location make this one of the better Kauai vacation rentals.

Find the best hotels on Kauai’s South Shore.