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Kauai is the perfect destination if you like boating, surfing, hiking, adventure activities, or beaches. This Hawaiian island is a true paradise, so I’ve rounded up the top hotels in Kauai.
The Ultimate Hawaii Travel Guide
From oceanfront resorts and golf oases to spa getaways and jungle retreats, I’ve got the perfect hotel for you.
Here are the top hotels in Kauai for an epic island getaway!
Sheraton Kauai Resort
This hotel is perfectly located on Hawaii’s world-famous Poipu Beach – a golden sand beach sprinkled with the island’s iconic volcanic rocks. There are three on-site restaurants, multiple pools, and every room has a garden or ocean view.
Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club
Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club
You’ll love this beachfront resort with its standard room and villa options, multiple pools, hot tubs, and fitness center. Because this hotel is a Marriott, it’s the perfect place to earn or redeem hotel points.
The Lodge at Kukui’ula
If you want to stay in the island’s most exclusive resort community, then The Lodge at Kukui’ula is for you. This resort has stand-alone villas with private pools and stunning views. Plus, you’ll have access to The Club at Kukui’ula.
Royal Sonesta Kaua’i Resort Lihue
This 5-Star hotel has one of the largest pools in Hawaii. You’ll love the beachfront location, on-site restaurants, spa, and 18-hole Jack Nicklaus championship golf course. Plus, every room has spectacular views.
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa
Located on Kauai’s sunny south shore, this luxury resort combines classic Hawaiian architecture with open courtyards and lush gardens. This hotel is known for its “water wonderland” because it has so many pools, including an adults-only pool, lava-rock river pool, waterslide, and saltwater lagoon. There’s also a championship golf course, six restaurants, and a spa.
Ko’a Kea Hotel & Resort
This upscale, boutique, oceanfront property is perfect for a romantic getaway or a girls’ trip. You’ll love how close to the beach you are. Plus, this hotel is near many of the island’s best sites and attractions.
Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort
You’ll love this hotel’s beachfront location in a century-old coconut grove. This resort has everything you could want – breathtaking views, spacious suites, open-air dining, a central location on the island, and incredible pools.
Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu
If you want to enjoy some of the best pools in Hawaii, this hotel is for you. There’s a 350,000-gallon signature pool complete with a swim and walk-through grotto, water slides, poolside cabanas, a 6,100 sq ft family lagoon pool, and a 2,000 sq ft waterfall adult pool. Plus, this resort has a spa, on-site restaurant, fitness center, soccer field, volleyball court, and putting green.
Recommended Tours in Kauai
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What do you think are the top hotels in Kauai? Share with us in the comments!
For Planning The Rest Of Your Hawaii Trip
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Top Hotels in Kauai
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I travel between Hawaiian Islands?
The best way to island-hop in Hawaii is to fly. Hawaiian Airlines usually has the cheapest rates and the most flights. You could all take an inter-island cruise, but please ensure you only use sustainable cruise companies.
What is the best time of year to go to Hawaii?
Hawaii is made up of micro-climates, so the weather varies significantly from island to island and from one side of an island to the other. The year-round warm weather (rarely going below the mid-70s or above the mid-80s) means Hawaii is a great destination any time of the year. So Hawaii doesn’t have an off-season.
April – September is the most popular time to visit Hawaii because these are the warmest and driest months. The ocean is calmer, giving you access to more water activities with better sailing conditions. Be prepared to pay the highest prices during these months. The islands will also be crowded, so book accommodation, tours, and rental cars in advance.
The weather in Hawaii is marginally cooler from October – March, and these are the wettest months of the year. Pro Tip: the islands’ west coasts are significantly drier than their east coasts.
October – March is whale-watching season, and the crowds and prices will be lower (though not significantly). These months have some of the largest swells of the year, so surfers will swarm the beaches.
What are the best places to visit in Hawaii?
Oahu: Waikiki Beach, the North Shore, Diamond Head, Kualoa Ranch, Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden, Pearl Harbor.
Kauai: Wailua Falls, Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail, the Nā Pali Coast, Wailua River, Waimea Canyon.
Maui: Hana, Wai’anapanapa State Park, Haleakala National Park.
Hawai’i (Big Island): Hapuna Beach, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Akaka Falls, Rainbow Falls, Waipi’o Valley.
What should I bring to Hawaii?
Hawaii’s climate and culture mean the dress code is very casual. Many visitors to the islands never change out of their swimsuits and sandals. You’ll want a sarong or cover-up for your swimsuit when shopping, dining, or riding in a taxi. And men should always wear a shirt inside.
Bring fast-drying clothes and shoes. If you’re doing any hiking, bring moisture-wicking and UV-protected clothes. For boat tours, bring a hat with a neck strap to keep it from blowing away, and have a strap for your sunglasses.
You’ll also want a lightweight rain jacket. If you’re going to visit Hawaii’s national parks or one of the higher-altitude volcanoes, you’ll want long pants and a jacket.
In addition to your usual travel essentials, you’ll want these items:
Bags for your wet and sandy shoes and clothes. If you’re visiting one of the public beaches, there usually aren’t showers for rinsing off. So always have a bag handy for wet and sandy clothes.
Electrical outlets in Hawaii are Types A and B. So if you’re from the U.S., you won’t need an outlet adaptor. But British, European, and other travelers will need an adaptor.
Sun protection. The sunshine is gorgeous but brutal in Hawaii, and you’ll usually find that there’s minimal shade on the beaches. So bring sunglasses, sunscreen for your skin and lips, a hat, and UV-protected shirts.
What are the best national and state parks to visit in Hawaii?
1. Diamond Head State Monument, Oahu
2. Haleakala National Park, Maui
3. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawai’i (Big Island)
4. Heʻeia State Park, Oahu
5. ʻĪao Valley State Park, Maui
6. Nā Pali Coast State Wilderness Park, Kauai
7. Waianapanapa State Park, Maui
8. Waimea Canyon State Park, Kauai
What are the best scenic drives in Hawaii?
1. Chain of Craters Road, Hawai’i (Big Island)
2. Garden of the Gods, Lanai
3. Hamakua Coast, Hawai’i (Big Island)
4. Kamehameha Highway, Oahu
5. Road to Hana, Maui
6. Route 560, North Shore of Kauai
7. Summit road to Mount Haleakala, Maui
8. Waimea Canyon Drive, Kauai
How many days do you need to visit Hawaii?
Give yourself at least 3-4 days to explore each Hawaiian island.
Do I need to rent a car in Hawaii?
If you’re staying in a vacation home on any of the islands, then you’ll want to rent a car.
If you’re staying in a resort and planning on leaving your hotel, then a car is essential on all of the Hawaiian islands. You can hire a driver, and taxis and rideshares are common, but these are expensive. So if you’re going to leave your resort more than a couple of times during your trip, you’ll probably save money by renting a car.
Plus, renting a car gives you flexibility and the freedom to set your own itinerary.
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This article about the top hotels in Kauai is not a sponsored post, and the thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own. Some of the links in this post about the top hotels in Kauai are affiliate links, and, at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission from this article about the top hotels in Kauai.
