Where to Stay on Kauai: Breakdown By Area
Kauai is one of the most beautiful places that I have ever visited! Dave and I spent an entire week road tripping and exploring the different areas on the island back in 2019 and we are extremely keen to revisit.
But where should you stay on Kauai? 🐢
I remember finding it SO complicated figuring out which areas to stay in and what to see. We ended up renting a campervan and staying in campsites for most of our Kauai trip which was soo much fun, but if we go back, I now have a couple of hotels that are on the top of my Kauai hotel bucket list.
This guide will go through the different areas of Kauai that you can stay in and top hotel recommendations in each area, along with the reasons for staying in that area. I also let you know at the bottom of the guide, where we want to stay next time we visit Kauai.
If you are having trouble figuring out where to stay in Kauai, you have come to the right place! 😉
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Quick Guide to Kauai
Where to stay – My top picks! (breakdown by area):
Poipu: Budget | Luxury
Hanalei / Princeville: Budget | Luxury
Koke’e State Park: The Cabins at Koke’e
Waimea: Budget | Luxury
Wailua: Budget | Luxury
Lihue: Budget | Luxury
Where to fly into: Līhuʻe Airport (LIH) but if there are no direct flights from where you are coming from you can fly to Honolulu International Airport first.
Should you rent a car: Yes, I definitely recommend renting a car for Kauai. My go to for the best deals ➡ Discovercars.com
One experience worth booking –
➡ Deluxe Na Pali Morning Snorkel Tour on the Lucky Lady
A Complete Guide on Where to Stay on Kauai For First Timers
Comparison of the Best Places to Stay in Kauai
| Hotel Name | Location | Stars | Cost | Check prices & book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheraton Kauai Resort | Poipu | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 💲💲💲💲 | Book here |
| Poipu Plantation Vacation Rentals | Poipu | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 💲💲 | Book here |
| 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay | Princeville | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 💲💲💲💲💲 | Book here |
| The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas | Princeville | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 💲💲💲 | Book here |
| The Cabins at Kokee | Koke’e State Park | N/A | 💲💲 | Book here |
| Inn Waimea Kauai | Waimea | ⭐⭐⭐ | 💲 | Book here |
| Waimea Plantation Cottages | Waimea | N/A | 💲💲💲 | Book here |
| Plantation Hale Suites | Wailua | ⭐⭐⭐ | 💲💲 | Book here |
| Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort | Wailua | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 💲💲💲 | Book here |
| Kauai Palms Hotel | Lihue | ⭐⭐ | 💲 | Book here |
| The Royal Sonesta Kaua’i Resort Lihue | Lihue | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 💲💲💲 | Book here |
🐢 Don’t plan your trip to Kauai without reading this!
Breakdown of Areas to Stay on Kauai
The below map shows the different areas on Kauai that I recommend staying in. Past the map, you will then find descriptions of each area, including what there is to do there, top hotels in the area that I recommend checking out and reasons I would choose to stay in the area if I were revisiting Kauai.
Staying in Poipu
Poipu is located on the South Coast of Kauai and is around a 25 minute drive from the airport. Poipu is a really family friendly area and has some great hotels like Koloa Landing which has some really amazing swimming pools with fun waterslides for kids!
My parents also just stayed Poipu recently on their first visit to Kauai and they loved it there and loved being able to walk from their hotel to the beach! For reference they are in their 60s / 70s.
Top Hotel & Resort Recommendations in Poipu
Budget: Poipu Plantation Vacation Rentals – No where in Hawaii is dirt cheap but the Poipu Planation Vacation Rentals are some of the more affordable stays on Kauai. Located, right near Poipu Beach, these rentals are apartment style which makes it a little easier to save money on food by cooking in your own kitchen.
Mid-range: Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu, Autograph Collection – Like I said before, Koloa Landing is a great hotel for families and is a resort style hotel with 2 incredible swimming pools, one with a waterslide!
Luxury: Sheraton Kauai Resort – this is that hotel that you dream of staying at. 😍 It’s a little pricey but we would stay there if our Kauai trip was our only trip of the year (although we are not very good at this these days) or if we were going for a special occasion like our anniversary or honeymoon. It is located right on the ocean with a swimming pool that you can SEE the ocean from and amazing restaurants with delicious food. The best way of describing this hotel is very “resort-like.”
Top Things to do in and near Poipu
- Poipu Beach Park – look out for turtles or monk seals lazing on the beach or go snorkelling
- See the Spouting Horn
- Hike the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail
- Stroll around Old Koloa Town
- Drive out to Waimea Canyon to marvel at the Grand Canyon of the Pacific
- Do a Helicopter Tour to see Manawaiopuna Falls, the Na Pali Coast and Waimea Canyon
- Watch one of the most magical sunsets of your life on a Sunset Dinner Cruise along the Na Pali Coast. Just imagine watching the sunset from a catamaran with the crazy jagged mountains in the background and feeling like you are in a movie. This is the perfect activity to do after a big day of snorkelling at Poipu Beach Park.
Why I would choose to stay in Poipu
I would stay in Poipu so that I could go to Poipu Beach early every morning to watch the sunrise and see the turtles. My goal would be to go snorkelling at the beach every single day.
Poipu is close to some of the largest must-see spots on Kauai like the Na Pali Coast and Waimea Canyon. I would also make sure that I spend lots of time seeing the Na Pali coastline, either by helicopter, by boat or both because the area where you meet to experience the coastline is only 20-30 minutes drive from Poipu.
Staying in Hanalei or Princeville
Hanalei is located on the North Shore of Kauai and has a much wilder, less touristy feel to it. The town is so cute and I recommend visiting even if you don’t choose to stay in this area. There is a great coffee shop where we got our morning lattes from a couple of times called Outpost Coffee at Hanalei Market. There are not many hotels actually located in Hanalei. Most of them are located in the neighbouring town, Princeville.
Top Hotel & Resort Recommendations in Hanalei & Princeville
Budget: Hale Luana Mountain View House – This is an entire holiday home with room for up to 8 guests so great if you are travelling with family or a group of friends. It also has a kitchen so you can cook your own meals.
Mid-range: The Westin Princeville Ocean Villas – This is a full on resort with multiple pools including a kids swimming pool with a waterslide. The thing that I love most about this hotel is the amount of outdoor spaces there are including outdoor dining. When I visit Hawaii, I want to be outdoors AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
Luxury: 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay – This hotel is an masterpiece! It is absolutely gorgeous from a beautiful infinity pool to the stunning rooms and bathrooms. There are views of the jagged Kauai mountains and the ocean from everywhere in this hotel!
Top Things to do in Hanalei & Princeville
- Visit Hanalei Bay
- Hike the Okolehao Trail
- Stroll around Hanalei Town and get some shaved ice
- Take in the views from Hanalei Valley Lookout
- Join a kayaking and snorkeling tour
- Check out Hanalei’s famous taro fields
Why I would choose to stay in Hanalei or Princeville
I would stay in Hanalei for it’s small town island vibes and stunning surrounding beaches. We didn’t have much time to spend at Hanalei Bay but I definitely want to go back.
Staying in Koke’e State Park
Depending on how much time you have on Kauai, you may or may not want to stay in Koke’e State Park for a night or two. Koke’e State Park is just past Waimea Canyon and home to the beautiful Kalalau Lookout and some amazing hiking trails such as the Kalepa Ridge Trail.
Top Hotel & Resort Recommendations in Koke’e State Park
There is only one place to stay in Koke’e State Park and that is the Cabins at Koke’e. We stayed here for a couple of nights so that we could explore the area and do some hiking.
Top Things to do in Koke’e State Park
- Check out the Waimea Canyon Lookout
- Admire the epic views from Kalalau Lookout
- Go hiking!
Why I would choose to stay in Koke’e State Park
It’s quite a drive up to Koke’e State Park so I would definitely stay at least 1 night up there in the cabins. It was definitely worth it to be able to stay out and watch the sunset and then not have to drive too far to get back to our accommodation.
Staying in Waimea
Waimea is the closest town to Waimea Canyon and Koke’e State Park so if you don’t want to stay up in the cabins, you can stay down in Waimea Town. The town itself is full of history as it was the first landing site of Captain Cook in Hawaii! The beaches in Waimea however, are not great for swimming due to the runoff from Waimea Canyon.
Top Hotel & Resort Recommendations in Waimea
Budget: Inn Waimea Kauai – The Inn Waimea is located only a few steps from Waimea Beach so is a perfect choice for a more budget option.
Mid-range: Waimea Beach Cottage by Destination Kauai – Also located steps from Waimea Beach, this cottage is great for if you want a larger space with a kitchen for cooking. Believe me, a kitchen in Kauai goes a long way because everything is SO expensive!
Luxury: Waimea Planation Cottages – these classic Hawaiian cottages are gorgeous and located right next to the ocean. In these cottages, you will feel like you have moved onto the island and this is your new home.
Top Things to do in Waimea
- Do the Waimea Canyon Scenic Drive and check out the viewpoints
- Visit the Waimea Theatre
- See the statue of Captain Cook
- Take a stroll along Waimea Beach
Why I would choose to stay in Waimea
I would stay in Waimea to get away from the touristy vibes and to experience more of the “real Hawaii.” It’s also super convenient at how close Waimea is to Waimea Canyon, Koke’e State Park and the Na Pali Coast.
Staying in Wailua
Wailua is located in between Lihue and Kapa’a, on the East coast of Kauai. Wailua is a great place to stay because you are in not too far from the North Coast or the South Coast with plenty to do nearby as well. We overlooked Wailua when we visited Kauai. We saw Wailua Falls but that’s about it so we definitely need to go back and explore more because researching the things to do there now is giving me FOMO!
Top Hotel & Resort Recommendations in Wailua
Budget: Plantation Hale Suites – The suites are near the Coconut Plantation Market Place which offers a variety of shops and family-style restaurants. It is also super close to the water. It has a 3 outdoor swimming pools and the suites have fully equipped kitchens!
Mid-range: Kauai Shores Hotel – The Kauai Shores has its own private beach and 2 outdoor pools. This hotel is perfect for someone not wanting to spend too much but still wanting somewhere that feels like a resort.
Luxury: Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort – Another Sheraton Hotel dream and one that I would stay at for sure! Plus this Sheraton is not as pricey as the one down in Poipu which is a nice bonus.
Top Things to do in Wailua
- Wailua Falls
- Hike and kayak to Secret Falls on a tour – check availability here
- Relax on Wailua Beach
- Have lunch at the Lava Lava Beach Club
Why I would choose to stay in Wailua
Wailua is smack bang in the middle of everything on Kauai and it’s not too far from the airport (11 minutes drive) so it’s a convenient place to stay in the entire time you are on Kauai whilst doing day trips out to other parts of the island.
Staying in Lihue
Lihue is where the Kauai airport is located (Lihue Airport) so the tropical vibes are quite a bit lower. However, if you really really need more affordable accommodation, Lihue is the place to look. The cheaper accommodation is not going to be award winning resorts, but at least it’s somewhere to sleep for the night so that you can get out and explore Kauai!
Top Hotel & Resort Recommendations in Lihue
Budget: Kauai Palms Hotel – This hotel is super affordable compared to most other hotels in Kauai, because it is located next to the airport and the style is more “motel” than resort.
Mid-range: OUTRIGGER Kaua’i Beach Resort & Spa – Another hotel I dream of staying at along with the one below. The Outrigger on Kauai is located right on the water and has 3 restaurants and bars, 4 swimming pools, a waterslide and 2 hot tubs on site. If you are looking for the ultimate resort-style hotel without an insane sticker price, you have found it!
Luxury: The Royal Sonesta Kauai Resort Lihue – The Royal Sonesta is a little more expensive than the Outrigger but not by much! I’m honestly having trouble choosing between these two because they both look incredible!
Top Things to do in Lihue
- Try Canoe Surfing
- Do a tasting tour
- Relax on Kalapaki Beach
Why I would choose to stay in Lihue
I would probably only choose to stay in Lihue if I wanted to get better value for money by staying at one of the resorts there instead of on the North Coast or in Poipu.
Where Dave and I would choose to stay next time we visit Kauai
Next time we visit Kauai (and I sure hope “next time” is soon), I would choose to break up our stay on the island between 2 different places. Last time we visited Kauai, we were doing Van Life, so we stayed all over the island but didn’t get to experience the luxury of staying in a hotel or B&B.
I would choose to stay part of the time in Poipu, just because I absolutely love the area and it’s not too far from all the awesome Na Pali Coast activities that you can do. The hotel I would choose (if we are not on a budget) would be the Sheraton Kauai Resort.
During the second half of our trip I would choose to stay up North in Hanalei and I my dream hotel to stay at there would be 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay. I absolutely love the vibes in Hanalei and would love more time to explore the area.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best area to stay in Kauai for families?
The best place to stay in Kauai for families is Poipu because you are nice and close to Poipu Beach Park which has a sheltered area for swimming and snorkelling. You are also close to some of the must-see spots on Kauai such as the Na Pali Coast and Waimea Canyon.
What is the best area to stay in Kauai for couples?
Honestly, ANYWHERE! But personally I think up North would be the most romantic place to stay on Kauai, especially if you can afford one of the super nice hotels. I think it depends what your priorities are: IE: Location or hotel price. If you are dying to get a nice resort style hotel on a budget, why not stay in Lihue and rent a car to travel around Kauai on day trips.
How many days do I need to visit Kauai for the first time?
If you are visiting Kauai for the first time, I would recommend having at least 4 days on the island so that you have enough time to see the main attractions like the Na Pali Coast and Waimea Canyon.
Where not to stay in Kauai?
The top places I would recommend staying in in Kauai would be Poipu and Princeville / Hanalei. Lihue does not have as huge tropical vibes and the beaches in Waimea are not great for swimming because of the run-off from Waimea Canyon.
I would personally avoid the West side of Kauai because the beaches are much more rough so not very safe for swimming.
What side of Kauai is best to stay on?
The North of the South sides of Kauai are the best to stay on.
Where is the best place to stay in Kauai on a budget?
Kauai (and Hawaii in general) are definitely hard places to visit on a budget. The hotels are expensive, the food is expensive and the activities are expensive.
The best place to stay on a budget would probably be in Lihue, however, the tropical vibes are not as epic over there.
🌈 Visiting Hawaii? Read these guides before you go:
- Oahu vs Kauai: Which Island Should You Visit and Why
- Kalepa Ridge Trail, Kauai – How Dangerous is it really?
- The Ultimate Kauai 4 Day Itinerary
- Where Can I Snorkel With Turtles on Oahu
- The Ultimate 4 Day Oahu Itinerary
- Bucketlist Things to do on Oahu
- How to Spend 1 Perfect Day in Waikiki
- How to Hike the Crouching Lion Trail
- Best Things to do on Kauai
- Best Beginner Ridge Trail on Oahu
- The Best Nā Pali Boat Tour & Why I Think It’s Worth It
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