Where to Stay on Kauai? The 5 Best Areas & Places to Stay

Kauai is the oldest and greenest of the main Hawaii islands. The cliffs of the Na Pali Coast rise straight out of the sea, Waimea Canyon cuts down through the red earth on the west side, and no building is taller than the palm trees.

That’s why the question of where to stay on Kauai matters more than it might seem. There’s no road around Na Pali, so the north coast and the west coast are a couple of hours’ drive apart. Here are my five picks for areas and hotels in several price ranges.

Where to Stay on Kauai: The Best Areas

• Poipu - best area for sunshine and a beach holiday
• Princeville & Hanalei - best area for nature and the Na Pali Coast
• Kapa’a & Wailua - best area for a central and cheaper base
• Lihue & Kalapaki Bay - best area for short stays and easy logistics
• Waimea - best area for Waimea Canyon and the west coast

Below, I go through the areas one at a time, from the south coast via the north and east coasts to the west side. The prices come from a search for a weekend in March for two people, and $1 is roughly £0.75. Many resorts in Hawaii add taxes and a daily resort fee on top of the price, so check the total before you book.

1. Poipu - best area for sunshine and a beach holiday ☀️

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Poipu is on the south coast, about 25 km south-west of Lihue, the island’s main town. The hotels are spread along Poipu Road and Pe’e Road, and from Poipu Beach Park it’s around a five-minute drive to Old Koloa Town.
• 🚗 Transport: You’ll need a hire car. Within Poipu you can walk between several of the beaches and restaurants, but the island’s buses run too infrequently for a holiday.
• ✈️ Time from Lihue Airport: About 25 to 30 minutes by car.
• 💰 Price level: $$$ to $$$$. The three places below came to roughly $430 to $1,410 (around £320 to £1,055) per night when I searched for a weekend in March.
• 👮 Safety: A safe resort area. Swim at beaches with lifeguards, such as Poipu Beach Park, and never leave valuables on show in the hire car at the beaches.

Poipu is Kauai’s classic holiday area, and if you want sunshine, a pool and a beach within walking distance, this is where I’d stay. The south coast is sheltered from the moist trade winds, so you usually get more sun and less rain than on the north coast, especially in winter. The centrepiece is Poipu Beach Park, where a shallow pool behind the reef is ideal for children, and where sea turtles and Hawaiian monk seals often haul out to rest on the sand.

The monk seal is an endangered species, and according to NOAA there are only around 1,600 left. Keep at least 15 metres away and respect the cordons around the seals. A little west of the beach, the sea shoots up through the lava rock at Spouting Horn, and nearby is Allerton Garden, which you can only enter on a guided tour booked in advance from the visitor centre in Lawai.

See hotels in Poipu here.

I’d choose Poipu for a honeymoon, a family holiday with plenty of pool time, or a week when you mostly want to relax. Old Koloa Town, just inland, has places to eat and small shops in wooden buildings from the sugar era, and it’s under half an hour to the airport, so you don’t waste your holiday in the car on the first and last day.

The downside is the price. Poipu and Princeville are the most expensive areas on the island, and food at the resorts costs the same as in a big American city. Several of the condo complexes are older and, according to guests, in need of a refresh, and it’s around two hours by car to Ke’e Beach on the north coast, where the Na Pali Coast begins. If you want to both sunbathe and hike on the north coast, split your stay in two.

Hotels in Poipu

Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa - large luxury resort with a saltwater pool and waterslide

The Grand Hyatt sits on the seafront at the eastern end of Poipu, about 1.5 km from Poipu Beach Park. The resort has several saltwater pools, a waterslide, a kids’ club, a spa and several restaurants, and guests give it top marks. It’s the most expensive hotel in this guide, and one guest complains that room service took two hours to bring dinner.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The pools are the most wonderful I’ve ever swum in. Magical, relaxing and fun.”

See photos and book the Grand Hyatt Kauai here.

Kiahuna Plantation Resort Kauai by OUTRIGGER - apartments in a large garden right by the beach

Kiahuna Plantation is a beachfront apartment complex on Poipu Road, less than a kilometre from Poipu Beach Park. The apartments are set in a large, green garden with barbecues, a tennis court and free parking, and there are restaurants right by the complex. Several guests write that the apartments are worn and in need of renovation, so choose a newly refurbished one if that matters to you.

From a review: “Fantastic location, lovely rooms, friendly staff, and two of the island’s well-known restaurants are at the hotel.”

See photos and book Kiahuna Plantation here.

Poipu Plantation Vacation Rentals - simple apartments with air conditioning and free parking

Poipu Plantation is on Pe’e Road, just under a kilometre east of Poipu Beach Park, and has apartments with air conditioning, a garden, barbecues and free parking. It was the cheapest of my three suggestions in Poipu when I searched, and you can walk to the beach. There’s no pool, and one guest writes that the apartment was clean but worn.

One guest highlights: “The location suited our needs perfectly. Plenty of parking and lots of space for two people.”

See photos and book Poipu Plantation here.

2. Princeville & Hanalei - best area for nature and the Na Pali Coast 🌿

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Princeville is on the north shore, about 50 km north of Lihue. Hanalei is a few minutes’ drive west of Princeville, and from there it’s about 13 km to Ke’e Beach at the end of the road.
• 🚗 Transport: Hire car. The road towards Hanalei and Ha’ena crosses several narrow one-lane bridges that only fit one car at a time, so take it slowly.
• ✈️ Time from Lihue Airport: About 50 minutes to an hour by car, longer when there’s traffic through Kapa’a.
• 💰 Price level: $$ to $$$$. The three places below cost about $290 to $1,320 (around £215 to £990) per night when I searched for a weekend in March.
• 👮 Safety: In winter, the waves on the north shore can be deadly. Stay away from the Queen’s Bath rock pool and other lava ledges when the sea is rough, and only swim at calm beaches.

The north shore is the Kauai you’ve seen on postcards: green mountains with waterfalls, taro fields in Hanalei Valley and Hanalei Bay with its old pier from 1892. Princeville is a planned resort area on the cliffs east of the bay, with golf courses, condo complexes and the island’s most luxurious hotel, while Hanalei is a small surf town with places to eat, galleries and food trucks. Hanalei has almost nothing but holiday homes, so most people stay in Princeville and drive the five minutes down to town.

From here you’re closest to the Na Pali Coast. Ke’e Beach and the start of the Kalalau Trail are in Ha’ena State Park, where visitors who don’t live in Hawaii must book entry for $5 (around £4) per person and parking for $10 (around £7.50). Reservations open 30 days ahead and sell out quickly, so book as soon as you know your date. If the parking has gone, you can take a shuttle bus from Hanalei with entry included.

See hotels in Princeville and Hanalei here.

I’d stay here if you’re coming to hike, snorkel in summer and watch the sunset over Hanalei Bay. Anini Beach, between Princeville and Kilauea, is protected by a long reef and is one of the calmest swimming spots on the coast. The lighthouse at Kilauea Point is in a nature reserve with seabirds and, in winter, whales, and you need to book a ticket in advance.

The downsides are the weather and the distance. The north shore is the wettest part of the island, and from November to March you can get several days in a row of rain and big waves. It’s also a long way to Waimea Canyon, so if you’re only booking one hotel for the whole trip, Princeville is a poor choice for the west coast.

Hotels in Princeville & Hanalei

1 Hotel Hanalei Bay - five-star resort on the cliff above Hanalei Bay

1 Hotel Hanalei Bay is a five-star resort on the bluff at the western end of Princeville, with views over the bay and the mountains behind Hanalei. There’s a spa with a sauna and steam room, a heated pool with a pool bar and a kids’ club, and the beach is right below the hotel. Prices are high, and one guest felt the pool area was very crowded.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “A truly unreal location and setting. The view is incredible.”

See photos and book 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay here.

The Cliffs at Princeville - spacious apartments on the clifftop with sea views

The Cliffs is on Edward Road in the northern part of Princeville, where the apartments look out over the ocean. There’s a heated pool with a children’s pool, tennis courts, mini golf and a playground, and the apartments have kitchens, so you can save on eating out. One guest found the morning receptionist a bit cool, while the evening staff gave good tips on places to eat.

From one review: “Beautiful location with ocean views. The apartments were very well equipped.”

See photos and book The Cliffs at Princeville here.

Makai Club Resort - apartment hotel by the golf course at a reasonable price

Makai Club Resort sits by the Makai golf course in the middle of Princeville, with a pool, hot tub, barbecue and free parking. It was the cheapest of my three north shore suggestions when I searched, and its Booking.com score is high. You’re not on the water, and one guest missed having cutlery in the apartment, so ask what the kitchen includes if you plan to cook.

One guest highlights: “The hotel grounds are beautiful and well kept.”

See photos and book Makai Club Resort here.

3. Kapa’a & Wailua - best area for a central, cheaper base 🥥

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Kapa’a is on the east coast, about 15 km north of Lihue. Wailua and Waipouli continue on from the town to the south, and the hotels are spread out along Kuhio Highway.
• 🚗 Getting around: A hire car for trips around the island. Along the coast, you can walk or cycle the Ke Ala Hele Makalae path.
• ✈️ Time from Lihue Airport: About 15 to 25 minutes by car, depending on traffic.
• 💰 Price level: $$ to $$$. The three hotels below cost about $240 to $570 (around £180 to £425) per night when I searched for a weekend in March.
• 👮 Safety: Safe, but the sea on the east coast can be rough with strong currents. Only swim at sheltered beaches and keep an eye on the signs.

Kapa’a is Kauai’s largest town and the most practical base if you want to see both the north and the south from the same hotel. In my guide to where to stay in Hawaii, I’ve included three hotels at Coconut Marketplace, so here I’ve picked three others in Kapa’a itself and in Waipouli just to the south. The town has a small main street with wooden buildings, cafés, shave ice and food trucks, and it feels more local than the resort areas.

The Ke Ala Hele Makalae path runs along the sea, and you can walk or cycle it from Kapa’a north past Kealia Beach. You can hire bikes in town, and in the mornings the path is full of locals out running. Behind the town rises Nounou, known as the Sleeping Giant, with a short, steep hiking trail and views over the whole east coast.

See hotels in Kapa’a and Wailua here.

I’d choose Kapa’a if you have a week or more and plan to use the car, as it’s the same distance to Princeville and Poipu. The Wailua River south of town is popular for kayaking, and a guided kayak and hiking tour to Secret Falls costs from about $119 (around £90) per person.

The downsides are the traffic and the beaches. Kuhio Highway through Kapa’a is the island’s bottleneck, and at rush hour it can take a long time to get through. Many of the beaches are better for looking at than swimming from, and you won’t get the resort feel of Poipu. On the other hand, the hotels here are usually cheaper than in Poipu and Princeville, and you have supermarkets and places to eat at normal prices.

Hotels in Kapa’a & Wailua

Waipouli Beach Resort and Spa Kauai by OUTRIGGER - apartment resort with a saltwater pool and waterslide

Waipouli Beach Resort sits on the beach in Waipouli between Kapa’a and Wailua and is the most comfortable choice on this stretch of coast. The apartments have kitchens, and there’s a large saltwater pool with a waterslide, a spa, a gym and free parking. Cleaning only happens at check-out, so you’ll need to keep the apartment tidy yourself during your stay.

One guest writes briefly on Booking.com: “Fantastic. Highly recommended.”

See photos and book Waipouli Beach Resort here.

Hotel Coral Reef - older beachfront hotel in the middle of Kapa’a

Hotel Coral Reef is on the waterfront in the southern part of Kapa’a, so you can walk to the town’s restaurants and the coastal path. There’s a pool, a lift, free parking and soundproofed rooms. The building is older, which is also why the price is lower than at most other beachfront hotels.

From a review: “All the staff are friendly, helpful and efficient. They made us feel very welcome.”

See photos and book Hotel Coral Reef here.

THE ISO HOTEL, Trademark Collection by Wyndham - cheapest beachfront hotel on the east coast

The ISO is on the beach in Waipouli, right next to Waipouli Beach Resort, and has a pool, restaurant, bar and free parking. It was the cheapest of my three suggestions here when I searched, and it has over 1,200 reviews. Its score is a little lower than the other two, and one guest writes that the beach in front of the hotel is better for looking at than swimming from.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “We chose the hotel to celebrate our anniversary, and it turned out to be the perfect getaway.”

See photos and book THE ISO HOTEL here.

4. Lihue & Kalapaki Bay - best area for short stays and easy logistics ✈️

• 📍 Distance to the centre: You’re staying in Lihue, Kauai’s main town. Kalapaki Beach is by the harbour in Nawiliwili, around 3 km from the airport, and the town’s shops and museum are just a few minutes’ drive inland.
• 🚗 Transport: Hire car. The airport and the big rental companies are right next to town, so you can pick up the car on your way to the hotel.
• ✈️ Time from Lihue Airport: Around 5 to 10 minutes by car.
• 💰 Price level: $ to $$$. The three hotels below cost around $190 to $720 (roughly £140 to £540) per night when I searched for a weekend in March.
• 👮 Safety: Safe. It’s an ordinary town, so don’t leave valuables in the car, and choose a hotel at Kalapaki Bay rather than by the main roads if you want a holiday atmosphere.

Lihue isn’t the area you dream of when you think of Kauai, but it’s the most practical. Lihue Airport is just outside town, and it’s where almost every flight to the island lands. That makes Lihue a good choice for your first and last night if you land late or have an early flight, or if you only have two or three days on the island.

The best place to stay is Kalapaki Bay by the harbour in Nawiliwili. The bay is sheltered, so the water is usually calm enough for swimming and having a go at surfing, and the beach is surrounded by restaurants and shops. In town, Kauai Museum tells the story of the island’s history and the Hawaiian royal family, and admission costs $15 (around £11) for adults. The museum is closed on Sundays.

See hotels in Lihue and at Kalapaki Bay here.

Wailua Falls is only a quarter of an hour’s drive north of town, and the island’s sightseeing flights take off from the airport. A scenic flight over the Na Pali Coast and Waimea Canyon costs from around $155 (around £115) per person, and it’s the easiest way to see the parts of Na Pali you can’t drive to.

The downside is that Lihue is a working town with shopping centres, traffic and a harbour where cruise ships dock. Outside Kalapaki Bay you’ll be staying by the main roads, and there isn’t much going on in the evenings. On the other hand, you’ll find the island’s cheapest hotels here and the shortest trip to the airport, so I’d stay here for one or two nights.

Hotels in Lihue & Kalapaki Bay

The Royal Sonesta Kauai Resort Lihue - large resort right on Kalapaki Beach

Royal Sonesta sits right on Kalapaki Beach and has a large pool, a spa, several restaurants and a golf course right next door. The hotel runs a free airport shuttle, which is handy if you’re not picking up your hire car until the next day. One guest writes that the rooms aren’t cleaned every day, so ask at check-in how housekeeping works.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The place is fantastic.”

See photos and book Royal Sonesta Kauai here.

Banyan Harbor Resort - large apartments with kitchens close to Kalapaki Beach

Banyan Harbor is on Wilcox Road above the harbour in Nawiliwili, around 500 metres from Kalapaki Beach. The apartments are large and have kitchens, and there’s a heated saltwater pool, a tennis court and barbecues. Several guests write that the complex is old and in need of renovation, and wi-fi may cost extra.

About the apartment, one guest writes: “Our apartment was huge! It has everything we needed.”

See photos and book Banyan Harbor Resort here.

Kauai Palms Hotel - simple, cheap motel in the middle of Lihue

Kauai Palms is a small motel-style hotel on Kalena Street in the middle of Lihue, around 2 km from Kalapaki Beach and a few minutes from the airport. There’s free parking and family rooms, but no pool. It’s the cheapest hotel in this guide and works well for a single night before or after your flight, but the rooms are small.

One guest highlights on Booking.com: “I love the hotel’s retro vibe. So clean.”

See photos and book Kauai Palms Hotel here.

5. Waimea - best area for Waimea Canyon and the west coast ⛰️

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Waimea is on the west coast, about 37 km west of Lihue. From here, Waimea Canyon Drive climbs up to the canyon, and to the west you’ll find Kekaha and the long beach at Polihale.
• 🚗 Transport: A hire car is essential. The town is small, and everything you’re coming for is up in the mountains or along the coast.
• ✈️ Time from Lihue Airport: About 45 to 60 minutes by car.
• 💰 Price level: $$ to $$$. The two places below cost around $340 to $650 (roughly £255 to £485) per night when I searched for a weekend in March.
• 👮 Safety: Quiet and safe. The road up to the canyon is steep and winding, so drive in daylight and fill up with fuel in town before you head up.

Waimea is a small, dusty town on the dry west side, and this is where you should stay if Waimea Canyon is the main reason for your trip. The canyon is known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific and, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority, it’s about 22 km long and more than 1,000 metres deep. From Waimea you drive up Waimea Canyon Drive and reach the viewpoints before the day-trippers from Poipu and Kapa’a arrive.

Visitors who don’t live in Hawaii pay $5 (around £4) per person and $10 (around £7.50) for parking, and the ticket is also valid in Koke’e State Park further up. On clear days you can see all the way to the neighbouring island of Niihau from the canyon. Roads and viewpoints can be closed at times, so check the park’s website before you drive up. The town itself is historic, as it was at Waimea that Captain James Cook came ashore in 1778 as the first European in Hawaii.

See hotels in Waimea here.

The west coast is also the place for boat trips along the Na Pali Coast, as the boats leave from here or from Port Allen a little further east. A raft trip into the sea caves on the Na Pali Coast costs from about $225 (around £170) per person. On Fridays there’s an art night in the neighbouring town of Hanapepe, and Salt Pond Beach Park is a calm place for a swim.

The downside is the limited choice. Booking.com has only two proper hotels in Waimea, and few restaurants stay open in the evening. The north shore is around two hours away, so Waimea works best for two or three nights combined with another area. On the plus side, the evenings are quiet and prices are usually lower than in Poipu.

Hotels in Waimea

Waimea Plantation Cottages, a Coast Resort - old plantation cottages in a palm grove by the beach

Waimea Plantation Cottages is made up of old plantation houses with verandas, scattered through a coconut palm grove right by the beach at the western end of town. There’s a pool, restaurant, bar, barbecue and free parking. It’s a place with character rather than luxury, and one guest writes that some of the appliances are old and ought to be replaced.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The staff were very helpful … they did everything to make sure we had the best possible stay.”

See photos and book Waimea Plantation Cottages here.

The West Inn Kauai - simple, clean hotel in the middle of Waimea

The West Inn is on the main road in the middle of Waimea, about 500 metres from Plantation Cottages, and has air conditioning, a barbecue and free parking. It’s a simple hotel without a pool, but guests give it a high score for cleanliness. The cockerels on the west coast crow early, so bring earplugs.

From a review: “The place was clean and had everything you need.”

See photos and book The West Inn Kauai here.

Where not to stay on Kauai?

I wouldn’t book a hotel on price alone without looking at the map. There’s no road around the Na Pali Coast, so it’s about two hours by car from Princeville to Waimea without traffic, and a cheap hotel at the wrong end of the island can quickly cost you a whole day of your holiday. Also avoid staying on the north shore from November to March if sunshine and swimming are your priority, as that’s the wettest season with the biggest waves.

In Lihue I’d avoid the motels along the main roads if you’re staying more than one night, and out in the far west, Kekaha and Polihale are too remote for a first trip. Holiday homes in Hanalei and Ha’ena can be a dream, but check that the owner has a permit for short-term rentals before you pay.

If you have a week, I’d split your stay in two: three nights in Princeville for Na Pali and Hanalei, and four nights in Poipu for sun and beaches, with a day trip to Waimea Canyon from the south coast. If you only want one hotel, choose Kapa’a, and if you’re travelling with children, the apartments in Poipu give you the most space for your money. Waimea is for those who want to hike and see the west coast, and Lihue is for your first and last night.

The car is the most important thing to book after the hotel, because without it you won’t get anywhere. Find a hire car in Lihue here, and book well ahead, as cars can sell out in high season. If you’re combining Kauai with one of the other islands, see my guide to where to stay in the USA, and if you’re coming via the West Coast, I also have a guide to where to stay in Los Angeles. Remember travel insurance that covers illness in the USA too, as medical bills are expensive over there.

Travel ressources & websites I use all the time 👇

• Booking.com has the best offers on hotels and unique places to stay
• GetYourGuide is the best place to book tours & activities with free cancellation
• Welcome Pickups is the best & safest place to pre-book airport transfers

Psst 👀 Have you subscribed to my Youtube channel and my Instagram where I provide more useful travel tips?