By the Where to Stay in Hawaii editorial team · Updated November 5, 2026
The Short Answer
Stay in Poʻipū on the south shore for the sunniest weather and the easiest swimming beaches; our pick is Ko'a Kea Resort, right on Poʻipū Beach. Stay on the north shore, in Princeville or Hanalei, for mountains, Hanalei Bay and the trailhead at Kēʻē Beach, but expect more rain and big winter surf.
Stay in Kapaʻa or Līhuʻe, on the east side, for more budget choices and a central base: from there, Poʻipū and Princeville are both day trips.
Kauaʻi's Areas Compared
| Area | Best for | From LIH | Downsides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poʻipū (south) | Sun, swimming beaches, families | 25–35 min | Still recovering from Hurricane Lowell |
| Princeville & Hanalei (north) | Scenery, hikes, Hāʻena | 45 min–1 hr | Rainier; winter surf; one road in |
| Kapaʻa (east) | Central base, value, coastal path | 15–25 min | Busier, built-up strip |
| Līhuʻe (east) | Short stays, airport access | 5–15 min | Town feel; few beaches besides Kalapakī |
Map of Kauaʻi Hotels
Poʻipū is on the south shore, Līhuʻe and Kapaʻa are on the east side, and Princeville, Hanalei and Hāʻena are on the north shore.
Map prices come from Booking.com and other partners through Stay22. Enter your dates on the map to see live rates.
Search all Kauaʻi stays →Poʻipū (South Shore)
Sunny beaches and family-friendly condos and resorts.
Ko'a Kea Resort on Po'ipū Beach
Poʻipū Beach, west end
Our top pick: a boutique resort right on Poʻipū Beach, on the sunny south shore.
Best for: Couples on the sunny south shore
- Direct access to Poʻipū Beach
- Red Salt restaurant and sushi bar
- Pool with daybeds and spa
More about this hotel
A boutique resort with direct access to Poʻipū Beach, a popular swimming and snorkeling beach, plus the Red Salt restaurant and a spa. Guests must be 21 to check in, though children can stay.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: E bailey, CC BY-SA 3.0
Kiahuna Plantation & Beach Bungalows by Castle
Kiahuna Beach, Poʻipū
Beachfront condos with kitchens and free parking in Poʻipū.
Best for: Families on a mid budget
- On Kiahuna Beach
- Full kitchen in every condo
- Pool with a waterslide
More about this hotel
Poʻipū's only beachfront condo resort, on Kiahuna Beach amid 35 acres of gardens. Every condo has a full kitchen, the pool has a waterslide, and parking is free.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0
Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu, Autograph Collection
Poʻipū Rd, near Kōloa Landing
Villas around a big three-level pool in Poʻipū, for families.
Best for: Families who want space
- Three-level pool with waterfalls and grottos
- Studios with kitchenettes; 1–3 bedroom villas
- Spa and Holoholo Grill
More about this hotel
Studios with kitchenettes and one- to three-bedroom villas around a three-level pool with waterfalls and swim-through grottos. It suits families who want apartment space; it is not on the beach.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0
Princeville and Hāʻena (North Shore)
Scenery and quiet, close to Hanalei Bay and Hāʻena State Park.
1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
Puʻu Poʻa point, Princeville, Princeville & Hanalei
The north shore's big luxury hotel, reopened after Hurricane Lowell.
Best for: North-shore splurges
- Views over Hanalei Bay
- Three heated pools and Bamford spa
- Seedlings kids' club
More about this hotel
The north shore's big luxury hotel, on Puʻu Poʻa point above Hanalei Bay, with three heated pools, the Bamford Wellness Spa and a kids' club. It reopened on September 28, 2026 after a brief closure for Hurricane Lowell.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0
Hanalei Colony Resort
Hāʻena, beachfront, Princeville & Hanalei
Beachfront suites with no TVs at Hāʻena, near the end of the road.
Best for: Unplugging
- Beachfront suites with kitchens
- No TVs or phones
- Pool, day spa and coffee house
More about this hotel
A beachfront resort at Hāʻena, past Hanalei, with suites that have kitchens and lanai but no TVs or phones. It reopened on October 15, 2026 and is still repairing some buildings after Hurricane Lowell.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Travis.Thurston, CC BY-SA 3.0
Kapaʻa and Līhuʻe (East Side)
Central bases, with the most budget choices on the island.
Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort
Coconut Coast, Kapaʻa, Līhuʻe & Kapaʻa
A modern beachfront resort in the middle of the east side.
Best for: A central Kauaʻi base
- On the sand
- Infinity pool and kids' splash pad
- Lūʻau on site
More about this hotel
A modern beachfront resort on the Coconut Coast, 10 to 15 minutes from Līhuʻe airport, with an infinity-edge pool, a kids' splash pad and a lūʻau. Its central location makes it easy to reach both Poʻipū and the north shore.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Bob Linsdell, CC BY 3.0
The Royal Sonesta Kaua'i Resort Lihue
Kalapakī Beach, Nāwiliwili, Līhuʻe & Kapaʻa
On sheltered Kalapakī Beach, about 2 miles from the airport.
Best for: Families and short stays
- Direct access to sheltered Kalapakī Beach
- Huge one-level pool
- 24-hour airport shuttle
More about this hotel
A large resort on sheltered Kalapakī Beach, about 2 miles from Līhuʻe airport, with what it calls the largest one-level pool in Hawaiʻi, and Duke's Kauai on site. It is open again after Hurricane Lowell and runs a 24-hour airport shuttle.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0
Timbers Kauai Ocean Club & Residences
Hōkūala, Līhuʻe, Līhuʻe & Kapaʻa
Two- to four-bedroom residences with kitchens at Hōkūala, near Līhuʻe.
Best for: Multigenerational families
- Two- to four-bedroom residences with full kitchens
- Two-tier infinity pool
- Hualani's farm-to-table restaurant
More about this hotel
Two- to four-bedroom residences with full kitchens, all angled toward the ocean, inside the Hōkūala resort near Līhuʻe. There is a two-tier infinity pool, a farm-to-table restaurant and a kids' room.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
The ISO Hotel, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
Kūhiō Hwy, Kapaʻa, Līhuʻe & Kapaʻa
An oceanfront boutique hotel in Kapaʻa, with the Bull Shed restaurant.
Best for: Couples on the east side
- Oceanfront pool
- Bull Shed Restaurant on site
- Rooms or one-bedroom units with kitchenettes
More about this hotel
An oceanfront boutique hotel in Kapaʻa, about 7 miles from Līhuʻe Airport, with hotel rooms, one-bedroom units with kitchenettes and a beach house. It has an oceanfront pool and the Bull Shed steakhouse.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Bob Linsdell, CC BY 3.0
Castle Kaha Lani
Wailua, next to Lydgate Park, Līhuʻe & Kapaʻa
Oceanfront condos with kitchens next to Lydgate Beach Park's sheltered pools.
Best for: Families with young kids
- Oceanfront condos with full kitchens
- Heated pool
- Free parking
More about this hotel
Oceanfront condos with full kitchens next to Lydgate Beach Park, whose rock-walled pools are among the calmest swimming spots on the east side. It has a heated pool and free parking, about 7 miles from Līhuʻe airport.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
Hotel Coral Reef Resort
Kapaʻa town, oceanfront, Līhuʻe & Kapaʻa
Oceanfront Kapaʻa rooms with no resort fee and free bikes for the coastal path.
Best for: Budget travelers who like to bike
- Oceanfront rooms with lanai
- Lagoon pool with waterfall
- No resort fee; free parking
More about this hotel
An oceanfront hotel in Kapaʻa town with a lagoon pool and free bikes for the coastal path that runs past the door. There is no resort fee and parking is free.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Travis.Thurston, CC BY-SA 3.0
Kauai Palms Hotel
Līhuʻe town, Līhuʻe & Kapaʻa
A plain budget base in Līhuʻe, with no resort or parking fees.
Best for: Budget travelers
- No resort, parking or cleaning fees
- Studios and cottages with kitchens
- Minutes from Līhuʻe airport
More about this hotel
A plain, well-priced base in Līhuʻe town, minutes from the airport, with studios and cottages that have kitchens. It charges no resort, parking or cleaning fees, but standard rooms have no air conditioning.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Kauaʻi Hotels at a Glance
Prices change by date and room type, so check your own dates on Booking.com before you decide.
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Ko'a Kea Resort on Po'ipū BeachPoʻipū Beach, west end · SplurgeCouples on the sunny south shoreCheck prices -
Kiahuna Plantation & Beach Bungalows by CastleKiahuna Beach, Poʻipū · Mid-rangeFamilies on a mid budgetCheck prices -
Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu, Autograph CollectionPoʻipū Rd, near Kōloa Landing · SplurgeFamilies who want spaceCheck prices -
1 Hotel Hanalei BayPuʻu Poʻa point, Princeville, Princeville & Hanalei · SplurgeNorth-shore splurgesCheck prices -
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Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach ResortCoconut Coast, Kapaʻa, Līhuʻe & Kapaʻa · Mid-rangeA central Kauaʻi baseCheck prices -
The Royal Sonesta Kaua'i Resort LihueKalapakī Beach, Nāwiliwili, Līhuʻe & Kapaʻa · Mid-rangeFamilies and short staysCheck prices -
Timbers Kauai Ocean Club & ResidencesHōkūala, Līhuʻe, Līhuʻe & Kapaʻa · SplurgeMultigenerational familiesCheck prices -
The ISO Hotel, Trademark Collection by WyndhamKūhiō Hwy, Kapaʻa, Līhuʻe & Kapaʻa · Mid-rangeCouples on the east sideCheck prices -
Hotel Coral Reef ResortKapaʻa town, oceanfront, Līhuʻe & Kapaʻa · BudgetBudget travelers who like to bikeCheck prices -
Castle Kaha LaniWailua, next to Lydgate Park, Līhuʻe & Kapaʻa · Mid-rangeFamilies with young kidsCheck prices -
| Hotel | Location | Price level | Best for | Prices | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Ko'a Kea Resort on Po'ipū Beach
Boutique beach resort
|
Poʻipū Beach, west end | Splurge | Couples on the sunny south shore | Check prices |
|
|
Kiahuna Plantation & Beach Bungalows by Castle
Beachfront condo resort
|
Kiahuna Beach, Poʻipū | Mid-range | Families on a mid budget | Check prices |
|
|
Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu, Autograph Collection
Villa resort
|
Poʻipū Rd, near Kōloa Landing | Splurge | Families who want space | Check prices |
|
|
1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
Luxury resort
|
Puʻu Poʻa point, Princeville, Princeville & Hanalei | Splurge | North-shore splurges | Check prices |
|
|
Hanalei Colony Resort
Beachfront suites
|
Hāʻena, beachfront, Princeville & Hanalei | Mid-range | Unplugging | Check prices |
|
|
Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort
Beachfront resort
|
Coconut Coast, Kapaʻa, Līhuʻe & Kapaʻa | Mid-range | A central Kauaʻi base | Check prices |
|
|
The Royal Sonesta Kaua'i Resort Lihue
Beachfront resort
|
Kalapakī Beach, Nāwiliwili, Līhuʻe & Kapaʻa | Mid-range | Families and short stays | Check prices |
|
|
Timbers Kauai Ocean Club & Residences
Luxury residences
|
Hōkūala, Līhuʻe, Līhuʻe & Kapaʻa | Splurge | Multigenerational families | Check prices |
|
|
The ISO Hotel, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
Oceanfront boutique hotel
|
Kūhiō Hwy, Kapaʻa, Līhuʻe & Kapaʻa | Mid-range | Couples on the east side | Check prices |
|
|
Hotel Coral Reef Resort
Oceanfront hotel
|
Kapaʻa town, oceanfront, Līhuʻe & Kapaʻa | Budget | Budget travelers who like to bike | Check prices |
|
|
Castle Kaha Lani
Oceanfront condos
|
Wailua, next to Lydgate Park, Līhuʻe & Kapaʻa | Mid-range | Families with young kids | Check prices |
|
|
Kauai Palms Hotel
Budget hotel
|
Līhuʻe town, Līhuʻe & Kapaʻa | Budget | Budget travelers | Check prices |
Hotel details checked on November 5, 2026.
Kauaʻi After Hurricane Lowell
Hurricane Lowell passed west of Kauaʻi and Niʻihau in early September 2026 as a Category 2 storm. The National Weather Service reported that large waves and storm surge swept away cars, homes and roads in the Poʻipū area, and flooding closed Kūhiō Highway near Hanalei and Wainiha. Later that month, rain from Hurricane Nolo flooded the Hanalei River bridge area and closed the highway again.
The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority says most accommodations, restaurants, shops, tours and activities are operating as usual. As of early November 2026:
- Hāʻena State Park reopened on October 15, 2026.
- Waimea Canyon Lookout reopened on October 24, 2026, but other lookouts are still closed, and Kōkeʻe Road is closed until further notice.
- All state park camping on Kauaʻi is closed.
Check openkauai.org and the state parks notices before you go, and ask your hotel what is open nearby.
Getting Around Kauaʻi
- From Līhuʻe Airport (LIH): 15–25 minutes to Kapaʻa, 25–35 minutes to Poʻipū and 45 minutes to an hour to Princeville.
- Hāʻena State Park: visitors need a reservation for entry or parking, released 30 days ahead, and a shuttle runs from Hanalei and Princeville. Book it before you plan a north shore day; our Princeville and Hanalei guide has details.
- No loop road: the north shore highway ends at Hāʻena and the west side road ends beyond Kekaha, so you can't drive around the island.
- You need a car. Buses are limited, and the beaches and trailheads are spread out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to help you choose where to stay.