Where to Stay on Kauai: Best Hotels and Areas by Season
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You’ve decided to take a trip to Kauai, the Garden Isle, and enjoy the lushest of the major Hawaiian islands. While a trip to Kauai is a great decision, deciding where to stay on Kauai can get a little tricky. The weather, beaches, and accommodations vary greatly from side to side.
There are four distinct areas of Kauai to choose from on your stay:
- The North Shore: lush, but rainy, you’ll find a mix of small inns and large resorts with water that is calm in the summer but fierce in the winter.
- The East Shore: conveniently located between the north and south, you’ll find more budget-friendly hotels.
- The South Shore: sunny and dry for most of the year, you’ll find big resorts and stunning beaches.
- The West Shore: the best spot for the outdoor enthusiast, you’ll find mostly tiny towns and small inns.
Ready to figure out where to stay on Kauai for your vacation? Here’s our guide to help you decide.
Want to get right to the recommendations? These our our top picks:
North shore: we stay here in the summer and usually opt for a vacation rental like the ones at the Villas of Kamali’i at Princeville.
South shore: we stay here in the winter and you’ll find us at either the Koloa Landing Resort or Kiahuna Plantation.
East side: our top pick is the vacation rentals at Waipouli Beach Resort because of their excellent pool!
West side: we don’t stay out here because it’s a little more remote, but if we did we’d stay at the Waimea Plantation Cottages.
And our full FREE Kauai guide has pretty much everything else you need for your trip: what to do, how to a deal on a rental car, and more!
Where to Stay on Kauai
Choosing a location comes down to the type of vacation you want. Do you want to enjoy a large resort and beautiful weather, no matter what time of year you visit? Or are you ready for more outdoor adventures? Or, do you want to be close to your favorite items on our 35 Best Things to Do on Kauai?
Kauai Weather and Ocean Conditions
Hawaii has two seasons — summer and winter. Summer runs from May to October and winter runs from November through April. Depending on when you go, weather could play a very important role in your planning. Before you decide where to stay on Kauai, make sure you understand the weather, ocean conditions and geography.
Kauai has two sides: a leeward side and a windward side. The leeward side of the island is the drier side. Here you’ll find less rain and usually less intense waves. The leeward side of the island includes the south shore (Poipu) and the west side (Waimea).
The south shore can get some summer swells that make ocean conditions rough, but this is where you have the best bet for finding calm conditions year round.
Safety note! The Pacific Ocean is always strong and fierce so exercise caution, check conditions and lifeguard flags, and if in doubt, don’t go out.
The windward side is rainier and lush. It is beautiful, but you should definitely expect some rain showers, even in the summer months. But that rain is what makes it so beautiful up there! The windward side includes the north shore areas of Princevill and Hanalei as well as the east side of Kapa’a.
In the winter, the ocean conditions are extremely rough and swimming in the ocean isn’t possible. But in the summer things are usually beautifully calm and you can find some of the best beaches on the entire island up on the north shore!
Our where to Stay on Kauai video gives you all of this important information and a look at what each are of the island looks like:
Where to Stay on Kauai’s North Shore: Princeville and Hanalei
The North Shore of Kauai is simply stunning. From the lush landscape to the crescent-shaped beach in Hanalei, the North Shore looks exactly like what you’d expect from the island where so much of Jurrasic Park was filmed.
When choosing your location on the North Shore, you have two main options: Princeville and Hanalei.
Princeville sits high upon a cliff overlooking the ocean and has numerous housing communities, vacation rental options, and resorts. There is no downtown, but you’ll find most of what you need at the Princeville shopping center. Beach access can be a bit tricky with young kids as most beaches involve a steep walk down the bluff.
Hanalei is a quick 10-minute drive from Princeville, but you’ll feel as though you’re in a different world. A charming downtown welcomes visitors and Hanalei bay stretches for nearly two miles, making a beach day easy with kids (during the summer). There are plenty of options for food and outdoor activities, but the town lacks large resorts. You’ll find a few charming inns, but not many other options for accommodations.
Why stay on the North Shore of Kauai? A charming town, outdoor adventures, and lush landscape.
Why skip the North Shore of Kauai? A bigger chance of rain and rough oceans in the winter.
Is the North Shore calling your name? These are some of our favorite accommodation options.
North Shore Kauai Activities:
While Kauai isn’t a large island and you can travel from the north shore to the south shore in just over an hour, it’s still nice to pick a location based on what activities most interest you for your trip. That way you’re not spending your precious vacation time in the car each day.
Some of our favorite north shore activities include:
- Ke’e Beach and Ha’ena State Park: drive to the end of the road on the north shore and experience the beautiful Ke’e Beach and Ha’ena State Park. This is also where the Kalalau Trail begins. Reservations are required (and can be difficult to get!) so plan ahead.
- Swim in Hanalei Bay: visit charming Hanalei town and then cool off with a summer swim in Hanalei Bay.
- Farm to Table Dinner: spend an evening eating all locally sourced food, where most of the food is grown and harvested on site. It’s a beautiful evening!
Related read: Find even more to do in Hanalei.
Hotels and Vacation Rentals on North Shore Kauai
Where to stay on Kauai’s north shore? These are some great options:
The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas
One and two-bedroom villa options are available at this resort perched atop a bluff overlooking the ocean. Enjoy the amenities of a big resort, including four pools and farm-to-table resort dining. It is dated and not as luxurious as the hotels on the south shore, so be prepared for a step down in service. Click to book a room!
1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
Debuting in early 2022, this hotel was worth the wait. Formerly the Princeville Resort, new management has completed a massive renovation to turn it into a wellness destination. Book the 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay.
Hanalei Colony Resort
This low-key resort offers a casual, ocean-front option just outside of Hanalei. Rather than just getting a hotel room, you’ll get a full condo, but there are some amenities missing. You won’t find TVs, phones, or stereos in the rooms as the hotel aspires to help you truly “unplug.” Book a room at the Hanalei Colony Resort.
Villas of Kamali’i at Princeville
Princeville has a lot of vacation rental options and this villa option is great for a larger group of people. Two to three bedroom villas sleep six to eight people, with plenty of room to stretch out. Plus plenty of lanais so everyone can relax inside or out. Read more about the Villas of Kamali’i at Princeville.
Get The Kauai Itinerary
The step-by-step itinerary takes you to all the best beaches, snorkeling spots, restaurants, and sights. You’ll get six carefully planned excursion days to help you see the can’t miss stops no matter how limited your time is.
Get all the details on our itinerary and download it for a memorable and easily planned trip to Kauai.
Where to Stay on Kauai’s South Shore
If you’re heading to the South Shore, you’re not alone. This is one of the most popular areas with tourists, thanks to its mostly sunny weather and beautiful beaches (specifically, Poipu). You’ll find a number of resorts and vacation rentals here to choose from.
On the south shore you have the beach area called Poipu with plenty of hotels, vacation rentals, shopping and dining. And you have the historic Koloa Town, with few options for staying but it’s a great place to visit. Driving between Poipu and Koloa Town is a mere 15 minutes, but they do feel worlds apart.
Why stay on the South Shore of Kauai? Big resorts, sunny weather, and easy access to the west side (hiking and boat tours).
Why skip the South Shore of Kauai? If you’d like a more unplugged experience, you won’t find it here.
Things to do on Kauai’s South Shore:
Some of the things we love to do in and around Poipu:
- Hike the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail: the trail begins near shipwreck beach and ends at a cave and it’s a beautiful hike along the rugged coastline.
- Take a tour of the Napali Coast: most of the Napali Coast boat tours leave from Port Allen, just a 20 minute drive from Poipu, which makes Poipu a very convenient place to stay.
- Enjoy the day at Poipu Beach: named Dr. Beach’s best beach, this crescent shaped beach is famous thanks to its beauty as well as its visitors: you’ll often find Hawaiian Monk Seals and green sea turtles lazing on the shore.
- Take an inner tube ride down an irrigation canal: such a fun activity that nearly everyone can do, this is a way to get off the beaten path without really getting off the beaten path.
- Swing by spouting horn: as you’re driving around Poipu, take a stop at Spouting Horn, a blowhole across the street from Allerton Botanical Garden.
- Sunset at the Beach House: one of our favorite ways to spend an evening is watching the sunset from The Beach House restaurant, overlooking Lawa’i beach.
Related read: Check out more things to do in Poipu!
Hotels and Vacation Rentals on South Shore Kauai
Where to stay on Kauai’s south shore? On the South Shore, you’ll find Poipu, with a number of hotels available, Old Koloa Town, and Lawai.
Koloa Landing Resort
If we’re on Kauai, you can probably find us staying here. This is our favorite resort in Poipu thanks to the pool and the villa room options. We brought grandparents with us on the last trip and the two bedroom villa was the perfect size for us. We love taking the shuttle from the hotel to the Shops at Kukuiula for shopping and dinner. The only drawback is that it’s not right on the beach but we love the size and amenities the Koloa Landing Resort offers. Check out our full review on the Koloa Landing resort — we think it’s definitely one of the best places to stay on Kauai.
Sheraton Kauai
There are two Sheraton properties on Kauai — one on the East Shore and this one on the South. Stay at the Sheraton Poipu and you’re staying on one of the best beaches on the island. The pool here might get a little crowded and the rooms can leave a lot to be desired, but you’re just steps from the beach. In the evenings you can enjoy the firepits or the chairs set up to watch the sunset.
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa
Located near Shipwreck Beach, the Grand Hyatt offers a traditional big resort experience on the South Shore. The beach isn’t great for young kids (the break can be strong and close to shore), but there is a great hike (the Mahaulepu Heritage Trail) and you’re just down the road from some great family-friendly beaches. Plus, their lagoon is great for kids!
This is one of our favorite hotels in Hawaii to book with points and miles.
These Poipu Resorts made our 7 Best Resorts on Kauai list.
Kiahuna Plantation Resort
Laid back condos in low density, two story buildings are spread throughout the 35 acre oceanfront resort. This place feels like laid back island living at it’s best, with plenty of green space to roam, beautiful plumeria trees to enjoy, and one of the best beaches just steps from your door. Check out more at the Kiahuna Plantation Resort.
The Villas at Poipu Kai
If you’re traveling to Kauai with a large group, this is the place to stay. You can book one to five-bedroom villas, which come with full kitchens and private lanais. The resort offers eight tennis courts, a gym, on-site dining, and a pool. The resort is located near Brennecke’s beach and is a short walk to the other nearby beaches, like Poipu, which is great for kids.
Where to Stay on Kauai’s East Side
Welcome to the East Side, or, the Coconut Coast, named after the coconut palms that dot the resorts. Staying here, you’ll be in a central location, nearby the airport in Lihue, the South Shore and the North Shore. You’ll also have the chance to see waterfalls up close without a long hike and enjoy the golden sand beaches.
The East Side is the most densely populated, but it also has a large selection of hotels. For anyone traveling with their budget in mind, you’ll find the most affordable hotels in this region.
Why stay on the east side of Kauai? Centrally located with tons of budget-friendly accommodation options.
Why skip the east side of Kauai? The beaches are a bit more crowded and you’re more in the center of it all.
Some of the things we love doing on the East side of Kauai include:
- Kayak in the Wailua River: the only navigable river in the state of Hawaii, this is a fun place to kayak and also take a hike on one of the hiking trails to a waterfall. You can DIY this activity but we loved taking a tour.
- Hit up the food trucks in Kapa’a: if you’re a food truck fan you’ll find plenty of options on the east side. Kapa’a has a number of different food truck parks to choose from.
- Attend a luau: There are a few luaus on Kauai that we think are the best, and the Smith Family Garden Luau near Kapa’a is on that list.
Check out more things to do on the east side of Kauai in Kapa’a and Lihue.
Hotels and Vacation Rentals on Kauai’s East Side
Where to stay on Kauai’s East side? These are options we like:
Waipouli Beach Resort
This is hands down our favorite recommendation on the East side of Kauai. This beachside resort of vacation rentals is easy to get to and easy to adventure from – though pool lovers might find it hard to leave. The two-acre complex is a standout with features including two waterslides, a waterfall, a sandy children’s “beach”, and a poolside restaurant and bar. An ocean beach that is great for lounging (and so-so for swimming) is just beyond the pool, along with a lovely walking path.
Check out our review and the units at the Waipouli Beach Resort.
Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach
Stay on an old 10-acre coconut grove, located directly on the ocean. The Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach‘s central location means you’ll be within walking distance to both restaurants and hotels. Plus, enjoy a heated pool in the winter, complete with a lovely pool bar.
Hilton Garden Inn Wailua Bay
South of Kapaa town, you’ll find this hotel within walking distance to both Lydgate Park and Wailua Bay. In addition to the standard rooms, if you need a little more space to spread out, you can book one of their cottages.
Marriott’s Kauai Lagoons
Enjoy two and three-bedroom villas at this ocean-front resort, which gives you plenty of room to spread out and enjoy. A fitness center, two pools, and ocean views greet you at this full-service resort.
Where to Stay on Kauai’s West Side
If you really want to get away from it all, this is the place to stay. The West Side is remote — so remote that much of it is only accessible by boat or by hiking in. This is the dryer side of the island, where you’ll find Waimea Canyon for incredible hiking. If you do a boat tour of the Na Pali Coast, your boat will be leaving from this side of the island.
Why stay on the west side of Kauai? You’re here to hike and boat and get away from it all.
Why skip the west side of Kauai? Limited accommodation options and it’s remote, making it harder to explore other areas.
Things to do on Kauai’s west side:
- Hike in Waimea Canyon: While there are fewer things to do over on Kauai’s west side, it has a huge draw: Waimea Canyon. There are plenty of hiking trails, but take caution. Things can be very slippery and dangerous, especially after it rains.
- Visit Koke’e State Park: if you’re heading to the west side, don’t forget to make the drive to Koke’e State Park and the Kalalau Lookout. On a clear day the views you get of the Napali Coast are outstanding.
- Walk Hanapepe’s Swinging bridge: while not worth going out of the way for, if you’re driving past Hanapepe, take a detour to walk on the famous swinging bridge.
Hotels on Kauai’s West Side
Where to stay on Kauai’s west side? Your choices for resorts here are pretty limited, but this is a good option to fit what you’re looking for:
Waimea Plantation Cottages
Located on the edge of downtown Waimea, these early 1900’s style plantation cottages are set on a picturesque and sprawling property. The cottages come with multiple bedrooms, fully stocked kitchens, and are a short walk to a quiet, private beach. This resort is peaceful and quiet.
Where to Stay on Kauai? FAQs to Help You Decide
Still not sure what side of the island is best for your trip? These FAQs may just help you figure it out:
Which Side of Kauai is Best?
That depends on what you’re looking for. Each side of Kauai offers something different and you should choose based on what will make your vacation the best. Here’s a quick summary to help you decide:
- Want access to outdoor adventures and a cute town? Head north.
- Are big resorts calling your name? Head south.
- Want the best bang for your buck? That’s going to be the east side.
- Rugged adventurer, that loves to hike? See you on the west side.
When is the Best Time to Visit Kauai?
Kauai is probably one of the trickier islands to pick your timing for a visit as the Garden Isle gets a lot of rain and strong currents during the winter months. For some, the tropical rainfall can be a big damper on a vacation.
The best time to visit Kauai is May, August, September, and October. Thanks to lower hotel rates, less rain, and fewer people, these are the optimal months in Kauai to visit.
Read more on the best time to visit Kauai.
Which Side of Kauai has the Best Beaches?
Kauai has gorgeous beaches, but the trick to finding the best beaches depends on the season.
In the summer, the north shore has calmer waters. You can swim in Hanalei bay or Tunnels beach without worry. But the south shore has slightly rougher waves during the summer, though usually still swimmable.
In the winter, the beaches are completely different. The south shore has calm waters, great for swimming and snorkeling. But you’ll want to stay out of the water on the north shore, which has huge ocean swells, rough waves, and a lot of rain. See our 7 Best Beaches on Kauai in the Winter for all the best!
Which Side of Kauai Gets More Rain?
The North Shore of Kauai gets the most rain on the island. According to data, Hanalei on the north shore gets an average of 239 mm (9.4 inches) of rain in December. Poipu, on the south shore, gets an average of 131 mm (5.2 inches) of rain in December.
If you’re planning a trip to Kauai, you might also want to read:
Maui vs Kauai: Pick the perfect island for your honeymoon
What is the best Hawaiian Island for kids?
The best honeymoon itinerary
What to Pack for a Kauai Vacation
Now that you know where to stay, finish your planning with our Kauai Wayfinder Itinerary!
Get The Kauai Itinerary
The step-by-step itinerary takes you to all the best beaches, snorkeling spots, restaurants, and sights. You’ll get six carefully planned excursion days to help you see the can’t miss stops no matter how limited your time is.
Get all the details on our itinerary and download it for a memorable and easily planned trip to Kauai.