14 Best Hotels in Kauai, Hawaii

Dramatically handsome, Kauai's best megaresort is this classic Hawaiian low-rise built into the cliffs overlooking an unspoiled coastline; it boasts mouthwatering restaurants and has taken great strides to reduce its carbon footprint. Five acres of meandering fresh- and saltwater swimming lagoons with a decent-size waterslide—a big hit with kids—are beautifully set amid lush landscaping. Adults enjoy golf, treatments at the luxurious Anara Spa, or workouts at the well-appointed gym. Breakfast packages are available. The business center here is open to all, not only guests.

Originally built in the early 1900s, these relocated and refurbished one- to five-bedroom sugar-plantation workers' cottages are tucked in a coconut grove along a lovely walkable stretch of beach on the sunny West Side. Swimming waters here are often murky, but morning and evening strolls on the black sand are special. Cozy homes of different sizes feature porches, plantation-era furnishings, full modern kitchens, Wi-Fi, and cable TV. Guests can use the swimming pool, barbecue grills, bocce court, and hammocks on the grounds, and eat on the wraparound porch of the family-style restaurant. This could be an excellent choice for informal destination weddings or family reunions. Waimea Town has limited shops and eateries, but it's close to Waimea Canyon and Kokee State Parks.

This swanky sustainable wellness resort—formerly the St. Regis Princeville—offers expansive views of the sea and mountains, including Makana, the landmark peak immortalized as mysterious "Bali Hai" in the film South Pacific. The reopening follows a $300 million overhaul that includes seven food venues, the Bamford Wellness Spa, a 1X Vitahealth Medi Spa program, a gym and fitness classes, on-site rooftop organic garden and apiary, a golf course, three saline pools (one adult-only), and kids' club. The overall design blends well with the natural setting of Hanalei Bay and honors the region's Native Hawaiian culture and history. The spacious guest rooms, many with private lanai, range from garden rooms to lavish suites with ocean views, all with furnishings made from recycled teak and local artworks; the neutral-hue decor uses textures and materials that evoke the natural world. 

Fronting an uncrowded stretch of beach, this three-story, primarily time-share condo resort is convenient and a bit more upscale than nearby properties. It's one of the better resort properties along this stretch of the Coconut Coast. The fully furnished one- and two-bedroom condo units, each with a private lanai, washer-dryer, and well-equipped kitchen, are housed in three buildings. They are decorated in rich woods, tropical prints, and Hawaiian-quilt designs. The 8-acre property looks out on the ocean and offers a heated pool with natural rock waterscapes, a day spa, a children's pool, an ocean-side hot tub, pool bar, and fitness center. It's within walking distance of shops and home to the excellent Hukilau Lanai restaurant.

This boutique property offers a stylish high-end experience without the bustle of many larger resorts, making it a great place to forget it all while receiving an outdoor massage or lounging by the pool. A resort-wide renovation in 2022 ushered in a garden-inspired color palette and works by Hawaii artists. The oceanfront rooms have gorgeous views of the surfers at Waiohai Beach, and the Red Salt restaurant is top-notch for breakfast or dinner.  Other resorts, restaurants, and beaches are within easy walking distance.

The Sheraton is a sprawling resort with lodging that offers views of the ocean or lovely landscaped gardens; it's worth splurging on the ocean-wing hotel rooms, which are so close to the water you can practically feel the spray of the surf as it hits the rocks below. By day, the real fun comes from renting a cabana, complete with a love seat, lounge chairs, side tables, a TV, and a ceiling fan; by night, relax under the stars by one of the firepits. RumFire restaurant on the point has panoramic ocean views, there's an oceanfront luau twice a week, and Lava's by the beach has daily specials and desserts brought in from Ko Bakery. Villa units have kitchenettes and laundry machines, and are within walking distance of many restaurants and shops.

The nicest feature of this three-story condominium resort overlooking Hanalei Bay is its upper-level pool with authentic lava-rock waterfalls, an open-air hot tub, and a kid-friendly sand beach. The buildings angle down the cliffs, making for some steep walking paths. Units are spacious, with high sloping ceilings and large private lanai. Rattan furniture and island art add a casual feeling to rooms. Some units are managed by the resort and others by private owners. All units have kitchens, including the smaller studios. This is a good choice for tennis buffs, and the on-site Happy Talk Lounge is lively in the evening with music, bar food, and dining.

The only true beachfront resort on Kauai's North Shore, Hanalei Colony is a laid-back, go-barefoot kind of resort sandwiched between towering mountains and the sea. There's an emphasis on simplicity here, but Wi-Fi is available in every unit. Some units are 10 feet from the sand, and though it's a beautiful coastline, the ocean is normally too rough for swimming. Many of the units are individually owned and generally well maintained, with Hawaiian-style furnishings, full kitchens, and lanai. Amenities, such as cocktail receptions and cultural activities, vary from season to season. There's a new two-story garden pool complex, plus an art gallery, small day spa, and restaurant on-site.  The road leading to this resort can occasionally be closed due to flooding or road repair, causing delays and possibly blocking access to the airport, so plan accordingly.

A family-friendly option, this resort has incredible pools, an on-site spa, plenty of grassy play space, and apartment-style rooms with kitchen and laundry appliances and a bathroom for every bedroom. It's an easy walk to Kukuiula Shopping Village's boutiques, services, and eateries, including a spot with good shave ice. The seawall across from the property is a perfect spot for watching sunsets or the finish of the Kauai Marathon. The on-site convention space works well for corporate retreats, wedding receptions, and local fundraisers, to which hotel guests are often invited. 

The private Kukuiula development rents one- to four-bedroom luxury cottages and villas to nonmembers; all homes have spacious lanai with expansive views, high-end kitchens, and both indoor and outdoor showers. Guests who book through The Lodge have full access to amenities including The Clubhouse for complimentary continental breakfast, other dining, the spa and fitness complex, the pool, a 10-acre organic farm, and use of adventure outfitters. Sports facilities include courts for tennis, volleyball, basketball, and pickleball.

This plantation-style hotel provides a relaxing, upscale oceanfront experience close to the airport, but without the noise. The rooms are extremely comfortable with a casual tropical theme, and the oceanfront grounds are beautifully landscaped. Four pools with fun features like slides, sand bottoms, and waterfalls are a highlight, as are the torch-lighting ceremony and the reasonably good Naupaka Terrace Restaurant. The beach fronts a rocky ocean unsuitable for swimming, but it's perfect for a long stroll.

A $50 million refurbishment of guest rooms and common areas has refreshed this resort, whose sprawling property fronts the sandy shore of Kalapaki Bay and offers a lovely view of dramatic Haupu Ridge. The grounds are lush and lavish, with tropical gardens, waterfalls, Greek statues and columns, and an enormous 26,000-square-foot swimming pool. This resort is a one-stop destination, with dining, shopping, a spa, golf, tennis, fitness center, and water activities of all kinds on-site; other restaurants, resort amenities, and shops are nearby. Most rooms have expansive ocean views and some have separate sitting areas. Five-night stays are required in peak season, and housekeeping is weekly. A $30 parking fee has been imposed, but there is a convenient free shuttle to the airport for those who want to avoid renting a car. The resort is a comfortable and convenient for families and people seeking a lively resort experience.

One of the few true oceanfront properties on Kauai, this popular hotel sits on a ribbon of sand in Kapaa and has bright spacious rooms that face the ocean, garden, coconut grove, or pool. Rooms include a coffeemaker, free Wi-Fi, and HDTV, and there's a gift shop, fitness center, coffee shop, juice bar, and three restaurants on-site. Each oceanfront room has a large lanai. The 11-acre site has always been desirable, nestled as it is among ancient coconut groves and close to a coastal bike and walking path, shops, restaurants, and the ocean. Cultural activities include hula, lei-making, and a luau.

Spread out over 18½ acres on a bluff above Anini Beach, this Westin property marries the comforts of spacious condominium living with the top-notch service and amenities of a luxurious hotel resort. Studios and one- and two-bedroom units are offered—many of which have ocean views and lawn-facing lanai where nene, Hawaii's threatened state goose, amble by with their young—and there's a nice pool for children. From the tapa-inspired art in each villa's living room to the wood cutouts of Hawaii's state plant, taro, the place has a relaxing ambience with Hawaiian elements.