Where to stay in Kauai: Best Hotels, VRBOs, and Areas

If you have your sights set on Kauai, you’re on the right track. After spending nine days in paradise, I can wholeheartedly say it is an incredible vacation destination, with jaw-dropping views, family-friendly activities, awesome snorkeling, and so many great places to stay.

As you’re looking at where to stay in Kauai, use this guide to help narrow down your perfect destination, or maybe pop around the island, experiencing the different regions and microclimates that make Kauai so unique.

I personally stayed on the south side, but visited almost the entire island over my trip. I hope this guide helps steer you in the right direction to make your trip as memorable as possible!

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Where to Stay in Kauai: Top Hotels, Airbnb, and VRBOs

Let’s dive into the three most popular places to stay in Kauai.

Best Places to Stay in Kauai – Poipu Area

The Poipu area is incredibly popular due to its warmer and drier climate on Kauai’s southern coast. It’s home to (insert well-known hotels). It’s also the namesake of famous Poipu Beach, with fantastic snorkeling and the ability to see sea turtles sunbathing.

This area is absolutely stunning, and we loved spending our nine days on this side of the island. (We did go up north twice.)

The Poipu area has a couple of shopping and eating hubs. There’s one in Poipu with more fancy dining, such as Merriman’s, and then 10 minutes north is the Old Koala area, which has food trucks, breweries, and plenty of other places to enjoy. I’d say the latter is more low-key and affordable.

Top Hotels in the Poipu Area:

Most hotels in the area are oceanfront, offering epic opportunities for sunsets, beach time, and soaking up the sun. They’re also expensive, so be ready for a little shock there.

• Grand Hyatt $$$$
• Sheraton Kauai $$$
• Aston at Poipu $$$
• Koloa Landing (Autograph Collection) $$$$
• Hilton Vacation Club $$$$

Find Tours and Activities in Kauai

Top VRBOs for Big Groups

We had 10 people in our group and stayed at a mind-blowing VRBO. If you have a large group (and are okay splurging some), you can find the nicest properties you’ve ever seen. These houses are 10 minutes from Poipu Beach and along a golf course.

As you search for where to stay in Kauai, I highly recommend these.

• Hula House – Sleeps 14
• Ocean-View Kukuiʻula Luxury Home – Sleeps 11
• New Kukui’ula Estate – Sleeps 14
• Elegant 4BR Oasis w/ Pool & Hot Tub – Sleeps 12
• Spacious Oceanfront House – Sleeps 8
• Lodge at Kukui’ula Villa – Sleeps 8

I highly recommend having a spacious area to hang out with your family, one that offers privacy, a pool, and a hot tub, along with incredible views. We could even watch humpbacks in the ocean as they traveled up to Alaska.

Where to stay in Kauai: Lihue/Wailua Area

Lihue is 30 minutes from Poipu and is where you’ll fly into. While it’s not precisely centrally located between the northern and southern population centers, it is close enough.

This region is significantly more affordable and less touristy. If you’re looking to keep the budget from exploding, this is a good place to stay. It’s also where normal people live and work. It feels like you’re actually in the real world and not on some paradise island full of affluent (white) Americans.

It’s a good place to be if you plan on driving to the far ends of the island on multiple occasions. It also offers easy access to snorkeling at Lydgate Beach, a kayaking tour to Secret Falls, or planning a doors-off helicopter tour around the island.

Is a doors-off heli-ride worth it? My Thoughts.

I’ll be honest, we didn’t spend much time in Lihue. So, I can only speak to what it was like driving through it.

Best Hotels in the Lihue Area:

• Marriott’s Kaua’i Beach Club $$$
• Hilton Garden Inn Wailua Bay $$
• Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort $$
• The Royal Sonesta Kaua’i Resort $$$
• Waipouli Beach Resorts & Spa Kauai $$$
• Aston Islander on the Beach $$
• Kauai Shores Hotel $$
• Hotel Coral Reef $$
• Kauai Palms Hotel $$
• Kauai Inn $$

Great VRBOs near Lihue:

Browse on your own for VRBOs in the area.

• Extravagant Villa Oasis in Lihue – Sleeps 16
• Luxe Private Cliffside Getaway at Kalapaki Beach – Sleeps 8

Where to stay in Kauai – Princeville Area

Princeville seems to be a fantastic place to spend part of your trip to Kauai. It’s greener and more vibrant than you can ever imagine. But it’s also the rainy side of the island. So, if you do stay here, there’s a strong chance you’ll have rain frequently throughout your trip. (Kauai sees over 400 inches of rain per year, but that high mark is the center of the island.)

The Princeville area has well-off retirement/golf community vibes, at least in how it looks. It’s super manicured and looks pristine. It’s also home to incredible beaches with long shelfs that allow you plenty of snorkeling and swimming opportunities. It’s the best place on the island for sunsets.

Next time I return to Kauai, I want to spend more time here. It truly feels otherworldly, and seeing dozens and dozens of waterfalls flowing from the peaks above is breathtaking.

Top Hotels to Enjoy in Priceville, Kauai:

• The Westin Ocean Resort $$$
• Club Wyndham Ka ‘Eo Kai $$
• Club Wyndham Bali Hai Villas or a Second location $$$

Top VRBOs for bigger groups:

There appear to be numerous rental options available here. As you look at where to stay in Kauai, you can’t go wrong here.

• Luxury Home w/ AC, Theater Room, Pool & Surround Sound – Sleeps 12
• Pili Aloha: 3BR Condo w/ Lanai, Pool & Mountain Views – Sleeps 8
• Stylish & Modern Princeville Getaway Near Hanalei – Sleeps 8
• Akai Palms! North Shore Oasis for Family Getaways – Sleeps 8
• Stunning House near the Na Pali Coast and Queen’s Bath – Sleeps 13

Various Lodging Tips for Staying in Kauai

Make sure there’s AC

This is a must, and I’m sure nearly all of the places have it. But it’s something to double-check. I personally have a hard time sleeping when the temperature is warmer than 75 degrees. The first couple of nights in Kauai, we had to trial and error a good temperature level and finally got it dialed in.

Chickens and Roosters Are Everywhere

At least that was the case in Poipu. Almost every morning, we heard roosters. Thankfully, I was waking up early every morning due to jet lag, so it didn’t bother me too much. But my dad told me he literally went outside one morning on their vacation years ago to shoo them away as they were being a nuisance.

(So maybe bring earplugs.)

Plenty of wildlife

Kauai is home to a diverse array of wildlife. At our VRBO, we had pretty birds, lizards, the chickens and rooster, and tons of flies. I recommend using your screen doors ALL THE TIME, or else the flies are going to attempt a coup.

Just remember to avoid feeding birds, cats, or any other animals on the island.

Expect frequent, but temporary showers

One of the unique features of Kauai is not only how often it rains but how quickly it’ll rain and then move on. I can’t tell you how many times it started dumping, and then 10 minutes later it was done, and we had sun again.

The worst part is if this happens while you’re on the beach and all your things get wet. You should have enough time to spot the rain coming, and if you do, move quickly!

Best Place to Stay for Warmer Weather and Na Pali Coast Boat Tours

If you want warm weather, you’ll want to be on the southern side of the island. This can be Poipu, Kaoloa, or Waimea. (Waimea loosely means dry and hot, and most Hawaiian Islands have a place called it.)

The south side is also where you’ll want to be if you plan on snorkeling, doing a whale watching trip (December – March), or seeing the Na Pali Coast. Almost all the companies are based in Port Allen, which is 30 minutes west of Poipu.

Should you book a Na Pali Coast Boat Tour?
Read my take and see the photos.

Best Place to Stay for Cooler Temps, Lush Landscapes, and the Kalalau Trail

If you want cooler temperatures, green landscapes, epic beaches, and easier access to hiking the Na Pali Coast, pick the northern side of Kauai. The Kalalau Trail (i.e., Na Pali Coast Trail) is one of the most popular hikes on the island. You’ll need a permit to hike it, and it’s recommended to reserve it ahead of your trip.

Find Tours and Activities in Kauai

Experiencing Kauai’s Natural Wonders

Family-Friendly Things to Do in Kauai

One thing that surprised me was how many family-friendly activities Kauai offers. Here are some I recommend, having been with a group that spanned 4–65-year-olds.

• Snorkeling: Lydgate Beach, Poipu Beach, Anini Beach, Hanalei Beach, Salt Pond Beach
• Hiking the Heritage Trail (3-4 miles round trip, can turn around whenever)
• Drive up to Waimea Canyon and enjoy the overlooks (do the Canyon Trail for an easy hike)
• Explore any of the Botanical Gardens across Kauai
• Walking to the stone waterfall on the Wai Koa Trail (4 miles round-trip, 225 feet of gain)

Adventurous Things to Do in Kauai

If you’re looking for fun ways to get the blood pumping on good hikes or embark on some epic tours, Kauai will oblige!

• Hiking in Waimea Canyon or Koke’e State Park (permit required of $10 + $5 per person)
• Hike on the Kalalau Trail to Hanakapi’ai Beach or Hanakapi’ai Waterfall (Full Kalalau Trail is 22 miles round trip and needs a separate permit.)
• Kayak + Hike to Secret Falls
• Doors Off Helicopter Ride
• Sunset Na Pali Coast Boat Tour
• Snorkeling Tour Along the Na Pali Coast
• Deep Sea Fishing

What is my recommendation for where to stay in Kauai

While the Princeville area is nice, I believe your best bet is the southern coast to increase your chances of sun and warmer weather. You’re coming to Kauai for a reason; you want sun and warm temperatures.

To ensure you get that, pick the southern area around Poipu, and you’ll be set. Plus, it’s only an hour or so drive to the north end, which isn’t too bad either.

Lastly, this gives you easier access to hiking in Waimea Canyon and any tours you may want to take along the Na Pali Coast.

Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Kauai

Kauai offers a plethora of incredible places to stay across the island. However you plan your trip, you won’t be disappointed in our decision. Each region has amazing pros and so few cons that you’ll be beaming from ear to ear during your stay on the Garden Island.

Hopefully, this helped you determine where to stay in Kauai and provided you with some fun places to explore and tours to take. I promise, you are going to have the time of your life and be planning your next trip back sooner than you think.

Until next time, adventurers, stay safe.

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