Where to Stay on Kauai for First Timers: Sunshine & Rainbows
Will you choose the constant sunshine and soft sandy beaches of Kauai’s cheery south shore, or my favorite—the dramatic towering mountains, lush taro fields, sparkling blue ocean, and rainbow-adorned skies of the North Shore and Nā Pali Coast? Or, maybe you’ll end up on the underrated Coconut Coast?!?! 🥥
After nearly two months of exploring the serene Garden Island over four different trips, I’m sharing my unfiltered perspectives on the best areas to stay on Kauai, with my favorite hotels and resorts in each area—including the affordable Princeville resort where I always stay, the FUN Poipu resort that has a lava rock lazy river (how could you say no??), and more!
🌺 Bookmark for later: Kauai Travel Guide (For First-Time Visitors)
Hanalei Valley, Kapa’a Beach, Hanakapiai Falls, and 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
📍 Rule of thumb: Where to Stay on Kauai based on vacation type
- MY FAVORITE, the beautiful, lush North Shore (rain + rainbows):
- 🌺 $270+/night: Spacious condos with full kitchens and laundry machines, tropical pool and food trucks (where I always stay)
- 🌿 $400+/night: Resort feels like a botanical garden, with sparkling Hanalei Bay and mountain views, plus Princeville’s best restaurants
- Sunny South Shore (constant sunshine, snorkeling + close to airport):
- 👙 $500+/night: Poipu’s most luxurious and FUN resort, with a lava-rock lined lazy river and waterslides
- ☀️ $275+/night: Poipu’s most affordable waterfront hotel
- Budget-friendly Coconut Coast (centrally located):
*nightly rates vary throughout the year!
Princeville & the North Shore
The Princeville resort community is the gateway to the lush (and often rainy) North Shore. This is my favorite side of the island with vibrant mountain waterfalls, stunning Hanalei Valley, and the island’s most beautiful beaches.
If you stay here, you’re within close driving distance to the 2-mile long golden sand Hanalei Bay Beach, adorable surf town of Hanalei, incredibly beautiful Tunnels Beach, and the beginning of the Nā Pali Coast, where you can hike the iconic Kalalau Trail!
While Princeville is my favorite area to stay in Kauai, it isn’t for everyone—in most parts of Princeville, you have to drive to beach access, rain is inevitable (but so are rainbows!), and it’s about a 45 minute drive to the airport.
1. Wyndham Bali Hai Villas (Where I Stayed!)
📍 Princeville | 8.8/10 on Booking.com | $270+/night | Check current nightly rates
Wyndham Bali Hai Villas is the most affordable resort in Princeville, and my go-to place to stay on Kauai because of its proximity to Hanalei and spacious villas with full kitchens and laundry! Of course, there’s also a beautiful garden pool with rock waterfalls, plus hot tubs, grills, onsite food trucks, and daily activities in the clubhouse.
2. Hanalei Bay Resort
📍 Princeville | 8.3/10 on Booking.com | $400+/night | Check current nightly rates
With views of the beautiful Hanalei Bay and surrounding mountains, and one of Princeville’s best restaurants, Hanalei Bay Resort is where I often go for a coffee or cocktail while I’m in Princeville. It’s an absolutely stunning property with a huge garden pool, waterfalls and all those views.
If you have a little more in your budget, Hanalei Bay Resort‘s spacious one or two bedroom apartments are perfect—with fully equipped kitchens, but also access to the several onsite restaurants and the cafe.
3. 1 Hotel Hanalei
📍 Princeville | 9.0/10 on Booking.com | $1,200+/night | Check current nightly rates
Kauai’s most exclusive resort is 1 Hotel Hanalei, a sustainable luxury resort tucked into the cliffs of Princeville, with unobstructed views of the bay and mountains—plus, it’s one of the only places in Princeville with direct beach access!
Most of the rooms feature full ocean views, but they sure aren’t cheap! If you’ve saved up for a really special getaway, 1 Hotel Hanalei certainly should be on your list, but for most of us, it’ll simply be out of our price range.
Po’ipu & the South Shore
Escape the rain by staying on Kauai’s sunny, dry south shore. This is the most popular area to stay on the island, with a diversity of resorts, hotels, and vacation rentals to choose from—almost all of which are just steps from the golden sand beaches of Po’ipu!
While you’re trading the dramatic landscapes of the North Shore for sunshine, you’ll be only 40 minutes away from Waimea Canyon—and quite conveniently close to the airport, too!
☀️ Also See: 12 FUN Things to do in Poipu, Kauai (& Nearby)
4. Grand Hyatt Kauai
📍 Po’ipu | 8.9/10 on Booking.com | $500+/night | Check current nightly rates
Overlooking Shipwreck Beach, the Grand Hyatt Kauai is not only luxurious—it’s FUN, with a lava-rock lined lazy river and waterslides! There are 7 onsite restaurants and 6 lounges, and of course, you’re a short walk or drive from everything else that Po’ipu has to offer.
5. Castle Kiahuna Plantation
📍 Po’ipu | 7.8/10 on Booking.com | $275+/night | Check current nightly rates
A short walk from beautiful Kawailoa Bay (connected to Poipu Beach), Castle Kiahuna Plantation is amongst the most affordable stays in Poipu. The spacious suites all have full kitchens, but no A/C. While there isn’t an onsite pool, you get access to Poipu Beach Athletic Club, which has a large garden pool, hot tubs, and tennis courts.
Kapa‘a & the Coconut Coast
I’ve spent nearly a month exploring Kapa‘a both as a vacationer and housesitter for a local family—and this underrated side of the island has grown on me! Kapa‘a is home to several stunning waterfalls, the serene Wailua River (kayak up to Secret Falls here!), lots of yummy food trucks, lush hiking trails, and more a local feel than you find in Poipu and Princeville.
While the beaches here often aren’t as swimmable as other sides of the island (besides lovely Lydgate Beach!!), Kapa‘a is centrally located between all that Kauai has to offer—and often is the most affordable place to stay on the island.
6. Kauai Shores Hotel
📍 Kapa‘a | 8.7/10 on Booking.com | $145+/night | Check current nightly rates
One of the most affordable (yet highly rated) hotels on the island, I’ve seen Booking.com deals for nigths at Kauai Shores Hotel for as little as $146/night—which is unheard of for Kauai!
In addition to being right on the beach—and along the scenic coastal trail, Kauai Shores Hotel also has one of the Kapaa’s only oceanfront restaurants, Lava Lava Beach Club. Plus, there are two pools, fire pits, and you’re within walking distance of plenty of local shops and restaurants.
Kauai Coast Resort at the Beach Boy
7. Kauai Coast Resort at the Beach Boy
📍 Kapa‘a | 8.3/10 on Booking.com | $200+/night | Check current nightly rates
Another affordable resort in Kapa‘a, Kauai Coast Resort at the Beach Boy is right on the beach, and a short drive from my favorite (and most swimmable) Kapa‘a beach, Lydgate Beach Park, along with downtown Kapa‘a town. There are several beautiful pools, along with an oceanfront hot tub, and serene hammocks right by the waves.
More Hawaii Travel Guides
- First Timers Guide to Hiking the Nā Pali Coast (Kalalau & Beyond)
- The PERFECT 1 Day Waimea Canyon & Kōkeʻe Itinerary
- 17 Fun Things to do in Princeville, Kauai (And Nearby!)
- 15 BEST Things to do in Lihue, Kauai (And Nearby!)
- 12 FUN Things to do in Poipu, Kauai (& Nearby)
- The Ultimate Kauai Travel Guide (For First-Time Visitors)
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