Best Locations to Stay in Kauai

by Joost Nusselder | Last Updated:  07.07.2021
I love creating free content full of tips for my readers, you. I don't accept paid sponsorships, my opinion is my own, but if you find my recommendations helpful and you end up buying something you like through one of my links, I could earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

So you’ve listened to everything about the Garden Isle of Kauai as well as have actually made a decision to see on your own what all the talk has to do with, yet you’re uncertain where to remain on the island. While the island is reasonably little, it’s large sufficient to make sure that your choice on where to remain can significantly influence your total journey. However do not stress, you truly can not fail with your choice, as Kauai is attractive around.

IMAGE ABOVE: The one-lane bridge prior to you go into Hanalei is a pointer to decrease as well as relax.

Though the island is tiny, Kauai does have unique geographical and also climate areas. Commonly, in the north (Hanalei, Princeville) as well as eastern (Kapaa, Lihue) it’s eco-friendly, hilly, exotic and also damp, in the south (Poipu, Koloa) it’s eco-friendly, cozy as well as bright (excellent for a warm day at the coastline), as well as in the west (Waimea and also Hanapepe) it’s browner, bright as well as completely dry.

PICTURE ABOVE: The St. Regis Princeville Resort in all of its magnificence.

If holiday accommodations are an element, the Poipu location provides a host of mid-to-high variety, inclusive-type hotel hotels and also a variety of condominiums for lease, Kapaa supplies a host of mid-range and also economic situation resorts, as well as the Hanalei/Princeville location supplies a plethora of condominium leasings together with the unique St. Regis Princeville Resort preferred by motion picture celebrities as well as the abundant as well as popular.

IMAGE ABOVE: The Beach House Restaurant in Poipu

The Poipu location includes several of the island’s finest dining establishments, consisting of the Beach House Restaurant and also numerous chef-connected dining establishments at the Shops of Kukui’ula. Kapaa includes a variety of dining establishments prominent with family members, in addition to a variety of food vehicles. The Hanalei location, which is among the farthest put on the island from the main location of Lihue, has dining establishments you could discover in a ski community, consisting of the necessary steak, fish and shellfish, pizza as well as burger joints, though they are all tasty.

For location destinations, Poipu is practical to Port Allen, introducing factor for most of Kauai’s whale enjoying as well as watercraft excursions, as well as Waimea Canyon, the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Centrally-located Kapaa is near numerous beautiful falls, the Wailua River and also a beach-front bike course. As a matter of fact, all Kauai destinations are within, at the majority of, regarding 45-60 mins from Kapaa. The Hanalei location includes lovely Hanalei Bay, popular coastlines such as Tunnels and also Ke’e, as well as the Na Pali shoreline. Close by, near the community of Kilauea, is the picturesque Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge as well as lighthouse.

IMAGE ABOVE: Puu Poa Beach, the coastline at the St. Regis Princeville Resort.

Stunning coastlines border the island. Beachgoers will certainly appreciate Poipu location coastlines where the sunlight is practically assured. Splendid Polihale Beach, in the much west past Waimea, is magnificent in its area, though it’s just easily accessible through a dust roadway. Kapaa location coastlines, consisting of citizens favored Kealia Beach, likewise guarantee much sunlight. North coast coastlines, consisting of Hanalei Bay Beach, Tunnels Beach and also Ke’e Beach, have lovely exotic hills as backgrounds. Constant rainfalls maintain this location environment-friendly upon eco-friendly. The south side coastlines (Poipu) as well as eastern side coastlines (Kapaa) are usually a lot more congested than the north coast coastlines, though groups are hardly ever a concern. As a matter of fact, you might discover just a couple of other individuals on your see to lots of north coast coastlines, consisting of Tunnels as well as Anini Beach, though Hanalei Bay Beach and also Ke’e Beach are well gone to. For searching as well as bodyboarding, Kealia Beach in Kapaa is constantly great, if a little harsh. Hanalei Bay supplies delicately rolling waves for starting internet users, along with professional waves further out. Hanalei Bay is additionally a terrific area for Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) and also kayaking. Snorkeling is prominent at several Kauai coastlines with coral reefs, consisting of Poipu coastlines, Tunnels Beach and also Ke’e Beach.

IMAGE ABOVE: The Hanakapiai Trail, the initial 2 miles of the Kalalau Trail.

Numerous tasks, consisting of horseback riding, ATVs, zip lines and also even more, can be located throughout the island. The Kapaa location is a terrific area to remain if you are acting of tasks throughout the island. Treking, additionally, can be located around the island, though the famous Kalalau Trail beginning at Ke’e Beach north of Hanalei is just one of one of the most gorgeous, as well as many harmful, walkings worldwide.

IMAGE ABOVE: Kalapaki Beach

One more location to remain (not stated over) is Kalapaki Beach in Lihue. Kalapaki Beach is one of the most practical place to Lihue Airport and also includes the Kauai Marriott Resort and also the prominent Duke’s Kauai dining establishment. This coastline as well as resort are preferred with individuals that buy a couple of evening resort plans that consist of a shuttle bus from the flight terminal. Kalapaki Beach behaves, as well as is a good location to unwind, yet lots of people that remain below do not reach experience the total charm of Kauai as numerous do not have an auto or the days to venture out.

With every one of the terrific options Kauai needs to provide, the choice on where to remain is a difficult one. If you are a sunlight adorer, after that Poipu is a fantastic selection. From Poipu you can conveniently see Waimea Canyon and also take a watercraft excursion from Port Allen. If you’re searching for a family-friendly area or a deal, look into Kapaa. It’s additionally bright and also has a host of destinations close by. However, for the actual Kauai experience, absolutely nothing defeats the Hanalei location. It’s the location you see frequently included in traveling pictures. Hanalei is residence to the Hanalei Pier as well as Bali Hai, made renowned in the film South Pacific. Famous web surfer coastlines neighbor, and also it’s close to the renowned Kalalau Trail that adheres to the matchless Na Pali shoreline. Simply keep in mind that it can drizzle a great deal in the Hanalei location, yet that’s the cost that needs to be spent for the spectacular plant that provides the Garden Island its label. For the very best of Kauai, remain a couple of days in Poipu as well as see location tourist attractions, after that remain the remainder of your time in the Hanalei location. Or remain in Kapaa, in the center of everything!

Pali Ke Kua Condos

pali-ke-kua-condos-princeville-2

The Pali Ke Kua condominiums in Princeville, Kauai remain on 22 eco-friendly acres on a bluff 200 feet over the Pacific Ocean near the St. Regis Princeville Resort. The building has impressive and also remarkable sights of Kauai’s shoreline and also Bali Hai. A course from the building leads to Pali Ke Kua Beach, much more famously referred to as an area of Hideaways Beach. Popular Hideaways Pizza Pub, a modern Italian dining establishment, lies on the properties. The apartments are independently possessed, however lots of are offered as trip leasings. Look for readily available condominiums at the Pali Ke Kua web site or at VRBO.com.

5300 Ka Haku Rd . Princeville, Hi There 96722. ( 808) 826-9066.

Place at Google Maps Online: www.palikekua.com

Over: The home has sights of Bali Hai, Hanalei Bay as well as Kauai’s shoreline. A path from the residential property leads to Hideaways Beach (in the facility of the image). The course begins behind structures 1 as well as 2 (the easternmost structures).

Kauai car rental

kauai-car-rental-2

For site visitors to Kauai, a rental vehicle is the very best method to see the lovely island, from Waimea Canyon on one end to Ke’e Beach on the various other end and also every little thing in between. There are a lot of points to see and also carry out in Kauai and also they are expanded over the whole island. (A major freeway links a lot of the island. From the flight terminal, a journey on the highway heads either in the direction of Poipu, Hanapepe and also Waimea, or north in the direction of Kapaa, Princeville, Hanalei as well as past.).

Renting out a lorry on Kauai is very easy and also most all services occur at the Lihue Airport. When you get out of the luggage insurance claim location in the airport terminal you will certainly see the shuttle bus to the different rental business which are in fact ideal nearby. It is suggested that you make your cars and truck rental appointment prior to your journey to Kauai, as there have actually been reported lacks throughout peak periods.

Popular auto services on Kauai consist of Jeeps and also convertibles. Make certain to note your permit plate as it prevails to return to a parking area and also locate a number of the same automobiles (all leasings like your own). We suggest Jeeps as well as various other 4×4 automobiles. We’ve seen greater than a couple of little autos strongly having a hard time in the Ke’e Beach complementary parking lot for instance.

Please note that driving in Kauai is a bit various than driving in the states as well as somewhere else. Kauai chauffeurs are normally extremely considerate, mirroring the island’s kicked back way of living. Keeping that claimed, it’s very easy to speed up in suburbs on the primary freeway. Look for lorries drawing onto the major freeway as this has actually provided a variety of Kauai website traffic crashes.

Additionally note that rental automobile business typically have a “no off roadway” stipulation in the small print. If you locate on your own stuck on a dust roadway, for instance the dust roadway to Polihale Beach, you will certainly intend to call a wrecker rather than the rental business.

The whole island of Kauai is a destination as well as the most effective method to experience it is with the leading took down or the home windows rolled down in a rental cars and truck.

Hertz Not Recommended

There is one rental automobile business in Lihue we do not suggest. We booked a Toyota 4Runner (or comparable automobile) from Hertz for relations seeing the island. We got a crossover Dodge Journey (small SUV) rather. We dealt with the concern with Hertz Lihue reps at the time of pick-up and also were informed the Journey was comparable and also in the very same course as the 4Runner and also they might not assist us additionally. (A Dodge Journey is explained by Dodge as a crossover portable SUV beginning at around $21,000. A Toyota 4Runner is a full-size SUV beginning at around $34,000.).

Not a 4Runner or comparable.

Joost Nusselder, the founder of Kauai Surf Report is a content marketer, dad and loves trying out new sports with everything surfing at the heart of his passion, and together with his team he's been creating in-depth blog articles since 2019 to help loyal readers with surfing and water sporting tips.