Luxury Hotels In Kauai

Choose Between The North And South Shores

A North Shore base suits travelers drawn to Hanalei’s bay and mountain backdrop. 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay gives that setting a place in the stay itself. Choose it because the surroundings appeal to you throughout the visit, rather than only as a starting point for one excursion.

On the South Shore, Poipu and Old Koloa create a different focus. Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa is a resort base here, with gardens, pools and rooms opening onto private lanais. This places the southern area around the stay, while Hanalei offers a northern landscape. Neither shore needs to be the starting point for every part of the island.

Organize Kauai By Region

The East Side, also called the Coconut Coast, adds the Wailua River and Kapaa’s town life to the picture. Treat this region as a destination rather than only the road between other areas. A river-focused visit, local shops and lunch in town give it a different character from the resort shores.

For the West Side, decide whether Waimea Canyon and the surrounding landscape are a principal interest. Kauai’s mountainous interior and the Napali Coast make a simple circular drive an unsuitable mental map. Locate the area you want to explore before planning the approach from your chosen shore.

Place Kauai Within A Hawaiian Journey

The Napali Coast, canyon country and Wailua River represent different landscape subjects: coastal scenery, the western interior and an eastern river setting. Choose the subject that draws you to each region rather than treating the names as interchangeable stops.

For a journey beyond Kauai, our Hawaii destination guide distinguishes the islands. Use it to decide what another island would add before arranging the next stay.