Where to Stay on Kauai 2026

Staying on the South Side

Including Koloa, Lawai, and Poipu

The South Side — Poʻipū, Koloa, Lawai — is the driest, sunniest part of Kauaʻi and where most first-time visitors end up booking. Poʻipū is the resort hub: a compact cluster of beachfront hotels, condos, and vacation rentals with Poʻipū Beach Park at its center. You’re close to Waimea Canyon (about 45 minutes west), Spouting Horn, a good concentration of restaurants, and the old sugar town of Koloa a few minutes inland. For a resort-by-resort breakdown, see our guide to where to stay in Poʻipū.

Why Should You Stay on the South Side?

Brilliant weather: You will find the best weather, as you can experience more sunny and dry days in this part of the island.

Stunning beaches: The beaches along this island certainly radiate more vibrancy than other beaches on Kauai. With a nice variety of beaches to select from - one of our personal favorites is Shipwreck Beach. There are a diverse range of Hawaiian accommodation choices: This area offers luxurious island retreats, beachfront hotels, condos, and vacation rentals. 

Shopping and Dining Options: Discover an abundance of great shopping and dining options that vary to accommodate the whims of luxury seekers

The Drawbacks of Staying on the South Side

The drive from this area to the North Shore can take a toll because of the time and distance. Certain areas, especially Poipu, lack many budget accommodations. Plus, crowds pepper this area. Expect little privacy. 

Our Favorite Places to Stay on the South Side

A few of the more popular properties in South Kauai are the Grand Hyatt Kauai, the Sheraton Kauai Resort, the Koa Kea Hotel & Resort, the Koloa Landing at Poipu Beach, and the Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club Koloa.

Staying on the North Shore

Including Princeville, Hanalei, and Kilauea

The North Shore of Kauai may be one of the most scenic places on Earth. There are a variety of gorgeous beaches, and the verdant mountains rising as a backdrop to the coastline make this entire stretch of the island seem like the "real" Hawaii you've envisioned before visiting. 

Why Stay on the North Shore

• The scenery. This is the side of Kauaʻi that shows up on posters: Hanalei Bay, the cliff-and-waterfall coastline leading to Hāʻena, and the green mountains behind Princeville. If scenery is the main reason you’re going to Kauaʻi, stay here.
• Quiet, spread-out lodging. Princeville is a low-density residential/resort community on a plateau above Hanalei, with vacation-rental condos, villas, and one full-service luxury resort — 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, which took over the former St. Regis Princeville property after a long closure and rebrand.
• Access to the best snorkeling and beach-walking on the island. Kēʻe Beach, Tunnels/Makua, and Hanalei Bay all within a short drive. (Note: Hāʻena State Park now requires advance reservations for parking and entry — plan ahead.)
• No nightlife to speak of. Pace is genuinely small-town Kauaʻi; Hanalei town has a handful of restaurants and that’s it. Whether that’s a feature or a drawback depends on you.

Drawbacks of Staying on the North Shore

It rains. Hanalei averages roughly 80+ inches of rainfall a year — more than three times what Poʻipū gets — and winter (November–March) is measurably wetter. A week on the North Shore in February will often include several rained-out days. Flash-flood closures on Kuhio Highway past Hanalei have historically cut off road access to Kēʻe/Hāʻena when heavy rain hits.

It’s also further from almost everything else. Waimea Canyon is about a 90-minute drive each way from Princeville; Poʻipū’s restaurants and beaches are over an hour. And the nightly rate premium on Princeville lodging is real — comparable Poʻipū condos typically run noticeably cheaper.

Our Favorite Places to Stay on the North Shore

A few popular properties on the North Shore of Kauai are the Hanalei Bay Resort, 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, and the Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas.

Staying on the East "Coconut" Coast

Including Kapaa, Lihue, and Wailua

Ride through the East Coast of Kauai, also known as the Coconut Coast, and find hundreds of cocos growing along this stretch of Kauai coastline. This is the most developed part of Kauai, but it's also where you'll find the most budget-friendly hotels and vacation rentals. 

Why Should You Stay on the East "Coconut" Coast?

• Location: With a centralized location on the island, it is an ideal hub for visiting the entire island. As a convenient hub, you will find it easier to see the attractions and sights in the West and on both the North and South shores. 
• Weather: The area has a tropical climate and is almost always sunny and hot. 
• Accommodations: Most hotels in Kapaa span across the same strip. The hotels include a noticeable variety like budget-friendly, shoestring, and luxury options. Consider ISO Hotel, the Aston Islander, the Outrigger, and the more upscale Sheraton Coconut Beach.
• Shopping Options: Kinipopo Shopping Village, in Kapaa Town, offers a unique shopping experience. You can enjoy the beautiful Kauai scenery and the relaxing atmosphere of the shopping village. There are several eateries and shops available at Kinipopo Shopping Village.
• Dining Options: Kapaa offers a wide range of high-quality, fresh, and healthy options in Kauai, like the delicious and hearty Pono Market, the famous Street Burger, etc.

The Disadvantages of Staying on the East "Coconut" Coast

There are a variety of more "local" beaches along this stretch of the island, but they lack the scenic beauty of the north shore beaches and the amenities of those along the south shoreline. Plus, the rainy season runs from November to March. 

Our Favorite Places to Stay on the East "Coconut" Coast

The towns of Anahola to the north and the capital city of Lihue essentially bordered the region to the south, with Kapaa and Wailua villages about halfway between them.

A few popular properties along the East Coast of Kauai are the Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort, the Kauai Coast Resort at the Beach Boy, the Outrigger Waipouli Beach Resort & Spa, the Marriot Kauai Beach Club Resort, and the Aston Islander on the Beach.

If you are interested in the East Coast, be sure to also check out the beautiful Waipouli Beach Resort, which offers a variety of one- and two-bedroom accommodations for your family.

Staying on the West Side

Including Waimea and Hanapepe

The West Side of the island, the leeward coast of Kauai, is drier and the mountains in the center of the island block the rest of Kauai from the rain.

This is one of the least visited parts of the island, excluding the sights along Highway 550 (like Waimea Canyon and Kokee State Park).

Why Should You Stay on the West Side?

We don't recommend this location stay unless you need proximity to the Waimea Canyon and Kokee. If so, plan to stay for a day or two for your trekking purposes. The weather here is nice because the mountains block the rain. 

The Disadvantages of Staying on the West Side

Ultimately, unless you're planning to do a lot of hiking in the state parks located nearby or want to escape the rest of the island, there are not many good reasons for us to recommend staying here.

Accommodations: You'll find some small B&Bs and Inns, but this region lacks the finest hostels, resorts, and hotels similar to the ones along the East, North, and South shorelines of Kauai.

Location: Outside of its proximity to Waimea Canyon and Kokee, it's not a convenient location to explore the island, as it's quite a drive to visit the attractions along the north shore or even the east coast.

Dining and shopping options: This area doesn't offer the same variety of dining or shopping options.

Our Recommended Places to Stay on the West Side

We recommend Waimea Canyon and Kōkeʻe State Park for families and adventure seekers. The area has campsites and cabins. A wide variety of activities are available nearby, including hiking, bird-watching, and more. Get ready to enjoy a quiet escape.