Kauai Hotel Guide

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Back to KauaiHawaii: Kauai Lodging, Condo, B&B & Hotel Guide

Kauai has accommodations to fit every taste and budget, from luxury oceanfront suites to quaint bed-and-breakfast units to reasonably priced condos that will sleep a family of four without requiring that you take out a second mortgage.

Remember to consider when you will be traveling to the islands. The high season, during which rooms are always booked and rates are at the top end, runs from mid-December to March. A second high season, when rates are high but reservations are somewhat easier to get, is summer (June?Sept). The low seasons, with fewer tourists and cheaper rates, are April to June and September to mid-December.

Taxes of 11.42% are added to all hotel bills. Parking is free unless otherwise noted.

B&B Etiquette--In Hawaii, it is traditional and customary to remove your shoes before entering anyone's home. The same is true for most bed-and-breakfast facilities. Most hosts post signs or will politely ask you to remove your shoes before entering the B&B. Not only does this keep the B&B clean, but you'll be amazed how relaxed you feel walking around barefoot. If this custom is unpleasant to you, a B&B may not be for you. Consider a condo or hotel, where no one will be particular about your shoes.

If you have never stayed at a B&B before, here are a few other hints: generally the host lives on property and their part of the house is off limits to guests. (You do not have the run of the house.) Most likely there will be a common area that you can use. Don't expect daily maid service. Your host may tidy up but will not do complete maid service. Also don't expect amenities like little bottles of shampoo and conditioner; this is a B&B, not a resort. Remember that you are sharing your accommodations with other guests; be considerate (that is, quiet) when you come in late at night.

Some hotels, resorts, condos, and vacation rentals may allow smoking in the guest rooms (most also have nonsmoking rooms available), but the majority of bed-and-breakfasts forbid smoking in the rooms. If this matters to you, be sure to check the policy of your accommodation before you book.

The Queen of Condos--One of the easiest ways to find lodging in the Poipu Beach area is to contact the Parrish Collection Kaua'i (TPC; formerly Grantham Resorts prior to Dec. 2007), 3176 Poipu Rd., Suite 1, Koloa, HI 96756 (tel. 800/325-5701, 808/742-1412 or 808/742-2000 (on Kauai only); fax 808/742-9093; www.parrishkauai.com), which handles some 150 rental units for nine different condo developments, plus dozens of vacation homes. The condos start at $89 for a basic two-bedroom, garden-view unit in low season and vacation homes start at $185 and go up to $1,140 for exquisite multi-million dollar ocean homes. There's a 5-night minimum for condos and a 7-night minimum for homes.

If you're staying on Kauai for 5 days, ask TPC about the "Frommer's Silver Rate," large one- and two-bedroom condos, well-equipped (full kitchen, washer/dryer, wet bar, TV, phone, most with complimentary high-speed Internet service and DVDs), starting as low as $99 a night for one-bedrooms, $129 for two-bedroom Garden Views, or $135 a night for one-bedroom or two-bedroom Ocean View condos. There's not a better deal on Kauai.

Around the Island

Lihue & Environs--If you need to stay overnight near the airport, try the Garden Island Inn .

The Coconut Coast--This is the land of B&Bs and inexpensive vacation rentals. In addition to those reviewed below, we recommend Opaeka'a Falls Hale, which has two exquisite units with pool and hot tub for $90 to $110; reservations are available through Hawaii's Best Bed & Breakfasts (tel. 800/262-9912; www.bestbnb.com).

The North Shore--Want to rent a rock star's treehouse? How about coochy-coochy entertainer Charo's beachfront estate? Hanalei North Shore Properties (tel. 800/488-3336 or 808/826-9622; fax 808/826-1188; www.kauai-vacation-rentals.com) handles all kinds of weekly rentals -- from beachfront cottages and condos to romantic hideaways and ranch houses -- along the North Shore. Renting a home is a great way to enjoy the area's awesome nature, especially for those who like to avoid resorts and fend for themselves. Shopping, restaurants, and nightlife are abundant in nearby Hanalei. The company does not accept credit cards.