Finding the Best Poipu Hotels For You

Getting a chance to plan a vacation is always tons of fun. Well, it's actually not always fun, depending on who you ask and what the occasion is. For many people, the planning process is stressful and complicated. Therefore, this guide will help to alleviate some of that stress by showing you how to narrow down your options and pick the perfect hotel for your own preferences and price range.

How many Poipu Hotels Are There?

First, it's important to clarify the question we just asked. Are you specifically searching for Poipu hotels, or any type of property to stay at? That's because Kauai offers a great deal of rental properties, villas, inns, bed and breakfasts, and other types of accommodations, beyond the strict classification of a hotel.

That's why Tripadvisor.com ranks 36 Kauai hotels, but then lists another nearly 1,500 vacation rentals. That's quite a big gap!

Separately, on a service such as Travelocity.com, you might find about 75 total properties on Kauai Island, but that's divided between condos, hotel resorts, condo resorts, bed and breakfasts, private rentals, inns and beyond.

Consider your Locale

Kauai has several clusters of hotels at different beaches around the island. One of the most popular places is Poipu Beach, located on the island's southern shore. The south shore offers something for nearly all types of vacationers, and there's a full range of properties to choose between, and a lot to do around the immediate vicinity. 

Another cluster and popular area is the island's east shore, including Wailua, Hanamaulu and Lihu'e. Finally, and last but not least, you have the Hanalei Beach area which is the north part of the island.

All of these areas offer a different type of experience. For example, in the north, you're a bit more secluded, but that also means you're closer to much of the beautiful lush greenery of the island, its jungles and mountains. 

Who Are you Going With, and What do You Like?

• Are you planning a romantic getaway or honeymoon? Prioritize one of the beautiful Poipu hotels and resorts with world-class spas, more private swaths of beaches, high-end dining and luxury accommodations.
• Planning a trip with young kids, or with a group of family or friends? Consider renting a villa or a house, with multiple bedrooms and huge spaces to keep everyone together, and visiting a resort with diversions for the kids.
• Never want to leave the hotel? Many Poipu resort properties make it easy for you to simply never leave the property, if you don't want to. All the restaurants, activities and amenities you need are right there.
• All about exploring? Look for properties with helpful concierges who can plan out recommended excursions and vendors to work with. Different spots around the island are preferable for surfers, deep sea fishers, wildlife and nature enthusiasts, general water sports fans, scuba divers, hikers, and more.

Finding the best Poipu hotel is really a process of finding the very best one for you. What's best for you on your honeymoon isn't best for your friend when he's going with his two kids and his in-laws. So start narrowing down by what you're specifically looking for, and the process will be as quick and hassle-free as possible.

What to Look For in Your Kauai Beach Resort

Any vacationer planning a trip to Hawaii wants to take the time to ensure they get it right. After all, it's not exactly as easy to fly to the Hawaiian islands as it is to drive to the beach in your state. Of course, that's a big part of the Hawaiian appeal, along with what makes its culture so special! Before simply signing onto the cheapest deal you can find, consider this quick guide to help get you moving in the right direction.

Which Beach?

There's been an ongoing debate about visiting Kauai and whether you should stay on the north shore or the south shore of the island. The answer really depends on what season you're visiting, and what you're looking to do. Ask yourself...

• Are you surfer looking to capitalize on big, crashing waves, or do you want to lounge quietly on the sand all day?
• Do you want more privacy, or do you want to immersed in one of the big Kauai beach resort areas?
• Would you rather change the time of year you went, or the side of the island you stayed on?
• Are you willing to drive around in a rental to see more sites, or do you want to be as close as possible to off-resort sites and attractions?

So don't limit yourself to only thinking north shore vs. south shore. Do your research and ask those questions and you'll have a better idea of where you should actually stay.

Resort Activities

Now that you've hopefully narrowed down the part of the island you'd like to stay on, it's time to consider the actual differences between one Kauai beach resort and the next. Consider the types of activities which are actually on property.

• What kind of pool(s) does the resort have?
• Is there an on-site way to participate in activities and water sports?
• Are there free rentals of that equipment, or do you have to pay?
• Can you arrange more activities through the hotel in terms of excursions or daylong trips and other unique experiences?
• Are there restaurants on site? What about bars?
• Diversions for the kids? A spa for mom and a gym for you, or vice-versa?

Kauai Beach Villas

You'll have a lot to think about when you visit Kauai, and that includes whether you want to stay in standard hotel rooms or suites, or villa accommodations. Many resorts now actually do offer private villas, with luxurious, multi-bedroom accommodations big enough for the whole family, or a large group of friends.

Another plus to this is that villas actually typically come with full kitchens. That means you don't need to eat every meal out, and the group can have some food and drink on hand within the villa.

So What's your Kauai Experience Going to be Like?

It's all about customizing your vacation, and the place you choose to stay, based upon your interests and preferences. The great thing is that there's something for everyone on Kauai, and you'll never go home disappointed as long as you do your planning ahead of time.