Published March 2024 | Updated Feb. 2026

As a California kid, Hawaii was our annual family vacation, switching between Maui and Kauai every couple of years, with the occasional trip to Oahu.

My parents did all of the booking and planning then, so picking where to stay in Kauai for the first time as an adult was a whole new experience for me.

I knew the island well, having traveled around it during our family trips. When I got to choose my own accommodation, I realized how diverse the four regions of Kauai are, each with its own unique activities, sights, and character.

Kauai is easily my favorite Hawaiian island. It’s home to the lush Na Pali coast, has stunning beaches, and a plethora of fresh, local produce. Despite being arguably the prettiest island in Hawaii, it’s the least visited of the four largest islands.

Where you decide to stay on Kauai depends on what kind of trip you want. After many visits to this gorgeous island, I created this guide to each region of Kauai to help you choose the best area for your travel style.

Where To Stay on Kauai: Best Areas on the Island

Regions of Kauai

The North Shore: The most lush, beautiful area in Kauai is the North Shore. It’s not as conveniently located as other areas, but it’s home to beautiful beaches, incredible hiking trails, and the vibrant Nā Pali Coast.
The East Side: You’ll find more budget-friendly options on the East Side of Kauai. Its proximity to the North and South Shores makes it a nice home base for exploring the entire island.
The South Shore: Some of the most luxurious resorts and gorgeous beaches are on the South Shore. It’s the most popular area for visitors to stay, which means it can get crowded and feel more “touristy.”

The West Side: The rugged Waimea Canyon is the main attraction on the remote West Side of Kauai. This area is best for people who plan to hike the canyon for most of the trip, as it’s not a convenient base for visiting other regions on Kauai.

Where To Stay in Kauai: Best Areas on the Island

Know Before You Go

Kauai is the wettest island. It gets tons of rainfall throughout the entire island, but mostly on the North Shore. Pack accordingly and have some indoor backup plans if there’s rain on the forecast.
There is one road to get around the island. The one road that wraps around the island is the only way to get from one region to another. It does not connect the North Shore and the West Side.
Rent a car. Unless you plan to stay at a resort the whole time, a car is necessary to get around the island. Book your rental car well in advance (they can sell out) and pick it up once you arrive at the airport.
Kauai is expensive. It’s no secret that Hawaii is a luxury destination with a higher price tag than other destinations. While I’ve included some “budget” options in this guide, they are budget prices for Kauai. If you can afford it, Kauai is an ideal spot to splurge on a nice resort.
You can always split your stays. If you’re visiting for a week or longer and having trouble deciding, I recommend staying in one region for the first half of your trip, then switching to another region for the second half. The North Shore and South Shore would be perfect for a split stay trip!

Best Places To Stay in Kauai

While I recommend reading the full post to find the best areas to stay in Kauai for your trip, these are my top picks if you’re looking to book something quickly!

Best Overall

North Shore: 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay (5-star luxury hotel)
East Side: Kauai Shores Hotel (Oceanfront with a private beach)
South Shore: Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa
West Side: Waimea Plantation Cottages

Best By Budget

Best Luxury: Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa (South Shore)
Best Mid-Range: Two-bedroom Townhome (North Shore)
Best Budget: The Secret Garden Room (East Side)

Best By Travel Style

Best For First-Time Visitors: Koloa Landing Resort (South Shore)
Best For Couples: Honeymoon Vacation Home (North Shore)
Best For Families: Waipouli Beach Resort (East Side)
Best For Ocean Views: Sheraton Kauai Resort (South Shore)

The North Shore of Kauai

Kauai’s North Shore is known for its lush, green landscapes thanks to the large amount of rainfall it gets each year. It comprises the stunning Nā Pali Coast and the towns of Hanalei, Princeville, and Kilauea.

I love the local feel of the North Shore, with a small farmers’ market, fewer tourists, and incredible local food options. Many of the “restaurants” on the North Shore are food trucks — perfect for a quick meal before heading out to explore some more.

Princeville is the main town on the North Shore of Kauai, with high-end resorts and upscale vacation rentals. While Princeville doesn’t have much of a personality or downtown area, it’s luckily just 10 minutes from the small town of Hanalei. The main reason to stay in Princeville vs. Hanalei is the selection of accommodations.

Hanalei is a charming beach town about 10 minutes from Princeville, with an adorable downtown and quaint vacation rentals in local neighborhoods close to the beaches. There is much more sense of culture and personality in Hanalei compared to Princeville. It feels like a hidden gem, despite being a well-known area.

There aren’t any hotels or resorts in Hanalei — all the accommodations are private homes, which are far more expensive than other places on the island.

Reasons To Stay on the North Shore

The North Shore is perfect for a quiet, romantic getaway. You’ll be immersed in nature, surrounded by gorgeous green cliffs, and near secluded beaches. I find it to be the most beautiful area on the entire island.

This is an ideal area to stay on Kauai if you want a more authentic experience, proximity to hiking and outdoor activities, and fewer crowds. It’s peaceful and has the beachy, surfer vibes that I think of when I picture Hawaii.

Fewer families stay on the North Shore, which makes it ideal for a laid-back couples’ getaway filled with beach days and adventure, or if you just want an intimate trip away from the crowds.

Best Places to Stay on the North Shore

Princeville

1 Hotel Hanalei Bay: Relax and restore in this newly built 5-star luxury resort focused on wellness and nature with an on-site spa, exercise classes, pool, and gourmet restaurants.
Two-bedroom Townhome: This stunning two-bedroom home is perfect for a pair of couples or a family looking for a comfortable and convenient stay with sweeping ocean views.
AC Villa in Princeville: Large groups will love this three-bedroom, three-bathroom villa at the Plantation at Princeville. I’ve stayed in a condo here (the exact one is no longer available), and it was beautiful!

Hanalei

Honeymoon Vacation Home: Enjoy a romantic getaway in this one-bedroom home just steps from Hanalei Bay Beach.
Hale Kanani Kauai: This two-bedroom home with mountain and waterfall views was renovated in 2024, complete with an outdoor shower (my favorite!) and covered lanai.

Hanalei Getaway Vacation Home: Relax in this gorgeous three-bedroom home with a tranquil outdoor bathtub and shower in the large, private yard.

The East Side of Kauai (Coconut Coast)

Kauai’s East Side is also known as the Coconut Coast, a name that comes from its history as a coconut plantation. Lihue, Kapa’a, and Wailua are the major towns on the Coconut Coast.

Kapa’a is a historic town with cute local shops and a wide selection of amazing restaurants. It’s the most populated town in Kauai, which is why it’s far more developed than other parts of the island.

Wailua is a residential area that’s home to gorgeous waterfalls, the Wailua River, and a few lovely beaches, just south of Kapa’a.

Lihue is where you’ll find Kauai’s government and the airport. Although it is on the East Side of the island, the Kauai tourism board lists Lihue as a separate region from the other East Side towns.

Reasons To Stay on the East Side

The East Side is the most centrally located region in Kauai, with easy access to both the North Shore and the South Shore.

It has all the restaurants you’ll ever need, shops to grab souvenirs or any items you forgot at home, and beautiful beaches for days lounging by the ocean. It’s also close to the airport in Lihue — stay here on your last night if you have an early flight the next morning.

Kapa’a and Wailua offer resorts at budget-friendly prices, making them ideal for families who want to hang out at fun hotel pools and save some money without compromising on quality.

Best Places to Stay on the East Side

Waipouli Beach Resort: We’ve stayed at this beachfront resort multiple times and love the rooms, slides into the pool, lazy river, and delicious restaurant. It’s the perfect resort for families!
Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort: Stay at this gorgeous resort right on Coconut Beach with a beautiful pool, private beach area, and an on-site restaurant.
Kauai Shores Hotel: Relax at this oceanfront hotel in one of its newly renovated rooms. Their on-site restaurant on the beach, Lava Lava Beach Club, is one we go to each time we’re in Kauai!
Fern Grotto Inn: Choose from a range of island-inspired accommodations, including studios, cottages, and a three-bedroom house at this old-style inn next to the Wailua River.
The Secret Garden Room: For a more budget-friendly option, stay at this tiny home surrounded by a lush, manicured garden.

The South Shore of Kauai

The most popular area to stay on Kauai is the South Shore, which includes the towns of Poipu and Koloa.

Most visitors choose to stay on the South Shore, known for its abundance of luxury resorts and vacation rentals, excellent beaches, and the sunniest weather on the island.

Though you won’t want to leave this stunning region, it’s an easy trip to the East Side for a day trip or shopping in Kapa’a. If visiting the North Shore is high on your list, the South Shore may not be the best option since it’s a longer drive to get there.

Reasons To Stay on the South Shore

Although Kauai is the wettest Hawaiian island and one of the wettest places in the world, you’re most likely to have dry and warm weather on the South Shore.

If you’re a beach lover, the South Shore is perfect for you. The family-friendly beaches have calm waves and are considered among the best beaches in the country. Most of the resorts are steps from the beaches, with ocean views from many of the rooms.

The 5-star resorts on the South Shore are as luxurious as you can get on Kauai. boasting infinity pools overlooking the ocean, poolside cabanas, and spas. You can relax and unwind in opulence at the resorts in this region.

Best Places to Stay on the South Shore

Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa: This 5-star resort is one of the most popular and luxurious resorts in Kauai, with upscale rooms, a picturesque pool, a relaxing spa, and seven on-site restaurants.
Sheraton Kauai Resort: Stay at the Sheraton for on-site restaurants and a bar, a pool, and family rooms with kitchenettes.
Koloa Landing Resort: My parents and their friends stayed here recently and had the best time relaxing by the infinity pool (voted best pool in Kauai), walking the coastal path, and enjoying the nearby beaches.
Koa Kea Resort: Enjoy a getaway at this luxurious boutique resort offering ocean views, a spa, an on-site restaurant, and a lovely pool.

The West Side of Kauai

The West Side is the most remote region in Kauai, offering pure, rugged nature for visitors. Waimea is the main town where visitors can stay, though accommodation options are extremely limited.

The main reason to stay on the West Side of Kauai is its proximity to Waimea Canyon State Park and the many hiking trails.

Its remote location separates it from the rest of the island, making it more of a challenge to explore beyond the West Side and some of the South Shore.

Reasons To Stay on the West Side

If your main purpose for visiting Kauai is to hike through Waimea Canyon, then the West Side is where you will want to stay!

In addition to the aforementioned hiking trails, Waimea Canyon also has a waterfall and gorgeous canyon views that earned it the name “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.”

Unless your sole reason for visiting is to explore Waimea Canyon, I don’t recommend staying on the West Side.

Best Places to Stay on the West Side

Waimea Plantation Cottages: This is the most popular accommodation on the West Side, with adorable cottages of different sizes and colors located steps from the beach.

Where to Stay in Kauai FAQs

What is the best area to stay in Kauai?

The North Shore is best for nature lovers who want lush scenery, fresh meals at local food trucks, views of the Na Pali coast, and laid-back beaches.

The East Side is best for families and budget travelers who want a central base for exploring the island, a mix of beach and town, and proximity to the airport.

The South Shore is best for first-time travelers and travelers who want sunny, warm weather, resort accommodations, and a wide selection of restaurants.

The West Side is best for outdoor enthusiasts who plan to spend the majority of their Kauai trip exploring Waimea Canyon and nearby hiking trails.

How long should you stay in Kauai?

I recommend spending at least five days in Kauai, though 7–10 days is an ideal trip length if you want to explore the entire island.

Which area is best for couples to stay in Kauai?

The North Shore is my favorite spot for a couple’s getaway in Kauai. Fewer families with children stay in this region, and you can find secluded beaches with fewer people than in other areas in Kauai.