Resorts and Hotels in Koloa, Kauai

About Koloa

Koloa is the gateway to Poipu, the resort stretch of Kauai's south shore. The area has a reputation as one of the island's sunnier corners, and the pace is easy: mornings start slowly, afternoons revolve around the coast, and evenings tend toward a cooked-at-home dinner or a table at a resort restaurant. Koloa also has deep roots as a plantation-era town, which gives the area more character than a typical resort strip. It works well for couples, families and groups of friends who want room to spread out.

Marriott's Waiohai Beach Club is the full-service choice, a 4-star resort on Poipu Road in Koloa. The day can follow a simple arc: a swim in the outdoor pool, time in the hot tub, a session at the spa and wellness center, then a meal at the resort's restaurant or a drink at its bar. The two-bedroom villas measure 1,044 sq ft, sleep up to 8 and have full kitchens with a dishwasher, so a group can cook in some nights and go out on others. Free WiFi and a 24-hour front desk make arrivals and logistics easy, and villa options are available for guests who need hearing or mobility accessibility.

Hideaway Cove Poipu Beach offers something quieter and more private. It has private villas and a studio, each with its own entrance, and every room type includes a kitchen, a washing machine and air conditioning. That is a practical setup for longer stays. The Two-Bedroom Villa adds a hot tub and a terrace with sea views, and both villas have a barbecue for evening grilling. Sun loungers, beach chairs and umbrellas are provided, and free WiFi and free parking are included. Guests have rated it 9 from 139 reviews. In short, choose Waiohai for resort amenities such as a restaurant, bar and spa, or Hideaway Cove for self-contained privacy.

When to go

Koloa and Poipu are on Kauai's south shore, which is generally one of the drier, sunnier parts of the island, and the weather is warm all year. Summer is typically the warmest and driest season, but it is also when south swells tend to bring the biggest surf to south-facing shores, so sea conditions can be rough and are not always calm. Winter is cooler and usually wetter, though the south shore tends to stay drier than much of the island. The largest winter surf is mostly on the north shore. Ocean conditions change from day to day in every season, so check local lifeguard advice before getting in the water.

Tips for your trip

• Check the surf and lifeguard guidance each day before swimming or snorkeling. South-shore conditions can be rough in summer when south swells arrive, and the sea is not always calm in any season.
• Look at kitchens and laundry when choosing where to stay. Hideaway Cove Poipu Beach includes a kitchen and washing machine in every room type, and Marriott's Waiohai Beach Club villas have full kitchens with a dishwasher.
• Choose the style of stay first. Marriott's Waiohai Beach Club has a restaurant, bar, pool, hot tub and spa on site, while Hideaway Cove Poipu Beach has private entrances and barbecues in both villas.
• Traveling with a larger group? The Waiohai villas sleep up to 8, and the Two-Bedroom Villa at Hideaway Cove adds a hot tub and sea-view terrace. Ask our 24/7 booking agents if you want help matching a stay to your party.

Frequently asked questions