Kauai, Hawaii's Garden Isle, has no shortage of luxury hotels located in stunning tropical settings. Luxury spas, championship golf and fabulous pools are standard amenities at Kauai's top-end hotels. Whether you desire the wild cliffs, natural beauty and seclusion of the north side of the island or the more tranquil, sunny and touristy south side of the island, there is a luxury hotel to fit your needs. Golf is prevalent all over Kauai, whether you choose to play at the course at your resort or explore other public courses in Wailua or Poipu.
Grand Hyatt Resort & Spa
Located on the sunny side of Kauai with myriad man-made lagoons, private rocky pools and a water slide, the Grand Hyatt Resort & Spa also has a wood-paneled library with a pool table. Guest rooms are sophisticated and well appointed, and many have water views. The hotel, which is a member of the Five Star Alliance of Hotels, sits on a private beach that is great for sunbathing, but, unfortunately, the water is often too rough for swimming. That said, the resort has five acres of saltwater swimming lagoons and two fresh-water pools. There are also tennis courts, a huge workout center and a spa on site. The hotel is adjacent to the Poipu Bay Golf Course, host of the PGA Grand Slam.
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa
1571 Poipu Road
Koloa, HI 96756
(808) 742-1234
kauai.hyatt.com
Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club
Located in Lihue and offering easy access to the airport and all parts of Kauai, the Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club has as its centerpiece an enormous oceanfront pool with a palm-tree mosaic on the bottom. The pool area opens onto a small crescent of beach that is protected by a reef and calm nearly year round. Guest rooms are contemporary and well appointed and in 2009, rooms were being renovated and updated throughout the hotel. A member of the Five Star Hotel Alliance, the Marriott has a spa, fitness center and salon on site. The Jack Nicklaus-designed Kiele and Mokihana golf courses are on site and both are challenging courses with beautiful views of the Pacific.
Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club Kalapaki Beach
3610 Rice St.
Lihue, HI 96766
(800) 220-2925
marriott.com/hotels/travel/lihhi-kauai-marriott-resort-and-beach-clu
St. Regis Princeville
The new St. Regis at Princeville is a Five Star resort set on Hanalei Bay and offering the ultimate in luxury, including butler service, which is standard with suites. The hotel itself is opulent and grand with crystal chandeliers, marble appointments, personal service and, of course, stunning views of Hanalei Bay and the mountains beyond. Guest rooms are decorated with neutral, but warm furnishings and many have balconies. There is a high-end spa, workout area and infinity pool on site. The resort has two golf courses, the Prince and Makai, both designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. Signature holes on both courses require carries over the Pacific crashing into the cliffs below.
St. Regis Princeville
5520 Ka Haku Road
Princeville, HI 96722
(808) 826-9644
princevillehotelhawaii.com
About The Author
J.D. Chi is a professional journalist who has covered sports for more than 20 years at newspapers all over the United States. She has covered major golf tournaments and the NFL as well as travel and health topics. Chi received her Bachelor of Arts in professional writing from Carnegie Mellon University and is working toward a master's degree in journalism.
