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4- and 5-star hotels in Lihue

A shortlist of 4- and 5-star hotels in Lihue, Kauai's main town and airport gateway, for couples, families and business travellers who want a resort stay with the beach and golf within reach.

8 hotels3 rated 4.5+10,409 guest reviews

Staying in Lihue

Lihue is the commercial centre and airport town of Kauai, and it is where most visitors' island stay begins. The hotels on this shortlist sit in three spots: along Rice Street near Kalapaki Bay, on Kauai Beach Drive and Kauai Beach Drive in the north of town, and on the Ala'oli Way and Ho'olaule'a Way resort lanes at Hokuala. All are a short drive from Lihue Airport, so they suit short breaks as much as longer holidays. Travellers here tend to want the beach, a pool and a round of golf without crossing the island. Couples and families have the widest choice, with family rooms, kids pools and residences with kitchens among the 8 properties. Ratings run from 4.2 to 4.8 out of 5.

The shortlist

Ranked by hotel class, then guest rating and number of reviews.

  1. Timbers Kauai Ocean Club & Residences

    ★★★★★4.8178 reviews

    3770 Ala'oli Way, Lihue, United States

    Best for: Families · Drivers

    • Kids pool
    • Spa
    • Free car parking

    Why stay hereA 5-star address on Ala'oli Way where the ocean is a short step from your balcony. Rooms come with kitchens, so longer island stays feel settled rather than improvised, and the outdoor pool and jacuzzi cover the slow afternoons. Guests rate it 4.8 out of 5 across 178 reviews. With family rooms, a kids pool and babysitting, it suits households and anyone staying more than a few nights.

    See Timbers Kauai Ocean Club & Residences
  2. Marriott's Kaua'i Beach Club

    ★★★★★

    070 692 2496 04, Lihue, United States

    Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa

    • Outdoor pool
    • Sauna
    • Car parking

    Why stay hereThis 5-star Kaua'i Beach Club pairs a spa and sauna with dining and bar space, so a day can move from treatment to terrace without leaving the grounds. Water sports are close at hand, including diving and surfing, and a shuttle service makes getting around simple. It suits active couples and families who want their days filled and their evenings easy.

    See Marriott's Kaua'i Beach Club
  3. The Royal Sonesta Kaua'i Resort Lihue

    ★★★★4.53,353 reviews

    3610 Rice Street, Lihue, United States

    Best for: Families · Drivers

    • Kids pool
    • Spa
    • Parking

    Why stay hereSet on Rice Street, this 4-star resort is built around its outdoor pool and kids pool, with a jacuzzi and massage for the adults. Several restaurants and bars mean you need not plan dinner far ahead, and balconies and family rooms give everyone room to spread out. A 4.5 out of 5 rating from 3353 reviews makes it a dependable pick for families.

    See The Royal Sonesta Kaua'i Resort Lihue
  4. Marriott's Kaua'i Beach Club

    ★★★★4.52,035 reviews

    3610 Rice Street, Lihue, United States

    Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa

    • Kids pool
    • Spa
    • Parking

    Why stay hereAnother 4-star option on Rice Street, this one leans practical: kitchenettes with microwaves, dishwashers and refrigerators let you handle meals yourself, and the outdoor pool and kids pool keep the children occupied. Fitness facilities and massage cover both ends of a day. Rated 4.5 out of 5 from 2035 reviews, it suits longer stays and self-catering families.

    See Marriott's Kaua'i Beach Club
  5. Kauai Banyan Harbor by Coldwell Banker Island Vacations

    ★★★★4.31,073 reviews

    3411 Wilcox Rd H 96 Lihue, Lihue, United States

    Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa

    • Outdoor pool
    • Parking
    • Kitchen

    Why stay hereThese 4-star apartments on Wilcox Road come with full kitchens, washing machines and dishwashers, which changes how a Kaua'i trip works: laundry happens, breakfast happens, and the beach is nearby. An outdoor pool, tennis court and barbeque area fill the hours around it. Rated 4.3 out of 5 from 1073 reviews, it fits families and groups staying a week or more.

    See Kauai Banyan Harbor by Coldwell Banker Island Vacations
  6. Outrigger Kauaʻi Beach Resort & Spa

    ★★★★4.23,770 reviews

    4331 Kauai Beach Dr, Lihue, United States

    Best for: Families · Drivers

    • Kids pool
    • Spa
    • Parking

    Why stay hereA 4-star resort and spa on Kauai Beach Drive, with the beach close by and an outdoor pool and jacuzzi on site. Diving, canoeing and horse riding are all within its activities, and the fitness centre balances them out. A 4.2 out of 5 rating across 3770 reviews reflects a well-used, well-known property. Good for guests who want resort facilities and room to be busy.

    See Outrigger Kauaʻi Beach Resort & Spa
  7. Kauai Beach Villas

    ★★★★

    4330 Kauai Beach Drive Lihue Hawaii 96766, Lihue, United States

    Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa

    • Outdoor pool
    • Free car parking
    • Lounge

    Why stay hereThese 4-star villas on Kauai Beach Drive keep things simple and spacious: an outdoor pool, tennis court and fitness centre, with the beach nearby and free parking on site. Sofa beds and cribs available make the layout work for families, and lifts and wheelchair access help guests with mobility needs. A straightforward choice for travellers who want space and a kitchen-free setup.

    See Kauai Beach Villas
  8. Maliula at Hokuala 3Bedroom Premiere 3 Br Apts

    ★★★★

    3351 Ho'olaule'a Way, Lihue, United States

    Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa

    • Outdoor pool
    • Free car parking
    • Kitchen

    Why stay hereA 4-star three-bedroom apartment on Ho'olaule'a Way, built for groups rather than couples. The kitchen, microwave and hairdryer cover the essentials, free parking removes a daily hassle, and the outdoor pool is there when you cannot face the drive. With only 1 to 50 rooms, it stays quiet. Best for families or friends travelling together who want a base with real space.

    See Maliula at Hokuala 3Bedroom Premiere 3 Br Apts

The shortlist side by side

HotelClassGuest ratingReviewsParkingBreakfastPool or spa
Timbers Kauai Ocean Club & Residences★★★★★4.8178YesYesYes
Marriott's Kaua'i Beach Club★★★★★––Yes–Yes
The Royal Sonesta Kaua'i Resort Lihue★★★★4.53,353YesYesYes
Marriott's Kaua'i Beach Club★★★★4.52,035Yes–Yes
Kauai Banyan Harbor by Coldwell Banker Island Vacations★★★★4.31,073Yes–Yes
Outrigger Kauaʻi Beach Resort & Spa★★★★4.23,770YesYesYes
Kauai Beach Villas★★★★––Yes–Yes
Maliula at Hokuala 3Bedroom Premiere 3 Br Apts★★★★––Yes–Yes

From each hotel's own listing on this site; a dash means it is not listed.

How to choose

For families

Family rooms, kids pools and kitchen or kitchenette facilities make these the easiest picks with children. Timbers Kauai Ocean Club & Residences adds babysitting, a cot and a kitchen, The Royal Sonesta Kaua'i Resort Lihue has family rooms and a kids pool, and Kauai Banyan Harbor offers a kitchen, washing machine and tennis court.

Timbers Kauai Ocean Club & Residences · The Royal Sonesta Kaua'i Resort Lihue · Marriott's Kaua'i Beach Club · Outrigger Kauaʻi Beach Resort & Spa · Kauai Banyan Harbor by Coldwell Banker Island Vacations

For couples

These properties lean towards quiet, adult-friendly stays. Timbers Kauai Ocean Club & Residences pairs a jacuzzi, balcony and outdoor pool with a 4.8 rating, Marriott's Kaua'i Beach Club on Rice Street has a jacuzzi, massage and sea access, and Outrigger Kauaʻi Beach Resort & Spa adds a jacuzzi, massage and a 4.2 rating.

Timbers Kauai Ocean Club & Residences · Marriott's Kaua'i Beach Club · Outrigger Kauaʻi Beach Resort & Spa

For business travellers

Business centres and meeting rooms appear at Marriott's Kaua'i Beach Club, The Royal Sonesta Kaua'i Resort Lihue and Outrigger Kauaʻi Beach Resort & Spa, while Kauai Beach Villas adds a computer room and business centre. All four are in Lihue, close to the airport side of town.

Marriott's Kaua'i Beach Club · The Royal Sonesta Kaua'i Resort Lihue · Outrigger Kauaʻi Beach Resort & Spa · Kauai Beach Villas

Best rated

The highest guest scores on this shortlist belong to Timbers Kauai Ocean Club & Residences at 4.8 from 178 reviews, followed by The Royal Sonesta Kaua'i Resort Lihue and Marriott's Kaua'i Beach Club on Rice Street, both 4.5 and reviewed 3353 and 2035 times respectively.

Timbers Kauai Ocean Club & Residences · The Royal Sonesta Kaua'i Resort Lihue · Marriott's Kaua'i Beach Club

Where to stay in Lihue

Rice Street

Rice Street is the Kalapaki Bay address, with the beach nearby and the largest facilities lists on this shortlist.

Our picks here: The Royal Sonesta Kaua'i Resort Lihue · Marriott's Kaua'i Beach Club

Kauai Beach Drive

Kauai Beach Drive sits north of the town centre, where Outrigger Kauaʻi Beach Resort & Spa and Kauai Beach Villas both have an outdoor pool and tennis court.

Our picks here: Kauai Beach Villas

Questions, answered

Which hotel is closest to the centre of Lihue?

The Royal Sonesta Kaua'i Resort Lihue and Marriott's Kaua'i Beach Club both sit on 3610 Rice Street, the address in the town's hotel strip, and both list the beach nearby.

Do any of these hotels have parking?

Timbers Kauai Ocean Club & Residences, Marriott's Kaua'i Beach Club and Kauai Beach Villas all list free car parking, and parking also appears at The Royal Sonesta Kaua'i Resort Lihue, Marriott's Kaua'i Beach Club on Rice Street, Kauai Banyan Harbor and Outrigger Kauaʻi Beach Resort & Spa.

Which hotels have a pool?

An outdoor pool is listed at Timbers Kauai Ocean Club & Residences, Marriott's Kaua'i Beach Club, The Royal Sonesta Kaua'i Resort Lihue, Marriott's Kaua'i Beach Club on Rice Street, Kauai Banyan Harbor, Outrigger Kauaʻi Beach Resort & Spa, Kauai Beach Villas and Maliula at Hokuala.

Are there hotels with a spa or jacuzzi?

A spa is listed at Marriott's Kaua'i Beach Club, and jacuzzis appear at Timbers Kauai Ocean Club & Residences, The Royal Sonesta Kaua'i Resort Lihue, Marriott's Kaua'i Beach Club on Rice Street and Outrigger Kauaʻi Beach Resort & Spa. Massage is listed at The Royal Sonesta, Marriott's Kaua'i Beach Club on Rice Street and Outrigger.

Can I bring pets?

Kauai Beach Villas states pets are not allowed. The other properties on this shortlist do not list a pet policy in their facilities, so a pet-friendly stay cannot be confirmed from the data here.

Which hotels are best for families with children?

Timbers Kauai Ocean Club & Residences lists family rooms, a kids pool, babysitting and a cot. The Royal Sonesta Kaua'i Resort Lihue and Outrigger Kauaʻi Beach Resort & Spa also list family rooms and a kids pool.

Which hotel has the highest guest rating?

Timbers Kauai Ocean Club & Residences is rated 4.8 out of 5 from 178 reviews. The Royal Sonesta Kaua'i Resort Lihue and Marriott's Kaua'i Beach Club on Rice Street follow, both rated 4.5.

Is breakfast available at these hotels?

Breakfast is listed at Timbers Kauai Ocean Club & Residences, The Royal Sonesta Kaua'i Resort Lihue, The Royal Sonesta also offers breakfast in room, and at Outrigger Kauaʻi Beach Resort & Spa.

More ways to stay in Lihue