Kauai Shores Hotel in Kapaa – Vintage, Value, and a Lot of Fun

I don’t often think of Kauai as a party island, but if you’re looking for a hotel that’s both chill and fun all the time, the Kauai Shores Hotel is it! Picture the vintage beach hotel vibes of Southern California with the perpetual sunshine and beach access of Hawaii and that’s what you’ll find here. The Kauai Shores Hotel is in a great location in Kapaa and makes for a good home based for enjoying a trip to Kauai. The rates tend to be lower than other nearby resorts and you get a solid vacation experience for the money.

Have you gotten to stay here before? I mentioned it to a friend of mine and she immediately said that Lava Lava (the restaurant) is her kids’ favorite. When you have kids and find a winning hotel, you’ve struck gold. We’ve got all the details of what to expect staying at the Kauai Shores Hotel, as well as suggestions for things to do and where to eat in Kapaa. If you have any additional questions, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan your aloha trip!

Why Stay at the Kauai Shores Hotel

We’ve stayed at a few different places in Kapaa and really, what brings us back to the Kauai Shores Hotel is its location and fun atmosphere. Being based in Kapaa is great for getting to explore all sides of Kauai without having to book multiple hotels. At the end of a day of hiking or swimming around the island, coming back to the Kauai Shores Hotel and having both a good beach and pool at the ready is nice. Rates tend to be in the $250-$390 per night range depending, which is low for Kauai.

Not everyone comes to Hawaii with the intent of visiting the communities around their resort or hotel, or not everyone is into hiking. For those people it’s nice to have a hotel that they can just chill at and have fun without stress. That’s who will enjoy staying at the Kauai Shores Hotel. It’s a fun vibe. It’s all about relaxing, but it’s not luxurious. You have comfortable spaces, outdoor spaces and access to the sand. You’ve got food on property or a few steps away. You can check in and just enjoy the weather and the waves.

Book the Kauai Shores Hotel here!

Room Options at the Kauai Shores Hotel

The Kauai Shores Hotel is very close to another hotel property, and if you’re on the south side of the property, you may be closer to the next building than you expect. There is a garden wall/hedge that separates the properties, but if you’re planning relaxing evenings watching the sunset, you’ll want a better view and it’s worth the upgrade.

The room options at the Kauai Shores Hotel are:

• Standard with one King or two Queens
• Garden view w/ patio
• Pool view w/ patio
• Ocean view w/ balcony
• Deluxe Garden view with Kitchenette

Because room types vary based on location or view, if you’re traveling with a larger party that needs several rooms, I recommend booking the same room types to be able to be close to one another if you need that. As I’ve said, this is not a fancy property and if you just book a standard, your view will NOT be one that you’re jazzed about. This is a great hotel and I recommend it, but know that if you don’t book a specific view type, you’re looking at bushes and minimal natural light coming into your room.

Kauai Shores Hotel Amenities

Remember, this is the Kauai Shores Hotel, not resort. While there is wonderful public space and you can easily arrive and just melt into relaxation or a day of Instagrammable pool shots, it’s not overflowing with amenities. This is more of a practical property. You’ll find the two swimming pools, hammocks and lounge chairs, Lava Lava restaurant and guest laundry facilities.

If you need more than these offerings, the town of Kapaa is just outside the property. Borrow one of the bikes available to guests of the Kauai Shores Hotel and head into town for conveniences, a spa day or more dining options. Really, staying here is giving yourself the opportunity to have a low-key vacation on Kauai.

Dining at the Kauai Shores Hotel and in Kapaa

All dining at the Kauai Shores Hotel is through the Lava Lava Beach Club, the hotel restaurant. It’s located on the beach so you’ve got great views and a perfect ocean breeze. The food is pretty good and it’s a great option for dinner after a long day of exploring Kauai.

Beyond the property you’ll find tons of restaurant options. Kapaa has some great spots for both fancy or very casual dining. Two of our favorites are walking distance from the Kauai Shores Hotel: Hukilau Lanai and Passion Bakery Cafe. If you want to go a little further into Kapaa you’ll have even more options, including the delicious Musubi Truck. There’s not shortage of good food.

Kauai Shores Parking Information

A rarity among Hawaii hotels, parking at the Kauai Shores Hotel is free for guests. You can either self-park or valet and both are complimentary. Make sure you get your parking pass at check in though. “Why is valet parking free?” Great question.

The reason all guest parking is free at the Kauai Shores Hotel is because it has the genuine worst parking lot with limited space in the whole town (in my opinion). If you’re staying here, just do the valet parking and give yourself enough time for them to get your car whenever you need to go somewhere. It’s absolutely worth it instead of trying to park in a tight space or not being able to find one.

Activities and Sights Near Kapaa

Kapaa is a great town because it’s not just tourism, but is really a nice community on Kauai. It’s full of restaurants and public beach parks. You can enjoy walking along the water or head up into the hills. It’s also a great town to have as a home base when you explore Kauai

• Lydgate Beach Park fun
• walking or biking the Kauai shore path
• do the Wailua River Cruise to Fern Grotto
• visit the historic sites up the Wailua Valley
• visit Kauai’s Hindu Monastery
• day trip to Poipu and the South Shore
• day trip to Hanalei Bay
• visit the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge and Lighthouse