Most travellers who visit Hawaii 8/10 times go to Honolulu. There is definitely nothing wrong with Honolulu with the amazing food, shopping, and sun. However, if you are looking for an island that is beautiful, tranquil, and full of undiscovered hiking trails and beaches, Kauai is the place to visit. I first went to Kauai on our honeymoon and we stayed at the Princeville Resort. Since then, it was rebranded as a St. Regis Resort, and in 2021 it was replaced by 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay. While the property has changed significantly over the years, the incredible views remain unchanged. With kids now in tow, we prefer to stay in Poipu at the Grand Hyatt which has a lot of pools for kids and live entertainment almost every night. There is also more to do in Poipu than Princeville, which is more romantic and quiet.
In Poipu, we have our routine of heading to Little Fish Coffee in the morning, grabbing a coffee and acai bowl before venturing out for the day. The coffee shop is usually very busy during the morning, and a 20 minute wait is not uncommon. But, since we are on Hawaiian time, we take our time, visit with the chickens who live there (and everywhere), and enjoy our slow mornings. There is a natural blowhole near the hotel, Spouting Horn, which is fun to see and a quick stop for the day. There is also a shopping mall, Shops at Kuku'ula, where you can find restaurants and a mix of local and chain shops. Our favorite restaurant there is Eating House 1849, which is Hawaiian fusion cuisine. I also love to shop at SoHa Living and grab snacks and wine at Living Foods.
As our activities have changed over the years depending on the kids ages, we are now at a point that both girls can pretty much do most things. The last time we were in Kauai was 2022 and we were able to hike the first leg of the Napali Coast Kalalau Trail, which is 4 miles round trip. The entire hike is 11 miles each way and is the original trail used by Hawaiians who lived in Kalalau Valley. In order to visit Haena State Park where the trail is located, you now have to make a reservation online. Another fun activity we discovered is a water tubing park in Lihue. The tunnel system used for the tubing adventure was once used to irrigate sugar cane crops, so the water will take you through caves, waterfalls, and mountains. We usually go in Hawaii in February, and the water was chilly, however, you acclimate after a few minutes. This activity was the highlight of our trip and a "must do."
We decided to stay a few days in Hanalei Bay the last time we were on the island. I initally wanted to stay at 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, but it was still under construction. Instead, I booked Hanalei Colony Resort which we ended up loving. The hotel location cannot be beat, only 50 feet from the water with sweeping views of the ocean, but the hotel is more bare bones in terms of decor, service and amenities. The reason why we loved it is the beauty of the location, and the ability to truly un-plug and find respite in nature. There is a complimentary shuttle service that takes you to area beaches and Hanalei which was very helpful as parking is difficult in most places. The one major drawback of the hotel is that the restaurant on-site is not very good and you would need to drive about 15 minutes into Hanalei for other restaurant options.
Kauai is still our favorite vacation destination and place to recharge. There are so many nooks and crannies to explore in Kauai, though we have been there four times, we still continue to find new beaches, activities, and restaurants to try.
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