The hype
Guests love the renovated rooms and massive pool, but the nickel-and-diming on fees leaves a sour aftertaste.
The Royal Sonesta Kaua'i Resort Lihue
$350-550 / gecə
Bunu kiraye edin əgər You want a central Kauai base with a massive pool and swimmable beach without the $1,000/night Poipu price tag.
İnsanlar Niyə Sevirlər
- Direct access to Kalapaki Beach (one of the few year-round swimmable spots)
- The largest single-level pool in Hawaii (26,000 sq ft)
- Free 24/7 airport shuttle saves you a rental car day
Sürətli Xülasə: A solid, renovated resort that feels grand until you see the $90/night in extra fees and realize you're basically sleeping on the airport runway.
Rəy verən @helloomelissa: I honestly didn't want to leave the property. From morning coffee by the koi ponds to watching the fire dancers at sunset, everything I needed was right here. The ocean view from my room was the highlight of the trip—absolutely worth the upgrade.
Burada Qalmış Qonaq Söylədi
Reality check
The 'ocean view' often includes a view of the cruise ship dock or the breakwall, and the airport noise is frequent (though surf masks it for some).
- You want to swim in the ocean without driving 30 minutes
- You need a central launchpad to explore both the North Shore and Waimea Canyon
- You love a pool scene with waterfalls and jacuzzis
Təmizlik & Baxım
8.5
- Housekeeping: Service is 'every other day' for tidying. You must request daily service if you want it.
- Bathroom hygiene: Generally sparkling post-renovation, though some recent reviews mention mildew smells in showers.
- Maintenance: Good condition due to recent reno, but watch out for the pool deck construction zones in 2026.
- Linens & towels: Fresh and crisp (new stock from renovation), but pool towels can run out by mid-afternoon.
- Odors & scents: Lobby smells like open-air tropical breeze; some ground floor rooms can smell damp/musty if sliders are left open.
Sleepability™
6.5ORTA
0-4GÜRÜLTÜLÜ
4-7.5ORTA
7.5-10SƏSSİZ
- Commercial jets taking off directly overhead
- Pool deck construction noise (throughout 2026)
- Thin connecting doors in some renovated rooms
Bukmadan əvvəl
Bilməniz Yaxşı Olar
- The beach (Kalapaki) is public and popular with locals—it's lively, not secluded.
- You don't strictly need a car for the whole trip; the shuttle is free and Uber works for short trips.
- Valet is $40/night, but self-parking ($30) is a bit of a hike from the lobby.
Nə götürməli
- Noise-canceling headphones (for the pool deck construction and planes)
- Reef-safe sunscreen (strict local laws)
- Water shoes (Kalapaki beach floor can be rocky in spots)
Otaq Xakimi
Ən yaxşı seçimlər
- Kahili Tower, high floor (Odd numbers often have better harbor views)
- Oceanfront rooms (worth the upgrade to drown out plane noise with surf)
Qaçınılmalı Otaqlar
- Ground floor pool-facing rooms (zero privacy, noise from 2026 construction)
- Rooms near the elevator in Ha'upu Tower (noisy foot traffic)
Otaq İsteyi Xakimi – kopyala və yapışdır
“I am staying during the 2026 pool deck renovation. Please assign a room in the Kahili Tower, high floor, facing the ocean/harbor to minimize construction noise and maximize privacy.”
FAQ & Gizli Məsləhətlər
Broniş etməzdən əvvəl həqiqətən bilmək istədiyiniz hər şey
Is the pool really that big?
Yes, it's 26,000 square feet with waterfalls and 5 hot tubs. It's the centerpiece of the hotel.
Can I swim in the beach out front?
Yes! Kalapaki Beach is protected by a breakwall, making it one of the safest year-round swimming spots on Kauai.
How bad is the airport noise?
It's noticeable. You are directly in the flight path. If you sleep in, you'll likely be woken up by the first flight around 6-7 AM.
Is breakfast included?
No. Expect to pay ~$35+ per person at Kukui's, or walk to nearby spots for cheaper options.
What is the 'Resort Fee' actually for?
Mostly fluff: 'cultural classes', yoga, 2 water bottles, and the airport shuttle. You pay it whether you use them or not.
Are the rooms renovated?
Yes, a major renovation finished in late 2024. Rooms are modern, clean, and have hard floors (no more musty carpet).
Daxili Məsləhətlər
- ✨
Walk 5 minutes to 'Hamura Saimin' for legendary local noodles instead of overpaying for hotel lunch.
- ✨
The 'Garden View' rooms often face the parking lot or driveway—fight for at least a 'Pool View'.
- ✨
There is a hidden elevator near the ballroom that goes straight to the pool level, bypassing the lobby trek.
Getməzdən əvvəl bilinməli olan 5 şey
💡The 'Ocean View' might include a view of a massive Matson shipping container ship docked at the harbor.
💡The hotel shares grounds with the Marriott Vacation Club, so the pool can get crowded with timeshare guests.
💡You can watch the luau from your balcony in certain oceanfront rooms without paying for a ticket.
💡The '24-hour gym' is actually well-equipped, unlike many resort dungeons.
💡The on-site ABC Store (Duke's Canoe Club building) sells booze and snacks at near-normal prices—stock your fridge there.
Yerli Bələdçi
Xəritə
Baxın The Royal Sonesta Kaua'i Resort Lihue harada yerləşir və yaxınlıqda nə var.