From US$389, plus $26 daily resort fee for valet parking, fitness centre, turndown service and wifi
– Welcoming staff give great local recommendations like farmers’ markets and food and wine events.
– The hotel is ocean-front, but the beach is small. Famous Poipu Beach is a very short stroll away.
Ko’a Kea means “white coral” and there are pretty coral motifs throughout this 121-room boutique hotel located at Poipu Beach, on Kauai’s southern shores. Designed by Anita Brooks, the hotel is beautifully decorated with depictions of sea life and Hawaiian flowers. Ko’a Kea is aimed at adults, so the resort is quiet with few children. There’s also few passersby, because the beach walk ends at the western edge of the property.
Ko’a Kea’s rooms are spread out in five three-storey buildings which surround a vast green lawn, pool, hot tub and pool restaurant. Many of the resort’s 112 rooms and nine suites have views of the ocean and you can hear the crashing waves from all around the property. On-site is an ocean activity centre where you can rent surfboards, kayaks and snorkelling gear and arrange lessons.
Rooms are a calm oasis of luxury. You’ll sink into the featherbed and duvet covered king sized bed. There’s lots of storage so even if you’re staying a week you won’t feel crowded. Each room has an ipod docking station, 42″ LCD HD television, Nespresso machine and mini fridge, and microwaves are available upon request. Room service is 24-7. All rooms have a lanai balcony with table and chairs, and some have a sunbed.
Most guests seemed to enjoy lounging around the pool and on the lawn facing the ocean. There’s a small beach at the edge of the property, and if the tide isn’t high you can walk on the sand westward to a longer beach ideal for surfing. One of Kauai’s calmest swimming beaches is a two-minute stroll eastward at Poipu Beach Park.
Ko’a Kea’s fitness centre has treadmills, recumbent bikes, and cross-trainers. The spa focuses on natural and indigenous ingredients, and you can enjoy your treatment indoors in the spa, in your room, or at the oceanfront pavilion. If you like to pack light, there are coin laundry facilities for guests.
A part of the Meritage Collection, Ko’a Kea has sister hotels in Huntington Beach, Napa Valley, Santa Barbara, Newport Beach and La Jolla.
