The Royal Sonesta Kauai Resort Lihue

HOTEL OVERVIEW

Honestly, when I first pulled up to The Royal Sonesta Kauai on Rice Street, I wasn’t sure what to expect – I mean, Lihue isn’t exactly where you picture your dreamy Hawaiian resort experience, you know? It’s more the practical hub where you fly in and maybe grab groceries at Costco. But this place actually surprised me in the best way.

What really struck me was how they’ve managed to create this genuine resort feel right in the middle of everything. You’re literally a five-minute drive from the airport (which sounds terrible but honestly isn’t – Lihue’s airport is tiny and pretty quiet), and you can walk to Kalapaki Beach, which most people overlook but is actually perfect for families since the waves are way calmer than the north shore spots. The resort sits right along the Huleia River, and I spent way too much time just watching the tour boats head out to the Fern Grotto – there’s something oddly relaxing about it. The pools are genuinely nice too, not those cramped afterthought pools you sometimes get. I saw kids having a blast while their parents actually got to chill with a drink.

Here’s the thing though – and I wish someone had told me this beforehand – the rooms vary quite a bit depending on where you end up. I got lucky with an ocean-view room that looked out toward Nawiliwili Harbor, but some of the garden-view rooms basically face the parking lot. The staff was super helpful about switching me when I mentioned it at check-in, so definitely speak up if you’re not happy with your first room. The resort feels well-maintained without being stuffy – like, the lobby has that tropical elegance thing going on, but you don’t feel weird walking through in flip-flops and beach gear. Parking is free (thank god, because paid resort parking is the worst), and they’ve got plenty of spots even when they’re busy. You know what I really appreciated? The location puts you right in the sweet spot for exploring the island. Poipu’s beaches are maybe 20 minutes south, you can hit Wailua Falls on the way to Kapaa, and even the drive to Hanalei isn’t too brutal from here. Plus, there’s a Safeway and some decent local food trucks practically next door – which matters more than you’d think when you’re spending a week somewhere and don’t want to pay resort prices for every single meal. The 8.2 rating feels about right to me. It’s definitely a solid choice, especially if you want that resort experience but also want to actually explore Kauai without feeling like you’re stuck in some isolated bubble.