I’ve visited Hawaii more than a dozen times, and the Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort is one of my favorite hotels in the state. Located in Kapa'a on Kauai’s East Side, the property’s vibes are relaxed, and it’s elegant without being over the top. You can borrow the hotel's bikes for beachside rides, come back for complimentary shave ice at the pool and, for an extra fee, attend the property's luau, which is one of the best I've experienced.
This resort is also a Marriott Bonvoy property, which makes it a good choice for travelers looking to maximize their Marriott Bonvoy points or use annual free night certificates on a beachfront property without the luxury price tag. Room rates can drop below $300 per night (including resort fees) during off-peak periods, which feels like a steal for a beachfront resort in Hawaii.
I was hosted by Marriott for a three-night stay, but all opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
The rooms
The resort currently features comfortable, bright guestrooms with basic amenities like a coffee maker and a mini-fridge, as well as some rather strong (and quite welcome) air conditioning.
My king room had space for a rollaway bed or crib to accommodate up to three people, as well as a lanai (a covered outdoor space).
I stayed in a king room with an ocean view, which typically runs about 30% more than the same room without one.
The frugal maniac in me often doesn’t believe it’s worth splurging on a room with a view, as I’d rather save the money to afford more hotel nights. But for a property like this where the views are unbelievable and beach days mean you’ll likely spend more time in your room, the splurge is easier to justify.
Alternatively, you might hold out for a space-available room upgrade if you have Marriott Gold elite status or higher. You can get this status by holding certain cards, including the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card and the American Express Platinum Card® (enrollment required, terms apply). The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card does one better and offers Platinum status (terms apply).
For now, the rooms feel solidly midscale, but the property has big plans on the horizon. It’s in the midst of major renovations, preparing to debut new luxury suites in the coming months. These upcoming spaces promise far more elegant finishes and an ocean-centric design, with beds facing the water. The hotel is also planning to add custom furniture and new plumbing fixtures.
What’s included
The Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort charges a $45 daily resort fee, which is pretty standard throughout Hawaii. But its amenities go a long way in justifying those fees, in my opinion.
Included in your stay:
- A welcome drink and lei upon arrival.
- Cruiser bicycles to explore the local area.
- Cultural classes, including hula, ukulele lessons and lei-making.
- Wellness activities such as oceanfront sunrise yoga.
- A game room with pool tables, vintage arcade games and darts, plus outdoor lawn games.
- Complimentary shave ice served poolside in the afternoons.
- Free beach rentals including chairs, umbrellas and an action camera with all essential accessories and equipment.
For me, the hotel's cruiser bikes were the best part. I borrowed one to ride along a beach path. And after a hot hike on the Sleeping Giant Trail, I beelined straight for the shave ice. During the ukulele class, we learned some simple tunes that would be easy for kids or musical newbies to pick up, including a simple version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."
Dining
Food on the property is objectively good, though it’s pricier than what you’ll get off-property. But the portion sizes are massive.
On-property restaurants
At the poolside bar, Crooked Surf, my Loco Moco cost about $30 after tax and tip, but the portion was easily large enough to split between two people. I was traveling solo, so I saved half in my in-room mini-fridge and ate it for breakfast the next day.
Meanwhile, Fire Hen offers a casual spot for quick chicken wings. It was originally a pop-up food stand, but it proved so successful that the hotel made it a permanent fixture. I especially loved the dipping sauces it served with its wings (try the pineapple jerk and the guava habanero).
For upscale dining, guests can head to Moa Moa, which serves Hawaiian fusion with an emphasis on seafood. Make sure you reserve in advance to secure lanai seating. The ocean views are what make dining here special.
A standout luau
The highlight of the property's evening entertainment is its luau. While it requires an extra ticket fee (as is typically the case with luaus), it is well worth the expense. It’s one of the best luaus I've ever attended. Adult tickets are about $200, which is about the going rate for most luaus in Hawaii.
The performance, which takes place in an open-air pavilion, showcases dances from multiple Polynesian cultures, culminating in an impressive fire-knife dance.
🤓Nerdy Tip
Give the poi (basically mashed taro root) a try here. This luau serves an exceptionally high-quality version of the traditional Hawaiian food. My grandfather is Hawaiian, so I grew up with poi as a household staple and know the good stuff when I taste it.The location
The resort’s location on Kauai’s Royal Coconut Coast is ideal, especially for travelers who want to skip the frantic energy of Oahu's Waikiki or even Kauai's busier resort districts like Poipu.
Staying here offers absolute peace. It’s beachfront, and the pool sits right up against the sand. On one occasion, I spotted a wild monk seal just napping peacefully on the beach.
What’s nearby
From the lobby, it is a brief walk to the neighboring Coconut Marketplace. While the center itself isn't anything to write home about, it provides a convenient excuse to walk over for a sweet treat at Jojo’s Shave Ice, or fresh poke from the Island Country Markets deli.
For a slightly longer excursion, guests can grab the resort’s complimentary bikes for a short, flat, and highly scenic ride along the coastal path directly into the historic town of Kapa'a.
Getting around
The property sits just a 15-minute drive from Lihue Airport (LIH), a welcome perk after a long flight across the Pacific. Because public transit on Kauai is limited, travelers may want to rent a car.
But if you want to skip the traditional rental car counter, you can mix rideshares with the resort's bikes. The property also offers on-demand Tesla rentals for day trips, bookable at hourly, daily, or weekly rates.
The on-demand EVs can be useful if you plan to venture to remote trailheads where hailed rideshares are hard to find.
Booking award stays
With cash rates around $300, this hotel offers a nice sweet spot of beachfront views plus excellent service and amenities, without the prohibitively high prices that other over-the-top luxury resorts in Hawaii are known for.
But it’s also a great opportunity to use points, especially if you are staying five nights or more. Across all Marriott properties, you get your fifth night free when you book a points stay of five or more consecutive nights.
I’ve seen this hotel dip below 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, and most nights remain under 85,000 points, making it a good use of those Free Night Awards. But keep in mind that you’re still on the hook for paying the resort fee if you pay with points.
Points rates vary based on the night you stay. Typically, cashing in points here gets you a value of 0.7 cent per point when you factor in the resort fee. Meanwhile, NerdWallet values Marriott points at 0.8 cent each.
But some nights offer far better point redemptions. Typically, nights that command high cash rates get you better point redemptions. Booking Christmas night this year on points, for example, would get you a solid 0.9 cent per point.
A calm, coastal retreat
The Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort doesn't try to be the most opulent luxury property in the Hawaiian Islands, and it doesn't need to be.
The real draw here is the absolute peace, the lack of crowd chaos common at sprawling family mega-resorts and the stunning natural landscape. For travelers seeking a midtier resort experience that trades commercial hustle for a relaxed, authentic pace, this oceanfront escape provides exceptional value on the Garden Isle.
The information related to Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.
To view rates and fees of the American Express Platinum Card®, see this page.
To view rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card, see this page. To view rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, see this page.
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