About Ko’a Kea Resort on Po’ipu Beach
Ko’a Kea Resort on Po’ipu Beach is a boutique oceanfront hotel on Kauai’s south shore, with 121 rooms and direct access to Poipu Beach. Its small size gives it a calmer feel than the large resorts nearby.
What sets it apart is its intimate scale and its restaurant, Red Salt, which serves modern Hawaiian dishes. It was ranked the sixth best resort in Hawaii in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for 2025. It suits couples, honeymooners and travelers who want a quiet, upscale base in Poipu rather than a big resort.
At a glance
Highlights
- Boutique oceanfront hotel with 121 rooms
- Red Salt modern Hawaiian restaurant
- Sixth best resort in Hawaii, USA Today 10Best 2025
- Oceanfront spa with outdoor treatment areas
Amenities
Rooms and suites
Rooms range from garden views to oceanfront suites. Categories include:
- Oceanfront Suites
- Deluxe Oceanfront Rooms and Oceanfront Rooms
- Ocean View Suites and Rooms
- Partial Ocean View Rooms
- Garden View Rooms
- Adjoining rooms for families
Oceanfront rooms put you a few steps from the sand, and adjoining rooms are available for families who want space. Children 17 and under stay free with a parent using existing bedding.
Restaurants and bars
Dining is small but well regarded:
- Red Salt: modern Hawaiian cuisine, breakfast and dinner
- Sushi Bar: sashimi, nigiri and rolls in the evening
- Kala Kai Pool Bar: drinks and light bites
- In-room dining
Red Salt is small, so it is wise to reserve dinner early in high season. Poipu Shopping Village, with more restaurants, is about half a mile away.
Beach, pools and spa
The resort has direct access to Poipu Beach, known for calm water and snorkeling. There is an outdoor pool with daybeds and a hot tub.
The Spa at Ko’a Kea is an oceanfront spa with five treatment rooms, including couples rooms and outdoor treatment areas, offering massages, facials and lomi lomi.
Activities and entertainment
There is a fitness center on site, and the resort hosts events and weddings. Spouting Horn, Allerton Garden and Old Koloa Town are each about three miles away.
Kauai is known as the Garden Isle, and its big sights are spread around the island. Waimea Canyon and Koke’e State Park are on the west side, the Na Pali Coast can be seen by boat tour, helicopter or on foot along the Kalalau Trail, and the north shore has Hanalei Bay and Tunnels Beach. On the south shore, Poipu Beach is known for calm swimming and frequent Hawaiian monk seal sightings, and Spouting Horn blowhole is a short drive away.
Who it’s best for
- Best for: couples, honeymooners and travelers who want a small, upscale hotel on Poipu Beach with a strong restaurant.
- Consider another resort if: you want a kids club, a big pool complex or lots of on-site activities.
Getting there from Lihue Airport
Ko’a Kea is about 16 miles from Lihue Airport (LIH), roughly a 37-minute drive. Most guests rent a car.
Lihue Airport has nonstop flights from the US mainland and frequent inter-island flights from Honolulu. Most visitors rent a car, because public transport on Kauai is limited and the island’s sights are spread out. US citizens do not need a passport to visit Hawaii from the mainland.
Good to know
- Check-in from 4:00 PM, check-out by 11:00 AM
- Minimum check-in age is 18
- A daily resort fee applies
- Late check-out costs extra, subject to availability
- Free cribs available
Location of Ko’a Kea Resort on Po’ipu Beach
FAQ about Ko’a Kea Resort on Po’ipu Beach
Is Ko'a Kea all-inclusive?
No. Meals and drinks are paid separately, and a daily resort fee applies.
Is Ko'a Kea adults only?
No. Children are welcome and stay free with existing bedding.
How far is Ko'a Kea from Lihue Airport?
It is about 16 miles, roughly a 37-minute drive.
How many rooms does Ko'a Kea have?
It has 121 rooms and suites.
Is Ko'a Kea on the beach?
Yes. It has direct access to Poipu Beach.
What restaurant is at Ko'a Kea?
Red Salt serves modern Hawaiian cuisine, with a sushi bar in the evening.
Does Ko'a Kea have a spa?
Yes. The Spa at Ko'a Kea has five treatment rooms, including couples rooms.
Does Ko'a Kea have a pool?
Yes. There is an outdoor pool with daybeds and a hot tub.
What time is check-in at Ko'a Kea?
Check-in starts at 4:00 PM and check-out is before 11:00 AM.
Is Ko'a Kea good for honeymoons?
Yes. Its small size, oceanfront setting and spa make it popular with couples.
