About The Royal Sonesta Kaua’i Resort Lihue
The Royal Sonesta Kaua’i Resort Lihue sits on Kalapaki Beach on Kauai’s east side, just minutes from Lihue Airport. It has about 350 rooms across two buildings of up to ten floors, and it is right next to the Ocean Course at Hokuala golf course.
What sets it apart is the pool, a 26,000 square foot pool described as Hawaii’s largest one-level swimming pool, plus a calm, sheltered beach and the easy airport location. It suits families, travelers who want a central base for exploring both the north and south shores, and anyone who wants to start their vacation within minutes of landing.
At a glance
Highlights
- Hawaii's largest one-level swimming pool
- Five minutes from Lihue Airport
- Calm, sheltered Kalapaki Beach
- Duke's Kauai with live music daily
Amenities
Rooms and suites
Rooms range from garden views to large suites, with one king or two queen beds. Categories include:
- Garden View and Pool View rooms
- Deluxe Lanai rooms on the ground floor
- Ocean View and Preferred Ocean View rooms
- Ocean Suite
- Vice Presidential and Presidential Suites
Rooms include robes, slippers and Kauai coffee. Housekeeping is three times a week rather than daily.
Restaurants and bars
There are four main restaurants, with a coffee bar and poolside drinks:
- Duke’s Kauai: beachfront grill and lounge with Hawaiian food, seafood and steaks, live music daily
- Kukui’s on Kalapaki Beach: Pacific Rim and island-inspired, breakfast to dinner
- Cafe Portofino: oceanfront Northern Italian dinner
- Royal Lanai: coffee bar by day, Japanese-style sushi in the evening
- Poolside bar
Reservations are recommended at Duke’s, Kukui’s and Cafe Portofino, and all three have children’s menus.
Beach, pools and spa
Kalapaki Beach is a sheltered bay that is usually calm enough for swimming and beginner surfing and paddling. The main pool covers about 26,000 square feet, and there is a separate children’s pool and five hot tubs.
Alexander Day Spa has five treatment rooms, including couples rooms, and beachside treatments are also offered.
Activities and entertainment
Guests can kayak, canoe, surf, paddle, snorkel and play volleyball, and there are yoga, Pilates and wellness classes, plus cultural activities. Golfers can play the Ocean Course at Hokuala next door.
There is no kids club, but the children’s pool and calm beach keep families busy.
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: families who want a big pool and calm beach, travelers who want a central base close to the airport, golfers.
- Consider another resort if: you want a quiet luxury hideaway, or a sunnier south shore location.
Getting there from Lihue Airport
The resort is about 2 miles from Lihue Airport (LIH), roughly a five-minute drive.
A free airport shuttle is available on request, as part of the resort fee.
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 at 4:00 PM, check-out at 12:00 PM
- Minimum age to stay without an adult is 21
- A daily resort fee applies and includes the airport shuttle
- Self parking and valet parking cost extra
- Children under 18 stay free with existing bedding
Location of The Royal Sonesta Kaua’i Resort Lihue
FAQ about The Royal Sonesta Kaua’i Resort Lihue
Is The Royal Sonesta Kauai all-inclusive?
No. Meals are paid separately, and a daily resort fee applies.
Is The Royal Sonesta Kauai adults only?
No. It is family friendly, with a children's pool.
How far is The Royal Sonesta from Lihue Airport?
It is about 2 miles, roughly five minutes by car.
Does The Royal Sonesta Kauai have an airport shuttle?
Yes. A free shuttle is available on request.
How big is the pool at The Royal Sonesta Kauai?
The main pool is about 26,000 square feet, described as Hawaii's largest one-level pool.
What restaurants are at The Royal Sonesta Kauai?
Duke's Kauai, Kukui's on Kalapaki Beach, Cafe Portofino and Royal Lanai.
Is the beach good for swimming?
Kalapaki Beach is a sheltered bay that is usually calm for swimming.
Does The Royal Sonesta Kauai have a spa?
Yes. Alexander Day Spa has five treatment rooms.
What time is check-in at The Royal Sonesta Kauai?
Check-in is at 4:00 PM and check-out is at 12:00 PM.
Is there golf at The Royal Sonesta Kauai?
Yes. The Ocean Course at Hokuala is next door.
