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January 2025 by Anna McDermott
I am leaving a review because I have a huge safety concern for this inn. I left my key in the door and was locked in from the inside. I was able to call the front desk and they very quickly sent someone unlock the door for me, but what if there was a fire? I am very small and I don’t think I would be able to knock down the door to get out. Please update your locks! Sounds like it a common problem from what I heard from facilities management.
Additional context: American Airlines booted me along with 30 other people off our flight because of fuel concerns. We waited patiently to receive our hotel vouchers and me and another lady were routed to the Kauai inn. We had to walk from the airport to the inn for an hour at 1:00 am because there was no Lyft/uber/shuttle/taxi service. In the morning I was told that Uber/lyft was the only way to get to the airport. Thankfully a Lyft driver was able to pick me up, but I would suggest walking to Waapa road for pickup, as a road closure has created a huge detour for drivers.
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January 2025 by Quinn Reimer
Awesome place to stay for a night or two if you miss your flight or need a place to stay in an emergency situation. Clean room and the service was great! Also a great piece of Hawaii history.
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January 2025 by David Rincon
This was our first time staying here and we absolutely LOVED it!! The staff was very friendly and welcoming. The complimentary breakfast was delicious and added such a nice touch, it was a great way to mingle with the staff and other guests. The grounds were very clean and well maintained, ample parking, bbq grills and a relaxing pool. The rooms were very clean. Plus, the evening entertainment was an added treat. Thank you for a wonderful stay, we look forward to coming back soon!
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January 2025 by Cassandra Sparks
The Kauai Inn is full of charm. It's an older hotel (oldest in Kauai they told us) but the owner has made some key upgrades and the staff couldn't be an nicer.
The sheets, towels, and bed were soft. The AC was cold and while the shower/bathroom was outdated, there was lots of hot water and nice water pressure. Honestly an updated bathroom wouldn't fit the vibe and charm of this place anyway. They had soft music playing and nice lights to light up the pool area at night. They have live music on certain nights (an excellent surprise!) and they had a nice fireworks display on NYE (also a nice surprise). As other reviewers have said-- there are cats and chicken and roosters. Not the hotels cats but strays and neighbor cats that like to come by to visit. There are peacocks and we even saw a wild pig nearby one evening. The wildlife and the quiet, location was a plus for us. The view is absolutely amazing of the mountains. What put this hotel over the top was the staff. They made sure we are breakfast before checking out and we're genuine and kind.
We loved the Kauai Inn and will definitely stay here again the next time we visit Kauai.
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January 2025 by Patrick Kafka
Really disappointing! The shower had mold and we found a dead cockroach in the room (photos and video included). We told a person at the front desk she said she would tell her GM and we never had it addressed or acknowledged after that. Being an older place and not updated is fine but keep it clean and price it accordingly. We felt duped. The in-wall AC unit was shuttering and noisy and didn't cool the room, the tv had no antenna, channels or cable at all. There is a bridge permanently closed so this place is not conveniently located. We were told that it's only a mile or so to walk to a restaurant so we did. Having to walk past a homeless encampment in a mostly otherwise empty area felt sketchy and was the only way to get back while it was getting dark. Hate to leave a bad review for a small business, but when it's this many things and not spoken of in reviews it should be said.
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December 2024 by TC Teadrinker
This is a five gnome review not a five star resort. Here are some things you won't have at The Kauai Inn:
Private beach; gourmet restaurant; massage spa; room service.
Here's what you will have:
A stay at Kauai's first hotel in a beautiful bucolic setting with chickens, peacocks, and cats wandering the premises just 10 minutes or so from the center of Lihue;
A friendly and helpful staff that will do their best to accommodate your requests;
A free concert by local musicians if you stay on a Monday, Wednesday, or Saturday
Lots more.
Thanks to Phil and the rest of the staff - even Felicity ;)
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December 2024 by Bernard Aschwanden
As with most of the other reviewers I have a lot of good stuff to share. Many already talked about the breakfast, staff, and even Phil, the owner. I will add in that Felisitee at the front desk was a real treat as well. She made the stay that much more fun with personality and the enjoyable kind of attitude I love!
Between the two of them and Sheldon playing live music and taking requests we wrapped our first week with fun, tunes, and shared stories. Two more nights before we head to the north end of Kauai.
On first arrival it was odd to see chickens, roosters, peacocks(!), and cats around, but they blend into the background quickly. And with the AC on at night and doors closed even the morning crowing of roosters I was able to sleep with no issues.
Checkin experience: Simple. Showed up, free parking, key from the front and into the room. Spent the day exploring a bit then back and asleep by 8pm local time. Long trip to get here.
Room: Ours was a decent size for 2 adults. Super comfy bed. I asked for (and got) extra pillows. Clean towels, lots of hot water, mini fridge. Ice maker and a vending machine for pop/soda, and we used the laundry while here. Dark at night and even morning light took time to come in. Dark curtains did the trick.
First Day: Early start, free local coffee. Then at 7am croissant, jam, cheese, juice, and yogurt. All included. And a great staff each morning setting up breakfast too! Ample friendly "good mornings" from all. Genuine smiles.
Amenities we used: BBQ, Pool, Wash and Dry, Ice Machine, Live Music
A decent sized BBQ. It was really low on gas, and the staff jumped to help solve the challenge. A new tank attached and I fired up the grill and made some steaks and veggies.
A small 3 foot (1 meter) deep pool is fine to just cool off which we did a few times as it was 80 (27c) a couple of December days! Not bad when it is snowing and icy at home. Don't dive in and do laps, but to cool down? Yes please.
And live music a couple of nights each week. Tonight Sheldon played some 80s and 90s and took requests.
Overall impression is solid. Yeah, it's not the Ritz or some other $400+ property in December in Hawaii. It's affordable and what we expected. And then some. Having stayed at hundreds of hotels over the years I can say that it is charming, scenic, quaint, friendly, personable, and that the staff care. They interact (as do guests from around the world) with you. It is like being together with the fun side of an extended family. When asked, the team gave great suggestions. Out trips, beaches, tours, restaurants, etc.
Final words: Definitely would return. Reading a few negative reviews reminds me that it takes all types. Some people raise legit points and Phil and his team listen and adapt. We had a great stay, and any little point we made was clarified or addressed. Book it if you like to support smaller and local businesses, want to talk to some real people, and are looking to explore the west, south, and east side of the island. A lot of fun with great atmosphere. I have stayed in some fancier castles in Europe, and some dives of a hostel in the USA, Canada, and many times in Europe, but for value and enjoyment of a property and staff this was all that we hoped! Thanks for having us! 5 for 5 when you factor it all in.
Rooms: Rooms are almost all renovated. Felt clean and inviting. Ample space for 2 adults in our room, and I think larger ones are available too.
Nearby activities: We walked to beaches, coffee shops, and some restaurants. About 20 minutes one way. By car we reached most of the island in under 40 minutes. Ample list of things to do nearby.
Safety: Felt totally safe at all hours on and around the property.
Walkability: Decent for a day or two out trips and even excursion trips as it is 20m from the harbor where c
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December 2024 by Emma Gebb
The best hotel on Kauai by far! Musical concerts are organized several times a week which creates such a unique and warm atmosphere! The breakfast is excellent and the rooms very clean!
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December 2024 by Karen Peters
Incredible staff, very accommodating check in. My mom and I stayed here for one night becauae we couldnt get into our condo until the day aftwr our arrival. The bed was super comfey. This is a low key, quaint motel. If you are looking for luxury, move along. If you are looking for comfortable, budget-friendly (for Kauai) this is a good place. Room was clean, bed comfortable, free breakfast, very friendly front desk staff.
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December 2024 by Janice Snee
Many Thanks to the wonderful staff of The Kauai Inn! Thank you Phil/owner for the area history, great hospitality and kindness. Also, many Thanks to the delightful Allegra, kind Felicity and energetic Jodi/Head of Housekeeping. We will miss you all.
We will see you, the chickens and peacocks again!
Rooms: Our Room was clean, bed very comfortable.
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December 2024 by Richard Reynolds Jr.
If you want authentic Hawaiian, this place is it. Great breakfast, good entertainment at night.Stunning location.
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December 2024 by Iris Zhang
Love my stay at the Kauai Inn. The staff were friendly, the owner was welcoming and the cats were cute.
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December 2024 by Markus S
Unfortunately, our stay at The Kauai Inn was a disappointing experience. Upon arrival, we were given a room that had not been cleaned. While the manager was kind enough to change the bedsheets for us, the situation was far from ideal.
We requested to check out the next morning with a partial refund for the second night, but the manager declined and assured us the room would be cleaned the following day. However, after returning from our Napali Coast Tour, we found the room still hadn’t been cleaned, which was incredibly frustrating. I had to go to the front desk just to get fresh towels, and there was no apology or acknowledgment of the oversight. It was clear the staff did not prioritize guest satisfaction.
At over $200 per night, the price is unreasonable for an outdated, rundown hotel with such poor service. The only positive aspect was the breakfast, which is pleasant to enjoy outdoors in the morning.
Sadly, the overall lack of care and poor service make it impossible for me to recommend this hotel.
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December 2024 by Roland Jost
Was the first hotel in Hawaii and has remained in the old style. Nice complex, with a small pool. Sometimes it was almost like a zoo, chickens and peacocks everywhere…even on the tables. Small morning meal with various breads, jam, yoghurt, butter, coffee/tea etc., rather simple, but ok. Location is not by the sea, but you can easily go on excursions from there. Access to the hotel via a detour as the main bridge was broken. You could do more with the entire facility, including clearing/cleaning tables, etc.
Rooms: Getting old, but ok
Food and drinks: With breakfast
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December 2024 by Wu Z
I love the fruits at the breakfast! People here are very nice and chill.
