Pack your bags and head to paradise! Kauai, Hawaii is the ultimate destination for a getaway with the girls! Get all my travel tips and recommendations!
I recently had the chance to go to Kauai with a bunch of girlfriends, and it was AH-MAZE-ING! Kauai is definitely the place to go for your girl’s getaway. With gorgeous beaches, sunshine, excellent drinks, and plenty of eye-candy on surfboards, Kauai should most certainly be the next place you go!
Kauai is known as the Garden Isle and it is stunning! And there is a ton to do to occupy your time, and more than a few beautiful beaches, so let’s take a look at some of my top recommendations for a getaway with the girls: from where to stay, to what activities to do, and where on the island has the best eats and drinks!
Where to Stay in Kauai
Let’s start with where to stay. When you are getting away with girlfriends there are a few things you want to consider. For example, it is imperative you have a great place to hang out and gab. I mean, you know that it is going to happen. You also definitely need a private bathroom for each person. Sharing bathrooms with a house full of girls is a no-go. You need a great pool and hot tub! You need close proximity to food, beaches, and coffee! A place to do some laundry is a huge plus. And a kitchen that has things like blenders for protein shakes is key!
Now, you might be thinking that is a tall order to fill, but don’t worry, I already found the perfect place for you to stay: The Villas at Poipu Kai.
This resort is intimate, absolutely gorgeous, and literally has everything you could want in a great Kauai beach resort. Each bedroom has a bathroom. The elevator opened into our rooms, the lanai was large and comfortable, the kitchens are awesome and fully stocked, there is a laundry room in each villa, amazing bathrooms, and the property is great too. It even has a gym, not that I used it. Plus they have extra perks like a room full of beach gear you can borrow!
One of my favorite things about staying here was the wall of windows that opened up completely onto the lanai (patio). We spent a lot of time sitting on the cushy chairs, chatting, drinking, and soaking up the views. It was awesome. I want to rip out a wall in my house and install one at home. That is how much I loved it.
The Villas at Poipu Kai are located in Poipu, which is awesome because there is a ton of stuff close by. Like super tasty Shave Ice from the Fresh Shave, gorgeous beaches, and the island’s best luau – Aulii (literally 3 minutes away).
Things to do in Kauai
Now that you know where to stay, let’s talk about things you can do on this gorgeous island. Whether you are there for a week or just a few days, you can fill your time with natural beauty and more!
Kauai Beaches
Obviously a trip to Hawaii would not be complete without some time spent at the beach. The best beach near the Villas at Poipu Kai is Poipu State Beach. It has a natural wading pool, bathrooms, picnic tables, and lots of other conveniences, making it an excellent place to spend an afternoon. The fact that it is 5 minutes walk from the Villas helps, but it also offers a great place to swim, snorkel, surf (or gawk), and layout! And you may even see a turtle or monk seal while at this beach.
Kauai Tours
While Kauai has a lot to offer without paying for tours, sometimes having a guided tour is the perfect way to spend a day. Guides often share really awesome information about the area and can let you in on some local secrets.
My top recommended tours are a Kayak and Hiking Tour with RainbowKayak.com, and a Napali Coast and Snorkel tour with Holo Holo Charters. Both are amazing and worth paying for! The guides were great, the food was great, and the tour was great. You can’t go wrong on these 2 tours.
Next time I want to go on one of the Kauai helicopter tours. My friend Rachael went one time and she said it was ah-mazing!
Kauai Site Seeing
The scenery in Kauai is so awesome. You could spend your whole day just driving around the island and see tunnels of trees, mountains, waterfalls, the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, Waimea, and so much more! Take a drive, you won’t regret it.
Kauai Hikes
There are a lot of hiking trails in Kauai. You can hike along the Napali Coast, or to Secret Falls, or to Queen’s Bath. No matter what side of the island you are on, there is hiking within 20 minutes of you. So grab a hiking guide, and set out on foot to discover the beautiful island. Just remember you want to wear shoes with good traction and that can get wet and dirty. The mud in Kauai is red. And parts of the island are very wet, so the ground can be soggy and slippery.
Kauai Luau
You can’t visit Hawaii without going to a luau, and Aulii Luau is awesome. The food was fantastic, the dancing and music was spot on, and the location stunning. It is on this beautiful beach with the most spectacular sunset. Hearing waves crash while the island music is around you, and that warm breeze blows through, it is transporting.
Where to Eat in Kauai
When you are in a tropical paradise, it is no surprise the food is awesome. The island of Kauai boasts fresh fish, amazing beef, sweet and tantalizing fruits, and even an island distilled Rum (Koloa Rum). It has a lot to offer when it comes to great cuisine. A few of my favorite Kauai restaurants to eat at include:
Eating House 1849 – This is one of those places everyone tells you to go, and there is a reason. The chef is award-winning and the food is incredible. Try the Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes, and to drink, be sure to order the Mango Plantation. Yum!
EATINGHOUSE1849.COM • 808-924-1849 • 2330 KALAKAUA AVENUE, SPACE 322, HONOLULU, HI 96815
Hukilau Lanai – The grounds surrounding this restaurant alone make it worth a visit, but the food was pretty amazing as well. With an innovative menu featuring dishes like Poke Nachos, and pumpkin and pineapple paired, you know you are in a treat. Don’t skip the desserts here, they are delicious.
HUKILAUKAUAI.COM • (808) 822-0600 • KAUAI COAST RESORT, 520 ALEKA LP, KAPAA HI 96746
Keoki’s Paradise – Do yourself a huge favor and order the crab cakes here. The aioli is delicious. And order a Poi’pu Pina, just be careful, it has Koloa Coconut Rum in it, and you can barely taste the alcohol, but it is there! This drink is delicious, and they are known for their Mai Tai’s! Order both, you are on vacation! As for the food, the surf and turf is always a good option, but the recommendation we got over and over was the chicken sandwich! It lived up to expectations. There is a separate dinner menu and bar food menu, so if you don’t see it the chicken sandwich on the menu, just ask for it!
KEOKISPARADISE.COM • (808) 742-75342360 • KIAHUNA PLANTATION DRIVE, KOLOA , HI 96756
Kalapaki Joes – This restaurant has a sports bar-like atmosphere, a friendly and attentive staff, and great fresh flavors. With live music playing, and a coastal breeze blowing through the dining room, you definitely feel like you are on island time, and ordering a second round of Mai Tai’s is definitely a must! Try the carne asada fries and coconut shrimp appetizers.
KALAPAKIJOES.COM • (808) 742-6366 • 1941 POIPU RD. POIPU BEACH, HI. 96756
Merriman’s – The views at this fish house are beautiful, try to be there during sunset because it is incredible. The food is also very good. I had the lobster, and it was buttery, and cooked perfectly, making it delicious…as it should be!
MERRIMANSHAWAII.COM • (808)-742-8385 • 2829 ALA KALANIKAUMAKA STREET #G-149 KOLOA, KAUAI, HAWAII 96756
Duke’s – This was one of our favorite places to eat, and perfect for a girl’s lunch. Order Hula Pie, and eat dessert first, life is short! And then order literally anything else on the menu and you will be happy. I highly recommend the tacos (any kind), or the pulled pork sandwich. As for drinks, the Mai Tai is awesome, but they also have really fun drinks like the Tropical Itch, which comes decked out with a full-on wooden back scratcher, making it fun and memorable! You can’t go wrong at Duke’s.
DUKESKAUAI.COM • (808) 246-9599 • 3610 RICE STREET, LIHUE, HI 96766
Check out the Kauai Dining guide here for more ideas and suggestions of places to eat while on the island.
You are going to have an amazing time in Kauai!
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