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•8 min read•from HAWAIʻI Magazine

2026 Readers’ Choices Awards: Kauaʻi

Our take

Welcome to the 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards: Kauaʻi, where we celebrate the enchanting beauty of the Garden Isle. Renowned for its lush landscapes, from verdant valleys adorned with cascading waterfalls to the breathtaking Nāpali Coast, Kauaʻi captivates all who visit. This year, we highlight the best hotels and resorts that offer a blend of luxury and the island's authentic charm. Leading the pack for Best Luxury Resort is 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, alongside exceptional contenders like Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa and The Cliffs at Princeville. For those seeking further inspiration, don't miss our article on the "2026 Readers’ Choice Awards: All Islands," showcasing the best destinations across the Hawaiian archipelago. Embrace the spirit of adventure as you explore Kauaʻi!
2026 Readers’ Choices Awards: Kauaʻi

The 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards have spotlighted Kauaʻi, affectionately known as the Garden Isle, for its unparalleled natural beauty and luxurious accommodations. Recognized as the oldest and most verdant of the Hawaiian islands, Kauaʻi captivates visitors with its lush valleys, cascading waterfalls, and the breathtaking Nāpali Coast. This recognition not only highlights the island's allure but also emphasizes the growing trend among travelers seeking authentic experiences imbued with the natural splendor of their destinations. The allure of Kauaʻi is further enhanced by its selection in the broader scope of the awards, where it stands alongside other celebrated islands like Maui and Oʻahu, which are known for their own unique charms and offerings, as discussed in our articles, 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards: All Islands and 2026 Readers Choice Awards: Maui.

The accolades for Kauaʻi’s best hotels and resorts—such as the luxurious 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay and the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa—underscore a significant shift in traveler preferences. Today's discerning travelers yearn for properties that do more than just provide a place to rest their heads. They seek experiences that resonate with the island's culture and natural environment, blending luxury with authenticity. These resorts are not only accommodations; they are gateways to the Kauaʻi experience, offering curated adventures that invite guests to explore the island's rich history and vibrant ecosystem. This trend aligns with the broader conversation about sustainable tourism, as travelers increasingly gravitate toward destinations that prioritize environmental stewardship while providing unparalleled luxury.

Kauaʻi's recognition in the Readers’ Choice Awards also speaks volumes about the island's commitment to preserving its unique cultural and natural heritage. The island's community, which is deeply rooted in traditions and practices, plays a vital role in creating authentic experiences for visitors, from local culinary delights to immersive cultural interactions. This aspect is essential not just for enhancing tourism but for fostering a sense of community that benefits both visitors and residents alike. As highlighted in our piece, 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards: Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi, the importance of community connection remains a crucial factor for many travelers today.

Looking ahead, the recognition of Kauaʻi in the 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards poses intriguing questions about the future of travel in the post-pandemic world. As travelers increasingly seek out destinations that offer rich cultural experiences and a connection to nature, will Kauaʻi and similar locales lead the way in redefining luxury travel? The island's ability to balance tourism with preservation will be a critical point of observation in the coming years. As we witness this evolution, it’s essential for travelers to remain engaged and informed, seeking out experiences that not only satisfy their wanderlust but also honor the places they visit. The future of travel may very well hinge on this delicate balance, and Kauaʻi stands at the forefront of this exciting journey.

Known as the Garden Isle, Kauaʻi is the oldest and most verdant of all the islands. From lush valleys with cascading waterfalls to the magnificent Nāpali Coast, Kauaʻi’s beauty is unforgettable.

Best Hotels and Resorts on Kauaʻi

1hotelhaneleibay
A room at 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay.
Photo: AVABLU @avablu_photography

Best Luxury Resort 

  1. 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
  2. Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa
  3. The Cliffs at Princeville
  4. Kōloa Landing Resort at Po‘ipū
  5. Koʻa Kea Resort at Poʻipū Beach
  6. Timbers Kaua‘i
  7. Hanalei Colony Resort
  8. Hanalei Bay Resort

Best Value Hotel or Resort

  1. Hanalei Bay Resort
  2. The Cliffs at Princeville
  3. Waimea Plantation Cottages
  4. Outrigger Kaua‘i Beach Resort & Spa
  5. Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort
  6. Sheraton Kaua‘i Coconut Beach Resort
  7. Aston Islander on the Beach
  8. Hanalei Colony Resort
  9. Kauaʻi Shores Hotel
  10. Plantation Hale Suites

Best Boutique Hotel

  1. Waimea Plantation Cottages
  2. Kaua‘i Shores Hotel
  3. Hanalei Bay Resort
  4. Koʻa Kea Resort on Poipu Beach
  5. The ISO by Castle Resorts

Best Hotel or Resort for Families

  1. The Cliffs at Princeville
  2. Hanalei Bay Resort
  3. Waimea Plantation Cottages
  4. Kaua‘i Shores
  5. Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa
  6. Kōloa Landing Resort at Po‘ipū
  7. Outrigger Kaua‘i Beach Resort & Spa
  8. The Royal Sonesta Kaua‘i Resort
  9. Kiahuna Plantation Resort Kaua‘i by Outrigger
  10. Kiahuna Plantation & Beach Bungalows by Castle

Best Hotel or Resort for Romance

  1. Hanalei Bay Resort
  2. The Cliffs at Princeville
  3. Waimea Plantation Cottages
  4. Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa
  5. Kōloa Landing Resort at Poʻipū 

Best Hotel or Resort Spa

  1. Anara Spa at Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa
  2. Bamford Wellness Spa Kaua‘i, 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
  3. The Spa at Kōloa Landing Resort at Poʻipū
  4. The Spa at Ko‘a Kea Resort on Po‘ipū Beach
  5. Akamu Wellness at the Cliffs at Princeville

Best Hotel or Resort Pool

  1. Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa
  2. 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
  3. Kōloa Landing Resort at Po‘ipū
  4. The Royal Sonesta Kaua‘i Resort
  5. Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort 

Best Hotel or Resort for a Wedding

  1. Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa
  2. 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
  3. Kōloa Landing Resort at Po‘ipū
  4. Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort
  5. The Cliffs at Princeville

Best Bed & Breakfast or Inn

  1. Kauaʻi Banyan Inn
  2. Hanalei Surfboard House
  3. Fern Grotto Inn
  4. Hale Kua Kaua‘i Bed & Breakfast
  5. Marjorie’s Kaua‘i Inn

Best Vacation Timeshare

  1. Hanalei Bay Resort
  2. The Cliffs at Princeville
  3. Marriott’s Kauaʻi Beach Club
  4. The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas
  5. The Point at Poʻipū (Diamond Resort)

Best Food and Drink on Kauaʻi

Kauai Bakery
Kauaʻi Bakery, voted best bakery on the island, is a family operation.
Photo: Mami Wycoff

Best Restaurant

  1. Duke’s Kaua‘i
  2. The Beach House
  3. Tidepools
  4. Hukilau Lānai
  5. Merriman’s Kauaʻi 

Best Hotel or Resort Restaurant

  1. Duke’s Kaua‘i at Marriott Kauaʻi Beach Club
  2. Lava Lava Beach Club at the Kaua‘i Shores Hotel
  3. Tidepools at the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa
  4. Red Salt at Koʻa Kea Resort on Poʻipū Beach
  5. RumFire Poʻipū Beach at Sheraton Resort Kauaʻi Villas

Best Farm-to-Table Restaurant

  1. Merriman’s Kauaʻi
  2. Hukilau Lānai
  3. 1 Kitchen
  4. Bar Acuda
  5. Fish Bar Deli

Best Seafood Restaurant

  1. The Beach House
  2. Duke’s Kaua‘i
  3. Merriman’s Kauaʻi
  4. Tidepools
  5. Red Salt 

Best Plate Lunch

  1. Kōloa Fish Market
  2. Hanalei Taro & Juice Co.
  3. Pono Market
  4. Mark’s Place
  5. Sueoka Store 

Best Poke

  1. Foodland
  2. Hanalei Poke
  3. Kōloa Fish Market
  4. Kīlauea Fish Market
  5. Pono Market

Best Shave Ice

  1. JoJo’s Shave Ice
  2. Wailua Shave Ice
  3. Wishing Well Shave Ice
  4. Uncle’s Shave Ice
  5. The Fresh Shave

Best Noodle

  1. Hamura Saimin Stand
  2. Kaua‘i Ramen
  3. Pho Kaua‘i
  4. Wailua Drive-In
  5. Aloha Ramen

Best Pizza

  1. Brick Oven Pizza
  2. Kīlauea Bakery & Pizzeria
  3. Kōloa Pizza Kitchen + Bar
  4. Hideaways Pizza Pub
  5. JP’s Pizza

Best Burger

  1. Bubba Burgers
  2. Kenji Burger
  3. Kalypso Island Bar & Grill
  4. Shaka Burgers Hawaiʻi
  5. Smash Café Kauaʻi

Best Steak House

  1. Wrangler’s Steakhouse & Saddle Room Bar
  2. Bull Shed Restaurant (Temporarily closed)
  3. Duke’s Kaua‘i
  4. The Plantation House by Gaylords
  5. The Beach House

Best Food Truck

  1. The Musubi Truck
  2. Fresh Bite Kaua‘i
  3. Al Pastor Tacos
  4. Tony’s Catch
  5. Chalupa’s

Best Breakfast or Brunch

  1. Lava Lava Beach Club at the Kaua‘i Shores Hotel
  2. Kountry Kitchen
  3. Kalāheo Café & Coffee Co.
  4. Tip Top Motel, Café and Bakery
  5. Ānuenue Café

 Best Bakery

  1. Kaua‘i Bakery
  2. Hanalei Bread Co.
  3. Kīlauea Bakery & Pizza
  4. Haole Girl Island Sweets
  5. Midnight Bear Breads

Best Coffee Shop

  1. Java Kai
  2. Little Fish Coffee Kauaʻi
  3. Midnight Bear Breads
  4. Trilogy Coffee
  5. Collab Café (Temporarily closed)

Best Bar or Lounge

  1. Lava Lava Beach Club
  2. Duke’s Kaua‘i
  3. Happy Talk Lounge
  4. Kalapaki Joe’s
  5. Stevenson’s Library

Best Happy Hour

  1. Lava Lava Beach Club
  2. Duke’s Kaua‘i
  3. Tahiti Nui
  4. RumFire Poʻipū Beach
  5. Kalapaki Joe’s

Best Cheap Eats

  1. Chicken in a Barrel
  2. Bubba Burgers
  3. The Musubi Truck
  4. Da Crack Mexican Grinds
  5. Little Fish Coffee Kauaʻi

Best Outdoor Adventures on Kauaʻi

Poipugetty
Poʻipū Beach is one of the best places to snorkel on Kauaʻi. It’s also a great place to watch the sunset.
Photo: Getty Images/Christopher Ball

Best Beach

  1. Hanalei Bay
  2. Po‘ipū Beach
  3. ‘Anini Beach
  4. Mākua Beach (aka Tunnels Beach)
  5. Kē‘ē Beach

Best Snorkeling Spot

  1. Po‘ipū Beach
  2. ‘Anini Beach
  3. Mākua Beach (aka Tunnels Beach)
  4. Kē‘ē Beach
  5. Lāwa‘i Beach

Best Surf Spot

  1. Hanalei Bay
  2. Kalapakī Beach
  3. Kāhili Beach (aka Rock Quarry Beach)
  4. Anahola Bay
  5. Kiahuna Beach 

Best Hiking Trail

  1. Waimea Canyon Trail to Waipo‘o Falls
  2. Kuilau Ridge Trail
  3. Nounou Trail (Sleeping Giant)
  4. Māhāʻulepū Heritage Trail
  5. Wai Koa Loop Trail 

Best Botanical Garden

  1. Princeville Botanical Gardens
  2. Na ‘Āina Kai Botanical Gardens & Sculpture Park
  3. Allerton Garden
  4. Limahuli Garden & Preserve
  5. Smith’s Tropical Paradise

Best Dinner or Sunset Cruise

  1. Capt. Andy’s Sailing Adventures
  2. Nāpali Coast Hanalei Tours
  3. Holo Holo Charters
  4. Blue Dolphin Charters
  5. Kaua‘i Sea Tours

Best Extreme Tour

  1. Capt. Andy’s Sailing Adventures
  2. Kaua‘i Backcountry Adventures
  3. Island Helicopters
  4. Blue Hawaiian Helicopters
  5. Kaua‘i Sea Tours

Best Zipline

  1. Kaua‘i Backcountry Adventures
  2. Kōloa Zipline
  3. Outfitters Kaua‘i
  4. Shaka Zipline

Best Helicopter Tour

  1. Blue Hawaiian Helicopters
  2. Island Helicopters
  3. Jack Harter Helicopters
  4. Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours
  5. Safari Helicopters 

Best Nāpali Tour Co.

  1. Capt. Andy’s Sailing Adventures
  2. Blue Dolphin Charters
  3. Holo Holo Charters
  4. Island Helicopters
  5. Kauaʻi Sea Tours

Best Farm Tour

  1. Kauai Coffee
  2. Lydgate Farms
  3. Kaua‘i Sugarloaf Pineapple Farm
  4. Princeville Botanical Gardens
  5. Garden Island Chocolate

Best Guided Tour

  1. Capt. Andy’s Sailing Adventures
  2. Kaua‘i Backcountry Adventures
  3. Blue Hawaiian Helicopters
  4. Allerton Garden
  5. Kauaʻi Sea Tours

Best Golf Course

  1. Princeville Makai Golf Club
  2. Po‘ipū Bay Golf Course
  3. Kukuiolono Park & Golf Course
  4. The Ocean Course at Hokuala
  5. Puakea Golf Club

Best Live Show

  1. Smith’s Kaua‘i
  2. Tahiti Nui Live Music
  3. Ahi Lele Fire Show
  4. Allerton by Fire

Best Lūʻau

  1. Smith’s Family Garden Lū‘au
  2. Lū‘au Kalamakū
  3. Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Lū‘au
  4. Tahiti Nui Lū‘au
  5. Ali‘i Lū‘au at Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort

 Best Museum

  1. Kaua‘i Museum
  2. Kilohana Plantation
  3. Kōke‘e Natural History Museum
  4. Grove Farm Sugar Plantation Museum
  5. Kokēʻē Natural History Museum

Best Shopping on Kauaʻi

01 2204 Chingyoungvillagefront Swp
Ching Young Village Shopping Center is in the heart of Hanalei.
Photo: James Nakamura

Best Shopping Center or Mall

  1. Coconut Marketplace
  2. The Shops at Kukui‘ula
  3. Po‘ipū Shopping Village
  4. Kukui Grove Center
  5. Ching Young Village Shopping Center

Best Clothing/Boutique or Store

  1. Crazy Shirts
  2. Mahina
  3. Blue Ginger
  4. Tropical Tantrum
  5. Slow Yourself Down

Best Store for Souvenirs

  1. Kauai Coffee
  2. Hilo Hattie
  3. Kaua‘i Handmade
  4. The Koa Store
  5. ABC Stores

Best Surf Shop

  1. Hanalei Surf Co.
  2. Po‘ipū Surf
  3. Tamba Surf Co.
  4. Billabong Hanalei
  5. Nukumoi Surf Co.

Best Services on Kauaʻi

Best Surf Instruction

  1. Hanalei Surf School
  2. Kaua‘i Surf School
  3. Hawaiian Style Surfing
  4. Titus Kinimaka’s Hawaiian School of Surfing
  5. Kelley’s Surf School

Best Beach Gear or Water Gear Rentals

  1. Snorkel Bob’s
  2. Boss Frog’s
  3. Kapa‘a Beach Shop
  4. Kaua‘i Bound
  5. Nukumoi Surf Co.

Best Snorkeling/Scuba Rental or Instruction

  1. Snorkel Bob’s
  2. Boss Frog’s
  3. Dive Kaua‘i
  4. Nukumoi Surf Co.
  5. Fathom Five Divers

Best Wedding Venue (Not a Resort)

  1. Waimea Plantation Cottages
  2. The Beach House
  3. Na ‘Āina Kai Botanical Gardens
  4. McBryde & Allerton Gardens
  5. Wai‘oli Hui‘ia Church

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