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Hilton Garden Inn Kauai Wailua Bay Review: Prices, Breakfast, Amenities & Honest Verdict
- Alyssa
- Jun 4, 2022
- 6 min read
Updated: Dec 14, 2025
Wondering if the Hilton Garden Inn Kauai Wailua Bay is worth staying at? During our trip to Kauai, we spent five nights at this beachfront Hilton in Kapa‘a and paid $1,508.35 total for a standard king room (not including food or activities). In this review, we break down prices, breakfast costs, parking fees, amenities, and our honest verdict after experiencing the hotel firsthand. The hotel sits directly on Wailua Bay, right next to Lydgate Beach Park, and only 10 minutes from Lihue Airport, making it one of the most convenient bases for exploring Kauai. You’ll be close to Smith’s Tropical Paradise, the Fern Grotto river tour, and the Coconut Marketplace, with longer drives required for Hanalei Bay, the Na Pali Coast, and Waimea Canyo
One quick apology in advance: We normally have more photos for hotel reviews, but our SD card corrupted on the flight home! Despite that, here’s everything you need to know, what we paid, how the rooms are, the breakfast situation, amenities, pros and cons, and whether this hotel is actually worth it.
Disclaimer: Our stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Kauai Hotel was fully paid for by us, and this review reflects our personal experience. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep creating honest, detailed reviews like this one.
Hilton Garden Inn Kauai Wailua Bay Review: Room Details
Quick takeaway: Clean, practical rooms with kitchen amenities and patios. Expect roosters, ocean breezes, and the occasional small maintenance hiccup.
Room Types & Upgrade Options
The Hilton Garden Inn Kauai offers:
Standard king rooms
Standard double queen rooms
Partial ocean-view rooms
Oceanfront rooms
Junior suites with separate living space
Upgrading to an ocean-view or oceanfront room costs more, but the views of Wailua Bay are the highlight of the property. We chose a standard king room to save money. While we didn’t stay in an oceanfront room, our ground-floor lanai opened directly toward the pool and Mamahune’s Tiki Bar, which was extremely convenient.
Room Features & Amenities
We paid $1,508.35 for five nights and stayed in a standard king room that included:
Mini fridge
Microwave
Keurig machine + pods
Small workstation
Flat-screen TV
Private lanai
These kitchen amenities helped us save money, we kept groceries for breakfast and snacks instead of eating out every morning.
Bathroom
The bathroom had:
A standing shower
Good water pressure
Plenty of hot water
Neutrogena toiletries
Clean towels refreshed daily
It’s not luxury, but it’s functional and well-kept.
Ground Floor Patio Experience
Being on the ground floor meant we had a large, furnished lanai with quick access to the pool and tiki bar. The trade-off? Chickens. Everywhere. They frequently visited our patio furniture, which we found funny, but light sleepers should know they start crowing early.
Room Issues & Maintenance
We had one minor issue:Our key card scanner stopped working.
Maintenance arrived within 30 minutes, fixed it, and was very polite. Other than that, housekeeping kept the room clean and tidy, and the AC worked extremely well.
Room Comfort
The king bed was comfortable with medium-firm pillows, and the room stayed cool despite Kauai’s humidity.There was very little noise inside the room, except for the occasional rooster outside. If you’re sensitive to noise, request an upper-floor room away from the pool and patio areas.
Location & Arrival
Where Is the Hilton Garden Inn Kauai Wailua Bay Located?
The hotel sits on the east side of Kauai in Kapa‘a, directly along Wailua Bay. It’s right next to:
Lydgate Beach Park (calm swimming for kids)
Smith’s Tropical Paradise
Smith’s Fern Grotto river tour
This is one of the most centrally located hotels on the island, making it easier to explore both the north and south sides without excessive driving.
One-line takeaway: Excellent central location with direct beach access and family-friendly activities right next door.
How Far Is the Hotel From Kauai’s Top Attractions?
Here are the typical drive times:
Lihue Airport: 10 minutes
Wailua Falls: 15 minutes
Smith’s Fern Grotto: 5 minutes → Read our Fern Grotto guide here
Hanalei Bay (North Shore): ~45 minutes
Na Pali Coast (Kalalau Lookout): ~1 hour 30 minutes → See our Na Pali Coast guide here
Waimea Canyon: ~1 hour 15 minutes
If you’re planning a trip that includes both the North Shore beaches and Waimea Canyon, this hotel’s location will save you time.
Getting to Hilton Garden Inn Kauai Wailua Bay
Quick takeaway: You can stay here without a car, but you shouldn’t. Ride-share is extremely unreliable on Kauai. Rent a car if at all possible.
Why You Should Rent a Car
Kauai is spread out and most attractions require driving 30–90 minutes.
During our stay, every rental agency was sold out, so we used Turo. It worked, but we paid nearly $600 for two days because it was one of the last cars available. Don’t rely on last-minute availability.
Is This Hotel Easy Without a Car?
Not really.The Kauai Bus runs along the highway but is slow, infrequent, and doesn’t reach major attractions.
From the hotel, the only walkable spots are:
Lydgate Beach Park
Smith’s Tropical Paradise
Everything else requires driving.
Our Experience With Turo
Turo saved us when traditional rentals were booked out. The car was clean and reliable, but costs add up during high-demand periods due to:
Cleaning fees
Drop-off fees
Young driver fees
Limited supply
If you use Turo, book early, not last-minute.
Uber and Ride-Share on Kauai
We waited 30 minutes at Lihue Airport for our Uber. Our driver told us only a handful of ride-share drivers operate on the island. Do not rely on Uber or Lyft for sightseeing. Even if you get a ride to the hotel, getting one back can be impossible.
Breakfast at Hilton Garden Inn Kauai Wailua Bay
Breakfast is not free unless you have Hilton Gold or Diamond, and even then it’s a food and beverage credit, not a full meal.
Breakfast is served at The Garden Grille.
Hours: 6 AM – 10 AM
Price: ~$20–$28 per entrée
Menu: Eggs, pancakes, fruit bowls, pastries, coffee
We used the fridge/microwave for simple breakfasts most days to save money.
Check-In Time, Check-Out Time & Guest Experience
Check-in: 3 PM
Check-out: 11 AM
Arrival Process
Check-in was quick and friendly. We received a map, towel cards, and helpful guidance about the area.
Departure
We dropped off the keys and received our final bill by email later in the day.
Late check-out is based on availability.
Parking, Fees & Resort Charges
Parking is $22 per night for self-parking. There is no valet.
Resort Fee Details
The property charges a $30 daily resort fee, which includes:
Pool access
Beach towels
Fitness center
Cultural activities
Local call
Wi-Fi
These add up, so factor the fees into your budget.
Amenities at Hilton Garden Inn Kauai Wailua Bay
Pools & Outdoor Spaces
The hotel offers two outdoor pools spread across the property, which helps prevent overcrowding. One pool has distant views of the ocean, and we especially enjoyed using it in the evenings for stargazing. The property is also just steps away from Hikinaakala Heiau State Park and Lydgate Park, both of which are easily accessible on foot. Lydgate Park is a favorite for families, with calm swimming areas, playgrounds, and picnic spots right by the ocean.
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Fitness Center & Laundry Facilities
The hotel has a small fitness center with a handful of cardio machines, free weights, and resistance equipment. It’s not a full gym, but it’s functional enough for a vacation workout. A laundry room with two washers and two dryers is also available, which is convenient for longer stays. One downside: laundry soap isn’t sold onsite, so you’ll need to buy it from a nearby grocery store.
Who This Hotel Is Best For
This hotel is a great fit for:
Travelers who want a central Kauai base
Families who want safe swimming areas
Hilton Honors members
Mid-range travelers who want beachfront access
Guests who like kitchen amenities
It’s not a luxury hotel, but it doesn’t try to be.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Amazing location on Wailua Bay
Direct access to Lydgate Beach Park
Good pools and tiki bar
Clean, comfortable rooms
Kitchen amenities in every room
Helpful staff
Great for Hilton Honors members
Cons
Breakfast is not included and is pricey
Resort and parking fees add up
Ride-share is extremely limited on Kauai
Some rooms feel dated
Roosters can be noisy in the morning
Final Thoughts – Is Hilton Garden Inn Kauai Wailua Bay Worth It?
Our five-night stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Kauai Wailua Bay cost $1,508.35 for a standard king room. For that price, we enjoyed many perks like a $30 daily breakfast credit, two free drinks per day, free parking, and direct beach access. The room was clean and practical, with useful kitchen amenities and a patio, and our only maintenance issue (a broken key scanner) was fixed quickly. Staff interactions were mixed; some were friendly and helpful, others less so at check-in. The unique highlight of this hotel has to be its resident animals, cats lounging in the lobby and chickens roaming the grounds, adding unexpected charm to the property.
Looking for something to do during your stay on Kauai? Check out our experience on a Private Kauai Island Tour
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