Why We Liked the Vibe at These Kauai Cottages

Kauai’s popularity seems to be growing by the minute, with lots of attention on Hanalei Bay and the Na Pali Coast, and growing markets in Kapaa and Poipu.

But don’t forget about the South Coast. In fact, it is there that we found one of the most interesting hotels on the island: The Waimea Plantation Cottages. Here are five reasons we recommend a stay:

The Plantation Feel Lets You Live Hawaii’s History

Visitors are often told about the sugar-cane history in Hawaii, and perhaps they’ve even done a short excursion to get a taste of it (mountain tubing in the old irrigation canals, for example, or a tasting at Koloa Rum). But rarely do they get to experience what it might have been like to live on Kauai during that era.

The cottages at Waimea Plantation are actual cottages that were built and inhabited during the height of the sugar-cane era. These aren’t replicas—these are the exact cottages, moved to the oceanfront property with the intention of maintaining their integrity and preserving them as historical sites all their own—and each one has its own history.

Be sure to ask the staff for a rundown of your specific cottage. You can find out when it was built, who lived there, and what role it played in the sugar-cane industry.

The Property Feels More Like a Neighborhood Than a Hotel

When the cottages were moved to their current waterfront location, the resort tried to recreate what it might have been like in these tightly-knit communities back in the plantation days. Though the property is sprawling with lots of green space, the cottages themselves are aligned in a way that makes it feel like a neighborhood, with the houses grouped together neatly to form a community.

The fact that each cottage is different takes it to another level. Not only does each cottage have a unique layout and build (from studios to multiple bedrooms) but each has its own unique landscaping, driving home the point that these are individual houses that were once owned by individual families.

Big front and back porches, barbeque grills, and hammocks are a staple of the property, encouraging indoor-outdoor living. When you’re sitting on the porch or washing your hands in the kitchen sink, you can look out your window and see your neighbors on their own porch, reading a book or having a glass of wine, conjuring up images of real life in a real neighborhood. (Don’t worry, there is plenty of space between cottages—not to mention thick, tropical foliage—so privacy is not a concern.)

Nostalgia Lovers Will Dig the Décor—and the Ambiance

The cottages at Waimea Plantation were built from the mid-1800s to about 1930. They have been touched up and restored since then, but the overall feel remains the same, with much of the décor and functionality being reminiscent of a simpler time.

Be sure to take notice of the push-button light switches, curtain-covered open kitchen cabinets and oil-burning lamps (refitted with electricity).

The vibe on the property is one of simplicity, without build up. Take a walk on the long, black-sand beach (swimming not recommended) and watch the sunset from a lawn chair under the big, umbrella-like Monkeypod trees.

It’s the Perfect Combination of a Hotel and an Airbnb

Before Airbnb existed, this was the kind of place that independent travelers would seek out. Most of the cottages are equipped with a full kitchen, living room, and separate bedrooms, which feels like you are renting a house rather than staying at a hotel.

At the same time, despite that independence, you have access to some simple resort pleasures: Barbecue grills, hammocks, a swimming pool and an on-site restaurant, should you feel like such conveniences.

Its Location Allows Easy Access to South and West Shore Attractions

Even though it is a small, compact island, traveling around Kauai does involve a fair amount of driving time. There are no major highways on the island—the north and the south are connected only by one modest road that travels through all of the island’s towns along the way.

The island’s two main attractions, Waimea Canyon in the south and the Na Pali Coast in the north, are at opposite ends of the map, a drive of approximately two hours. This logistical reality leads me to recommend people to migrate around Kauai during their stay, perhaps a few nights in the south and a few nights in the north, to help cut down the time spent in the car.

Waimea Plantation Cottages, the only property of its kind, sits conveniently at the base of Waimea Canyon and puts you in proximity to the beautiful, under-visited Polihale State Park on the west shore.

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