advertisement

Thrifty travelers will love this cheerily renovated, well-maintained motel within a short walk of Kalapaki Beach, shops, and restaurants, while families will appreciate the large suites (with up to one king-size bed with three twin beds) and extra guest fees of just $10 per person. It’s easy to make breakfast on the cheap, too, thanks to the minifridge, microwave, wet bar, and kitchenware, plus standard coffeemaker—the front desk even offers free coffee and snacks. Other freebies include parking, Wi-Fi, and use of beach gear, not to mention happily given advice. Hanalei artist Camile Fontaine’s bright, island-inspired murals and paintings make this a welcome antidote to neutral, cookie-cutter resort decor, while owners Lis and Steve Layne work tirelessly to improve their guests’ comfort, even providing DVDs of movies made on Kauai to watch on flatscreen TVs. One caveat: Use earplugs to offset street noise. The inn also manages Hale Kalapaki, a pair of two-bedroom condos ($190; sleep six) at nearby, hilltop Banyan Harbor, which boasts an oceanview pool and wooded trail.