Accommodation & Amenities
- Room categories & rates: All units are villa-style suites (no standard hotel rooms) – primarily two- and three-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens, living/dining areas, laundry, and private lanais (vacatia.com) (www.expedia.com). 2-BR suites (~1,100–1,300 ft²) have 1 King bed + (1 Queen or 2 Twins) in the second bedroom + sleeper sofa, 2 baths (www.expedia.com) (www.expedia.com); 3-BR oceanfront villas add an extra bedroom (e.g. 1 King + 2 Twin + 1 Queen) (vacatia.com). Typical rates run about $550–$870 per night (2BR standard) (www.tripadvisor.com), rising to >$1,200 in peak season (www.tripadvisor.com).
- Kitchens & in-room: Each suite includes a full kitchen (stovetop, oven, microwave, fridge, dishwasher, cookware/dishware) (vacatia.com), plus washer/dryer and entertainment center. Sleeper sofas allow extra guests. A one-time welcome grocery service is offered (by prior arrangement).
- Pool & recreation: The resort’s heated outdoor pool is lagoon-style with a sandy beach entry and whirlpool spas (www.redweek.com). There is also an adults-only spa/whirlpool and a separate children’s pool area. A fitness center and sauna are on-site (www.hilton.com) (www.redweek.com). Pool-side BBQ grills, bar, and snack hut are available for casual dining.
- Dining & services: An on-site restaurant/bar serves breakfast and light meals (casual Hawaiian cuisine) (www.hilton.com). A concierge can assist with tours/activities. Free Wi-Fi is included. The resort is non-smoking (policy enforced with fees) (www.hilton.com).
- Parking & policies: Self-parking is complimentary (no valet or EV charging) (www.hilton.com). No airport shuttle is provided (Lihue Airport is 15 mi away (www.rome2rio.com) (www.hilton.com)). Pets: Not allowed (only ADA service animals) (www.hilton.com). Wheelchair-accessible rooms (e.g. with roll-in showers) are offered – inquire when booking.
Setting & Vibe
- Resort style: Low-rise, 3–4 story buildings amid lush tropical gardens, waterfalls and koi ponds (www.redweek.com). The decor (updated in a 2017 renovation) incorporates Hawaiian motifs and warm wood finishes (news.diamondresorts.com) (www.redweek.com). Furnishings are comfortable but somewhat dated.
- Views: Many units overlook Keoneloa Bay (Shipwreck Beach), garden courtyards or the pool. The landscaped grounds create a serene, resort-like island atmosphere.
- Atmosphere: Laid-back and family-friendly. Kids delight in the “lagoon” pool and on-site activities, while adults can use the spa/fitness center. Guests describe a friendly, casual vibe – a mix of multi-generational families and couples. (TripAdvisor reviews note the stunning setting and children “begging to come back” (www.tripadvisor.com).) It’s generally more relaxed than a large hotel, emphasizing Aloha spirit and comfort over luxury frills.
Local Context
- Neighborhood: Located on Kauai’s sunny south shore in Poipu (Koloa), atop the cliffs near Shipwreck Beach (vacatia.com). Nearby is the Makahuena Point Lighthouse Park and start of the Maha‘ulepu Heritage Trail (scenic coastal hike).
- Nearby attractions: Within ~3–4 miles of Poipu Beach Park (swimming/snorkeling beach), the Allerton and McBryde Botanical Gardens, Spouting Horn blowhole, Old Koloa Town (shops/restaurants), and several golf courses. Many can be reached by a 5–10 minute drive (e.g. Poipu Beach ≈3 mi) (vacatia.com). Shipwreck Beach is literally adjacent (wading only, no lifeguard).
- Transport & parking: Kaumualiʻi Highway (Route 50) provides access; rental cars are recommended. Lihue Airport is about 15 miles (≈25–30 min) away (www.rome2rio.com) – taxis cost ~$80–100 one-way (www.rome2rio.com). The Kauai Bus has a limited route to Poipu, but schedules are infrequent. On-site parking is free (www.hilton.com); the resort does not offer shuttles or valet.
History & Ownership
- The Point at Poipu was developed as a timeshare resort for Diamond Resorts International (now a Hilton Grand Vacations brand). The complex comprises 219 villas in ten 3–4 story buildings on 20+ acres (www.laytonconstruction.com). Diamond (client) completed a long-term, $8M+ renovation around 2017 (news.diamondresorts.com). (Hilton acquired Diamond Resorts in 2017, and the resort was rebranded into the Hilton Vacation Club program thereafter.) Since renovation, decor and systems have been refreshed, but some guests still note aging furnishings. No major industry awards are noted for this property; press coverage focuses on the 2017 renovation (news.diamondresorts.com). It participates in Hilton Rewards (as a Vacation Club property) and Diamond/Hilton exchange programs.
Pros & Cons
- Pros: Spacious condo-style suites with home comforts (full kitchen, laundry) (vacatia.com) (www.expedia.com). Tropical gardens and a lagoon-like pool give a relaxing resort feel (www.redweek.com). Excellent Poipu location – near beaches, hikes and golf – with family-friendly amenities (children’s pool, activities) (www.tripadvisor.com) (www.redweek.com). Free parking and on-site dining add convenience. (TripAdvisor reviewers praise the large villas and friendly service.)
- Cons: Many guests report the rooms/furniture feel somewhat dated and mention numerous extra fees. A mandatory daily resort fee (around ~$50) adds cost (www.tripadvisor.com). There is no actual beach at the resort (the pool has a sand area, but guests must walk/drive to nearby beaches) and beach chairs/umbrellas aren’t provided (www.tripadvisor.com). Occasional staffing or maintenance issues have been noted (e.g. slow service, spa closure) (www.tripadvisor.com), so check the latest guest reviews before booking.
Booking Tips
- Seasonality: Kauai’s shoulder seasons (late spring and early fall) tend to offer the best value (www.hawaii-guide.com). April–May and August–September are often less crowded and cheaper than peak winter (Dec–Mar) or summer (Jun–Aug). (TripAdvisor price data show mid-$500s in low season vs. $1,000+ in winter (www.tripadvisor.com) (www.tripadvisor.com).)
- Advance booking: For winter holidays or summer, reserve many months ahead. For flexibility, a 4PM check-in (10AM check-out (www.hilton.com)) and Hilton’s standard cancellation window (usually 24–48 hr before arrival) apply – confirm at booking.
- Upgrades/benefits: Book via Hilton/Vacation Club directly to earn Hilton Honors points. Amenities like beachfront views or higher floors aren’t guaranteed, but you can request an upgrade at check-in (especially on quieter mid-week stays). Hilton timeshare owners or Diamond members should check owner rental options or special promotions for possible rate discounts or resort credits (some past guests received small resort credits).
Comparison
Compared to other Poipu resorts, The Point’s 2–3 bedroom villa suites and lagoon pool cater more to families and self-catering guests. By contrast, a nearby boutique property like Ko’a Kea Resort (on Poipu Beach) is beachfront with upscale hotel rooms and mains services, whereas The Point has larger condo units and lush gardens but no on-site beach (www.tripadvisor.com) (www.redweek.com). Ko’a Kea is trendier for couples seeking ocean views, while The Point suits visitors who want extra space and kitchen facilities (albeit in a more dated setting).
Citations: Authoritative hotel and travel sites (vacatia.com) (www.expedia.com) (www.expedia.com) (www.hilton.com) (www.hilton.com) (www.hilton.com) (www.redweek.com) (www.tripadvisor.com) (www.tripadvisor.com) (news.diamondresorts.com) (www.laytonconstruction.com) (www.tripadvisor.com) (www.tripadvisor.com) (www.hawaii-guide.com) (www.tripadvisor.com).
