Marjorie's Kauai Inn - Deep Research Report

Accommodation & Amenities

• Room types & rates: Three suite-style rooms (Sunset View, Valley View, Trade Wind) each with private entrance and bathroom. Sunset View (queen bed + queen sofa bed) is largest and has a private gazebo hot tub (www.marjorieskauaiinn.com); Valley View has the inn’s largest lanai; Trade Wind has a king bed (www.booking.com) (marjorieskauaiinn.vacationsbyredawning.com). Booking.com lists them as “Standard Double” (king), “Standard King” and “Standard Queen” configurations (www.booking.com). Frommer’s once quoted ~$210–$260 (double, w/breakfast) (www.frommers.com); modern rates run higher ($300–$400+ depending on season – e.g. Kayak shows “from $419/night” for certain dates (www.kayak.com)).
• Core amenities: All rooms have air conditioning, a mini-refrigerator and coffee maker (www.marjorieskauaiinn.com) (www.frommers.com) (per Kauai law, no in-room microwave or stove). Free Wi-Fi and daily housekeeping are included. The property features a 50-foot saltwater lap pool (open year-round; “kids not allowed” – adults only) (www.tripadvisor.ca) (www.booking.com), an outdoor BBQ area, and (with Sunset View) a personal hot tub in a private gazebo (www.frommers.com). Guests have 24/7 access to a stocked snack/drink bar and full buffet breakfast (Mon–Sat) (www.marjorieskauaiinn.com). Bikes, kayaks, boogie boards and snorkel gear are available at no charge (www.tripadvisor.ca). Free on-site parking is provided (including an accessible spot) (www.booking.com). No pets allowed (www.booking.com). The inn emphasizes green practices (energy-efficient appliances, eco-friendly cleaning, organic local produce) (www.frommers.com).

Setting & Vibe

• Property style: A purpose-built 3-room B&B (opened 1993) (www.marjorieskauaiinn.com), not a converted home. Lush tropical landscaping and native gardens surround the hilltop site (www.mapquest.com). No formal lobby – check-in is done personally with the hosts. Each room’s entrance opens to a covered parking pad.
• Views: Panoramic treetop views over the Lawai Valley (aka “Valley of Compassion,” adjoining the Allerton/McBryde Botanical Gardens) are the centerpiece (www.marjorieskauaiinn.com) (www.frommers.com). Every room has a private lanai facing the valley; decor is warm “Kauai-style” island motif with modern comforts (marjorieskauaiinn.vacationsbyredawning.com) (www.marjorieskauaiinn.com).
• Atmosphere: Quiet and romantic. The setting is peaceful and intimate – ideal for couples or solo travelers. With only three rooms and attentive hosts, the feel is friendly and personalized (www.tripadvisor.ca). The property is adult-oriented: the pool is adults-only (www.booking.com) and children under 12 are not accepted (www.frommers.com). Expect mango trees, wild birds and occasional Hawaiian rain – it’s more a rural hideaway than a resort party scene.

Local Context

• Neighborhood: Located in Lawai (south Kauai), on Hailima Road just off Kauai Hwy 50. Although the mailing address may say Koloa/Poipu region, the inn is set back in a canyon-side area surrounded by botanical gardens. The area is tranquil, with few shops or restaurants within walking distance (a car is recommended for exploring).
• Near attractions: Marjorie’s overlooks the famed Allerton & McBryde Gardens (part of the National Tropical Botanical Garden) – guests can actually walk or drive into Allerton Garden just below (literally under 1 mile) (www.marjorieskauaiinn.com) (www.mapquest.com). Historic Koloa Town and Spouting Horn/Poipu Beach are ~5–8 miles away (10–15 min drive). Other sights: Wailua Falls (~16 mi) and Lydgate Beach (~16 mi) (www.booking.com), Waimea Canyon (~24 mi). The Lihue Airport is about 11–12 miles (20–25 min) via Hwy 50 (www.booking.com).
• Transport & parking: Free on-site parking for guests (www.booking.com). Hwy 50 is the main access road; no public shuttle directly serves the inn, so renting a car is strongly advised. Local taxis or ride-shares must be arranged for off-site dining. (Note: Kauai’s roads can be narrow/hilly; park and walk carefully.)

History & Ownership

• Founding: Built in 1993 as a classic B&B (www.marjorieskauaiinn.com) (its own structure, not a converted residence). One of the oldest small inns on Kauai.
• Ownership: Operated by hosts Alexis & Mike (since 2005) (www.marjorieskauaiinn.com). They are veteran hospitality owners (B&Bs and vacation homes across Hawaii and abroad) who emphasize service, island knowledge and healthy breakfasts (www.marjorieskauaiinn.com) (www.frommers.com).
• Renovations: Rooms have been refreshed over time (for example, the Trade Wind room was “recently redecorated” with an island motif (marjorieskauaiinn.vacationsbyredawning.com)). (Unclear on major structural remodels; the property maintains a homey B&B aesthetic.)
• Press & awards: Featured in travel guides – Frommer’s highlights its eco-credentials and views (www.frommers.com); Lonely Planet calls it a “class-act B&B” with a 50′ saltwater pool (www.tripexpert.com). Guest ratings are excellent (TripAdvisor shows 5.0/5 and ranks it #1 of 2 Lawai B&Bs (www.tripadvisor.ca)). The inn also promotes itself as winner of local eco-toursim awards and is commonly mentioned on Kauai travel roundups.

Pros & Cons

Pros (advantages):

• Unbeatable views: Every room enjoys sweeping Lawai Valley panoramas (www.frommers.com) – especially lovely at sunrise/sunset.
• Lovely pool & hot tub: The 50-foot saltwater lap pool (seldom crowded) and poolside lounge area are a big hit (www.tripadvisor.ca). The premier “Sunset View” suite even has its own private hot tub gazebo (www.frommers.com). (Great for relaxing after hikes.)
• Great breakfast & amenities: The complimentary breakfast is homemade and abundant (organic fruit, fresh juices, hot entrees) (www.marjorieskauaiinn.com) (www.tripadvisor.ca). A 24/7 snack table keeps cold bites and drinks on hand. Free use of snorkel gear, boogie boards, kayaks, bikes, etc. (plus an outdoor BBQ by the pool) lets guests enjoy active fun without extra cost (www.tripadvisor.ca).
• Eco-friendly and personal: Guests consistently praise the attentive hosts and the inn’s green ethos (www.frommers.com). All rooms have private patios and the property’s gardens feel like a lush oasis. (No hidden resort fees – weekly stays get a waived cleaning fee (www.marjorieskauaiinn.com).)

Cons (common feedback/caveats):

• Not family/kid-friendly: The inn is effectively adults-only. Children under 12 are not accepted (www.frommers.com), and the only pool access is via a steep staircase (www.frommers.com). The hottest room (with hot tub) is up many steps of a hillside. Elderly or infirm guests may also find the terrain challenging.
• Limited facilities/day-structure: This is a B&B, not a resort: no on-site restaurant/bar in the evening (only breakfast is served). Note breakfast runs Mon–Sat; on Sunday morning guests receive a cold picnic-style breakfast basket instead (www.tripadvisor.ca). In-room cooking amenities are minimal (just a fridge/coffee-maker; no microwave or stove (www.marjorieskauaiinn.com)), so plan to dine out or use the shared BBQ for meals.
• Price/booking: It can be pricey given the small scale (rates often exceed $350/night) and demand. With only 3 rooms availability is very limited – you must book far in advance for holidays/seasons. (Some guests feel cost should match amenities; budget travelers may prefer larger hotels.)

Booking Tips

• Best season: Off-peak “shoulder” months (late spring and fall) usually yield better value (fewer crowds, lower rates) than high seasons (mid-Dec–Apr and summer holidays). For example, Frommer’s quoted ~$210–$260 in “value season” (www.frommers.com), whereas Kayak shows rates from $419 in summer peak (www.kayak.com).
• Length of stay: Stays of 4+ nights waive the cleaning fee (www.marjorieskauaiinn.com), effectively reducing the per-night cost – great for honeymoon/retreat trips.
• Booking windows: In peak periods, reserve many months ahead. Check Booking.com or the inn’s site for specials (sometimes there are Genius/AAA discounts or last-minute deals).
• Room selection: If choosing a room, note that “Standard Double” vs “Standard Queen/King” labels refer to bed size (booking site nomenclature may not match marketing names). For honeymooners, Sunset View (with hot tub) is pricier but very popular – asking early is wise.
• Cancellation: Terms vary by rate plan; the inn generally requires a moderate cancellation window (often a few days before arrival). Confirm policies on the chosen booking platform.
• Extras: No resort credits, but the hosts often throw in perks (snorkel gear, beach snacks). You can pack light on beach towels and snorkels, as the inn provides them.

Comparison

Compared to the larger, beachfront resorts in Poipu (e.g. the nearby Sheraton/Koloa Landing or Kiahuna Plantation), Marjorie’s is a tiny 3-room inn perched on a hillside – it trades beach access for privacy and unmatched valley views. It feels more like a personalized country estate than a commercial hotel: much smaller scale and more intimate, with a focus on home-cooked breakfasts and local flavor, but without spa facilities or on-site evening dining.

Sources: Official inn website and related travel guides (www.frommers.com) (www.frommers.com) (www.tripadvisor.ca); guest reviews and booking sites (www.marjorieskauaiinn.com) (www.tripadvisor.ca) (www.booking.com).