Accommodation & Amenities
- Room types & rates: Standard (Garden-view) rooms feature 1 King or 2 Queen beds with private lanais (www.booking.com) (www.booking.com). Ocean-view Guest Rooms (King or Queen) and Deluxe Oceanfront Rooms each offer balcony views of the ocean. One-Bedroom Oceanfront Suites (~1,386 sq ft) include a King bedroom plus a separate living room (with sofa-bed) and private lanai (sleeps up to 5) (www.marriott.com). Rates vary seasonally – roughly $300–$400 in low season up to $600+ per night in peak season (Kayak shows some dates $570–$670) (www.kayak.com).
- Core amenities: All rooms have AC, free Wi-Fi, a mini-fridge and coffee maker (www.booking.com) (www.expedia.com). The resort’s centerpiece is a large infinity zero-edge pool (oceanfront) with adjacent children’s pool and whirlpool spa (www.hospitalitynet.org) (www.expedia.com). A poolside bar (Crooked Surf) and two restaurants (the casual Crooked Surf Lounge and Moamoa Hawaiian Fish House) serve Pacific-inspired cuisine (Moamoa partners with local farmers and fishmongers (www.hospitalitynet.org)). There is a 24-hour fitness center (www.expedia.com), meeting facilities (~8,000 ft²), and a small convenience market. Free on-site self-parking is provided (valet available for a surcharge) (www.expedia.com). The hotel is smoke-free and does not allow pets (www.bringfido.com). Accessible features include rooms with roll-in showers or tubs and a pool hoist for wheelchair access (www.expedia.com) (www.booking.com). Sustainability measures (e.g. energy-saving power switches and in-room recycling bins) are in place (www.expedia.com) (www.expedia.com).
Setting & Vibe
- Style & views: The resort’s design is modern Hawaiian – airy, open-air with tropical wood accents and island-inspired décor (royalcoconutcoast.com). Public areas and many rooms offer panoramic east-coast ocean and mountain views (www-eur.cvent.com) (www.tripexpert.com). The oceanfront pool courtyard (with firepits and fountains) is a focal point (www.tripexpert.com) (www-eur.cvent.com).
- Atmosphere: Casual, family-friendly and energetic. Guests describe a relaxed “surf-vibe” – e.g. the Crooked Surf bar is “casual, sociable… with an understated surf-vibe” (www.hospitalitynet.org). There are active amenities for all ages: a children’s pool and games for kids, frequent live music and Hawaiian activities (twice-weekly luau, hula/lei-making classes) (www.hospitalitynet.org) (www.marriott.com). The resort balances a lively feel with tranquility – ideal for families yet also romantic (sunrise ocean views, lanai and firepits for couples). Reviews praise the location and vibe (Expedia notes “top marks for the beach locale, pool, and helpful staff” (www.expedia.com)).
Local Context
- Neighborhood: On Kauai’s “Coconut Coast” in Kapaa (town center nearby), directly on scenic Waipouli Beach (royalcoconutcoast.com). The shoreline in front is picturesque but has strong surf currents, so it’s mainly for views. Shops, restaurants and the coastal bike path run along the highway just inland.
- Nearby attractions: Only ~7 miles (≈15 min) from Lihue Airport (www.kslcapital.com). Minutes away are the Wailua River/kayaking launch and the Sleeping Giant (Nounou Mountain) trails (royalcoconutcoast.com). Opaekaa Falls, Smith’s Tropical Paradise (luau venue) and Kapaa town sights are a short drive. The resort lies roughly midway between Poipu (south shore) and Princeville (north shore) – about 1 hour’s drive to Waimea Canyon or the Na Pali Coast (www.hospitalitynet.org).
- Transport & parking: Free on-site parking is available (with paid valet option) (www.expedia.com). A car is recommended (public buses run through Kapaa infrequently). The hotel offers bike rentals and is adjacent to the island-wide bike path. (No dedicated shuttle; taxis/rideshares or car rentals serve airport/pier connections.)
History & Ownership
- Origins (1978): Opened in 1978 (www-eur.cvent.com) as a beachfront Marriott-managed property (for many years the Courtyard Kauai at Coconut Beach under Outrigger ownership).
- Acquisition (2017): In 2017 Denver-based KSL Capital Partners (owner of Outrigger Resorts) paid about $61.5–62M to buy the Courtyard Kauai at Coconut Beach (www.bizjournals.com). The plan was to renovate and rebrand it.
- Renovation (2019): The resort closed and underwent a multimillion-dollar overhaul, reopening in late 2019 as Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach (www.hospitalitynet.org) (www-eur.cvent.com). Press reports (e.g. HospitalityNet) highlighted 314 redesigned rooms, a new arrival lobby, restaurants and zero-edge pool (www.hospitalitynet.org). The design (by Gensler) emphasizes island motifs (flora, wood tones) (royalcoconutcoast.com).
- Press & partnerships: The relaunch was covered in local media (The Garden Island) and travel press (royalcoconutcoast.com) (www.hospitalitynet.org). No major awards are listed for the property. Notably, the Moamoa Hawaiian Fish House works with Kauai farmers/fishermen for locally sourced menus (www.hospitalitynet.org), and the resort introduced an on-site luau (Luau Ka Hikina) as a local-culture event.
Pros & Cons
- Pros: Oceanfront location with direct beach access (great sunrise views) and a spacious infinity pool (www.hospitalitynet.org). Thoroughly renovated, so rooms and public spaces feel new and clean. Plenty of amenities for families (kids’ pool, activities) and couples (firepits, spa). Strong guest reviews for helpful, friendly staff and the convenient location (Expedia notes “top marks… for the beach locale, pool, and helpful staff” (www.expedia.com)). Private lanais in ocean-view rooms add to the appeal.
- Cons: No free breakfast included – rooms are sold without breakfast (and some guests note confusion on booking sites about this) (www.booking.com). The beachfront wave conditions are rough, so it’s not ideal for swimming (one guest observed the ocean “unswimmable” and that the pool was very shallow, ~3–4 ft (www.expedia.com)). Food and drink prices (at the pool bar and restaurants) are high (www.expedia.com). Lower-priced garden-view rooms look at parking/roadside and feel dated; a few reviews mention insect (cockroach) sightings.
Booking Tips
- Timing: Visit in the shoulder seasons (late spring or early fall) when rates are lowest (www.hawaii-guide.com). Kauai’s high season (and highest rates) is during winter holidays and summer; crowds/costs drop in April–May and September–October (www.hawaii-guide.com) (www.hawaii-guide.com).
- Deals: Marriott Bonvoy members and AAA/CAA members get special rates (AAA often offers ≥5% off) (www.aaa.com). Watch for promotional packages – for example, Costco Travel has offered Sheraton packages including room upgrades (e.g. Garden→Ocean room) and a $100 food/beverage credit (www.costcotravel.com). Use any Marriott points to upgrade or book a suite if available.
- Advance booking: Book early (especially for summer/holidays) or last-minute for bargains. Expedia/Marriott allow free cancellation up to ~24–48 hours before (check your rate rules) – use refundable rates during uncertain travel plans. If you upgrade at check-in, request a high floor or true ocean-front room for the best view.
Comparison
- Compared to another nearby hotel like Aston Islander on the Beach (Kapaa) – a smaller, condo-style property with “plantation-style charm” (www.aquaaston.com) – Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach is a larger full-service resort: it has more extensive on-site amenities (big zero-edge pool, multiple restaurants/bars, scheduled activities) and a modern tropical redesign, though typically at higher rates.
Sources: Verified from the Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach official site, Marriott/press releases, Expedia and travel-guide reviews (www.marriott.com) (www.hospitalitynet.org) (www.expedia.com) (www.expedia.com).
