Ko'a Kea Hotel & Resort

Twenty years after Hurricane Iniki struck Kauai’s southern coast, the new 121-room Ko’a Kea Resort is making a splash on the area’s beloved Poipu Beach. The tranquil property offers a more intimate escape than nearby mega-resorts and is less than two miles from Lawai and Prince Kuhio beaches, two of the island’s best snorkeling areas. Arranged in a U-shape around the deep blue outdoor pool, the property reflects the natural hues of the island, including sandy tones with pops of turquoise and coral in the comfortably contemporary guest rooms. Despite its intimate scale and sensibility, the Ko’a Kea boasts all the luxuries of a larger resort: private lanais, dual showerheads in the marble-accented bathrooms, and a full-service fitness center and luxury spa. Don’t miss one of Kauai’s best photo opps: on many warm afternoons, endangered Hawaiian monk seals climb up on the sand to sunbathe on Poipu Beach.