Are you looking for where to stay in Poipu Kauai with kids? Keep scrolling for my honest Koloa Landing Resort review so you can decide if it’s one of the best hotels on Kauai for families.
This Koloa Landing Resort review was written by Hawaii travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Looking for a Kauai resort where your kids will actually be entertained?
Let me tell you about Koloa Landing Resort in Poipu. After staying here with my two kids, I get why families keep coming back.
This place has the pool situation figured out. Like, seriously figured out.
USA Today readers voted the main pool as the Best Pool in America for six years straight (2020-2025). And once you see it, you’ll understand why.
But here’s what really sold me: the rooms are HUGE. We’re talking full kitchens, separate bedrooms, and in-room washer/dryers. Game changer when you’re traveling with kids.
Keep reading for my honest take on whether Koloa Landing is worth it for your Kauai family vacation.
Want my complete Kauai itinerary with daily schedules and kid-friendly activities? Grab my Kauai Travel Guide for Families to skip the planning stress.
Where is Koloa Landing Resort?
The resort is in Poipu on Kauai’s sunny South Shore, about 20-30 minutes from Lihue Airport depending on traffic. You’re going to need a rental car to get there since they don’t offer an airport shuttle.
However, they do have a complimentary shuttle that runs around the Poipu area. Handy for getting to nearby beaches and restaurants without dealing with parking.
The location is perfect if you want easy access to both sides of the island. Waimea Canyon is about 45 minutes west, and you can do day trips up to the North Shore.
Plus, you’re walking distance to some great restaurants and shops at Kukui’ula Village.
Check rates and availability on Expedia
Why Families Love Koloa Landing
The Pool Situation is Ridiculous (In the Best Way)
Okay, I need to talk about this pool because my kids literally told me it was “the best hotel in Hawaii.”
The main pool is 350,000 gallons and has everything.
Two waterslides (one for all ages, one for kids 48 inches and taller), waterfalls you can swim through, a grotto cave, an infinity edge overlooking the ocean, and multiple hot tubs.
There’s also a zero-entry area and splash pad for little ones.
The waterslides are open 11am-5pm, and you need to be 48 inches tall for the bigger one. My 8-year-old went down approximately 47 times. I lost count.
If the main pool feels too chaotic, there’s also a quieter family lagoon pool (6,100 square feet) with an in-pool island and basketball hoop.
And for adults who want peace and quiet, the Tranquility Pool is 18+ only.
All pools are open 7:30am-10pm.
Insider tip: Arrive early to snag the good lounge chairs, especially during peak season. It gets busy.
Want to explore more Hawaii hotels with amazing pools? Check out our guide to Hawaii hotels with water slides.
The Rooms Are Actually Spacious
We stayed in a one-bedroom villa and honestly, it felt like a condo. Here’s what you get:
Full kitchen with everything you need: full-size fridge/freezer, stove, oven, microwave, blender, coffee maker, toaster, dishes, cutlery.
We saved SO much money eating breakfast in the room instead of dining out every morning.
Separate living area with a sofa that pulls out to a queen bed (surprisingly comfortable). There’s a TV with streaming services where you can log into your Netflix account.
Washer and dryer in the unit. Cannot overstate how clutch this is. Wet swimsuits on departure day? No problem. Sand-covered beach clothes? Toss them in.
Two bathroom areas that are divided up smart. One has a soaking tub and sink (my kids loved bath time after beach days).
The other has the toilet and a walk-in shower. Both have nice-smelling toiletries that actually work well.
The master bedroom was roomy with a comfortable bed and enough space for luggage sprawl (let’s be real, nobody unpacks completely).
One thing to know: they don’t have roll-away beds, but every villa comes with a queen sofa sleeper in the living room. If you need a crib or high chair, request it when you book since they have limited quantities.
Where to Eat at Koloa Landing
Holoholo Grill
This is the only sit-down restaurant at the resort, and it’s a collaboration with James Beard award-winning chef Sam Choy (known as the “Godfather of Poke”).
They’re open 7am-9pm for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can dine in, order poolside, or get takeout to your room.
The taro french toast for breakfast? Still dreaming about it. The flatbread margherita pizza was perfect for a light lunch. And their burgers are legitimately good.
Kids menu is standard but solid. My kids were happy with their options.
Check out Holoholo Grill’s menu before you go.
Gourmet Marketplace
This little market in the lobby saved us multiple times. You can get:
- Specialty coffee drinks (I got a latte every morning)
- Breakfast items
- Made-to-order sandwiches and pizza
- Grab-and-go snacks
- Groceries to stock your kitchen
- Ice cream
We grabbed pre-made sandwiches for beach days, Kauai Juice Co kombucha, and the guava bread is ridiculously good.
One heads up: I ordered what I thought was a smoothie here, but it turned out to be a milkshake made with ice cream. It wasn’t what I wanted. Just ask what’s actually in it before ordering.
Shave Ice
Kids can earn free shave ice by completing a scavenger hunt around the resort. My kids were ALL about this. There’s also a shave ice stand near the pool area where you can buy different sizes.
For even better shave ice, walk over to Uncle’s Shave Ice at the nearby Shops at Kukui’ula. It’s a local favorite.
Pro tip: If you want to arrive with a stocked fridge, you can pre-order groceries and the concierge will have them delivered to your villa before you arrive.
What Else Should You Know?
Beach Access
The resort has two spots where you can access the beach, but I’m going to be honest with you: it’s not great for swimming. The water is rough there.
Your better bet is to walk about 10-15 minutes down to Poipu Beach Park (or drive, it’s only a couple minutes). The resort’s complimentary shuttle can also take you to nearby beaches.
If you want a true beachfront resort on Kauai, check out the Grand Hyatt Kauai.
Beach Gear Rentals
The Activity Hut by the pool rents beach equipment like snorkel gear, boogie boards, and umbrellas. It’s open 9am-5pm.
We noticed they were well-stocked even during peak season (we visited during the busiest week on Kauai). Prices are reasonable.
Other Amenities
Spa: There’s a 4,000 square foot day spa with massages, facials, and treatments. They even have couple’s rooms with a private lanai and Japanese soaking tub. Open 9am-5pm.
Fitness Center: 24-hour gym with cardio equipment and weights. Good for the early risers dealing with jetlag.
Activities: They have a volleyball court, putting green, and soccer field if your family is into that. There’s also free weekly activities like yoga, lei making, ukulele lessons, and s’mores nights.
Historic Sites: There’s an old lava tube and historic train tracks on the property from sugar plantation days. Interesting to check out if your kids like that sort of thing.
Parking
Free self-parking in lots near the buildings. No valet required (thank goodness, because I like being able to grab stuff from the car whenever I want).
You’ll definitely want that rental car for exploring Kauai. I always use Discount Hawaii Car Rental to compare rates.
The Honest Stuff Nobody Talks About
Look, every hotel has quirks. Here’s what kind of annoyed us:
The luggage situation: We dropped our bags off early so we could head to Waimea Canyon without a car full of suitcases. But it took FOUR HOURS to get our bags delivered to our room after check-in.
When we finally went back to the lobby to ask about it, they were swamped and got it to us within 30 minutes. Staffing issues are real everywhere right now, but that was frustrating when we just wanted to settle in.
Early check-in: Check-in is 4pm. You can use the pool while you wait for your room, which is nice. But if you’re landing early and want to start your vacation right away, just know you might be waiting a bit.
Resort fee: There’s a mandatory resort fee (around $41 plus tax per night) that covers parking, pool access, weekly activities, and the shuttle service. Standard for Hawaii, but still adds up.
Is Koloa Landing Worth It for Families?
Absolutely, without hesitation.
My kids genuinely loved this resort. The pool kept them entertained for hours. The full kitchen saved us money. The location made it easy to explore things to do in Poipu and the rest of Kauai.
We’re already planning to add a few extra nights here on our next Kauai trip. That’s how you know a place is good. Check the latest rates and availability.
Who this resort is perfect for:
- Families who want more space than a standard hotel room
- Anyone with dietary restrictions or food allergies who needs kitchen access
- Pool-obsessed kids who could spend all day in the water
- Travelers who want a home base in sunny Poipu with easy access to restaurants and beaches
Who might want to look elsewhere:
- Budget travelers (this isn’t cheap, though having a kitchen helps offset costs)
- Anyone who wants a true beachfront resort where you can walk out and swim
- Travelers who prefer tons of on-site activities and kids clubs (this resort is more low-key)
Planning Your Kauai Trip?
As a professional tourist who’s been to Hawaii over 40 times and a certified Hawaii travel expert, I’ve learned that good planning makes all the difference.
Grab my free resources:
- Free 7-Day Email Course: How to Plan a Trip to Kauai
- Free 5-Day Email Course: How to Save Money in Hawaii
Want personalized help? Book a one-on-one Hawaii travel consultation where I’ll answer your specific questions and help you plan your perfect Kauai vacation.
Capture your family vacation: Book a Flytographer session (save $20 with my link!) for professional photos without the hassle of dragging a tripod around.
Listen to my podcast: Check out Hawaii Travel Made Easy for more Kauai tips and family travel advice.
More Kauai Resort Reviews
Looking at other options? Here are my honest reviews of other family-friendly Kauai resorts:
- Grand Hyatt Kauai Review
- Hilton Garden Inn Kauai Review
- Royal Sonesta Resort Review
- Best Resorts in Kauai for Families
Planning to visit other islands? Check out my guides:
- Hawaii Island Hopping Guide
- Oahu Travel Guide for Families
- Maui Travel Guide for Families
- Big Island Travel Guide for Families
P.S. Join our Hawaii Travel with Kids Facebook group to get connected with other families planning a trip to Hawaii!
