Heading to Kauai on a budget? Find out the top cheap places to stay in Kauai, scroll down for all the info!
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How many times did you visit your grandparents’ house while you were growing up? Did you grow up next door? Or did they live half a world away?
I was lucky enough to get to visit my grandma while I was growing up.
Oh, and she just so happened to spend part of her year on Kauai!
My mom lives there now, so we still have a reason to visit – which we take advantage of as much as possible!
We are able to use her home as our base of operations as we explore waterfalls, try new beaches, and take in all the beauty that Kauai has to offer.
If you’re looking for more of what we do on Kauai, check out my Kauai Family Guide!
Having mom living there has been wonderful for my boys and me, but we often take for granted that we have built-in lodgings!
I was looking into just how much we end up saving every trip, and it’s a pretty decent amount!
If mom were to ever kick us out (with two growing, rambunctious boys, it’s a distinct possibility!), we would be looking for somewhere nearby that wouldn’t break the bank.
I have been doing my research in anticipation of just such an occurrence and have come up with 11 Cheap Places Places to Stay in Kauai.
Don’t have time to read a bunch of Hawaii blog posts and reviews? Here are some of our top picks for visiting Kauai on a budget.
Best Budget-Friendly Kauai Tours/Activities
- Smith Family Luau (you can skip dinner and just pay to watch the show)
- Fern Grotto Boat Ride (this is a fun river cruise with live music and hula)
- Shaka Driving App (it’s like going on an island tour at a fraction of the price)
Best Budget-Friendly Kauai Hotels
- Aston Islander on the Beach (awesome location with tons of amenities)
- Plantation Hale (it’s easy to walk to shops, restaurants, and grocery stores)
- Kauai Shores (this is a kitschy motel right next to Lava Lava Beach Club)
Want to Rent a Car in Hawaii?
One of the best places to rent a car in Hawaii is Discount Hawaii Car Rental because they get the best rates from top national companies like Alamo, Dollar, Thrifty, Avis, Enterprise, Budget, and Payless.
Want to skip all the planning and just access my detailed Kauai Itinerary complete with daily schedules, kid-friendly activities, and travel hacks? Click the button below.
Find out my top 105 tips for Hawaii on a Budget!
11 Cheap Places to Stay on Kauai
Here are some of the most affordable places to stay in Kauai! These Kauai budget lodging options can be found all over the island and are some of the cheap Kauai hotels you’ll love.
1. ASTON ISLANDER ON THE BEACH
440 Aleka Pl, Kapaʻa, HI 96746
(808) 822-7417
Aston Islander on the Beach is a hotel I have brought up before, but it’s worth bringing up again! Check out the latest prices and more details.
Located on Wailua Bay, you are less than 7 miles from the airport and right in the middle of some of the most gorgeous tropical gardens and scenery you will ever see!
Rooms start at $169 per night for a room with a garden view at Aston Islander on the Beach. Most rooms offer lanais (or balconies.)
There is an “amenity fee” of $20 per day added on before taxes, which pays for WiFi, one beverage per day, an airport shuttle, and more.
Kick back and relax by the outdoor pool bar, or walk a short 5 minutes and enjoy the ocean in all its glory!
This is definitely one of the best cheap hotels on Kauai the entire family will love!
Save Money with Points
Here are the best credit card offers for families who travel and want to use points to pay for airfare and hotels in Hawaii.
2. PLANTATION HALE SUITES
525 Aleka Loop, Kapaʻa, HI 96746
(808) 822-4941
I know I have mentioned Plantation Hale Suites before, so if you have not gone there yet, you are missing out! Check out the latest prices and more details.
The Plantation Hale Suites is the place to be for a quick walk to the beach or close proximity to all things wonderful and beautiful in nature.
Rooms all have a full kitchen included (AMAZING when staying with little ones!) and will vary in price mostly due to the view outside your window.
If you are ok with a standard garden view room, you are looking at around $182 per night.
As the view gets nicer, the cost gets higher at Plantation Hale Suites.
Don’t worry about the view from your room, though; get out there and walk 3 minutes to see the view of the WHOLE ocean right in front of you – for free!
It is another one of the top cheap stays Kauai has to offer, with multiple hot tubs and outdoor pools.
Save money on food by cooking on vacation.
3. BANYAN HARBOR RESORT
3411 Wilcox Rd, Lihue, HI 96766
(808) 245-7333
With a condo-like feel, Banyan Harbor is a hotel that reminds you of home and one of the best cheap places to stay in Lihue, Kauai. Check out the latest prices and more details.
The one-bedroom condos have a full kitchen, a pull-out sleeper sofa, and a washer/dryer.
I LOVE having a washer and dryer in my space – because we all know how messy beach towels and swimsuits can get.
I would much rather stick everything straight in the wash just like at home. HUGE bonus points for Banyan Harbor Resort!
The rooms start at $149 per night, depending on the day of the week or the time of year.
If I can’t stay with Mom, I would love to be somewhere like this, welcoming, useful, and reasonably priced.
It is another one of the budget hotels in Kauai at a great location.
4. SHERATON KAUAI COCONUT BEACH RESORT
650 Aleka Loop, Kapaʻa, HI 96746
(808) 822-3455
You will love the fun, ocean-themed artwork that rooms at the Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort have! Check out the latest prices and more details.
The blue hues remind you of the ocean just steps from your door, and the lush furnishings help you relax after a long day of swimming or sunbathing.
It is one of my favorite Kauai cheap accommodations, for sure. The hotel room is so relaxing and will always have clean rooms for you to enjoy.
Rooms start at $129 per night, but be sure to look around online and adjust your dates to get the best rate.
At only six miles from the airport, on one of the sandy beaches, and within 5 miles of some of the best hiking trails on the island, I’m sure you’ll agree that this is a wonderful place to look into!
With an outdoor pool, air conditioning, hot tub, free parking, free wifi, a children’s pool, beach yoga, and so much more, it is definitely one of the best affordable hotels in Kauai!
Save Money with Points
Here are the best credit card offers for families who travel and want to use points to pay for airfare and hotels in Hawaii.
5. HOTEL CORAL REEF
4-1516 Kuhio Hwy, Kapaʻa, HI 96746
(808) 822-4481
This recently remodeled hotel was built in 1956 and is still going strong!
Hotel Coral Reef Resort claims to have “the best view on the beautiful island” and is located within walking distance of Kapaa’s shops, farmer’s markets, and restaurants. Check out the latest prices and more details.
A standard city-view room with a pull-out sleeper sofa will start at about $159 per night.
Call the number above to make sure you have the best rate before you book; sometimes, working directly with the hotel will get you better (less expensive) results!
What sets this place apart is probably its location and the lagoon-style pool with a waterfall.
What could be more relaxing than floating around in your own private waterfall-fed pool?
If floating isn’t your thing, they also have bikes that you can borrow to ride the nearby coastal bike path. There is literally something for everyone!
It’s also just a 5-minute walk from the amazing Kauai Juice Co., which has incredible kombucha plus the most Instagrammable wall on Kauai.
It is another one of the top Kauai cheap hotels you’ll love.
6. THE ISO
4-796 Kuhio Hwy, Kapaʻa, HI 96746
(808) 822-3971
The ISO was once named Castle Mokihana and is located in the middle of the “Royal Coconut Coast” – or the eastern side of Kauai. Check out the latest prices and more details.
ISO stands for “Where Island, Sky, and Ocean Meet.”
Room packages for two adults and two children start at $179 per night, and each has its own balcony or lanai.
You are within walking distance of either the beach or shopping, and bikes are available if you feel like going for a ride.
One-room suites are available as well, and if your kiddos go to bed early as mine do, you will appreciate a door between your sleeping area and theirs.
No more sneaking around terrified of waking a sleeping babe!
At this budget hotel, you will find an outdoor pool, free wifi, and so much more.
The ISO Hotel is another one of the best places to stay in Kauai for cheap.
7. HILTON GARDEN INN – WAILUA BAY
3-5920 Kuhio Hwy, Kapaʻa, HI 96746
(808) 823-6000
Hilton Garden Inn, Kauai Wailua Bay location is right next to Lydgate Beach Park between Lihue and Wailua, another one of the cheapest place to stay in Kauai. Check out the latest prices and more details.
There are a playground and a play bridge within walking distance, which would be perfect for an after-dinner excursion for my boys when I don’t want to have to wash yet another set of swim trunks.
Lydgate Beach Park also has a kid’s swimming area that can be a great place to practice snorkeling before heading to one of the less-sheltered beaches.
Double queen rooms start around $169 per night (in low season) but know that there is a $25 per night resort fee added to the cost of the room before taxes.
Still, for the proximity to all things Garden Island, I feel like this is a steal of a deal! With free wifi and the beach directly on-site, what more could you want for Kauai cheap lodging?
Check out my full Hilton Garden Inn Kauai review.
Save Money with Points
Here are the best credit card offers for families who travel and want to use points to pay for airfare and hotels in Hawaii.
8. THE KAUAI INN
2430 Hulemalu Rd, Lihue, HI 96766
(808) 245-9000
Located directly in Lihue, The Kauai Inn is probably one of the island’s oldest hotels and one of the cheap hotels Kauai offers. Check out the latest prices and more details.
The Inn is situated on Nawiliwili Bay, about 3 miles from the Lihue airport.
My boys would LOVE the number of outside things to do here. There are hammocks, outdoor games, a pool, and only about a three-minute walk to Niumalu Beach Park.
Rooms start at $191 per night for a double queen bedroom.
There are historic landmarks nearby, free parking, free wifi, and free breakfast! Barbecue facilities are also on-site too!
If you are looking for cheap hotels near Lihue Airport, this is one of them!
9. WYNDHAM KA EO KAI
3970 Wyllie Rd, Princeville, HI 96722
(855) 421-4785
Up in the northern part of Kauai, there are some wonderful sights, attractions, and opportunities you can’t find anywhere else! Check out the latest prices and more details.
To stay closer to the Na Pali coast, consider Wyndham Ka Eo Kai as an option.
These are condo-based suites that have all the amenities of a home – including a clothes washer and dryer!
Rooms start at $154 per night for a suite-based stay for two adults and two children.
There is an outdoor pool for the little ones and the Makai Golf course nearby if you want to play some golf too.
This wonderfully situated hotel would be a great home base for any of your northern coast activities!
If you are looking for the cheapest places to stay in Kauai on the North Shore, this is the place for you.
10. PARRISH KAUAI
Various Locations
(800) 325-5701
Don’t let the mention of “Luxury Vacations” scare you away; the Parrish Kauai rental company has properties all over the island at many different price points.
You have your choice of homes, condos, and cottages in north or south Kauai, and with any number of room combinations.
One-bedroom condos in the southern part of the island start at $100 per night, whereas one-bedroom condos up north start at $165.
Because each rental is different, make sure you know what you are looking for and get the amenities you need.
The ability to choose from so many different options is amazing and really allows you to customize your vacation to you and your family!
These are some other great Kauai cheap places to stay.
11. KAUAI SHORES HOTEL
420 Papaloa Road, Kapaa, HI 96746
Another one of the Kauai cheap stays, is Kauai Shores Hotel. Prices vary, but the lowest nightly price I’ve found was about $105 per night. Check out the latest prices and more details.
There is a beach, super private to enjoy at this cheap hotel. At Kauai Shores Hotel you will also find 2 outdoor pools, free wifi, spacious clean rooms, and stunning views.
Kauai Shores Hotel is close to Lihue Airport and another one of the great cheap hotels in Kauai to enjoy!
Cheap Places to Stay in Kauai FAQs
It’s always cheapest to fly to Kauai during shoulder season, which runs from mid-April to June in the Spring and September to mid-December in the Fall. Staying in one of the budget hotels Kauai offers or even a vacation rental, cooking your own meals, and taking advantage of all the free things to do on Kauai will also save you money. Plus, there are tons of cool things to do on Kauai for under $10!
The East Shore is definitely the cheapest side of Kauai, and you’ll have the largest range of Kauai budget accommodations. Plus, it’s centrally located, and you can easily access grocery stores and Costco.
If you are island hopping, many people choose to spend 4-5 days on Kauai. However, many hotels offer discounts or free nights if you stay at least 5-7 days on Kauai.
Usually, September is the cheapest month to visit the island of Kauai. April is also a cheaper month to visit a well. But you can probably find a cheap hotel in Kauai any time of the year!
Poipu is a more expensive place to stay along the beautiful Kauai shores. While there are no Kauai cheap hotels in the area, there are some great family-friendly resorts to enjoy!
There are plenty of cheap stays in Kauai that you can enjoy so you visit the island of Kauai on the cheap. You will find plenty of cheap hotels in Kauai Hawaii or some vacation rentals too.
Best Places to Stay in Kauai on a Budget Wrap-Up
No matter where you stay on Kauai, you are going to have fun and be near something interesting to do.
The Garden Island certainly lives up to its name with gorgeous waterfalls, state parks, reserves, and of course, the ocean!
These are just some of the cheap hotels in Kauai that are great for all types of vacations. From full service spa to being close to the beach, these cheap hotels in Kauai are incredible.
We know the day is coming soon when we will no longer be able to stay at my mom’s when we visit, so I plan on using this list of 11 Cheap Places to Stay in Kauai very soon.
Love this island