Where to Stay in Līhuʻe: Outrigger Kaua‘i Beach Resort and Spa
The resort's renovations were revealed June 22, along with the grand opening of Ocean House by Roy Yamaguchi. This completes phase one of a multi-phase remodel Outrigger began after acquiring the 40-year-old Līhuʻe property in August 2023.
This reporter was hosted by Outrigger Kaua‘i Beach Resort and Spa for the purposes of this review.
As someone who has visited Kauaʻi more than a dozen times, I prefer staying on the East Side, where I can be central to everything on the island. Outrigger Kauaʻi Beach Resort & Spa sits in that sweet spot — less than 10 minutes from the airport in Līhuʻe, with anywhere on the island reachable in an hour or less. I had the opportunity to stay at the resort earlier this month to see its recent renovations and experience Outrigger's second annual Flowerworks Festival — in lieu of a fireworks show on July 4, a helicopter flies over the resort dropping thousands of orchids. It's a spectacular event that culminates in hundreds of guests stringing lei on the oceanfront lawn.
The resort's renovations were revealed June 22, along with the grand opening of Ocean House by Roy Yamaguchi. This completes phase one of a multi-phase remodel Outrigger began after acquiring the 40-year-old Līhuʻe property in August 2023.
The new lobby, bar and restaurant feature museum-white walls and palatial columns in a completely open-air setting offering lots of bright, breezy open space. All of the art Outrigger has selected is by local artists, mostly Kauaʻi-born. Garret Kojima's surf art hangs in each guest room. Siblings Dane and Sara Nishikawa created installations of ceramic shells and driftwood at the resort's entrance representing the elements of fire and water. In the lobby, Allegra Scribner presents the Hawaiian islands composed of teal, blue and seafoam-green chunks of plastic and other debris collected from the beach — her ʻōpala, or rubbish, art also hangs in each guest room. Along the hall to Ocean House, the paintings of Kalani Largusa, rooted in Polynesian tattoo symbolism, add color and texture to the walkway's soft, calming palette.
As with all Outrigger properties, there are many ways to engage with Hawaiian culture during your stay. Cultural activities include ʻukulele lessons, lei making and hula. The first time I stayed here, I attended the sunrise ceremony led by cultural practitioner and kumu hula Maka Herrod. Standing on the resort's oceanfront lawn, Kumu Maka leads guests in a traditional Hawaiian chant called E Ala E to welcome the sun. It's a powerful experience that draws you into the present moment and connects you to the natural environment of the island.
The next phases of renovation will bring a new cultural center that will significantly expand those offerings. Director of Rooms Kelton Ancheta said Outrigger intends to add lau hala weaving, ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language instruction) and a class on muʻumuʻu — where guests can examine vintage pieces and learn why they are worn — to the roster. The fitness center, spa and Driftwood Beach Bar will also be refreshed. Coming this fall, guests who book a club signature room will have access to the new Voyager 47 Club Lounge, which includes complimentary breakfast and small plates and cocktails at sunset.
At a Glance
Star rating: 4 stars on Tripadvisor (based on 3,400 reviews)
Price range: From $299 per night (shoulder season); from $329 per night (December–March, June–August). Voyager 47 Club rooms add $250 per night.
Kamaʻāina rate: From $199 per night with no resort charge and half-price parking for one vehicle.
Location score: 8.5 on Booking.com
Best for: Families, budget-conscious travelers, event attendees, solo travelers.
Pros: Close to the airport; centrally located; near Wailua River, hiking trails, Old Kapaʻa Town, golf courses and the Ke Ala Hele Makalae bike path.
Cons: The beach in front of the resort is not swimmable. The pool area gets noisy — there is no adults-only pool.
BOOK NOW
Location and Getting There
Outrigger Kauaʻi Beach Resort & Spa is located in Līhuʻe, less than 10 minutes from the airport. The resort is not within walking distance of anything — most travelers on Kauaʻi rent a car — but it sits close to beaches, shopping, restaurants and activities. Centrally located on the island, you are never more than an hour from anywhere. Here are nearby recommendations worth adding to your itinerary.
Līhuʻe
- Kukui Grove Center — the island's main shopping mall, with Target, Longs Drugs and several locally owned shops and eateries
- Hōkūala Ocean Course — oceanfront Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course
- Kalapaki Beach — a quarter-mile golden sand beach on Nawiliwili Bay, good for volleyball, swimming and stand-up paddleboarding
- Kilohana Plantation — home to Kōloa Rum, Lūʻau Kalamaku and The Plantation House by Gaylord's restaurant
Kapaʻa and Wailua
- Coconut Marketplace — grocery store, coffee shop, weekly farmers market
- Lydgate Beach — family-friendly beach with protected waters for swimming and snorkeling
- Smith's Garden Family Lūʻau — a 50-year tradition in Wailua
- Fish Bar Deli — seafood restaurant, market and gourmet deli
- The Flying Saucer — craft tiki bar
- Kintaro Japanese Restaurant — modern sushi
- Bullshed — upscale steakhouse
- Wailua River kayaking and waterfall hike
- Shopping in Old Kapaʻa Town
- Ke Ala Hele Makalae bike path — bikes available to rent
Learn more in my Local's Guide to Kapaʻa, Kauaʻi
Rooms
Rooms are simple and clean, decorated in sandy hues with accents of blue and gold representing sun and sea. I stayed in an oceanfront room overlooking the pool, backed by Nukoliʻi Beach. Each morning I watched the sunrise and listened to the birds with the gentle sound of waves in the distance.
In-room amenities:
- In-room safe
- Free Wi-Fi
- Flat-screen TV
- Basic toiletries: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion and bar soap
- Steamer
- Beach bag
- Two reusable water bottles
- Coffee and tea
- Reusable bag for collecting marine debris — part of Outrigger's Help Protect Kauaʻi's Beaches program
- FLUX magazine
Property amenities:
- Aquatic playground with two swimming pools, waterfall, waterslide and hot tub — open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Nightly live music in the lobby bar from 6 to 9 p.m.
- Daily beachfront yoga
- Aloha Friday hula performance by the pool
- Cultural activities
- Koi pond
- Resort day pass — available for purchase for non-staying guests to access the property, pools and amenities
BOOK NOW
Dining and Drinks
Island Marketplace
Takeout counter and souvenir shop serving snacks, ice cream, Starbucks coffee, pastries, breakfast burritos, sandwiches and salads, along with sundries, apparel, hats and gifts.
Driftwood Beach Bar
Pool bar serving appetizers, salads, sandwiches, frozen cocktails and beer. Ocean House takeout can also be ordered and enjoyed poolside.
Food prices: $9 to $28
Hours:
Bar hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.Happy hour: 3 to 4 p.m.Dining hours: 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Ocean House by Roy Yamaguchi
The resort's signature restaurant from Chef Roy Yamaguchi — one of the founders of Hawaiʻi Regional Cuisine — serves breakfast and dinner. With Yamaguchi's farm-to-table sensibilities guiding the menu, Executive Chef Samuel Taganeca leads a kitchen sourcing as many local ingredients as possible. According to General Manager Christine San Nicolas, Yamaguchi worked for Outrigger's founders early in his career. When Outrigger approached him about opening a restaurant at the property, she said, there were no questions asked.
"What [Roy] wants is to make sure that he involves the community," San Nicolas said. "Making sure that we're really partnering with the ranchers, the fishermen and farmers."
Current sourcing partners include Kauaʻi Fresh Fish, Kauaʻi Sea Farms, Kauaʻi Shrimp, Aloun Farms, Hanalei Taro growers, Hawaiʻi Golden Farm, Kailani Farms and Hole in the Mountain Farm for sugarloaf pineapple.
Breakfast runs from yogurt and acai bowls to omelets and eggs Benedict. The restaurant also serves espresso drinks and brunch cocktails. Dinner is where you will find the kind of dishes Yamaguchi is known for including sushi, sashimi and poke. Although seafood is the focus, you’ll also find a pasta, steak, short ribs and smashburger on the menu. The evening I dined, the chef was offering a rack of lamb special. Desserts riff on local favorites, including Filipino halo-halo and pineapple upside-down cake.
Ocean House's full menu can be ordered at the lobby bar or as takeout via the QR code posted in each guest room.
Average price per entree: $23 for breakfast, $48 for dinner
Hours:
Breakfast: 7 to 10:30 a.m.Dinner: 5 to 10 p.m.Bar (lobby): 5 to 10 p.m.
Annual Events
February/March: E Kanikapila Kākou — an 8-week music series that invites local musicians, hula practitioners and community members to the resort for "backyard-style" jam sessions, concerts, and cultural workshops
May: Nā Lei Pua ʻOle — Annual flowerless lei exhibition and contest hosted by the Mālie Foundation
June: World Oceans Day — Community beach clean-up, live entertainment and cultural activities
July: Flowerworks — An annual festival on July 4 featuring a helicopter flower drop and lei-making in lieu of fireworks
November: The Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival — family-friendly concert featuring legendary and up-and-coming slack key artists with proceeds benefiting local Hawaiʻi non-profits
Service and Staff
The staff at Outrigger Kauaʻi is friendly and helpful. My breakfast server remembered my order after just one visit. Many staff members are from Kauaʻi and have worked for Outrigger for years. General Manager Christine San Nicolas has been with Outrigger Resorts since 1999 — a testament to how well the company treats its people.
Value
With its new renovations and quiet beachfront location, Outrigger Kauaʻi delivers a noticeably nicer experience than many comparably priced resorts on the island. Its proximity to the airport, great restaurants and wide range of activities mean you spend less time driving and less money on gas. Parking fees here are among the lowest I've encountered in Hawaiʻi.
Who It's Best For
Solo travelers will appreciate the amount of space on this property — there's always a quiet corner in the lobby, at the bar or outside when you need a break from being social. Families with young children will find plenty to keep them busy at the aquatic playground with two pools, a waterslide and water polo net. The resort also hosts events throughout the year that draw guests who want the convenience of staying on property.
Final Verdict
I enjoyed staying at Outrigger Kauaʻi Beach Resort & Spa for its convenient location, well-executed renovations and genuine cultural programming. I recommend it for families, anyone planning to explore the island and travelers who want a comfortable, high-quality hotel near the airport.
Property Details
Address: 4331 Kauai Beach Drive, Līhuʻe, HI 96766
Phone: (888) 805-3843
Check-in: 3 p.m.
Check-out: 11 a.m.
Parking: Self-parking $29 per day; valet $39 per day
Pet policy: Pets are not permitted in guest rooms. Only service animals assisting guests with disabilities are allowed on the property.