Curator’s statement
For an unforgettable Hawaiian escape, head to Kauai and ease into the island’s gentle rhythm at the Lodge at Kukui'ula. Elegant residential bungalows, cottages, and villas create the perfect setting for a getaway centered on connection, quality time, and meaningful moments that linger long after your vacation ends.
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Hotel overview
The Lodge at Kukui'ula sits within the private luxury residential community of Kukui'ula, where residents and guests find balance, tranquility, and a laid-back island rhythm. As a guest, you’ll get a glimpse of what life here could feel like if this paradise were your everyday reality.

The great lawn at the Clubhouse is the perfect place to relax or watch the sunset.
This is a choose-your-own-adventure kind of vacation: take leisurely strolls around the property, hop on a bike and ride to the ten-acre farm, spend sun-soaked days by the pool, spark a friendly game of beach volleyball, or set out to explore Kauai before returning each evening to your home away from home. This is a place to vacation, but it becomes so much more than that. It’s a retreat you return to again and again, a setting where memories are made and families grow closer with each visit.

Enjoy thoughtfully designed areas throughout the Clubhouse.
Location
Located in Hawaii on Kauai’s picturesque south shore, the Lodge at Kukui'ula offers the perfect setting for a slow, unhurried island getaway. Time seems to stretch here, and with direct flights into Lihue Airport from major West Coast and Mountain West hubs, this relaxed escape is remarkably accessible.
Just a 25-minute drive from the airport—and only moments from iconic Poipu Beach—the Lodge combines seclusion with convenience. Its private, tranquil location allows you to unwind far from the crowds, while still placing you within minutes of The Shops at Kukui'ula, Poipu Shopping Village, and Old Koloa Town for dining, shopping, and local charm.
Accommodation
The Lodge at Kukui'ula offers three luxury lodging options to suit every type of traveler: 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom bungalows, 2- and 3-bedroom cottages, and spacious 4-bedroom villas. Each accommodation sleeps two guests per bedroom and includes a full kitchen, living room, and washer/dryer—this is ideal for families who want the comforts of home with the beauty of Kauai just outside their door.

A full kitchen, dining room, and living room bring the comforts of home to your stay.
As a Lodge guest, you’ll enjoy full access to the exclusive Club at Kukui'ula and its exceptional amenities. Spend a morning picking fresh produce at the Farm, cool off at the multi-level pool complex, play a match of tennis or pickleball, or tee off on the spectacular Kukui'ula golf course. These amenities are reserved solely for Club members and Lodge guests, offering a rare blend of paradise, privacy, and exclusivity.

Enjoy a private plunge pool and spectacular views from your villa.
Each bungalow, cottage, and villa is unique, so be sure to work with an advisor who can help you select the perfect fit for your family. Cottages feature charming screened porches with a full outdoor living room and dining area, making it ideal for leisurely meals or competitive game nights. Cottages and villas also offer generous lawn space where kids can run around and play, while adults fire up the outdoor grill. In the evenings, everyone can gather around the fire pit for s’mores beneath the stars.
A stay at Kukui'ula is less like a traditional vacation and more like stepping out of everyday life and into an authentic slice of island living where time slows, connections deepen, and core memories are made.
Dining
Guests enjoy a complimentary daily continental breakfast served in the Lodge, featuring pastries, fresh fruit, quiche, yogurt, oatmeal, juice, coffee, and tea. Grab a plate and settle onto the wraparound porch to savor breathtaking ocean views—a perfect way to ease into another beautiful day on the island.
For something heartier, the Club at Kukui'ula offers two dining outlets. ‘Umeke Kitchen and Bar, located in the Clubhouse, serves breakfast and dinner with a menu full of tempting choices. For a sweet start, the Kukui'ula banana pancakes with bananas folded into the batter and topped with a decadent coconut macadamia nut sauce are a favorite. For something savory, try Kuk’s bento featuring melt-in-your-mouth miso butterfish, or opt for the avocado toast for a healthy, but flavorful start to your day.
For lunch head to Makai Grill and Bar, located beside the pools. Offering classic midday favorites like burgers, sandwiches, salads, and bowls, it’s the perfect spot for a casual bite. Dine in the open-air seating area or place your order at the restaurant and wait for your order from your poolside lounger.
For dinner, ‘Umeke’s is the place to be if you want to stay on-property. It is an inviting gathering spot where the island’s flavors truly shine. Reservations are highly encouraged, as evenings here tend to fill quickly. Keep an eye out for weekly culinary highlights such as Chef’s Table experiences, omakase-style tastings, elevated surf-and-turf nights, and a rotating selection of seasonal specialties crafted from the freshest local ingredients, including many from the Kukui'ula’s own ten-acre farm.
Amenities
At Kukui'ula, every day unfolds with a sense of relaxed freedom, offering countless opportunities to indulge, recharge, and truly experience the destination. Guests can enjoy an incredible variety of experiences across the property—from a world-class spa and an award-winning golf course to an expansive pool complex, walking and biking paths, a charming farm stand, and even unique experiences, like sailing on a canoe or archery can be arranged. There’s truly something for everyone.

A quiet corner of luxury at the spa pool.
The Hi'ilani Spa at Kukui'ula is an experience you won’t want to miss. This lush, tranquil sanctuary provides the perfect backdrop for any treatment or for an entire day dedicated to self-care. Spa amenities include outdoor showers, a steam room, sauna, cold plunge, hot tub, multiple lounging areas, cozy nooks, an outdoor lap pool, snacks, and a full range of skin and hair-care products to enjoy after your service.
Guests who book a treatment receive complimentary access to all spa facilities for the day, and day passes are also available for anyone who prefers to enjoy the amenities on their own. For a truly restorative experience, I highly recommend adding a guided water ritual before your treatment. This soothing circuit of sauna, steam, and plunge gently warms and relaxes the body while boosting circulation, the perfect foundation before any service. Spa lovers can easily spend the entire day here: come with a friend or a favorite book, stretch out by the pool, order lunch, and simply let the hours drift by.

A slice of paradise on this Tom Weiskopf-designed 18-hole golf course.
Of course, not everyone is a spa-day enthusiast, which makes Kukui'ula perfect for those who golf. The Tom Weiskopf–designed Kukui'ula golf course, once named “One of the Best Courses in Hawaii” by Golf Digest, is a breathtaking layout that winds through dramatic landscapes, fragrant fruit trees, sweeping ocean views, and well-placed comfort stations. The clubhouse features a fully stocked pro shop, men’s and women’s locker rooms, lounge areas, and practice greens. New golfers can participate in Operation 36, a nationwide program that breaks down the game into approachable steps and builds confidence through a modified nine-hole format. (Note: Lodge guests may book tee times starting at noon, as mornings are reserved for Club members.)

Discover multiple pools to relax, splash, and swim in.
While the Lodge is only a few minutes’ drive from world-famous Poipu Beach, staying on the property is just as tempting thanks to the impressive pool complex. At Kukui'ula, the resort’s exclusivity and privacy ensure that you’ll rarely have to compete for a lounge chair or elbow room by the pool—there’s plenty of space for everyone to relax and enjoy the day in complete peace. The adults-only infinity pool overlooks the resort from the upper terrace, while below, families can enjoy a collection of smaller pools, a short but thrilling slide, bubbling hot tubs, and a lagoon-style pool with a sand-and-gravel bottom. It’s the perfect place to spend a carefree pool day.
A short drive from the Lodge brings you to The Farm at Kukui'ula, a ten-acre agricultural oasis with a chicken coop, taro patch, herb and vegetable gardens, and a variety of fruit trees. Guests are welcome to explore, connect with the land, and harvest fresh produce to take back to their kitchens. If you love the idea of farm-fresh ingredients but don’t have time for a visit, stop by Da Farm Stand near the Clubhouse. Here you’ll find the farm’s daily harvest—fruits, vegetables, herbs, fresh flower cuttings, eggs, and more. Simply grab a bag, fill it with what you love, and bring it back to your home away from home.

Visit Da Farm Stand for fresh produce, eggs, and foliage.
Although Kukui'ula doesn’t offer a dedicated kids club or playground, it remains wonderfully family-friendly. In addition to the beautiful pools, families can enjoy leisurely walks around the neighborhood, rent kid-sized bikes or bike trailers, and make use of the Clubhouse game room, which features a pool table, shuffleboard, complimentary arcade games, ping-pong, and more. There’s no shortage of ways for kids—and adults—to play.
Need to know
Renting a car is highly recommended to fully experience all that Kauai has to offer and to expand your dining options beyond the resort. While you don’t need to fill your days with off-property sightseeing, having a car gives you the flexibility to explore the island at your own pace and discover hidden gems along the way.
If you are renting a car, make a stop at Costco near Lihue Airport to stock up on groceries, snacks, souvenirs, and other essentials. With a full kitchen and long, leisurely days ahead, having your favorite foods and treats on hand is a simple way to save money and enjoy the comforts of home without relying on higher-priced convenience stores near Kukui'ula.
Pack a rain jacket! Kauai is known as the Garden Isle, and it earns that name from the lush landscape that is the result of frequent, refreshing showers across the island. The weather can change quickly—sunny skies one moment, rain the next—but these brief showers are part of what makes the island so green and vibrant.
Poipu Beach, just an eight-minute drive from Kukui'ula, is a beautiful, naturally protected beach perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and family fun. Lifeguards are on duty, making it a safe choice for kids. Keep your eyes open—you might spot turtles basking on the sand or even the occasional monk seal sunbathing on these sandy shores.
For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Kaua'i page.

Travel Advisor
Laura Kempe

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