We’ve stayed at several resorts around Kauai, but our kids’ favorite has been without question the Sheraton Coconut Beach Resort in Kapaa. This beachfront hotel is in an ideal location for exploring Kauai, the rooms are spacious with balconies and there is a lot to do on property. We’ll dig into what makes the Sheraton Coconut Beach Resort different from other Kauai hotel options and if we’d return…
Since we do get to spend a lot of time on Kauai, we have all the information about the Sheraton Coconut Beach Resort and what to do all around. Be sure to check out our Kauai itinerary and Hawaii podcast episodes to get the full scoop on planning your own family trip to Kauai. This is our second favorite island, so we have lots to say!
If you have any questions, either about staying at the Sheraton Coconut Beach Resort or Hawaii island hopping / Hawaii travel in general, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to help others plan awesome trips!
Room Types at Sheraton Coconut Beach Resort
As is the case in most hotels these days, the room types at the Sheraton Coconut Beach are mostly broken up by what type of view they have. So yes, you can choose between two queens or a king bed for the setup, but then the room rate will be reflective of the view you’ve chosen. Here’s what you can pick from:
- Garden View – nice, quiet, nothing to complain about
- Coconut Grove View – there are a TON of conures (small parrots) that get loud each night, but it’s really cool
- Pool View – I like the pool view because I can spy on my family if I’ve stayed behind from the poo
- Ocean View – always a winner, and the hotel get’s an unobstructed sunrise
All rooms have balconies, so whatever you choose you’ll have nice, albeit small, outdoor space to relax at the end of the day once you’ve put kids to bed. This separate space is a hotel requirement for us whenever it’s available.
There’s a deluxe version of both the king and queen rooms that is very similar in terms of decor and in-room amenities, but they are all oceanfront and are nearly twice the square footage of the standard rooms. If you need a rollaway or just want more space, this is a good pick.
There are also one bedroom suites here at the Sheraton Coconut Beach Resort. The suites are quite large with the king bedroom, nice living room with a sleeper sofa, good size dining area and kitchenette. Also, with large balconies off the bedroom and living room, you can easily have time apart while still at your room
Book the Sheraton Coconut Beach Resort here!
Top Pick: Ocean View Two Queen
If you’re familiar with how I write about the hotels and resorts we stay at, you know what I’m going to say: “How much time are you actually going to spend in the room?” It’s different for everyone, but when you’re really active on vacation like we are, we do spend minimal time in the room. We always try to have a slice of downtime each day, but mainly the room is for sleeping and freshening up. BUT… I will always opt for an ocean view if it’s available. There are so many things to do on Kauai that you’ll keep busy.
The Sheraton Coconut Beach Resort is located in Kapaa, on a point so you can see all around. This includes the reef just off the beach. An ocean view room gives you that beautiful view and quick access to the beach area for snorkeling. I love these rooms.
So would we stay here again? Yes, without question. The layout of the property and the location are perfect for a family with young kids (including teenagers). I would also happily return with just us adults. Between the rooms and the pool / beach space, it really is a lovely place to stay. I do prefer it to the Kauai Shores Hotel on the same beach. It offers more amenities and is better maintained.
Check in / Check Out at the Coconut Beach Resort
Being a Sheraton property, be sure you’ve included your Marriott Bonvoy number in your reservation, or that you provide it when you check in. Upon arrival you’ll get the full scoop of what’s happening on property, from amenities to events. The Sheraton Coconut Beach Resort is a hotel that you can really just check into and then stay without leaving the property, so if that’s your plan, listen to the full spiel. If you need reservations for something, including the on site luau, be sure to ask when you first get there.
Something else to keep in mind about the Sheraton Coconut Beach Resort is their key card system. They use the wristband keys here so make sure you’ve registered anyone staying with you so everyone gets a wristband. This is needed to access the room, the fitness center, or to present to prove your a guest if needed.
Sheraton Coconut Beach Amenities
There are lots of amenities at the Sheraton Coconut Beach Resort. You might be surprised what’s available to guests. There are bikes for guest use, as the hotel is located on the Kapaa bike path. There’s a whole game center that has pool tables, shuffleboard, vintage arcade games at the Fire Hen and more. Since Kauai gets so much rain no doubt there’ll be some point that you’re taking advantage of the public spaces while you wait out the rain.
The Sheraton Coconut Beach Resort also hosts a luau, the Ka Hakina Luau. It’s open for guest booking on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday nights (not included with your stay). And then there are some random fun amenities/services here too:
- snow cones / shave ice in the afternoon
- s’mores and roasting marshmallows at night
- beach hammocks
- artisan marketplace on different days
Pools at Coconut Beach Resort
The pool area is HUGE, with the swimming pool actually being split into several levels. There are two main pools and then a little kid swimming and splash area. I like the layout of the pool area at the Sheraton Coconut Beach Resort because it’s broken up enough that it never feels too busy or crowded. There is a wide variety of seating and lounge space both around the pool and spilling onto the lawn to the beach.
The beach at the Sheraton Coconut Beach Resort is narrow, but really great. What makes this particular beach interesting is the reef just off the sand that carries all the way along the property and to the south towards the Kauai Shores Hotel (we’ve stayed there too!). The snorkeling in this shallow reef space is surprising. The coolest fish we’ve seen here was a huge leopard flounder. Amazing!
Fitness Center
The fitness center on the property is actually pretty great. It’s large with ankle floor space. There are lots of free weights, some machines and plenty of cardio equipment. Like any resort in Hawaii, the fitness center does hey buddy early due to people waking up with their home time zones, but there Sheraton Coconut Beach fitness center has enough space to accommodate a good number of people.
A bonus here at the Coconut Beach Resort is the morning yoga by the ocean. At sunrise most days there is yoga practice open to any guests. It takes place on the grass and it’s the perfect way to start the day. Check at the front desk if sign ups are required for the mornings you want to do it.
Also, don’t forget that there are bikes for guest use. If you don’t want to be in the gym and yoga isn’t your thing, borrow a bike through the hotel and get your exercise that way! Or check out our running route below!
Restaurants at the Coconut Beach Resort
Of course there are restaurants on site at the Sheraton Coconut Beach Resort! There is a nice restaurant, Moa Moa, which is open for all meals; the pool bar, the Crooked Surf, is open for lunch and dinner (and drinks); the Fire Hen (table service in the arcade/gaming space) and then there is a small coffee shop off the lobby, First Light Coffee.
The best thing we ate on property, and we had several meals at the hotel, was actually the ube pancakes from the kids menu at Moa Moa. Wow! Purple pancakes would be a hit with the kids, of course, but we adults ended up getting them too. Fluffy but still very ube-forward with white chocolate sauce and macadamia nuts. Amazing.
Also, I must say that the whole setup at the Fire Hen is pretty great. The arcade itself has great games and then there are plenty of tables for taking breaks together and having a low-key meal together. And funny story: we were in Kauai on Thanksgiving and forgot to make plans, so we enjoyed a large platter of chicken tender and a selection of dipping sauces and drinks at the Fire Hen. Good times.
Pool Bar Service
During pool bar operating hours they do indeed provide poolside service to your seats. During our four days at the Sheraton Coconut Beach Resort we took advantage of the poolside service several times, as it was always well staffed. For as active as we tend to be, we really made sure to carve out time to enjoy the pools and services while we stayed at the Sheraton Coconut Beach Resort. You can walk up or stay in your lounge chair, and either way tends to be quick and delightful.
Book the Sheraton Coconut Beach Resort here!
Where is the Coconut Beach Resort?
If you’re new to visiting Kauai or just happen to be island hopping in Hawaii, the Sheraton Coconut Beach Resort is located in Kapaa, the main town on the eastern shore of the island. I love staying in Kapaa because it’s ideal for staying in one place but having access to all sides of the island. Here, you’re a little over an hour from Haena State Park (the NaPali Coast) or Kokee State Park (the other end of the NaPali Coast). It’s about twenty minutes from the airport, Lihue (LIH) and you’ve got lots of beach options nearby.
The town of Kapaa is kind of spread out, but it’s a regular town with restaurants, non-tourist services, a grocery store (Safeway) and even food trucks. I love Kapaa as a home base for exploring all around Kauai.
Can I Walk from Coconut Beach Resort to Kapaa Town?
You can, but I recommend driving. The walk from the Sheraton Coconut Beach Resort to Kapaa Town is about a half hour. Some of the walk is along the Kuhio Highway and some of it is on the bike path, the Ke Ala Hele Makalae Path. It’s not bad and going for a walk in Hawaii is never a bad idea.
Kapaa Running Route
I actually really enjoy my running route here in Kapaa. Whether we’re staying here at the Coconut Beach Resort or over at the Kauai Shores Hotel, the running route in Kapaa is the same. Here’s my route and it’s fantastic and surprisingly flat:
- Exit hotel to the Kuhio Highway
- Make a RIGHT to head north on the highway, running on the side of the road/sidewalks
- Turn RIGHT at Kaloloku Road to the bike path
- LEFT onto bike path and over the footbridge
- Continue on the path as far as you want to run.
- Kapaa Beach – 3.2 miles round trip
- Kaiakea Point – 5 miles round trip
- Keālia Beach – 7 miles round trip
- Donkey Beach – 10 miles round trip
I felt very safe running on the bike path,Ke Ala Hele Makalae Path. It’s well lit in most areas, there are lots of hotels you’ll run past with people on the balconies, and there are lighted places to take breaks if needed.
Note: there are a surprising number of unhoused people in Kapaa and at night a fair number use the quiet park areas of the bike path to sleep. I didn’t feel unsafe, but I was very aware of people around the public restroom areas on the path.
Parking Details at Coconut Beach Resort
Parking is free at the Sheraton Coconut Beach. There’s a very large lot so it’s never a struggle. If you want to valet, that’ll be $20 per day, but really parking yourself is easy here. And yes, you do need a car when you visit Kauai.
Ten Fun Things to do Near Kapaa, Kauai
This is my favorite part of writing about hotels and resorts, sharing activities! There are so many things to do on Kauai and I recommend ALL of them. When it comes to Kapaa, I do have my favorite things to do. Keep in mind that Kapaa and the Sheraton Coconut Beach Resort are at the Midpoint of the Kuhio Highway, so at most you would only need to drive an hour and a half from here to either end of the road for things to do.
- Enjoy relaxing at the Coconut Beach Resort, including snorkeling at the property
- Visit other Kapaa beaches: Lydgate Park, Kapaa Beach, Donkey Beach (cool tree tunnel)
- Do the historic drive, the Wailua Heritage Trail, into the hills stopping at the waterfalls and heiaus (starts at Kuamoo Road @ Kuhio Highway)
- Take the scenic cruise on the Wailua River to the Fern Grotto
- Go kayaking on Kauai – so many great spots, starting with the Wailua River
- Visit Kauai’s Hindu Monastery – very beautiful and visitors are respectfully welcome
- Hike the Sleeping Giant Trail (3.2 miles)
- Take a helicopter scenic flight around Kauai – amazing!!!
- Do a day trip to the North Shore including Hanalei Bay and Haena State Park (NaPali Coast)
- Do a day trip on the South Shore to Poipu Beach, the Makauwahi Cave Reserve and Koloa Town
You won’t be bored when you stay at the Sheraton Coconut Beach Resort in Kapaa. The hotel is awesome, the town and its beaches are fun, and there are lots of great places to eat all around. Kauai is my second favorite of the Hawaiian Islands and when you visit, you’ll fall in love with it too.
If you have any other questions about visiting Kauai, please let us know by leaving a comment or sending us a note. We’ve been several times and have visited all the Hawaiian Islands except Niihau (privately owned) so can answer questions about almost anything.
Have a wonderful trip and if you need more ideas for visiting Hawaii, please check out our many articles from our travels through the Islands of Aloha.
