Lodging

From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

View from Ko'a Kea Ocean View Room

Grab your iPod because the hip Ko’a Kea boutique hotel has docking stations in all of their rooms, in addition to flat screen TVs and Espresso coffee makers. But it’s not the L’Occitane amenities that bring you to this luxury hotel, opened April 2009, it’s the fact that it sits on Poipu beach.

Resting on the footprint of  the old Poipu Beach Hotel, this small-scale property takes over where Hurricane Iniki left off in 1992. Like the phoenix rising from the ashes, the Ko’a Kea name, meaning “white coral” in Hawaiian, is a tribute to the life-giving power of the coral reefs.

Ko'a Kea Ocean View Room #236

Of the 121 hotel rooms, you could reserve one of six ocean-front suites or an ocean-view suite. My room, #236, was an ocean view room that would typically rent for $600. Right now, the Kauai property is not fully occupied and is therefore offering $299 special rates. If you absolutely insist on an ocean front room, add $100 to the cost. If it were my money, I’d suggest booking the ocean view room and investing your saved dollars in a spa treatment.

Whether you’re here on a honeymoon or in Kauai on business, you won’t want to leave the fabulous bed. Take it from me; I’ve slept on a lot of hard mattresses and besides my flow bed, the Ko’a Kea bed is one of my absolute favorites.

For the honeymooners out there, I have no idea what the Ko’a Kea Signature Adventure Lovers Massage entails, but it sounds romantic. With my fair Norwegian skin, I’ll probably need the Sunburn Rescue Treatment.  Speaking of sunburns, the snorkeling at the Ko’a Kea hotel was better than our catamaran tour on the Napali coast. All sorts of brilliantly colored fish were spotted in front of the hotel, as well as a sea turtle. Guests can bring their own snorkel equipment or rent by the hour or day at the Ko’a Kea.

The Ko’a Kea’s website features special packages and promotions. For example, if you make a reservation between December 25, 2009 and January 4, 2010 you’ll be entered into a drawing to win a stay in 2010 equal to your stay during the holiday season. Check the website for details.

Ko’a Kea Hotel & Resort is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. If you like free internet access, upgrades when available and late check out, be sure to sign up for the Iprefer Guest Benefit Program. This trip was hosted by the Kauai Visitors Bureau.

Photos courtesy of Nancy D. Brown

Ko’a Kea Hotel & Resort (808) 742-1344

2251 Poipu Road, Koloa, Hawaii 96756-9534