Showstopping Kauai resorts for a calmer Hawaii getaway

Gaze out over mountains and ocean from the luxury confines of Courtyard Kaua’i at Coconut Beach. This dreamy Kauai hotel is right on the beach, meaning you’re just moments from the glittering ocean and soft golden sands at all times. Slip into the aloha spirit with a spot of surfing, or simply enjoy a sun-drenched nap next to the rolling waves.

Rooms here are geared towards optimum comfort. Stretch out across your plush king bed and welcome the day with complimentary coffee before relaxing with a soak in your ensuite’s generous tub. The on-site fitness centre will entice you in for a rejuvenating workout, while the hotel’s exquisite spa is a soothing place to unwind with a Lomi Lomi – also known as ‘loving hands’ – massage.

If you’re keen to explore more of the island, a range of biking and hiking trails are easily accessed from the resort. Scale some of the nearby peaks for views over the shimmering Pacific, returning to the hotel in time for sundowner drinks. Start at Makai Lounge for malahini mojitos – drool-worthy concoctions made of dragon berry rum, strawberry and mint – then migrate to the main restaurant for cheese-swathed lobster gnocchi.

At Kauai Beach Resort, you get the chance to immerse yourself in ancient Hawaiian culture. This resort on Kauai’s arresting eastern shore blends luxury amenities with traditional activities, making it a calming and comfortable space for discovering your spiritual side.

Greet the rising sun with a beachside yoga session, or kickstart your day in one of the hotel’s four swimming pools. If you’re looking to soak up the island lifestyle, onsite ukulele lessons and games of Hawaiian checkers will soon have you feeling like a local.

There’s fun to be had on the palm-fringed waterslide, and you’re never far from the poolside bar – just the place for cooling off with a frozen cocktail. Alternatively, take advantage of exclusive two-for-one green fees at nearby Hokuala Ocean Golf Course before winding down in the hotel spa. After a tailored facial using locally sourced products, you’ll be more than ready to devour the crab buffet that awaits at Naupaka Terrace Restaurant.

For five-star decadence, look no further than Princeville Resort. This elegant retreat on Kauai’s northern tip is an oasis of luxury amenities. If you love the water, you’re in for a particular treat – you can pad down to the sandy beach, float in the hotel’s acclaimed infinity pool or sink into the adjoining rock-lined whirlpool to soak away your cares.

Perched atop Hanalei Bay, this resort puts you right in place for ocean-based activities. Grab a snorkel to seek out tropical marine life, or hop aboard a boat and cruise out onto the sparkling water for a different view of the island. Poolside eatery Nalu Kai awaits on your return for a satiating lunch of Kilauea fish tacos and a fresh cucumber margarita.

Holidays were made for indulging, so hit the hotel’s retail gallery and stock up on fine jewellery dotted with shimmering South Sea pearls. Your deluxe Princeville Suite will be the ideal venue for an afternoon siesta, where you can lounge on a cushioned window seat with a cheeky tipple from the minibar. Come nightfall, put the gleaming in-room telescope to good use with a bit of stargazing.

Adventurers seeking that back-to-nature experience should head to Kauai’s west coast and Waimea Plantation Cottages. Styled after traditional Hawaiian abodes, this welcoming resort is set in the lush grounds of a former sugar plantation.

On-site kitchen facilities let you cook your own island-inspired meals, though if you’re after a treat you should visit Chicken in a Barrell BBQ & Bar. Open daily between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., this is the spot for pulled pork and chilli cheese fries – and, of course, a selection of ice-cold beers.

In the morning, you’ll wake to the sound of gently lapping waves in an Oceanfront Cottage. Savour a cup of coffee on your quaint wooden porch, then slip on your swimmers and make the short walk to the waiting waters of the Pacific.

After a refreshing ocean dip, you might migrate to the Activity Desk to book an adventure or two. Experience ziplining thrills, enjoy a whale-watching boat tour or even take to the skies for a jaw-dropping helicopter ride over the island.

Hugging Kauai’s south coast is the luxury Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa. This is the place for guests who keep wellness high on the agenda; boasting a full-service spa and 24-hour fitness centre, the hotel’s focus is on helping you find your inner calm.

Likely to be your first port of call is Anara Spa. Enjoy nurturing treatments that encompass ancient Hawaiian healing rituals like the Lilikoi Body Polish. Afterwards, stretch your pampered limbs with open-air yoga or simply recline in a soothing Relaxation Room.

The hotel’s lively lobby is a daily hub of cultural activity. Mingle with local artisans and learn about traditional practices, or attend one of the twice-weekly luaus to hear stories of ancient Polynesia.

On-site eateries will welcome you in for à la carte treats such as sushi and sizzling fresh-seared steak before you retire to your spacious suite. You can unwind amid the Hawaiian décor, or drift out to your private lanai for a nightcap beneath star-studded indigo skies.

If you’ve got a penchant for all things water-based, then Koa Kea Hotel & Resort will surely appeal. Swing by onsite Hoku Watersports to arrange an ocean excursion in a traditional outrigger surfing canoe, test your core strength with stand-up paddle boarding or catch a wave during a surfing session.

However you choose to work up your appetite, the pool bar will be ready to supply you with Hawaiian lobster rolls. Keep your swimmers on so you can plunge right into the tropical pool, Island Mule cocktail in hand, to take in incredible views over the bay.

All accommodation here is adorned with luxury extras such as plush custom robes and exclusive FRESH bath products. Revive yourself for the evening in your marble ensuite, then wander down to Red Salt restaurant for miso butterfish and passionfruit cheesecake. Afterwards, you can welcome the night from the lava rock hot tub or by the flickering flames of an oceanside fire pit.

Every inch of Koloa Landing Resort exudes that tropical aloha spirit. After checking into your luxury villa, put your feet up on your sheltered lanai to take in the exquisite sea views. Linger among Hawaiian-accented furnishings and use the fully-equipped gourmet kitchen to treat your brood to daily breakfasts.

Mornings are easily spent in the 350,000-gallon main pool – speed down waterslides, dive through tumbling cascades or bliss out in a temptingly bubbly Jacuzzi. There’s a volleyball net for those with a competitive streak, while the putting green provides relaxing outdoor fun for all the family.

The resort is just a 10-minute walk from Poipu Shopping Village, so you can easily spend a chilled-out afternoon browsing the local wares. Be sure to call in at Holoholo Grill on your return to refuel with bacon-topped burgers or a slab of Aunty Wendy’s Banana Bread. Alternatively, stop off at the Gourmet Marketplace to pick up something indulgent for later.