This was originally the Po‘ipu Beach Hotel built in the 1960s and whacked by hurricane ‘Iniki in 1992. It was left abandoned until the new owners rebuilt this upscale boutique-type hotel on the original footprint of the old buildings in 2009. The resort is airy and modern with themes of ocean life in bright colors scattered about. Our recent visit found it just as pristine as ever. Most rooms embrace earth tones and patterns like coral or plants and feel larger than their listed size. They’ve thought of many nice touches you don’t often find at hotels of this size, such as Nespresso machines (unlimited pods supplied), ceiling fans in every room so you can leave the doors open and enjoy the ocean sounds, reading lights, Egyptian cotton sheets, down feather beds and pillows (which they can remove if you don’t like them), keyboard height pull-out desks on wheels, and showers with rain shower heads mounted in the ceiling and wide benches to sit on. The oceanfront deluxe rooms and suites, which are larger, have separate deep soaking tubs and even a TV in bathroom. The oceanfront views are excellent and very close to the water.
Their beach is small and varies in width, so you won’t have many people parked in front of your room. Since they are on a fairly protected cove, the snorkeling can make up for the minimal sand. Their small day spa offers many types of treatments for individuals or couples. There is a hospitality room for late check outs. If you stay here, opting for an oceanfront or a courtyard view is worth the money (if you can swing it). The garden views tend to be quieter, but on the side facing the Marriott’s Waiohai, they are less private. Overall, we found it relaxing, peaceful and appreciated the intimacy with the ocean. Rooms are 335–445 sq. ft., suites are 585–680 sq. ft.
2251 Poipu Rd, Poipu