It’s so new that it hasn’t even had its grand opening yet, and its signage isn’t all in place.

On the other hand, the Koa Kea Hotel & Resort harkens back to the old days on Kaua‘i, and has the relaxed, intimate feel of the ’60s resort it replaced.

The new Koa Kea is built on the footprint of the old Poipu Beach Hotel.  Although all the interiors of the Poipu Beach were wiped out during Hurricane Iniki in 1992, the lava rock walls and foundations still stood.  It was mainly financial considerations—insurance, ownership changes, a slow Kauai economy—that kept it closed for 16-1/2 years.

The good news: The new resort is beautifully done, but it’s still small scale and directly on Poipu beach, in a way that only older resorts are still allowed to be.

The rooms now boast free wireless, tasteful furnishings, comfortable beds, marble showers and large flat-screen televisions.  The lobby is opened up and comfortable, with a small spa and a serious restaurant, named for Kauai’s famous Red Salt.  (Don’t neglect to order the New York steak with truffle butter and red salt fries.)





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