Aston Islander on the Beach is a modest, friendly, mid-priced hotel on the Coconut Coast, the east-side stretch of Kapaa and Wailua that locals simply call the Eastside. It stands in the Waipouli area of Kapaa, right on the beach, and has 78 individually furnished rooms in low-rise buildings around a garden and pool. Guests rate it very well for the price, with cleanliness and staff scoring particularly highly, though it is a simpler property than the big resorts. Coconut Marketplace, with shops and casual food, is a two-minute walk, Lae Nani Beach is about eight minutes on foot and Wailua Beach around twelve. That makes it an easy, central base for travelers who want to see all of Kauai without paying south-shore resort prices, and it suits couples, families and anyone planning a busy sightseeing week.
The rooms
Most rooms measure about 372 square feet and sleep four, with either two double beds or a queen bed, and views range from garden to partial ocean to full ocean and oceanfront. A one-bedroom Panoramic Suite with a king bed offers about 529 square feet. Rooms include air conditioning, a wet bar, a refrigerator, a safe, a patio and a large flat-screen television with streaming services, plus free Wi-Fi.
Free infant beds and cribs are available on request. There are no kitchens in the standard rooms, but a wet bar and refrigerator cover snacks and drinks, and gas grills and outdoor furniture near the pool let you cook simple meals.
The grounds and the location
An outdoor pool has free cabanas and sun loungers, there is a hot tub and a garden, and beach towels are provided. A restaurant with beachfront dining and a poolside bar handle meals and drinks, and nearby JoJo's Shave Ice, BV's Bourbon and Ale House and Lava Lava Beach Club are all within a ten-minute walk.
There is no spa. The east side is the most central part of Kauai, so from here you can reach Wailua River boat trips, Opaekaa Falls and the Sleeping Giant trail in minutes, drive south to Poipu in around 45 minutes and north to Hanalei in about the same, and Lihue Airport is roughly a 13-minute drive.
What to know before you book
A daily resort fee may be added on top of the room rate, so check the full total against other east-side options when you book. Check-in begins at 4 PM and check-out is at 11 AM, with late check-out possible for a fee. Pets are not allowed.
The east side gets more rain than the south shore, so keep plans flexible and pack a light jacket for the evenings. Light sleepers should request a quieter room away from the pool and the road, and anyone who wants a full-service resort with a spa and several restaurants should look at the larger resorts elsewhere in this guide.
Why stay here
- ✓Beachfront on the Coconut Coast
- ✓Outdoor pool with free cabanas
- ✓Hot tub and garden
- ✓Restaurant with beachfront dining
- ✓Poolside bar
- ✓Gas grills and outdoor furniture
- ✓Rooms with wet bars and refrigerators
- ✓Walk to Coconut Marketplace
Good questions
Is it a good base for seeing the whole island?+
Yes. The east side is the most central part of Kauai, so Wailua, Hanalei and Poipu are all within roughly 45 minutes by car, and the airport is about 13 minutes away.
Are there kitchens in the rooms?+
Standard rooms have a wet bar and refrigerator rather than a full kitchen. Gas grills and outdoor furniture are available near the pool.
Does it have a spa?+
No. It is a simple beachfront hotel with a pool, hot tub, restaurant and poolside bar. Look at the larger resorts in this guide if a spa matters to you.
