Fern Grotto Inn

Hotel Description

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first pulled up to the Fern Grotto Inn, I wasn’t expecting much from a 3-star place. But sometimes you get those pleasant surprises that remind you why star ratings don’t tell the whole story, you know? This little gem has been quietly earning a 9.4 rating, and after spending a few nights there, I totally get why.

The first thing that hits you is how the place actually feels like someone’s labor of love rather than a corporate cookie-cutter operation. The lobby has this warm, lived-in quality – there’s local artwork on the walls (not the generic hotel stuff), and the front desk staff genuinely seem to know the area. I mean, the woman who checked me in gave me directions to a hiking trail that wasn’t even on the tourist maps, and she was spot-on about the timing to avoid crowds. My room was honestly better than I expected – nothing fancy, but everything worked properly (which, let’s face it, doesn’t always happen even at pricier places). The bed was actually comfortable, the shower had decent water pressure, and there’s something to be said for blackout curtains that actually block out light.

What really won me over, though, was the attention to small details that matter when you’re traveling. The Wi-Fi didn’t cut out every five minutes, there were enough outlets near the bed for all my devices, and – this might sound weird – but the ice machine was always stocked and actually made good ice. You don’t realize how much bad hotel ice bothers you until you get the good stuff. The surrounding area is pretty quiet most of the time, though I did notice some road noise in the mornings around 7 AM (nothing major, but worth mentioning if you’re a super light sleeper). Parking was straightforward and free, which saved me from hunting around downtown for spots. Honestly, the whole experience felt refreshingly uncomplicated. The staff clearly takes pride in what they do – housekeeping was thorough, and when I had a minor issue with the TV remote, someone was up to fix it within fifteen minutes. It’s the kind of place where you can tell the owners actually care about guest experience rather than just maximizing profit margins. For the price point, you’re getting solid value and genuine hospitality, which feels increasingly rare these days.

Hawaii hotels range from charming beachfront bungalows in traditional Polynesian style to elegant oceanfront luxury resorts and modern accommodations with panoramic Pacific views.

Rooms

• Luxury Cottage with 1 large double bed for 2 adults
• Superior Cottage with 1 large double bed for 2 adults
• Deluxe Cottage with 1 large double bed for 2 adults
• Standard Cottage with 1 large double bed for 2 adults
• Three-Bedroom House with 4 × 1 large double bed and 2 × 2 single beds for 6 adults, 1 child
• Deluxe Studio with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults
• Deluxe King Studio with 1 large double bed for 2 adults
• Deluxe Queen Studio with 1 large double bed for 2 adults
• Holiday Home with 2 × 1 large double bed for 2 adults

Reviews

• Earl from United States (10/10)

  beautiful cottage and garden setting. free use of kayaks, bikes and snorkeling gear. well appointed kitchen.

• Melanie from United States (10/10)

  Beautiful and quiet. Great location. Fantastic room. Comfortable bed and I’m someone who has trouble sleeping. I got a great 5 nights sleep. Would definitely stay again. Loved it!

• Sam from United States (10/10)

  It was so very cozy feeling. The kitchen and dining room were such cool rooms to be in. The location of this Condo was perfect for my stay, it’s a good mid point on the road that wraps around Kauai.

• David from United States (10/10)

  solitude, beauty, comfort, conveniences, natural surroundings, staff

• Melia from United States (10/10)

  We had a such a relaxing stay at Fern Grotto Inn! The cottage was stocked with everything we could possibly need, in terms of beach and cooking ware. The host was nice and very responsive. We had a beautiful view of the canal and Wailua River. It was also great being able to use one of the property’s kayaks to go out on the river any time we wanted. The location was perfect: close to the airport (10 minutes) and central to either the northern or southern shore sites (about 1.5 hour in either direction).

• Stephen from United States (10/10)

  The room and location were excellent! It made our visit to Kauai even more awesome! There were a ton of amenities to utilize.

• Arianne from United States (9/10)

  Location and staff were excellent. They experienced some unexpected weather the week before our arrival but made unbelievable progress to get things back up and running. Little details in Coco B were very thoughtful like fresh flowers everywhere. The bed was the most comfortable bed I’ve slept on in any hotel/inn/B&B style environment.

• Mary from United States (8/10)

  Chocolates and beverages and flowers . Washer and Dryer facilities were nice.

• Michelle from United States (10/10)

  The Ohana house was extremely clean and well stocked. It had a large kitchen and outdoor grill . The grounds were beautiful and well maintained. We took advantage of the kayaks, chairs and ice chests.

• Alison from Australia (8/10)

  Lovely, and very well equipped cottage so you can prepare your own meals etc. Was also great to have bikes and kayaks, and BBQs to use. Close to airport and Kapaa town.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities