We just got back from a 6 night vacation in Kauai. We stayed at the Kauai Sands Hotel in Kapaa as part of a package booked through Expedia. Thankfully, I read through the posted reviews so that I was prepared to face bugs, old-fashioned furniture, and strange pool hours. I can't believe that in all the reviews NO ONE mentions anything about the rooster infestation on this island. There are roosters everywhere!! We like to think of our first night there as a sort of initiation. The lady that checked us in was really unpleasant. When we got to the room, I noticed my first roach and thought that would be it. Seconds later my mother told me that there was a roach in the bathroom. After about 30 minutes, we had lost count. They were crawling up the walls, in the garbage can, around my contact lens case and make up bag. It was out of control. I called Expedia to ask what my rights were before talking to the manager. When I went to the front desk to inform them that I wanted a new room, I was instructed to return later when the manager arrived. I walked away with a can of bug spray. When I returned to speak to the manager, she was accommodating, disgusted, genuinely concerned and immediately switched us to an ocean view room in a different building. I also witnessed her call someone to report that room. Her name is Angela and she was great. We did not see any bugs for the remainder of our stay! In fact, our room was perfect for our needs. If you are the kind of person with set expectations and want to spend most of your time on hotel grounds...check out the plentiful resorts of the south shore. Otherwise, Kauai Sands is great if you want to explore this beautiful island and need somewhere centrally located to spend your nights. The hotel beach is gorgeous--it's Kauai! I would not recommend swimming in the water but it is great for watching the waves crash and watching the spectacular sunrises. You can not beat the location of this hotel. Kapaa is such a great town. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from including an excellent vegan juice bar and bakery. Each morning, we would head to the Blossoming Lotus juice bar to grab a smoothie, coffee, and unbelievable breakfast burritos and drive to Kealia beach minutes from the hotel. Some tips for a pleasant stay at Kauai Sands: Try to arrange check in during the day. It seems as though the day staff is much friendlier than the night staff. Also, do your best to stay away from the building that borders the driveway. You will get all of the noise from the bar at the neighboring Coconut Marketplace Shopping Center. Bring beach towels. Have an open mind. Maintain a healthy sense of humor. Be grateful that you are fortunate enough to be on a magical island full of sacred beauty.

When deciding to travel to our neighbor island Kauai, My boyfriend and I had gotten the heads up about Kauai Sands from some friends. We arrived at night so were not able to relax in the pool that closes at 6pm(!). But found our room easy enough. Although after making it to a restaurant in nearby Kapaa, we returned after 10pm and the closest entrance to our room was locked. There was a keypad and we had been given the code, but apparently that doesn't work after 10pm. So we walked about a half mile through dark (safer to keep that entrance locked?!) paths to finally make a circle back to the room. When in the room we had a choice of 2 out of 3 conviences because of lack of outlet availability; fan, clock or bedside lamp. We chose fan and clock. The shower/bathroom was clean yet reminiscent of the 60s. The water pressure gave my feet a good rinsing! And an oddly placed, questionable piece of equipment in the shower provided for a fun game of "maybe its a..." We only had a to kill a couple baby cockroaches(hey that's good for Hawaii!), and the fridge keep our brews chilly.

Advertised as a hotel and basically that is exactly what it is, this isn't a resort /complex.
The rooms are a good size, some upgrading needed.
Location is excellent, nice beach front and grounds clean and tidy.
Rooms cleaned every day, pool a bit small but adequate.
Staff ok, no bar, restaurant needs upgrading but ok.
Would stay there again no problem.

The hotel room we had was a king size bed with bug catchers underneath. There are no irons, no coffee makers in the rooms and little bathroom counter space. There is no internet access. NOT a place for a business traveler. The window A/C unit barely kept the room cool at it's highest setting. The restaurant was not open at all during our stay. Bring your own towels unless your like small sandpaper towels which are provided. Staff was friendly. Sunrise view from the beach was lovely. Pools were never busy.