We booked 2 nights at this resort only because we had enough Hilton points to book at no cost. I had read some mixed reviews at Trip Advisor, particularly about beach quality, and I know that the area around Princeville is much more 'in' now than Lihue. That said, we were absolutely delighted with this resort on all counts. The staff is VERY friendly. Malia greeted us at check in and answered all of our questions, treating us as if we were the most important part of her day. (later I saw another family receiving the same treatment from her!) Extra towels - no problem, print your boarding pass - of course! Everywhere we went staff were quick to smile and ask if we needed anything.
The hotel foyer opens to the pools/waterfalls/spas - all beautiful - and on to the ocean. We walked the ocean front 3 days at varying times and never saw as much as a dirty cup. Beautiful!
The resort appears to be quite family oriented but we appreciated the FREE maitai cocktails served daily from 5-6 and the entertainment options for couples in the evening.
The rooms have everything you need, all have balconies - and it is definitely worth it to have an ocean or pool view. Restaurant is pricey - options are pool and bar and loads of cheap eat options just down the road.
Finally, the location proved to be an asset for us. We were midway between the drive to Hanelai Bay and the drive to the Canyon - both 'do not miss' places on the island and we could maximize our island time as we were only minutes from the airport. If you want continued access to the best island shops and restaurants this may not be for you, as these are 30 minutes away, but if you want to kick back and just enjoy, this is your place.
Been to many, many Hilton properties - this was one of the best and truly the friendliest.

There is a free shuttle service to and from the airport. But you need a car to get in and out from The Hilton Kauai Beach Resort so hire one at the airport. Unless you only want to eat at their restaurant and swim in the pool the hole stay. The restaurant food and breakfast is very good though at Hilton. The baech is only meters away, but the waters are ruff and not recommended to swim in. And the pool very nice. But they only have about 3 sun-umberella, so if you want one you have to get up at 5 in the morning. They say a lot of people have complained about this but nothing has been done. The bed is really comfortabel and room ok, not so big. Small bathroom and the bath really discusting with paint going away (see picture). I would not stay at this hotel again because the price did not meet my expectations.

We had a great time at the Hilton, second year in a row. We stayed here many of times and it has always been great. The location is near everything in the center of the Island. This time no charge for parking, free drinks and soda from 5 P.M. to 6 P.M. Everyone on the desk was friendly, especially Laura or Lorrie, sorry I didn't have my glasses on so I couldn't read her name tag too well, she made us feel at home. Larry Rivera plays in the lounge on Wednesday nights he sings Hawaiian music. Larry sang at the Coco Palms for many of years before it closed from the storm Iniki, he is a wonderful entertainer. The 3 pools are great 1 has a sand bottom and a big slide next to the ocean. 1 had a volly ball net and the other for swiming. The room was nice with a king bed, frig. long table with 2 chairs and a nice big lounge chair. The smal balcoy had 2 chairs and a table. We had a great view of the ocean sand pool and bar. The housekeeper we had was excellent. The best we had on our 7 week trip. Everyone was cleaning the hotel all the time and always being friendly. We had a wonderful stay and would stay again in a minute, we were very comfortable.

Selected a "room and car" package. Total scam. NO rental car reserved for us over the 4th of July holiday weekend by the hotel. Budget had ZERO cars available. Luckily, we had booked our own car through another (Hertz) car rental company.

Hotel reluctantly dropped the room rate to try and compensate us for our own rental car. In the end, we paid more than the package price would have been for both car and room. Not fair to offer a rate inclusive of a rental car, and then tell you no car is available.

Supposedly free Mai Tais at the pool bar were hard to come by. Go ahead, stand at the bar from 5 until 6, but unless you ask for one, they won't ever ask what you want to drink. Why do they make it so freaking hard, and yet at check-in, tell you how great it is to have a "free" Mai Tai between 5 and 6?

The property is located on a beautiful stretch of beach. If you can obtain a good room rate, just be certain you document exactly what you are supposed to get with your room, or the managment will try and scam you out of everything they can.