Waipouli Beach Resort — Hotel in Kauai

Upon arrival at Waipouli Beach Resort & Spa Kauai by Outrigger in Kapaa, Hawaii I approached front desk staff and asked if there were bellmen who could assist with our luggage and was told there are not. I then requested use of a luggage cart. One cart was in the lobby already loaded with the luggage of another family who were still waiting to check into their room well after the stated check-in time. I was told by the staff they didn’t know where the other cart (as in only 1) was and they did not offer to attempt to locate it. When asked why there were only 2 luggage carts for a property of this size the woman proceeded to go into a lengthy explanation of how we could not and should not expect the kinds of services and amenities usually encountered at a resort. I asked her to reconcile for me the fact that the property referred to itself as a resort in its name Waipouli Beach “Resort” & Spa Kauai by Outrigger and that I should be ok that the “resort” is in fact not a “resort” which she could not. Ok, so it’s a “resort-non-resort” I guess…?? We proceeded to check-in and were provided a series of codes that were to be used in lieu of keys or key cards. The code to enter the room was a 6 digit numerical code and the code to enter the pool area was an 11 digit numerical code including a hashtag, this type of entry system is just weird. It is not normal to have to remember both a 6 and 11 digit code just to access the facilities. In addition to being provided our codes we were offered the option to add-on daily housekeeping services because again these services can only be expected at a resort. Our options included 1) full service for $250 US dollars per day or 2) towels & trash for $150 US dollars per day. For $150 US dollars per day the towels & trash option provided for replacement of dirty towels, emptying of trash bins and replacement of trash liners. Really?!? We then proceeded to our 2 bedroom unit described on the Outrigger website as “luxurious units with rich hardwood furnishings, gourmet kitchens, and spacious baths.” Upon entry both the sight and smell hit us as it was a dreary, shabby and filthy unit that had a stale acrid smell that could be tasted on your tongue. We were horrified and in utter shock. A few of us headed to the dining table to reflect and discuss what to do. I sat and nearly fell through the chair as there was apparently no backing beneath the cushion and my brother in law laid a towel on the seat cushion of his chair so the he didn’t have to touch the totally stained disgusting fabric. All of the furniture was worn and stained, some windows were not in working condition and there were dead insects on the floors; I was struggling to find the luxury. Apparently being provided a clean accommodation with everything in proper working condition is also something one cannot and should not expect at a “resort-non-resort.” I called the reception desk to explain our concerns and asked if there were any recently renovated units that we could be moved to. She said she would check if there were any available units that had a new sofa. I found that to be an odd comment as there was far more wrong with the unit than just the filthy sofa and asked what she meant by her comment. She explained that at this Outrigger “resort-non-resort” a new sofa apparently meant newly renovated. Huh!!?? The only other accommodation she could offer was 2 separate units “overlooking the Safeway parking lot” as if one would travel to Hawaii for such an enviable view. Ok, decision made we are under no circumstances going to allow our holiday be ruined by staying at Waipouli Beach Resort & Spa Kauai by Outrigger “resort-non-resort.” Although already paid in full, and unsure of our ability to obtain a refund, we promptly checked out and drove quickly to get away. We checked into the beautiful Kauai Marriott Resort (resort that IS a resort) and proceed to have the fabulous family holiday and reunion we had all wanted. This an absolutely dreadful property offering terrible service, filthy rooms, absurd prices....

All right so this needs a bit of context. When we booked this trip I was under the impression I was booking The Outrigger resort. We made the unfortunate mistake of going to the Outrigger proper first and were super excited about everything they offered there. We were then informed our reservation was for the Waipouli Beach Resort. This is not that.

It was still a great experience and we had a wonderful time in Kauai, but do not confuse this for an all inclusive resort. This property is managed by Outrigger, but it is essential timeshare rooms with no additional services. As a side not the mix-up was on me, not Outrigger or any of the staff at either site. I should have payed more attention. , oops. :)

So here is what you can expect. There is a small office to check in, the ladies there were very friendly and helpful. The room we were in (a king bed studio) was very nice as long as you don't need a lot of space to spread out or lounge. (Which we didn't because we explored the island...a lot.) They do let you know right away there is no room cleaning service and no room service. There is a restaurant on property that was only open for dinner. It looked like a very nice place and is right on the beach, but it was quite pricy and there are other places very close to the hotel (more on that in a moment).

Okay, here are some of the most important points to consider. This is extremely well suited for families with kids. The pool is incredible. I mean, the best I saw on the east coast, and they have plenty of condo style rooms for large families. It is not a romantic getaway destination for couples. There are almost no amenities. There is a spa, but it has odd hours and is expensive, but that is about it. Plus, there were a ton of families with kids, which kind of kills the romantic vibe. They had several hot tubs, but they were constantly full of teenagers of whole families. There is no concierge. The ladies at the front desk will give suggestions, but if you want help booking outings or finding reservations or anything a concierge might offer, well, there isn't one, so you kind of on your own. There is a very nice beach, but they recommend you don't swim there. It may have been time of year, but worth checking before diving in. It is, however, an incredible spot to watch the sunrise. Bonus supplies. I am not sure if it is offered in every room, but we had beach chairs and a boogie board available to us in our room. It was a nice touch. It is centrally located. You will find yourself driving to the north or south end of the island for some of the best experiences. This "Resort" :P is right between the two which makes getting around all the nicer. Right next to great spaces. There are multiple walkable restaurants ranging from McDonalds to local eateries. Plus just to the south is Coconut Market Place with more local restaurants, shops and more. We booked a kayak tour from the stand there and it was a great experience. (Bonus tip)

All in all, it is still a very nice place to rest your head, and if you are in a larger room, spend some down time, but don't count on it for much more than that. There were no real issues and we still had a great time. If we bring our kids with next time, would probably choose to stay here again. When you take it for what it is, you could do a whole lot worse, hopefully this helps you know...

Overall, I'd recommend condo F402, but with one significant caveat.

Positives

This resort features lush, well-kept, beautiful landscaping, reflecting the landscapers' pride. All appliances worked as expected, and the condo felt clean and fresh upon arrival. The AC unit cools well, complemented by ceiling fans in both bedrooms. The unit boasts a large hot water heater, easily accommodating both large bathtubs and showers. The beach was beautiful, with several shade trees and available loungers, perfect for relaxing and watching waves. The pool was large with a long, winding pathway, reminiscent of a lazy river but without a current. Most of it was 3.5 feet deep, except around the two kid- and adult-friendly slides where it was 4 feet. A zero-entry area at one end was great for little ones. There were also three nice, warm hot tubs with pebble bottoms. The furniture was comfortable and didn't feel overly worn. While the mattresses were a little soft, we had no issues. Being on the highest floor at the end of the building meant no neighbors above or to one side. The resort didn't feel overly crowded, and we always found a spot under a shade tree at the beach for the three of us. If these positives are all you prioritize, this unit is perfect for you.

Issues & The Main Caveat

Some issues could be resolved, but most cannot. Starting with small things, kitchen utensils were rather lacking; for example, no tongs for cooking bacon. A major inconvenience was the lack of an elevator in this building, which wasn't well-communicated. We learned later the best way was to use the D building's elevator to the fourth floor, then walk across to the F building (it doesn't connect to G). After 12 hours of flights, we ended up lugging all our suitcases up four flights of stairs. Another minor point: every appliance seemed oddly loud. The coffee maker was noisy, the AC unit was so loud it was hard to converse when it kicked on, and I could clearly hear the dishwasher from the living space despite having some hearing impairment. The master bedroom, which has a large balcony with seating, mostly views the end of the building next door, with only a partial pool view to one side. For such a nice, large resort and pool area, water bottle filling stations at the pool or in the lobby would be very beneficial.

Now, to our main caveat: the Wi-Fi Internet was an embarrassment. It truly felt like 1999 dial-up speeds, consistently delivering 1.0-2.0 Mbps download and often just 0.01 Mbps upload. This internet was literally unusable. The primary reason was that the Wi-Fi is shared by the entire complex. We had just stayed at a low-budget, non-brand hotel in Honolulu with 100 rooms, and even their internet was superior.

If reliable internet is crucial for your stay here, I strongly suggest having an unlimited data plan with unlimited hotspot on your cell phone.

On a positive note regarding the internet, when I inquired about VPN usage, they connected me with their internet people. They didn't clarify speeds but offered to install high-speed fiber that we could pay for ourselves, to be disconnected after our departure. Knowing what I know now, I would have accepted that offer.

Finally, communication when I had any questions or issues was very prompt—a solid 10/10.

Again, it's a beautiful resort and condo in a fantastic location, with a wonderful (best!) pool and a...