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Fern Grotto Inn -Trip Advisor & Lonely Planet Recommends our Old Style Cottages!

Cottage near Coconut Marketplace in Kapaa

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A kitchen with a view of a tropical landscape, a coffee maker, and a sink.
Fridge, microwave, coffee/tea maker, electric kettle
Interior
A well-maintained backyard with a dining table set for a meal, surrounded by lush greenery and a stone wall.
Dining

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

1 bathroomSleeps 231 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor Space

Explore the area

View in a map
Kapaa, HI
  • Place, Lae Nani Beach
    ‪13 min walk‬
  • Place, Smith's Tropical Paradise
    ‪17 min walk‬
  • Place, Coconut Marketplace
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Airport, Lihue, HI (LIH)
    ‪8 min drive‬

Room options

About the area

Kapaa

On river.With a stay at this Kapaa cottage, you'll be steps from Holoholoku Heiau and a 5-minute walk from Wailua Beach. Also, Lae Nani Beach is within half a mile (1 km) and Smith's Tropical Paradise is within 2 miles (3 km).
View more Cottages in KapaaOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Holoholoku Heiau - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Wailua Beach - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Lae Nani Beach - 13 min walk - 1.2 km
  • Smith's Tropical Paradise - 17 min walk - 1.4 km
  • Coconut Marketplace - 2 min drive - 1.2 km

Getting around

  • Lihue Airport (LIH) - 11 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Lava Lava Beach Club - ‬20 min walk
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪The Garden Grille at The Hilton Garden Inn Kauai - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪JoJo’s Shave Ice - ‬19 min walk

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Fern Grotto Inn -Trip Advisor & Lonely Planet Recommends our Old Style Cottages!

Tropical Garden Cottages—One Block from Beach

Why stay at Fern Grotto Inn? The reasons are as numerous as our glowing guest reviews. In fact, Fern Grotto Inn recently became the best-rated vacation rental on TripAdvisor and was featured in Lonely Planet—all thanks to our warm hospitality, prime location, and super cute plantation cottages.

One of the best parts about Fern Grotto Inn is our central location. Why limit yourself to Princeville or Poipu, when you can stay with us and easily drive to both the North and South Shores within 45 minutes?

For a little outdoor fun, check out our COMPLIMENTARY two-person KAYAK and “his and her” BIKES. The coastal bike trail is only one block from Fern Grotto Inn, and we’re conveniently located right on the Wailua River and of course, there’s plenty to do locally—we’re only one block from the pristine swimming beach at Lydgate Park, and Kapaa’s many stores and restaurants are just a few miles away.

The real attraction of Fern Grotto Inn is our private vintage plantation cottages. Originally constructed in the 1940's and 1950's, our cottages have been fully renovated with your comfort in mind while still retaining their authentic Hawaiian charm. We’ve outfitted each one with chic but cozy island-inspired decor.

Our cottages are surrounded by a lush, tropical garden, which, combined with the fact that our property is very quiet, creates the feeling that you’re in old-time Hawaii, far from civilization. It’s the perfect setting for your honeymoon or other romantic getaway.

Here’s a brief description of the cottage you are booking. For more information and pictures, please visit our website.

CANAL COTTAGE A has an open layout and plenty of island charm. This cottage also comes with a full kitchenette and views of the river. It has a small patio area just outside the front door that overlooks the gardens.

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Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels

Internet

  • Available in the cottage: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Car recommended
  • Parking on site

Kitchenette

  • Blender
  • Coffee grinder
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Electric kettle
  • Microwave
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • Near a hospital
  • On a river
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Bicycles
  • Kayak
  • Optional golf privileges
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Snorkeling nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Whale watching nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Bicycles
  • Garden
  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Property does not allow children
  • Unit size: 330 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Contactless check-in available

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • This property does not allow children.

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock in each accommodation.

Property Registration Number TA-193-000-2432-01, GE-193-000-2432-01, 410040230000

Frequently asked questions

How close is Fern Grotto Inn -Trip Advisor & Lonely Planet Recommends our Old Style Cottages! to the airport?

This cottage is 5.7 mi (11-min drive) away from the Lihue Airport (LIH) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does Fern Grotto Inn -Trip Advisor & Lonely Planet Recommends our Old Style Cottages! have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at this cottage.

How close is Fern Grotto Inn -Trip Advisor & Lonely Planet Recommends our Old Style Cottages! to the beach?

This cottage is a short 3-minute walk from Wailua Beach and 10-minute walk from Lae Nani Beach. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does Fern Grotto Inn -Trip Advisor & Lonely Planet Recommends our Old Style Cottages! offer free breakfast?

This cottage does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at Fern Grotto Inn -Trip Advisor & Lonely Planet Recommends our Old Style Cottages!?

No, there is no casino at this cottage.

What time is check-in at Fern Grotto Inn -Trip Advisor & Lonely Planet Recommends our Old Style Cottages!?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

Is there free parking at Fern Grotto Inn -Trip Advisor & Lonely Planet Recommends our Old Style Cottages!?

Free parking is not available at this cottage.

Does Fern Grotto Inn -Trip Advisor & Lonely Planet Recommends our Old Style Cottages! have a pool?

This cottage does not have a pool.

Does Fern Grotto Inn -Trip Advisor & Lonely Planet Recommends our Old Style Cottages! have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this cottage.

How close is Fern Grotto Inn -Trip Advisor & Lonely Planet Recommends our Old Style Cottages! to downtown Kapaa?

This cottage is 0.3 mi away from Wailua.

Fern Grotto Inn -Trip Advisor & Lonely Planet Recommends our Old Style Cottages! Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 23 out of 23 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 23 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 23 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 23 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 23 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Charles H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place right on the river

Super clean place with easy access to river for kayaking and paddle boarding. Picked fresh star fruit every morning from tree on the property.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great setup for two! Loved and used the kayaks and bikes with great access to bike trails. The flowers were amazing. Lots of rain with possible flooding the last night, and a crying toddler next door. We’d recommend and will come stay here again.
Stayed 9 nights in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Aaron S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful!

We loved this spot as a launchpad for our hike- and adventure-based honeymoon. Kayaking from the property to the Secret Falls was a highlight, as well as biking to Lydgate Park!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kenda D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a great stay at Fern Grotto. This cottage is a great central place to stay. Easy getting to the south or north shore areas. We took advantage of the kayaks, beach chairs and cooler provided. The cottage had a lot of amenities provided. Bed was very comfortable and easy check in/ out process. There are two communal washer/dryers and that worked fine for us. Would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 8 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kim M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The cottage was spotlessly clean upon arrival, nicely decorated, nice amenities. Plenty of towels of all kinds; nice big beach towels, bath towels and kitchen towels. Kitchen was well set up with a coffee maker, coffee, sugar and dishes. Outdoor amenities were also well appointed, bikes, kayaks and snorkeling gear. The grounds were very pretty, flowering plants all throughout.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Melinda A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Cottage for Wedding Anniversary Trip

For our 6 day stay on the island, we wanted to avoid the crowded resort lodging. The owners were extremely responsive, and we had everything we needed. We took advantage of the complementary kayaks to paddle to Secret Falls on our first day. The central location made the drives to all activities less than an hour anywhere on the island. For sunrise, it was a 5 minute walk to Wailua Beach....such a peaceful way to start the day.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Teri S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful getaway

The cabin was everything we hoped it would be. Very clean and lots of flowers and extra touches. Beautiful views of the canal and palm trees. All the windows kept the place cool without having to use the air conditioning. The bed was fabulous. We will be staying here again when we come back to Kauai!! Thanks Paul!
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cassie R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Gorgeous New Year stay in Canal A

Mahalo Paul and Sam for a wonderful stay. We had a wonderful stay in Canal A. It felt very private and romantic but at the same time, all the amenities were there. A very special experience!
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

MARGARET H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Your Home in Wailua, Kauai

Fern Grotto Inn is well managed and in a perfect location. You can see the owner's attention to detail in making your stay pleasant and convenient everywhere you look. We highly recommend this as a pleasant alternative to impersonal chain hotels on Kauai.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Emily W.

Perfect little find!

We loved this place and would highly recommend! The location is perfect for visiting all sides of the island and the nearby river is beautiful (not to mention the free kayaks made it a breeze to explore). The community of units was relatively hidden from traffic and was very peaceful. We stayed in Canal A and though the unit is one of the smaller ones, we didn't feel cramped.
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jeff

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We loved our stay! Each unit has an external water hose, which was really convenient for washing off clothing, gear and/or feet when returning from a day at the beach or muddy hiking trails. There's lots of sports equipment (kayaks, SUPs, lifejackets, snorkelling masks, beach mats, beach towels, beach chairs, ice coolers, bicycles) that can be borrowed, so there's no need to bring your own stuff if you don't need/want. The location was super convenient and easy to find; 10 minutes north of Lihue airport; Easy to make day trips to everywhere on the island. Communication was great from the host.
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Khyati D.

Lovely, Quaint, Well Equipped Home off the Wailua River

My husband, toddler, and I stayed here recently on our trip to Kauai. What a find! It's one of several homes in a little village like setting. The homes are on a lagoon off the Wailua River, which is very popular for kayaking, SUPing, etc. Paul was easy to communicate with and the place was clean and tidy with many welcoming touches like personalized notes, chocolate, leis, and some adult beverages. They also provided access to so much equipment from kayaks, and paddleboards, to kids beach toys, yoga mats, coolers, etc. What a relief that we didn't need to lug all of that across the country or buy it. And having a kitchen in our home was so great when we needed to feed the baby or were tired of eating out. It gets loud in the morning with the roosters and birds and can get hot at night with mosquitoes but it was part of the experience. Fern Grotto was our home in Kauai and made for a relaxing time. Hopefully, next time we can meet Paul!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2018
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Amber M.

A unique and wonderful place to stay.

This was the first place my girlfriend and I stayed in Kauai and we absolutely loved it. Hands down, the bed was the most comfortable bed I have slept on in any hotel, airbnb, or vrbo. Every place we stayed after, I kept wishing I was sleeping in that bed. We stayed in Canal A and it was the perfect size for the two of us. We loved the bathroom which featured many little luxuries. There was a towel warmer, a bidet toilet, nice quality shampoo, and a really nice shower head. The kitchen has everything you need and was very well equipped. The grounds are beautiful and we enjoyed strolling through them every morning and evening. Fruit trees, wildlife, and all the flora and fauna were truly enjoyable. We definitely appreciated all of the equipment that we were able to use (scuba equipment, water shoes, coolers, beach chairs, and kayak equipment with super easy access to the river right outside our door!) We were also very glad to have a laundry room on the grounds. This place is tucked away nicely and feels very private and safe. We barely saw any of the other people that were staying in the other houses/cottages. We would stay here again 100%! Thank you and mahalo!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2018
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Glad I found Fern Grotto Inn

I spent a great 8 days in the Canal B cottage. It is a wonderful little hideaway with a beautiful Lanai to dream and relax on. The cottage itself is very comfortable, clean, nicely furnished and tastefully decorated and Paul, the owner, does just about everything to make your vacation a dream come true. Centrally located on the island, it is only a short 45-60 minutes’ drive - depending on how many times you stop to take in the wonderful sceneries - to beautiful beaches in the north, south or the west – if you want to go that far. The beaches near the cottage are definitely worth discovering, too. Or if you want to go hiking, there are great trails very close to the Fern Grotto Inn, some easy, some a bit more demanding, some quite adventurous - your choice. If I return to Kauai, the Fern Grotto Inn it is!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

This was our first time i...

This was our first time in Kauaii. Staying in the River Cottage just added that special touch to our visit. We felt right at home and can not wait to come back and stay here again. Thanks for making our visit most pleasureable! I recommend this to everyone.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

This was our second trip ...

This was our second trip to Kauai. The first time we stayed more towards the west side, this was much more convenient. Our stay was at the end of June 08. We had a group of 14 and the use of all the cottages. We stayed in this cottage and what a wonderful experience. The whole resort is beautiful. To have all the beach accessories available was great. I would definately recomend this resort and this cottage to everyone.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

April 2007 was the first ...

April 2007 was the first time we visited beautiful Kauai...at the first moment it was sure: we will come back again...so we did for our wedding in June 2008 . We decided to rent a cottage....Fern Grotto Inn was the perfect location because we married at the Coco Palms which is just across the street, the beach and the Wailua river are just steps away and it is the perfect place to reach any Kauai destination. The River Cottage is very beautiful and cozy with everything you need to feel like home. The garden is a breathtaking beauty with the singing of the birds and the smell from lovely blooming flowers it makes Fern Grotto Inn a piece of paradise on the most beautiful island we have ever seen. We really enjoyed our stay. Mahalo for your hospitality.Colette and DetlevHolm, Germany
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Kayla B.

My boyfriend and I stayed...

My boyfriend and I stayed at Fern Grotto Inn for a short getaway while he was on leave from the Army. We had a fabulous time and truly enjoyed the cottage. It was very cozy and clean. It had everything we needed plus some! Paul and Nasheen were wonderful and have great recommendations for the island. Can't wait to go back! Thanks! Kayla and Bob
Archival

10/10 Excellent

The location is perfect. ...

The location is perfect. Everything was better than we imagined. The price was right. I would definitely use the Fern Grotto Inn as a home base for any Kauai destination. In the future. Paul and Nausheen did an excellent job on the landscaping. The room was clean and if we needed anything Paul was very accessable. The nicest touch was that Paul brought us champagne at my father's request as it was our honeymoon. Thanks again for everything.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Thank you so much for a e...

Thank you so much for a experience of a lifetime! We loved Kauai but your hospitality made it more wonderful. Your cottages are clean, neat and located at the right spot on the island. It is the best 'home' feeling you're ever gonna get!Hopefully we are able to come back!Cheers,Twan & Sanne
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Paul and Nausheen - What ...

Paul and Nausheen - What a wonderful time we had in the River Cottage. It was all we needed and hoped for. It was calm, clean and made us feel like home. The garden like atmosphere of the grounds made us not want to leave and all within walking distance to the beach where each morning we watched the sunrise and the whales play. Mahalo again for sharing your corner of paradise with us. We are planning our next visit and will include the Fern Grotto Inn and the River Cottage in that stay also. Larry and Dianna
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Sara H.

We stayed a week in the R...

We stayed a week in the River Cottage. Nausheen and Paul have done a wonderful job at making this a welcoming and peaceful retreat. It was romantic, restful and overall absoultely wonderful. It's a great central location for exploring the island. We will be back, and we're telling anyone who listens that they must come and stay at the Fern Grotto Inn. Mahalo!!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

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Nausheen and Paul,I have ...

Nausheen and Paul,I have stayed here at the River Cottage twice. It is one of the most beautiful little cottages I have ever experienced. What a great job of decorating to make it so Hawaiian and so cozy. We really appreciated how nice the two of you are and how close to the ocean our cottage was. We will definately use your place again, and recommend it to others. Thanks again for a great stay! Linn and Cardell Smith