Poipu Crater, Kauai

Poipu Crater is a very private 7.6 acre community consisting of 15 Polynesian style duplex condos surrounded by lush vegetation. The complex features a swimming pool, tennis court, club house, ping pong table and putting green. Although not apparent from the aerial picture, these condos are indeed in the center of a small volcanic crater and are very private and isolated from the surrounding homes. It’s about a 10 minute walk to either Shipwreck beach or Poipu Beach Park. The two bedroom units are large (1200+ sq ft), and represent some of the best value in Poipu.

Poipu Crater Address: 2330 Ho'ohu Rd, Koloa, HI 96756

Poipu Crater Average Rates


As of January 2025, the average price of a 2 bedroom unit at Poipu Crater is $495. The average takes into account Hawaii's 18% accommodation tax as well as the cleaning and booking fees rentals charge. Also note that prices vary depending on the specifc unit and season (holiday rates are usally much higher). Visit the Poipu Crater Rentals page to see specific unit prices for your dates.

Poipu Crater's Best Rentals

View All 9 Poipu Crater Rentals (with vacancy and search options)

What Do Guests Think? An AI Analysis of 198 Guest Reviews


Reviewer Portrait

The following executive summary is based on a comprehensive and impartial AI analysis of guest reviews. Keep in mind that all units are individually owned, and review scores among units can vary considerably.

The Poipu Crater condo resort on Kauai receives overwhelmingly positive reviews from guests, highlighting its beautiful, lush surroundings that offer a sense of seclusion and tranquility, while still being conveniently located close to beaches, restaurants, and attractions. Guests appreciate the well-stocked units that include beach gear, kitchen necessities, and comfortable furnishings, making it feel like a home away from home. The resort's amenities, such as the pool, tennis court, and BBQ area, are well-maintained and add value to the stay. While some guests mention minor issues or suggestions for improvements, such as the need for more modern updates in some units or the addition of air conditioning, the overall sentiment is that the resort provides a fantastic base for exploring Kauai. The unique setting in a crater adds to the appeal, offering a quiet and private retreat with stunning natural beauty. Communication with hosts and property managers is generally praised for being responsive and helpful. Despite a few critiques regarding maintenance and cleanliness in some units, the majority of guests report a highly enjoyable stay and express a desire to return. This summary is based on a comprehensive analysis of 198 guest reviews.

Recent Poipu Crater Reviews


We liked the stay here a lot. It's a nice House in a quiet area with the pool just opposite and close to The poipu beaches.
Philipp B.
September 2024

This condo was in a fantastic location in Poipu! It was a 10 minute walk to Brennecke’s Beach and a 6 min drive to Shipwreck Beach. The condo complex was very quiet and peaceful when we were there, which was perfect for using the onsite pool. The condo had all the kitchen amenities we needed for making meals, but we did for most of our meals. I couldn’t figure out how to work the air conditioner in the upstairs bedroom so we just slept in the downstairs bedroom. There were three large tower fans and a ceiling fan in the kitchen that we kept on all of the time with the windows open. The condo stayed pretty comfortable with the fans and windows open. The best part of the condo was Jean, the host. She is excellent with communication. There were a couple of minor glitches while we were there and Jean was very attentive to address them. For example, the carafe for the coffee maker had a crack and Jean responded to my email within 30 minutes and ordered a new one as soon as I let her know. Jean relies on her guests to address anything that needs to be fixed in the condo and she was very appreciative of me letting her know about the minor things that needed to be fixed. The condo is a little dated in some aspects but, overall, it was a great place to stay. If we visit Kauai again, I will be booking Jean’s condo again.
Carol K.
September 2024

If you are looking to stay in one of Kauai’s resorts, you can’t go wrong with the Hawaiian Chic Crater Retreat. The location is within walking distance of a nice swimming beach and is halfway between two of the island’s most popular sightseeing areas – The Waimea Canyon and the North Shore. It is about a 10-minute drive to the National Tropical Botanical Garden. Even if you’ve never been to a botanical garden, you really should not miss this one. It is one of the best places to visit on the island. Hawaiian Chic Crater unit #28 was spotlessly clean and well equipped with everything we needed. There’s enough space for 2, 3, or 4 people to live together comfortably. My favorite spot was the small porch surrounded by tropical greenery. It is a great place to have coffee in your pj’s while waiting for the sun to come up. The quiet is broken only by the sound of birds as they start singing in the trees and the occasional crow of a distant rooster. I do not usually book resorts, condos or other multi-family structures, preferring to stay in individual homes on private lots. But the Hawaiian Chic Crater unit offers much more privacy than the typical resort, apartment or condo unit. The neighborhood was quiet though our duplex shared a wall with another unit, it is designed so that neither unit is much aware of the other. If you want to stay in the Poipu area, this is one of the best options.
Pamela H.
September 2024

Everything was really wonderful and had all the comforts of home. For example: to have the washer/dryer and soap provided was very helpful with all the outdoor activities we did. The condo was very clean and organized and had lovely decor that made us feel in the Aloha spirit. Loved the lanai and we used it often. We appreciated the communication with Jenny for any questions we had. It was a lovely experience and I'm glad we chose to stay at this condo!
Liz M.
August 2024

The unit had all of the accommodations we needed and was very comfortable for our stay.
Aisha B.
August 2024

Excellent location and lovely property, apartment had everything we needed whilst in Kauai would definitely stay again.
Matthew W.
July 2024

Everything about this unit was amazing.. its perfectly located on top of the crater where you get a cool breeze in the afternoons and nights that keeps it nice and cool..a short walk to many beaches and restaurants and the pool is a perfect place to unwind and take a dip..only issue we had is with the HOA’s wife, she’s very quick to call you out and judge you, even if it was someone else that does something..she’s quick to make it awkward..other than her, it’s a great place, just don’t sneeze to loud, you’ll get in trouble
mark m.
July 2024

Poipu crater was so magnificent, walking distance to the pool and beach. Condo was a little out dated, but hey you’re in Kaua’i what more could you need! The condo was perfect for 2 couples! Or even for a family. Was a great place to spend our vacation. The only negative thing was that the HOA president and his wife are very rude, accusatory, and snooty.
Dean J.
July 2024

No ac needed with the beautiful trade winds! Some hills to tackle but only .6 miles to Brennecke’s and Poipu Beach. Nice walking path around the corner connected us to these beaches or Shipwreck Beach the other direction. We had everything we needed for our stay provided at this nice condo.
Beth B.
July 2024

My two teenage sons and I had a wonderful trip to Kauai. The condominium was in a perfect location. Easy walk to Brennecke’s beach where we swam and body surfed with sea turtles most evening. We walked to Poipu beach where we found pretty good snorkeling, and saw more sea turtles and a monk seal. It is conveniently located to reach Nāpali coast boat tours, Waimea canyon and Kokee state park. It was very clean and had all we needed. Appreciated the air conditioning units in each bedroom, and kitchen. Loved the full sized washer and dryer. Relaxing and quiet to sit on the lanai anytime of day. Would easily recommend this place to anyone.
Amy J.
July 2024

The place was great. We spent lots of time sitting on the lanai watching birds and drinking coffee. So much space inside! Well stocked kitchen. Easy check out. Google maps doesn't get you right to the right spot, but the directions in the info sent ahead of time were spot on. Thanks!
Carrie P.
July 2024

This condo is the cutest and easy to check into. Communication was wonderful from the owner. Clean, comfortable and well organized.
MELISSA V.
June 2024

My husband and I enjoyed our stay at the property. The owner was great to work with and provided a lot of helpful local information. One of the best stock condos I have ever rented. The pool was recently resurfaced and was great and very convenient. The location was close to beaches and restaurants although there is some hilly terrain (since you are in a crater) Loved all the vegetation and bird life. And no chickens in sight!
Belinda k.
June 2024

This was a great place. Very clean and comfortable. Short walk to beach and restaurants.
Jennifer S.
June 2024

The AC units were great and the lanai was wonderful. Condo was very comfortable and very quiet.
Glenn N.
May 2024

My partner and I had a lovely time staying here. The location was great and we loved how quiet the neighborhood is. The house is really nice too. Highly recommended!
Dan F.
May 2024

Rating Details: The property manager was adequately helpful. The vacation rental was very clean. I was very happy with the location. I was somewhat dissatisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: The location of this condo is great. The condo itself is very, very dated. The living room furniture was incredibly uncomfortable. For evenings in or rainy days spent at the condo, we weren't very comfortable. The king bed upstairs was at least decent. Both sets of lanai vertical blinds had multiple missing pieces - so there didn't feel like we had much for privacy, especially in the evenings. There seemed to be a lot of 3 way switches throughout the condo - would be helpful to label those for guests. Even though there was no AC, windows open and fans going kept the condo very comfortable.
Irene B.
May 2024

The property was clean and comfortable and very close to the beach. Lots of beach equipment available for use. The property owner was great to work with and provided lots of helpful information about the area.
Nichole C.
May 2024

This rental had everything we needed. It was comfortable and the lanai was a great place to hang out. Shady with lots of beautiful plants and flowers to look at. A short drive or walk to beaches. Enjoyed the stay very much!
Melissa H.
May 2024

The location is perfect! A quick run to Costco isn't too far away, and beautiful beaches are only a short walk or drive. We really enjoyed the beach chairs, boards and snorkel gear in the condo. Peaceful and quiet meals out on the lanai were a relaxing part of our trip. The kitchen was stocked with everything we needed and wanted. Would absolutely stay here again!
Meagen W.
May 2024

My husband and I spent the last four nights of our Hawaiian vacation here and it was the perfect way to end our travel adventure. The condo is conveniently located close to all that Poipu Beach and Kauai’s South Shore has to offer. The hosts were easy to communicate with and the condo was very clean and well-appointed. Pride of ownership is evident and we felt relaxed and “at home” from the moment we walked in. The complex is located on lush grounds and we spent time enjoying the lanai. We have already booked our next stay here—can’t wait to come back!
Bonnie O.
March 2024

We have spent a lot of time in various VRBO rentals in Hawaii. This was hands down the most well stocked unit we have ever been in. It had everything we needed for our visit. It was set up great for our family, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay.
Robin W.
March 2024

This property was a great stay. Clean, close to beaches, private are just a few of the comments I could give about this property. Would love to stay here again.
Lori H.
March 2024

Thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. The property was a great location for us, a short walk down to the beach and a great jumping off point for all our adventures. Very clean, quiet and relaxing place to stay. Jenny was communicative and everything went very well. Was not disappointed in the least! Would certainly stay here again.
Don M.
March 2024

We enjoyed the thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the condo, we just wish we could have stayed longer! :) Everything was awesome!
Doug and Korine T.
February 2024

Beautiful and peaceful
Gretchen
February 2024

Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was spotless. I was very happy with the location. I was more than satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: We had a wonderful stay. Property was in a great location, private and quiet. It was central to our main activities. Just a short distance from the beach
A guest from Billings, MT
February 2024

Relatively quiet (the variety of bird songs aside) unit which is well appointed, well maintained with the perfect amount of space for our couple, and amazingly only 50 feet from pool and tennis. We could use either at any time- felt like our own private luxury estate, albeit semi wild with the abundant vegetation throughout the crater. Six weeks passed too quickly.
Bob G.
February 2024

We really enjoyed staying at Crater 26! It’s a unique setting very close to the beach and area restaurants. Highly recommend!
Cary K.
February 2024

Nice property.
Sherilyn S.
February 2024

Peaceful and quiet. Good kitchen to work in. Nice lanai off kitchen and living area to have coffee on every morning. Location in crater was fun, and kept us out of congestion even though we were close to all that is Poipu. Nicer selection of guest amenities than usual. Chenni was good to communicator.
James O.
February 2024

The condo was very clean, and comfortable. The lush landscape was beautiful, with birds entertaining us any time we were on the lanai. The location is convenient to everything in the Poipu area, but very private - especially sitting out on the lanai!
Janet R.
February 2024

Outstanding location and condo. Clean, quiet and secluded
Peggy F.
January 2024

I have stayed twice before on Kauai. This was far and above the best home I have had there. I say home because I felt at home as soon as we walked in. It is in a small crater, don't worry it's extinct, as a result there is no sounds from the surrounding area. The area in lush and green, this helps reduce sounds from within the crater. There are NO chickens. The house itself is fully stocked with everything you need for keeping house, far beyond anywhere else I have stayed in all of Hawaii. The bed in the master bedroom is perfect. I can't think of anything negative to say about our experience there. I want to thank the owners for making this a perfect vacation.
Victor V.
January 2024

Quiet, clean cottage in the crater. Some issues with the freezer being loud & not working, but the managers were quick to respond. Close to everything in Poipu.
Schalene D.
January 2024

Condo was clean and beds were comfortable. Nice place. Not far from snorkeling at poipu beach park. My only suggestion is to provide a larger trash can and more trash bags. The little one in the kitchen filled up fast for our group of four people.
Eric J.
January 2024

Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was spotless. I was very happy with the location. I was satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: We enjoyed the location - in the crater! We used the pool/pool area which was very relaxing. The unit was comfortable and suited our needs perfectly. The neighbor was noisy- using a sander for extended periods which did lessen our relaxation - and it wasn't something you could anticipate. But it didn't ruin our enjoyment of this location. Below the amenities were awesome. The property is a bit dated.
Katherine R.
January 2024

Loved the hammocks on the lanai and spending time at the nearby beach. We were welcomed with a Christmas tree and lights on our arrival. This place was well stocked with everything we needed to enjoy our vacation.
Frank B.
January 2024

This was a great spot inside the crater. Secluded from most of the tourist but walkable/drivable to the beach.
John H.
January 2024

This place was great. Very central location to everything and walking distance to the beach. Good communication and had all amenities we needed.
Logan B.
January 2024

We had the best stay. It was perfect for our family. Beautiful location. Cute and clean. Love the wallpaper! Close to the beach and restaurants. We would go back in a heartbeat.
Tanaya M.
January 2024

My family of 5 had a great stay at Chic Crater. The location is perfect and close to multiple restaurants and the beach. Everything seen in the pictures matched up when we arrived. I would definitely recommend this place and would return again!
Martin R.
January 2024

We loved the convenient location of this condo. It was so close to the beach and local restaurants. It was comfortable for a family, with two floors. We had some issues with bugs, but the host responded promptly and had them out to spray as soon as they could come, given the holiday. It was nice to have boogie boards and beach chairs available, as we were traveling from far away! Laundry on-site was a plus.
Kristen F.
January 2024

Wow! This was the best Christmas. From the minute we walked in we felt like we were home. Everything was wonderful, from the layout of the condo to the helpful organized vacation binder with recommendations, to the fully stocked kitchen and beach bags. It was more than we could have asked for... and all we wanted was more time on the island! We will be back at the Pineapple Crater. Mahalo, Bruce & Micah!
Chanel W.
January 2024

Homes was clean on arrival. Well stocked with everything you would ever need. Location is good. Very close to beach but you do have to walk down (and back up) a pretty decent hill. This is not usually an issue until you want to take chairs, beach toys, umbrella etc etc etc with you and then it can be just as easy to drive. Lots of room. Layout is a little quirky but fine overall. Porch was nice and we had a red crested cardinal visit us daily. Pool was fine but we didn’t spend a lot of time there. Area quiet. Our only complaint is I’m not personally a fan of the windows they use cause they don’t really close. I know this is an island thing and not really the fault of the owner but the part I don’t like is that it will sometimes make the inside feel moist and allow you to hear so much more from outside than you want to. People walking, cars, mowing etc. The downstairs bedroom and bath smelled mildewed on some days. Our daughter even noticed it. I am not sure if that was a result of the window situation. I seen NO wet or mold areas inside the home (we looked all over to make sure something wasn’t leaking etc). I would stay here again as outside the occasional mildew smell it was a lovely place.
Tabatha J.
January 2024

1: Code key was never fixed, so just ONE real key 2: Beds way to soft, need new mattresses 3: Community could use a hot tub 4: Hardly any normal utensils, like spoons & forks
Valentin C.
December 2023

The most thorough communication, detailed instructions, information on the area and things to do, and truly a home away from home, but in the heart of paradise. We had everything we needed and more to make breakfast and even cook some steaks for dinner. Well stocked and clean. Perfect location just minutes from Poipu Beach. Will definitely consider this BnB when coming back to Kauai.
LYRECH A.
December 2023

This was a great condo in a perfect location for our family. Condo is nice inside with modern appliances and TVs. Enjoyed sitting outside in the well sheltered lanai among the trees, birds, and rain showers. The mature landscaping and privacy in the crater were the perfect setting for relaxing. Easy walk to the beaches via roads or trails. Appreciated the beach towels. Good layout for air flow with open windows and fans. Didn't use the AC but I'm sure it would be nice during warmer times. Would definitely stay here again.
Kenneth K.
December 2023

Excellent communication from Jean on everything needed for a trip to Kauai and details about the condo. Beautiful grounds, very close to the ocean and places to eat.
Michelle C.
December 2023

My wife and I loved staying here with our 11 month old son. The jungle vibes on the lanai really make you feel like you’re secluded even though the other units are not that far away. Close enough to walk to Poipu beach which was perfect for swimming with a baby. We would definitely come back!
Caleb G.
December 2023


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