Kapaa · Kauai, Hawaii
9 Historic Plantation Cottages on the Wailua River · From $200/Night
Step Off the Beaten Path
Forget the resort. Fern Grotto Inn invites you to experience Kauai as it used to be — lush, quiet, and authentically Hawaiian. Our 9 cottage rentals in Kapaa are set on the banks of the Wailua River, surrounded by a tropical garden of fruit trees, hibiscus, and palms. Originally built in the 1940s and 1950s, each cottage has been fully renovated with air conditioning, modern kitchens, and comfortable beds — while keeping every bit of their historic plantation character.
Coco Palms Resort, the setting for Elvis Presley's film Blue Hawaii, sits just across the street. The only navigable river in Hawaii runs right behind the property. And Lydgate Park's protected beach is one block away. This is the Kauai your grandparents would have recognized — and the vacation you'll tell stories about for years.
Choose Your Cottage
Included With Every Stay
Every Kauai cottage rental at Fern Grotto Inn comes stocked with everything you need — at no additional charge.
"Coming back here every night felt like having our own private oasis in this tropical paradise. The free gear — snorkels, coolers, frozen water bottles, kayaks, beach chairs — set this inn apart from everything else."— Verified guest, Coco C · Booking.com
"I didn't want to leave. Fern Grotto felt like a wonderful new home — waking to the roosters, fresh blossoms, and this plant lover's paradise."— Verified guest · TripAdvisor
Centrally Located in Kapaa
Our Kauai cottage rentals sit on the east side of the island in historic Kapaa town — roughly equidistant from the famous beaches of the North and South Shores. Poipu Beach is about 35 minutes south. Hanalei Bay is about 40 minutes north. You're also just 10–15 minutes from Lihue Airport, one block from Lydgate Park beach, and steps from the Kauai Path coastal bike trail.
The Wailua River — the only navigable river in Hawaii — runs directly behind the property. Launch our complimentary kayaks straight from the inn and paddle to the Fern Grotto or Secret Falls.