Fern Grotto Inn — Kapaa, Kauai
Two secluded cottages made for two — on the Wailua River
Newlyweds have been finding their way to Fern Grotto Inn for decades — and most of them hear about it from other couples. Two of our nine cottages are made for honeymooners: the River Cottage, tucked at the far end of the property, and Coco Unit A, with its private walled garden. Both are designed for couples who want seclusion, not a schedule. Both come with a few surprises on the amenities list. And when those two are booked — they often are — the Garden Cottage holds its own, with a four-poster queen and Wailua River views through the fruit trees.
Honeymoon Favorite
Built in 1943, the River Cottage is the most-requested cottage on the property and the most secluded. A four-poster king bed, antique furnishings, a cafe table for two, and a private lanai set the tone. You can hear the Wailua River from the lanai. The rest of the world falls away.
From $300 – $400 / night
+ $200 cleaning · 18.71% tax
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Private Yard · 1 Bedroom
Our only true one-bedroom cottage, Coco Unit A offers the most private outdoor space on the property. A walled, landscaped yard — exclusively yours — with a hammock, gas grill, and shaded dining table. Inside: a queen bed, high ceilings, and a kitchenette. The yard is where most mornings are spent.
From $275 – $375 / night
+ $225 cleaning · 18.71% tax
View Full Details Check AvailabilityRiver Cottage and Coco A book first — sometimes months out. The Garden Cottage is the cottage we quietly recommend next: a four-poster queen on hardwood floors, a tile shower built for two, and the Wailua River visible through mango and starfruit trees. The kitchen is the best of any studio on the property, which matters more on a honeymoon than couples expect — some of the best evenings here end with cooking together and eating outside under the palms.
Take the kayaks from the rack — they’re included, like everything else — and launch onto the Wailua River directly from the property. Paddle two miles upstream, beach the kayak, and hike thirty minutes through the rainforest to Uluwehi Falls — Secret Falls — a hundred-foot waterfall with a swimming pool at its base. It’s the single most-mentioned experience in our guest reviews, and on a weekday morning you may have stretches of the river to yourselves. Back by early afternoon. Nap on the lanai. That’s the whole plan.
A resort gives you a room number, a $95-a-day resort fee, and a pool full of other people’s plans. Fern Grotto Inn gives you a 1940s plantation cottage with its own door, its own lanai, and about $100 a day of kayaks, bikes, paddleboards, and beach gear included at no charge. There’s no front desk and no schedule — just the river, the garden, and as much or as little of Kauai as you feel like that day. 1,500+ five-star reviews suggest the trade works.
No rentals needed. No extra fees. Just pack light.
The River Cottage — the most secluded spot on the property, with a four-poster king, private lanai, and the river within earshot. Coco Unit A is the close second, with the only private walled yard on the grounds.
Yes — River Cottage and Coco Unit A each include one. They’re the only two cottages on the property that do.
Couples are our most common guests, and honeymoons and anniversaries are our most common occasions. Tell us when you book and we’ll make sure the cottage feels right when you arrive.
River Cottage and Coco A are the first to go — three to six months ahead for peak season (summer and December holidays) is safe. Shoulder season is more forgiving.
Yes — the kayaks are complimentary and launch directly from the property. Plan four to five hours round trip; mornings are calmest.
Both cottages book quickly. Check availability for your dates — and book direct for the best rate with no fees.
Check Availability →Questions? Call or text 808-821-9836
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