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The ISO Kauai Review

If you’re considering staying at the ISO Kauai and looking for an ISO Kauai review, you’re in the right place.

The ISO (formerly Castle Mokihana) is an oceanfront hotel located in Kapa’a on the beautiful island of Kauai. The ISO  has previously been named the Best Boutique Hotel by Hawaii Magazine.

I.S.O. is an acronym for Island, Sky, Ocean. It is one of the few hotels in Kauai that sits on the ocean with no separation whatsoever.

Before we get started on this ISO Kauai Review, let me introduce myself. My name is Amy, and I’m a Hawaii Travel Agent. I’m one of the top travel agents for Hawaii, and creating amazing custom trips in Hawaii is my passion! Contact me today if you’d like help planning and booking your Hawaii vacation!

ISO Kauai Review

I accidentally stumbled upon the ISO Kauai many years ago. I had another location booked, and my booking was canceled at the last minute. I was a newer travel agent and was researching resorts, and the ISO Kauai caught my eye. 

How much does the ISO Kauai cost?

First of all, the ISO is very inexpensive by Hawaii standards. It’s quite rare to find anything in Hawaii with amenities for around $400 per night or less in Hawaii.

Nightly pricing for the ISO starts around $350, with a wide range depending on the dates. The average hotel price in Hawaii is now over $600, so this is a fantastic price.

Why not save money on your resort so that you can splurge on activities like a Kauai helicopter tour?

While the ISO calls itself a resort, it’s really more like a hotel with a few resort-like amenities. You can check the pricing for your dates here.

One of the amenities at the ISO includes in-room yoga mats for morning yoga.

Overall, this is a fantastic option for the price, but since this is a full review of the ISO Kauai, let’s talk pros and cons. 

The downsides of the ISO Kauai

Now, let’s talk about the cons of the ISO Kauai. There aren’t many cons, but a few things could be better.

Breakfast at the ISO Kauai

The breakfast, if you can call it that, wasn’t much to talk about. That being said, having anything offered for breakfast for free at a Hawaii resort is impressive.

They have coffee, some fruit (not fresh and local, likely from Costco), and some granola bars. They also had some cereal and milk.

If you have any dietary restrictions, you won’t be able to eat much. I have Celiac disease (no gluten), and I don’t eat dairy, so it was coffee for me.

I would have loved some local fruit, but it wasn’t offered. I did enjoy the coffee, and I even bought an ISO coffee mug to bring home.

Social Media

Another con, I really feel like they could up their social media game. I have commented a lot over the years with no response. 

When I posted years ago after my trip, no one responded. You’d think they would make a little bit of an effort to connect with their guests.

I did receive a friendly comment immediately when I mentioned that I would be posting a review, but nothing before my trip or immediately following, which was disappointing.

The ISO Kauai is not a “fancy” resort.

The last thing that could potentially be positive or negative is that it’s certainly not a “fancy” resort. If you want a lavish resort, this isn’t what you’re looking for.

There are plenty of fantastic resorts in Kauai, and I regularly book them for clients. If you’re celebrating a honeymoon or milestone anniversary, birthday, etc., you might want a different resort.

If you need a clean, comfortable, oceanfront place to sleep and don’t mind the lack of amenities, the ISO offers great value, especially for ocean-view rooms. When I work with clients on a budget but still want a nice trip, I will sometimes have them stay here in Kauai, then move to Maui and stay at a nicer resort to finish their trip.

If you’re heading to Kauai for all the outdoor activities, make sure to check out the best hikes in Kauai and the best adventure activities in Kauai.

The good things at the ISO Kauai

Now, let’s talk about the pros. There are a lot of pros! You really do get a lot for the price. The rooms are clean, comfortable, and nicely decorated.

The rooms are small, so I wouldn’t recommend them for more than 2-3 guests. For two people, it is a great choice! The view of the ocean is amazing, and the grounds are beautiful. The pool is also very nice.

The Bullshed restaurant at the ISO Kauai

There is also an on-site restaurant that is highly rated. The Mai Tais are a must. 

Free bikes

I love riding bikes down the Ke Ala Hele Makalae bike path. This is one of the best things to do in Kauai.

The ISO provides bikes that you can borrow, you just need to check them out at the front desk.  The ISO also provides free water bottles that you can refill in the lobby. We always bring our own, but it’s always nice when a hotel/resort offers sustainable options.

Yoga

One amenity that really stands out is free yoga. It’s offered every day at 7 AM. I enjoyed a few classes here!

The ISO has yoga mats in your room, so don’t forget to bring them down for class. The teachers were both amazing, and sunrise yoga on the beach was an incredible experience.

Sunrise yoga with Kauai chickens! I’m the one in between the trees. 🙂

The staff at the ISO Kauai

The staff was also very friendly. I don’t know who handles their social media, but I was pleasantly surprised by the hotel staff after receiving no response on social media.

ISO Kauai Review – the extras

I’ve also mentioned this at least a million times, but one reason I prefer a resort over a vacation rental is having a place to keep your stuff after checkout.

The ISO will hold your bags so you can enjoy your last day of vacation without worrying about leaving them in your car. All resorts offer this, but it’s still worth mentioning.

The ISO Kauai review

Overall, while the ISO is certainly not a luxury resort, this is easily the best budget hotel in Kauai. Although it’s one of the cheapest places to stay in Kauai, it’s still a fantastic option and nothing feels “cheap” about it. 

I don’t know of a more affordable option on any other Hawaiian island that offers as much as the ISO, so I highly recommend it.

If you think the ISO sounds like the perfect place for you and you don’t need a travel agent, make sure to check pricing on your travel dates with Expedia.

Kauai Itinerary

If you’re looking for more things to do in Kauai and would like a pre-written itinerary for ideas, check out my 4-day Kauai itinerary or 7-day Kauai itinerary.

Ready to plan your Kauai vacation?

Although I am a Hawaii Travel Agent, I am selective about how many clients I work You can contact me if you’d like more information. I would recommend starting with my Hawaii travel guide if you plan to DIY your vacation!

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