Kimpton Opens Coco Palms Resort on Kauai After 30 Years of Abandonment

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants have announced a partnership with the Coco Palms Resort on the island of Kauai, marking the first Hawaiian property in the IHG Hotels & Resorts portfolio. The restored resort is scheduled to open in 2026.

Located in the Wailua Valley, Coco Palms, known for its history and Hollywood connections, is owned by Reef Capital Partners and will be managed by Highgate. The resort, which hosted celebrities like Elvis Presley and Rita Hayworth, will undergo a restoration guided by local Hawaiian advisors. The restored Coco Palms will feature 350 rooms in three low-rise buildings and cottages.

The resort's amenities will include a 15-acre coconut grove, a spa, three outdoor pools, as well as several restaurants and bars, including a rooftop bar and a shoreline restaurant. The traditional evening torch-lighting ceremony will also be revived. As with all Kimpton hotels, Coco Palms will offer guests morning coffee and tea, evening social events, a "Forgot It? We've Got It!" program, in-room yoga mats, and a pet-friendly policy.

Coco Palms has remained neglected since 1992 after Hurricane Iniki. As part of the restoration, a cultural center and museum will be created, where exhibitions and lectures about the area's history and culture will be held.

Kauai, known as the "Garden Isle," offers tourists many opportunities for recreation, including kayaking on the Wailua River, visiting the Fern Grotto, as well as hiking, snorkeling, and helicopter tours. The resort is located five miles from Lihue Airport, adding to its convenience.

Once opened, Coco Palms will become the flagship Kimpton resort on the west coast of America, joining other Kimpton resorts worldwide.