Wailua Riverside Cottage


Rates: $249 / night (avg.)
Bedrooms: 1
Bathrooms: 1
Bed types: QX (sleeps 2)
Reviews: 4.80 (from 115 reviews)
Wailua Riverside Tree Top Cottage! TVNC #1293*

As featured on TV Sonoran Living Live

This is a perfect place to experience the real Kauai in a residential setting next to the Wailua River and a block from Wailua Beach.

TVNC #1293*
On Island Contact 24/7: Candace Mack

Wailua Riverside Cottage, a perfect place to experience the real Kauai in a residential setting with peek views of the Wailua River and located a block from Wailua Beach made famous by Elvis Presley starring in the movie Blue Hawaii when he and his New Bride rode horses on Wailua Beach!

Wailua Riverside is a tree top cottage, furnished Hawaiiana style, fully equipped kitchen, one bedroom with a memory foam queen bed, sitting room with a full size sofa sleeper; as well as, a covered lanai offering outdoor dining. Wailua Beach is a block away and the sound of ocean waves hitting the beach will lull you to sleep each night. From your bed or lanai, watch as breathtakingly beautiful pink skies form through swaying coconut trees at sunrise.

Special Features!

2 Single Kayaks

1 Double Kayak** - orange/yellow*

All fully equipped, you can take them right off the dock just steps from the Hideaway. *Value: $80-$100 per couple. Note: A double kayak was purchased, a orange yellow Lifetime Spitfire Tandem Kayak.

Amenities: Netflix and Prime Apps, coffee maker, linens, washer / dryer, gas BBQ grill, beach gear including snorkels, fins, beach chairs, coolers, beach towels. An added bonus is air conditioning, making a vacation in the warmer months more enjoyable.

Located at the Sacred Wailua River, where only the ancient Hawaiian Royalty were allowed to visit, Wailua Riverside is a two minute walk to an awesome eight-mile shoreline of uncrowded, sandy beaches. You are steps from a dock where you can launch your own kayak unto the Wailua River to explore and find the trail to Secret Waterfalls, one the top 10 things to do on Kauai. Water skiing, Wakeboarding, and Speed Boating are also available from the same dock.

Within a mile you will find: Wailua Beach, Ancient Hawaiian ruins; a Hawaiian village; Opaeka’a Falls; Lydgate Park offering protected ocean swimming, a 2.2 mile jogging trail and Smith’s Tropical Paradise offering one of the best island Luau’s. Grocery stores, souvenir shops and most of the island’s restaurants are available within a 3 mile radius. Further up the road is Kauai’s Hindu Monastery, an incredible place, set in an absolutely idyllic environment next to the Wailua River and a stupendous waterfall, a must see!

The airport is 6 miles away, the nearest town is Kapaa just one mile away and the road does not go all around the island which makes this property ideal. You can drive north or south and return to a location central to the island.

Minimum stay is 3 nights; except for Holidays, when there is a minimum stay of 7 nights.

*Rate per night based on season plus Hawaii taxes and outclean plus Hawaii Taxes, damage protection $49, admin fee $40

TVNC #1293* this transient vacation rental is located in the tsunami evacuation zone. Evacuation instructions are located by the door in the unit.

On Island Contact 24/7: Candace Mack

Reg. No. TVNC 1293* this transient vacation rental is located in the tsunami evacuation zone. Evacuation instructions are located by the door in the unit.

On Island Contact 24/7: Candace Mack Registration Number: GE-129-788-7232-01, TA-129-788-7232-01, 410040300000

Wailua Riverside Cottage Reviews



Mike W.
December 2023
We loved our stay. Perfect location and had all the beach equipment we needed.


Justine B.
November 2023
We loved our stay in Kauai next to the Waimea river. If you stay here, book on a Saturday so you can take the kayaks out on the day there aren’t tourists around! The lanai was our favorite place; we spent every morning out there. Good functional amenities and a spacious house, plus lots of equipment like snorkels, sun hats, etc (though some of the equipment is well-loved). Clean bathroom and the rest of the house too - we didn’t think we’d use the laundry but it came in handy. You can’t really walk anywhere easily due to its location on a very busy road but it’s not far from some nice beaches and restaurants. The absolutely kind hosts made our stay a great one!


Mike W.
November 2023
We loved our stay. Perfect location and had all the beach equipment we needed.


Justine B.
November 2023
We loved our stay in Kauai next to the Waimea river. If you stay here, book on a Saturday so you can take the kayaks out on the day there aren’t tourists around! The lanai was our favorite place; we spent every morning out there. Good functional amenities and a spacious house, plus lots of equipment like snorkels, sun hats, etc (though some of the equipment is well-loved). Clean bathroom and the rest of the house too - we didn’t think we’d use the laundry but it came in handy. You can’t really walk anywhere easily due to its location on a very busy road but it’s not far from some nice beaches and restaurants. The absolutely kind hosts made our stay a great one!


Mike W.
November 2023
We loved our stay. Perfect location and had all the beach equipment we needed.


Amy C.
October 2023
We had a wonderful stay next to the Wailua River! The Riverside hideaway had everything available for a perfect beach day or a paddle down the river. Enjoyed being in a residential area and really leaning into the rhythm of the Island. We will definitely stay here again!


Amy C.
October 2023
We had a wonderful stay next to the Wailua River! The Riverside hideaway had everything available for a perfect beach day or a paddle down the river. Enjoyed being in a residential area and really leaning into the rhythm of the Island. We will definitely stay here again!


Robert K.
September 2023
Candace’s VRBO is exceptional. Quietly away from the bustle of a resort, but right on the river and close to all that Kapa’a has to offer. And Kapa’a is exceptional too, with lots to do locally and all of Kauai close whether you head north or south.


Robert K.
September 2023
Candace’s VRBO is exceptional. Quietly away from the bustle of a resort, but right on the river and close to all that Kapa’a has to offer. And Kapa’a is exceptional too, with lots to do locally and all of Kauai close whether you head north or south.


Janis S.
November 2022
Second stay for us at the cottage. Great location and neighborhood, peaceful, and Candace is very charming and responsive. Loved watching the chickens bed down in the hibiscus bush at night, and then pop out at daybreak!


Janis S.
November 2022
Second stay for us at the cottage. Great location and neighborhood, peaceful, and Candace is very charming and responsive. Loved watching the chickens bed down in the hibiscus bush at night, and then pop out at daybreak!


Matthew L.
October 2022
We spent 9 nights at the cottage and really enjoyed the space and location. We were close to everything but felt like we were in our own little world. Would definitely recommend to any couple visiting the island!


Matthew L.
October 2022
We spent 9 nights at the cottage and really enjoyed the space and location. We were close to everything but felt like we were in our own little world. Would definitely recommend to any couple visiting the island!


Juliet S.
October 2022
We loved everything about this property! Worth every penny for the water toys available to take the trip to secret falls. It was a great central location to explore the islands. We cooked all our dinners in the kitchen and loved having Kona coffee and breakfast on the rooftop deck with sunrise. No problems with check in or check out. My husband is a custom home builder/historic preservation contractor and we loved the cottage charm and furnishings. Mahalo Nui!


Juliet S.
October 2022
We loved everything about this property! Worth every penny for the water toys available to take the trip to secret falls. It was a great central location to explore the islands. We cooked all our dinners in the kitchen and loved having Kona coffee and breakfast on the rooftop deck with sunrise. No problems with check in or check out. My husband is a custom home builder/historic preservation contractor and we loved the cottage charm and furnishings. Mahalo Nui!


Tom R.
October 2022
The place is in a peaceful, quiet, residential neighborhood right on the river and close to the beach. The paddle boards and kayaks were a lot of fun, and my husband loved the laid-back feel of the cottage and all the real wood. It was nicer than we expected. Candace was very sweet and helpful. We hope to stay here again.


Tom R.
October 2022
The place is in a peaceful, quiet, residential neighborhood right on the river and close to the beach. The paddle boards and kayaks were a lot of fun, and my husband loved the laid-back feel of the cottage and all the real wood. It was nicer than we expected. Candace was very sweet and helpful. We hope to stay here again.


Kristen K.
October 2022
The bungalow was in a great location and a perfect spot to have as a home base to explore the island. Air conditioning after a long day in the sun was such an added bonus. They had all the amenities for the beach and river. Highly recommend!!!


Kristen K.
October 2022
The bungalow was in a great location and a perfect spot to have as a home base to explore the island. Air conditioning after a long day in the sun was such an added bonus. They had all the amenities for the beach and river. Highly recommend!!!


Melissa M.
September 2022
My sister and I stayed here and it was breathtaking. Looking forward to staying again very soon!


Melissa M.
September 2022
My sister and I stayed here and it was breathtaking. Looking forward to staying again very soon!


Mindy S.
September 2022
Communication with Candace was excellent from booking through departure! The stay was as expected with great amenities and location. My husband and I highly recommend this property and would love to return someday!


Mindy S.
September 2022
Communication with Candace was excellent from booking through departure! The stay was as expected with great amenities and location. My husband and I highly recommend this property and would love to return someday!


Sherry A.
September 2022
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this River Cottage! The check in process was effortless and the cottage was clean and very comfortable. We enjoyed using the Kayaks and paddling to the Fern Grotto & Secret Falls. We loved cooking at the cottage and watching the sunset in the evenings. The neighbors were friendly and we would love to visit again.


Sherry A.
September 2022
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this River Cottage! The check in process was effortless and the cottage was clean and very comfortable. We enjoyed using the Kayaks and paddling to the Fern Grotto & Secret Falls. We loved cooking at the cottage and watching the sunset in the evenings. The neighbors were friendly and we would love to visit again.


Christa B.
June 2022
Cute, well appointed with all the conveniences at hand. Fantastic access to the river, walking distance to beach and several restaurants, centrally located for exploring the island. Host was super helpful and responsive. Would definitely stay again.


Elizabeth F.
May 2022
Pretty much the perfect spot for our needs!


Sherry V.
May 2022
We loved our stay, the view, the patio, the air conditioning worked great. We hated to leave. It met all our standards during our stay.


Jeff S.
April 2022
My wife and I had an excellent time! This is a great place to stay, conveniently centrally located for anything you might want to explore on Kauai.


Dana J.
March 2022
This place is special. We really liked the quiet away from crowds feel. The location was perfect for exploring the beach slabs because of the central location. The bed was very comfortable. We loved this spot.


Sarah W.
February 2022
This was the perfect little house off the beaten path. We loved the location steps from the dock and a short walk to the beach to watch the sunrise. Our favorite part was using the provided kayak to explore the River to check out the secret waterfall and fern grotto- both are not to be missed! We also spent a lot of time on the lanai which had a nice breeze throughout the day.


Shelly B.
January 2022
The river access home was a great place to launch our Kauai adventure! The clean, comfortable home gave us great access to the river to paddle on our own, without the fuss of rental or going with a tour group. We enjoyed breakfast on the patio surrounded by greenery. The location made adventure access to the rest of the island easy and convenient. Our very late in the evening arrival was welcomed and accommodated. Any questions were. answered quickly. The neighborhood was quiet, though there is a bit of road noise from the main road into through town. If we make it back to Kauai, we would love to stay again!


Quinlan S.
January 2022
We enjoyed in our stay at Candance’s place on the river. Having access to kayaks and paddle boards everyday was great. I would stay there again.


Eleanor S.
October 2021
Location was amazing, central to entire island, steps from the river and beach. Unit was very clean, host accommodating and snorkel, paddle board and kayak gear included.


Melissa P.
October 2021
We had the best time staying at Wailua Cottage!! The host, Candice, was welcoming and friendly, and the location was right on the river with good privacy. We loved kayaking on the Wailua river, and we even tried stand up paddle boarding while we were there! The location is right between Kapaa and Lihue, so there were many restaurants and destinations close by. We had a great time and can’t recommend it enough!! Thanks, Candice!


Heidi C.
August 2021
This Wailua Cottage, located steps away from the Wailua river, in the central east part of the Island. The location made the north and south shore easily accessible. There were great shops and restaurants nearby. The kitchen was well equipped. The balcony was the perfect beginning, and ending to an adventurous day. The cottage was very clean, and the A/C made the stay very comfortable. The neighborhood was quiet and well maintained. I highly recommend staying at the Wailua Riverside Cottage.


Alexia B.
July 2021
This was a great stay. Pros of staying here was being right next to the river (which was beautiful), being able to walk or paddle board to the ocean (there is no sidewalk so had to be careful with all the vehicles!), having a central location (but still far enough that you have to drive everywhere), and being a nice quiet property. The house was super nice and clean, however two cons is that there is no first aid kit and the floors are SUPER slick! We had to be careful when walking around in socks. The river dock is also pretty busy but everyone we met was super friendly. I know there’s a lot of people saying that they were greeted or seen off by the owner however, minus a couple of text messages, we never saw hide nor hair of her despite being connected to the house? Not saying that’s good or bad, just something to mention for those who are looking into this. Overall, would recommend to someone who is wanting a quiet property a little bit away from all the hubbub of everything. It’s was nice, organized, quiet, and everyone that we met was friendly! The messages with the owner were also pleasant and super nice!


Leslie W.
March 2020
Lovely breeze and comfortable place for a winter respite.


Ian W.
March 2020
Upon arrival we were very excited with our 3 night stay. It was nicely set up for us... BBQ, beautiful lanai for meals and evening lounging easily accessible kayaks close to a river that's easy to paddle. During the daylight hours we loved our little pad. We did have a lot of trouble sleeping through the roosters crowing which started at 3am and feel this should be noted. The host was excellent and made sure we were taken care of.


Nacia G.
February 2020
We had an amazing stay. The location was perfect for visiting all sides of the island. Candace answered all our questions and provided a clean and well appointed home. I would stay here again in a heartbeat.


Daniel R.
February 2020
Everything went smoothly from when we were met by Cathy when we arrived and everything was perfect. The place is gorgeous and the location you couldn’t ask for anything better right there on the river. Definitely would stay there again.


Christine M.
January 2020
Our stay at the Wailua Riverside Cottage was everything that we hoped for and more! The cottage was charming with a rooftop deck had a view of the sunrise and palm trees during breakfast. The kayaks were great to use and the beautiful Wailua River was easy to access. We kayaked about every day. Other items that made our stay nice were the washer/dryer and water sport items like paddle boards, life jackets, coolers, beach chairs, snorkel equipment, and more. You will need a car! With that said, the location is about as centered to the activities of the island as you can get. We loved the local farm markets and fish markets and brought fish home to fix on the grill that was provided. Check out the Eleele Fish market and the Koala Fish Market on the south side of the island and the Hanalei Fish Market on the north side. Our hostess, Candace, was so friendly and helpful. We consider her a friend and resource for future stays. We hope to come back some day!


Sherri N.
December 2019
Cute little bungalow. Had absolutely everything you would need for your vacation. Great location so you could drive easily to either side of the island. All beach equipment and snorkeling gear was provided. Candace was a very sweet and kind host greeting with a Lei and Christmas gift, so accommodating. If we had to list one downside there were a lot of roosters crowing that are noisey at night but that would not stop us from rebooking with her! Overall it was amazing!


Ashley H.
December 2019
Although this little cottage was adorable and had a great location the lack of sleep really put a damper on our honeymoon. Kauai is known for roosters squawking but this was another level. The owner of the house/cottage actually feeds them so on average 4-5 roasters plus many hens and babies hang around this property in particular and roost in the 2 trees mere feet from the bedroom and living room windows. They screech starting at around 1am and continued through the night, then would go crazy at the crack of dawn even more. We even used ear plugs but you could still hear them through the ear plugs as the windows were very thin shutters that did not keep out any noise. And having the roosters so close to them it was pretty bad. We are not picky people and backpack/hostel a lot, but we decided to upgrade to a nicer place for our stay, but honestly it wasn’t worth a week of zero sleep. We did mention to Candice that she should stop feeding them and look into having them relocated for the sake of guests staying there. People come on vacation to relax but there was no rest here. Other than the zero sleep this place was honestly very cute and nice, the bed was comfy and sheets soft so take out the birds and you would get a great sleep lol. The lanai was very lovely and we enjoyed dinners on it. The river being so close was great! The use of Kayaks and sups was nice, although they needed a very good spray and cleaning from all the bird poop covered all over them. So maybe another thing to note. We returned the kayak cleaner than found. Laundry and access to beach gear was another bonus. We are adventurous people so the location here was very good but definitely a few things need to be worked on/addressed.


Eugene W.
December 2019
It was a very nice bungalow and easy to access and close to town. Great hostess.


Tonya S.
November 2019
If we could give more than 5 stars we definitely would! The place was amazing and Candace was so nice! If you’re looking for a nice relaxing setting with amazing views, this is the place. Thank you Candace for making our first time in Kauai a memorable experience. We will definitely be back soon!


Carol E.
October 2019
Very comfortable and well supplied cottage. Can't actually see the river, due to vegetation, but it's only steps away. Kayaks and snorkeling equipment are available. The on-site manager was very friendly and helpful and she greeted us with leis!


Donna S.
February 2019
Great getaway for the two of us


Kambria P.
June 2018
My husband and I had a wonderful stay at the cottage. It was clean and taken care of. We had a lot of fun using the paddle boards from the house! It was very quiet and central.


Stacy and Sage B.
November 2016
Mahalo Candace! Candace greeted us with a warm smile and beautiful Leis, even though we arrived late. She had everything ready for us. I mean everything; SUP's, kayaks, snorkel equipment, beach chairs, extra bedding, washer and dryer, etc. We were also set up with all the essentials to get started (coffee, spices and condiments, etc.) and she was extremely helpful in steering us to the best places to resupply. Once she explained how everything worked, etc. we barely saw her the rest of the week. Despite giving us that sense of privacy, we always felt like if we needed anything she was available. In addition her place was clean, charming and warm and in a great central location. Our favorite lunch discovery was Tiki Tac's just down the road, don't miss it! Great place to stay and a beautiful Island to visit! Sage and Stacy


lucy z.
February 2016
We have a very relaxing 17 days at this hideaway with a wonderful deck that you could live on. Comfortable chairs,large table and high enough to enjoy all the surrounding trees, breezes and hear the surf. The apartment is as shown on the website and very nice and clean. Never saw any ants or anything the entire stay. And , the cats will not barge into your apartment but will be friendly if you show interest. Please read all reviews since I do not want to be redundant. Any negative reviews I read were without merit as far as I am concerned. Candace, the owner extraordinaire, will help you with anything, she is such a gracious hostess. We would certainly return to this lovely property. .



February 2015
We had a marvelous time at the River Cottage. The views of the sunset from the river dock were outstanding. Having full use of the kayak and paddle board make this a great place for the outdoor type. We kayaked to Fern Grotto and then up to the trail leading to the secluded waterfall. We had a splendid time and Candace was a great hostess. She gave recommendations of places to eat, visit and see. She greeted us with leis and made us feel right at home!


Corinne L.
December 2014
We loved our stay here. The cottage is absolutely adorable with everything that you would possibly need. Our favorite part was the rooftop deck. We ate all of our meals out there. It is conveniently located within walking distance to Lydgate (perfect place to swim with young ones), the Coconut Market Place, Passion Bakery and the Vietnamese BBQ. We felt very centrally located here. Nothing was too far in either direction. The cottage came with a double person kayak so we were able to paddle up to start the Secret Falls hike and check out Fern Grotto. Candace was super helpful and friendly. She knew we were bringing our 7 year old and went out and bought a nice sleeping mattress to accommodate her. Would be tight for a family of more than three. We loved our stay here!


Jennifer D.
October 2014
This was our second stay with Candace at the cottage and we are already looking forward to our return. The space is a perfect size for a couple and is lovely and well maintained. Having access to the Wailua River with use of the kayak and paddleboards is an awesome bonus. The central location makes access to both the north shore and the west side of the island a breeze. Most of all though, we appreciate the aloha that Candace brings to the stay. She is so lovely and welcoming with her smile and locally made leis. She is accommodating and helpful. She is one of our favorite treasures on Kauai!



August 2014
This was our second year staying in the Wailua river cottage. The property is well-maintained, and Candace (the owner) provides such great amenities! This year we enjoyed the private laundry, oodles of towels, boogie boards, masks, and fins, and brand-new sand chairs - the list goes on and on. The unit itself has a nice feeling of privacy - the tree surrounded deck with table and chairs was perfect for meals or to enjoy a Mai Tai. The cottage is very quiet, but accessible to the major highway. We took advantage of the local farmer's markets and many fine restaurants in the area. Candace has loads of info in the unit including hiking books and menus, and is available to answer any question. Kauai is our favorite island, and Kapaa is a great location for getting around. We did day trips to Hanalei, Poipu, and Wiamea Canyon. Highly recommended.



August 2014
It was wonderful. From the upper deck where I could enjoy the outdoors and the rain, to the river across the street it was wonderful! It was comfortable, cozy and just what I was looking for in a vacation. A place to release stress and rest. Close to the beach and less than 5 minutes from shopping, restaurants, places to visit. A temple up the hill was also one of my stops for meditation and reflection. In all, a great vacation!


Lisa E.
August 2014
We stayed in the riverside cottage and loved it. Very quaint and cozy. We had all the things we needed to enjoy the island....Candace set us up!


Ruby C.
August 2014
Aloha Candace :-) What a great place to spent our 30th year anniversary. This cottage is an excellent location for great adventures like kayaking, snorkeling, hiking etc... clean and well maintained, loved the tropical ambience, the constant breeze and peacefulness of the area. Wish we could have stayed for few more days. I will definitely recommend to my friends and family. We will keep your Kauai home in mind for our next visit. Mahalo! John and Ruby



August 2014
I have stayed in the Treetop Hideaway Cottage two times. It remains in my mind "my home in Kauai". Clean, spacious, well appointed,terrific Lanai, a river beachfront spot just steps from the door (with available kayak, but double check that), ocean beaches just a hop and skip down the road. Away from touristy stuff, and near everything at the same time. Candace Mack was there, feeling like an old friend from day one, to answer questions and give suggestions. I would return in a heartbeat, and will when I can. There is no category for it, but I also Highly recommend it for up to three adults who are seeking a private, NON- "in-your-face-touristy" experience, where you can stay in or go out, cook in or eat out. It's a no rush, no agenda Hawaii vacation, with lots to do if you like.


Michelle D.
August 2014
I stayed at the Wailua Cottage in July, 2012 with my mother. We chose to go to Kauai for the feel of paradise, not wanting the "city" feel of the bigger islands. The cottage caught my eye after viewing many places online. I am so glad we chose to stay there. The cottage is a cute little place just steps from the river and a short drive to the beach. Shops and downtown area is just minutes away. It was nice to feel as if we lived in paradise! We didn't have all the people and "hoopla" of a resort. There's plenty of space in the cottage and the patio was great in the evenings to have dinner. There's lots of vegetation around the cottage so it feels like you're away from everything. There is a window a/c unit but we never used it because it was so nice to have the windows open and let the breeze come in. There's a full kitchen and living space as well as a cozy little den to watch TV. We loved sitting in there and listening to the rain in the mornings. Candace is the greatest host, welcoming us with leis and a cheerful smile. My mom and I went to the beach, explored the island and used the kayak to go up river to hike to the secret falls- just fabulous! We cannot wait to go back and will definitely stay at the cottage again! :)


Cathy D.
August 2014
Our stay at the Hideaway in May exceeded our expectations. We enjoyed the lanai for breakfast each morning, and several dinners during our stay. The central location gave us easy access to many of the island sights. We walked to the beach most mornings. Everything at the Hideaway was made available to us to use, from snorkeling gear, a kayak, paddle boards, boogie boards, beach chairs, ice chest, and etc. The kayak trip up the river to see the falls and fern grotto was one of the highlights of our trip. Tunnels beach was the best snorkeling. We saw 5 turtles at one time!! Great golf 5 minutes down the road with many holes having ocean view and with reasonable rates. Candace was very accommodating and made our stay an absolute pleasure. We look forward to going back again soon!


Deborah B.
June 2014
We loved the very cute Hideaway. It was very convenient to lots of activities, sight seeing, shopping and especially the beach. The kayaks and paddle boards were a bonus and lots of fun on the river. We liked to walk down to the private dock by the river and just sit and watch. The Hideaway itself was comfortable and nicely furnished. We would definitely stay there again!

Note: Vacancy calendar is approximate. Visit the owner/manager's reservation site to verify your dates.