Timbers Kauai Ocean Club & Residences
Overview
Timbers Kaua'i — Ocean Club & Residences commands the premier oceanfront position within the 450-acre Hokuala resort on Kauai's southeastern shore, perched above the Pacific with sweeping views of Nawiliwili Bay and the dramatic Ha'upu Mountain Range. This is not your typical luxury hotel — it is a private residence club where guests stay in fully appointed two- to four-bedroom residences that feel more like an oceanfront home than a hotel room. The difference is immediately apparent: full gourmet kitchens, multiple private lanais, washer/dryers, and living spaces that range from 1,560 to over 4,000 square feet.
What sets Timbers Kaua'i apart is its combination of residential privacy with five-star resort amenities. The property is home to a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course boasting the longest stretch of oceanfront holes in Hawaii, a 16-acre organic farm (The Farm at Hokuala) that supplies the resort's acclaimed restaurant, and 13 miles of trails winding through the lush grounds. It is the only residential property on Kauai to receive the prestigious MICHELIN Key award, earning the distinction in both 2024 and 2025.
Originally a $235 million development that opened in July 2018, Timbers Kaua'i is part of the Timbers Company portfolio of luxury residence clubs. The resort sits just 1.9 miles from Lihue Airport, making it one of the easiest luxury properties in Hawaii to reach — you can be poolside within minutes of landing. Despite this convenience, the 450-acre grounds feel secluded and private, a world away from the bustle of the airport.
Accommodation Options
All 47 residences are designed for spacious, relaxed island living with a distinctly upscale touch. The Maliula Residences offer two- and three-bedroom layouts ranging from 1,560 to 2,026 square feet. These single-level residences feature contemporary island-inspired interiors, at least three private lanais with Pacific views, and full gourmet kitchens. The Maliula 3-Bedroom Premier sleeps six with two king beds and one queen.
The Kaiholo Residences step things up considerably, ranging from 2,689 to 3,105 square feet across three- and four-bedroom configurations. These residences are positioned at the ocean's edge with seamless indoor-outdoor transitions and panoramic ocean and mountain views. The four-bedroom Signature unit sleeps eight and is the flagship offering for larger groups.
The Laola Residences are the crown jewels — bi-level townhomes of approximately 4,000 square feet perched above the oceanfront green of the 15th hole. Available in three- or four-bedroom layouts, these feature private plunge pools, folding glass walls, outdoor showers, Thermador Professional Series kitchens, and natural stone finishes. Every residence across all three collections includes premium bedding with nightly turndown service, daily housekeeping, designer toiletries, bathrobes and slippers, washer/dryer, and complimentary WiFi.
Pools, Beaches & Activities
Timbers Kaua'i offers two distinct pool experiences. The signature two-tiered infinity-edge pool overlooks the Pacific Ocean and serves as the resort's social centerpiece — a serene, elevated perch where the pool edge appears to merge with the ocean horizon. Adjacent to the infinity pool you will find Nalu's Pool Grill for casual poolside dining, hot tubs, and an outdoor firepit for sunset gatherings. The Ohana Pool is the more family-oriented option with a waterfall feature, positioned near a game lawn and the fitness center. Guests in the Laola townhomes enjoy their own private plunge pools.
The resort's 450-acre grounds offer a remarkable range of activities. The Jack Nicklaus Signature Ocean Course is the headline attraction for golfers, with 18 holes winding through mango and guava groves to dramatic seaside cliffs. The resort provides complimentary equipment including bicycles for exploring 13 miles of on-property trails, surfboards, snorkel gear, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards.
Tennis players and pickleball enthusiasts have access to courts with lessons and clinics available from a USPTA instructor. Kalapaki Beach is a short walk away for swimming and water sports. Cultural activities include guided tours of The Farm at Hokuala, bird watching excursions, Hawaiian lei-making workshops, and ti-leaf bracelet crafting sessions. The concierge can arrange surfing lessons, outrigger canoe excursions, deep-sea fishing, and Na Pali Coast snorkeling tours.
Spa & Wellness
The Spa at Timbers Kaua'i draws on Hawaiian healing traditions combined with world-class technique. Treatments incorporate island botanicals and fresh ingredients sourced daily from The Farm at Hokuala. The spa menu includes deep-tissue massages, Swedish massages, sports massages, facials, and body treatments with aromatherapy options. In-residence spa services bring the spa experience directly to your private residence — particularly appealing for couples or those who prefer privacy.
The fitness and wellness program is comprehensive. The state-of-the-art fitness center features Technogym equipment covering cardio and weight training, open daily from 5 AM to 10 PM. The adjacent Running Waters Motion Studio hosts yoga, pilates, and tai chi classes, while an outdoor yoga lanai provides a stunning backdrop of rolling fairways and the Pacific for morning Flow Yoga sessions.
Aqua aerobics classes are held at the pool, and guided outdoor fitness excursions led by Timbers Adventure Guides take advantage of the 13 miles of trails. Whether you want an early-morning run along the oceanfront, a sunset yoga session, or a full deep-tissue massage in the privacy of your residence, the wellness offerings complement the island's natural pace.
Dining
Timbers Kaua'i operates two food and beverage concepts, both drawing from the resort's remarkable on-site resource: The Farm at Hokuala, a 16-acre organic community farm managed by local farmer Cody Meyer that supplies fresh-picked ingredients daily.
Hualani's Restaurant is the resort's signature dining venue, located on the lower level of the lobby with oceanfront views. Under Executive Chef Alex Amorin, the restaurant celebrates a farm-to-table philosophy with local flavors and global influences. Hualani's serves breakfast daily (8 AM-10 AM), lunch (11 AM-3 PM), and dinner (4:45 PM-8:15 PM). Standout dishes include macadamia nut-crusted fresh catch, Kalbi short ribs with house-made kimchee, and the legendary lilikoi cheesecake. Special experiences include wine dinners with visiting vintners and a monthly hula show on the first Saturday evening. Hualani's earned an OpenTable Diners' Choice award in 2024.
Nalu's Pool Grill provides casual poolside dining for lunch, serving fresh, lighter fare that complements a day by the pool. Both venues benefit from complimentary valet parking. Take advantage of the full kitchen in your residence — visit the Kukui Grove Shopping Center in Lihue (10 minutes away) or local farmers' markets for provisions. Cooking a few meals in your residence is part of the appeal of an extended stay at this price point.
Golf
The Ocean Course at Hokuala is the resort's crown jewel for golfers — an 18-hole, par-72 Jack Nicklaus Signature course originally opened in 1988 and fully renovated in 2017. Playing 7,156 yards from the championship tees with a course rating of 76.2 and slope of 142, it features TifEagle greens and white silica sand bunkers. The course won Hawaii's Best Golf Course at the 2018 World Golf Awards.
The front nine winds through jungle and mountain terrain past mango and guava forest, while the back nine delivers the course's signature feature: the longest uninterrupted stretch of oceanfront golf in Hawaii, with four ocean holes spanning over half a mile of Pacific coastline. The par-3 14th plays over an ocean bay and is considered one of Hawaii's most beautiful holes. The driveable par-4 16th ends at a lighthouse, and the par-4 18th finishes amid a 40-acre freshwater lagoon.
The course is publicly accessible, not restricted to Timbers guests only. Note that the golf clubhouse is currently under renovation with expected completion in September 2026, but the course itself remains fully playable and is one of the finest in Hawaii.
Nearby Attractions
Timbers Kaua'i's location in Lihue places it at the geographic center of Kauai's attractions, making it an ideal base for exploring both the North Shore and the South Shore without committing to one side of the island. Within walking distance, Kalapaki Beach (0.4 miles) offers a crescent of golden sand with gentle waves. Nawiliwili Harbor is minutes away and serves as the departure point for Na Pali Coast boat excursions, snorkeling tours, and sunset cruises.
Heading inland, Wailua Falls — the twin waterfall made famous in the opening credits of Fantasy Island — is a short 15-minute drive north. The Wailua River offers kayak trips to the Fern Grotto, and Lydgate State Park provides family-friendly snorkeling in protected tidal pools. To the south, Poipu Beach (about 25 minutes by car) is consistently ranked among America's best beaches. Old Koloa Town, a charming historic sugar plantation village, is along the route.
To the north, the drive to Hanalei Bay and the Princeville area takes about 45 minutes but rewards with some of the most beautiful scenery in the Pacific. The concierge can arrange helicopter tours over Waimea Canyon and the Na Pali Coast, zipline excursions, ATV tours, and deep-sea fishing charters.
Tips & Good to Know
For the best experience, book a Kaiholo or Laola residence if your budget allows — the larger floor plans and premium positioning make a substantial difference, and the Laola private plunge pools are a genuine luxury. That said, even the Maliula residences offer a level of space and finish that exceeds most five-star hotel suites.
The driest months (May through September) offer the most consistent weather, though the resort's location on the drier southeastern shore means it receives less rain than the North Shore year-round. Winter months bring larger surf to the north side but also more occasional showers island-wide — however, this is also whale season.
Take advantage of the complimentary airport shuttle by submitting your flight details in advance. The free bicycle rentals are genuinely useful for exploring the 13 miles of on-property trails and getting to Kalapaki Beach. Make a dinner reservation at Hualani's early in your stay — it fills up, particularly for sunset-time tables. Ask about the monthly wine dinners and the first-Saturday hula show for special experiences. Check-out is 10:00 AM, earlier than most resorts, so plan accordingly.
Location
3770 Ala'oli Way, Lihue, HI 96766
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