- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Princeville Resort - CLOSED
Rating Details »
20 reviews for Princeville Resort
Great hotel with spectacular views!
The hotel was in need of a major renovation, and it's now in tip top shape. The rooms are clean with great views, and the staff is very nice. They have their own private beach with a reef about 20 yards off shore, so there is very little surf. The water off the beach has great snorkeling with tons of tropical fish. The restaurants are also really good, and the breakfast buffet is great! There is a great view outside the bar near the lobby, which has live music while you are watching the sunset with a cocktail.
We woke up at this Hawaiian paradise yesterday and we have had smiles on our faces ever since. This is a luscious location.
The views are amazing and our room is located on the first floor with excellent access to the beach and the pool. Our room was hard to find at first since we had to take two elevators to get there and it was not clearly marked. I wish they had a service phone near the lobby elevator, That could have helped a lot.
However, like fellow Yelpers have said, this hotel and its rooms are in desperate need of renovation ... and Starwood knows it since they are closing this hotel on September 19th until April 2009 when it will reopen as a St. Regis. It will be the first St. Regis in Hawaii and I am sure it will dazzle everyone that visits. After their 100 million dollar renovation, I think this will be the place to be.
During this visit, we have had very good service mixed in with so-so service. Kimo at the Cafe has been taking great care of us each day and the pool concierge has been helpful too. Brad, the customer service manager, sent us a fruit plate and a bottle of Pinot Noir to enjoy upon our arrival. That was very nice. I think a lot of the employees are gearing up for some unemployment and the wind is knocked out of their sails for the moment. If they can wait it out, they will return to work at one of the nicest and most exclusive hotels in the world. I can't wait to see it myself.
In the meantime, it may be possible to find some specials for this hotel until they close, or if you are going to splurge, try the Hyatt or the Westin instead.
People thought this was:
- Useful (5)
- Funny (3)
- Cool (5)
I arrived late on a Thursday night, around 11 PM after I was involuntarily bumped from my United flight. (Silently cursing United for making me wait 7 hours at SFO, an $800 check saying I'm sorry helps a little)
The valet took my keys, checked me in and told me they bumped me up to an "Ocean View" room. Big bonus points since they probably knew I was coming in verrrrryyyy grouchy since I was checking in at almost 11 PM.
In fact I was, so grouchy that Sesame Street called me and said, "Hey, Oscar over here has been a little complacent with the grouchiness lately. Would you mind giving him a lesson or two?"
The foyer/entrance is pretty spectacular, what you would expect for a top notch hotel on the island. Big. Spacious. Outdated furniture. (Oops...) Lots of gold trim. A little reminiscent of Dynasty and Falcon's Crest.
No worries, they're shutting down for a complete renovation in September of '08. In fact, they're converting to a St. Regis which means, plush.
I was traveling with a friend for my cousin's wedding and after we checked in we both showered and promptly went to sleep. There's a cool switch in the bathroom called the "privacy switch" which turns on/off a see through mirror to the bedroom. Ultra cool technology.
Morning brought sunshine and a breathtaking view of the mountains. Breakfast brought more views from the cafe. The first morning we ate there we ordered from the menu. I believe our bill came to about $20-$22 per person. No bueno.
A much better deal would be the $28 all you can eat buffet. Sure its pricey but you have access to fruit, eggs, juices, etc.
Views from the cafe: Spectacular
Prices: Outrageous
Decor: Dated
Service: Good not great
Price for room: Average (I got a deal for $320/night)
A nice place, may be back next year.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Cool (1)
Just got back from 5 days at the Princeville Resort. Let me chime in on my fellow Yelpers comments.
Location is just spectacular. Sits on a bluff overlooking Hanalei Bay. Great views from any room with the jagged Kauai mountains over the Bay. The dining terrace and pool areas both supply this magnificent view.
Prices: rooms are normally priced at $500/night up. Don't pay it. There are several programs available from Starwood Resort Vacations. We stayed there on a special package for $150 a night that included a free Avis car and a $100 certificate. There is an optional timeshare presentation you can take and they offer you two free luau tickets ($99 each), or two free Friday night buffet tickets ($65 each). Your choice.
All food on the menu was very high priced. The food was just fine, but nothing special (much better places in Hanalei and in Kapaa). There was a burger listed for $21. No kidding. We ate lunch once on the dining terrace which is a must. All others we ate at other locations on the Island. Make no mistake though, all the food places were much higher than the states.
Great location for scenery. Call and negotiate a good rate. Good luck.
People thought this was:
- Useful (4)
- Cool (2)
They're closing down for renovations starting in mid Sept 08, so no point in mentioning the worn/smelly/funky conditions of the hotel.
The service there seemed a bit hit or miss - one worker who was hosing down a walkway saw my friend slip as she walked by on it, and didn't even ask if she was ok. The hostess and other workers at Cafe Hanalei were quite friendly. The valet guys were friendly enough to give some local info, but at another time, didn't offer to help with our luggage. It's sort of understandable though if they're presumably gonna be out of work during renovations for half a year.
Anyways, the main reason for this review is the beach. Or rather, the reef off the beach. This is NOT a good spot to snorkel in for a multitude of reasons. It's really shallow for the most part, with a few channels going out that you pretty much need to follow unless you want to be drifting in water a foot over the fairly extensive reef, hoping you don't scrape against it.. The water when we went was rather murky - not sure if that's a general thing, or from the sand being kicked up a lot, though I'm thinking more the former than the latter. Also, there really isn't a whole lot of marine life here (not counting algae, but I'll get to that in a bit) - saw a few of the common Hawaiian reef fish, but not a whole lot. I am not a marine biologist, but the other thing is most of the coral seems to be covered with algae (which is bad).
Not to be a preachy hippie, but this reef area is a perfect example of what happens when non-eco-friendly over-development occurs. The unused fertilizer and other crap (pun intended) used to build and maintain the perfectly manicured lawns, foliage, daily laundry, etc. soaks through the ground and drains out in to the ocean. These extra nutrients cause the algae to go bonkers and grow a lot faster, overtaking the coral and throwing the eco-system out of whack.
I'm not saying people shouldn't stay here, but it's just something to think about, being supply-demand and all that.
That said, the views from the area are also nice.
The views of Bali Hai are beautiful.
That said, the hotel distracts from what natural beauty the island has to offer. Unfortunately, the minute you walk through the door, you could be anywhere....specifically, some faded, gaudy Vegas hotel. The rooms are fine, but in dire need of an update.
Honestly it is insulting that they expect people to pay upwards of $500/night, plus $15/day in parking, plus weak, crappy $15 drinks. Oh yeah, and the room service menu features great deals, like $40 chicken breasts and $30 frozen pepperoni pizza. Puhlease. I'll gladly pay that at the Ritz for gourmet room service, but for mediocre Westin food? No.
The beach is overcrowded with loud, rude people talking on their cell phones (!) or yelling to each other. For instance, one afternoon, I was forced to listen to an hour long conversation between two vice cops, trading stories about meth heads and homicides. Not exactly the kind of background noise I was hoping for.
For golf: play the Prince course, and skip Makai- it's not much cheaper than Prince, and definitely not the same caliber.
Tennis courts are fine, but the tennis "club" is in embarrassing shape.
Bottom line: It ain't all that. While I may return to Kauai, I will not return to this hotel.
If you are prepared to spend the money, go somewhere that is truly luxurious.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Funny (2)
- Cool (1)
The reviews here are pretty unfair. Yes, it's expensive but it's probably the best you'll find on Kauai. Awesome location, rooms that were perfectly fine as well as a great pool and hot-tub with amazing views over the bay.
This is a good use for your Starwood points for sure if you have plenty to spare.
The onsite buffet is great for breakfast as well, although it's kinda expensive. The $15/night parking fee is extortive though. The Aveda soaps in the bathrooms are very nice and the rooms are generally clean and well-kept, with new pillowtop beds. Our room temperature was fine. We'd go back here...
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Cool (1)
I give it three stars 'cause it's worth a visit for the sunset over Hanalei Bay, but I wouldn't stay here again. The rooms are in need of renovation, and it's rather offensive that they want upwards of $500/night for them. Luckily, we had Starwood points, so we weren't as offended. But there was no air flow whatsoever in the bathroom. Temperature control was non-existent. It's a hike to get to the rather small pool area, and the overall layout is confusing. I don't think the actual raininess is a problem -- we saw 10-15 minutes of rain every day on the island, both on the north and south sides, and it was never sufficient to interfere with daily activities.
My recommendation for watching the sunset: get drinks on the terrace, and order sushi for dinner in the adjoining lounge. I sooo wish we'd done this instead of eating in one of the not-so-tasty restaurants for dinner.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (1)
Many people spent time to review extensively this property before us, but here are our 2 cents.
I don't recommend staying here. The hotel was built sometime in the 1960s or 70s and reeks passe splendor, outdated atmosphere, a questionable taste & faux luxury. Rooms are ridiculously overpriced at a mind-boggling $600 per night. Snobbish, corporate-spirited, and irritatingly worn out, this place is long overdue for a total make-over... Lots of snooty people walking around, with much contempt. The guest-rooms face west and I hear it gets really hot in the afternoon hours.
You can rent some of the best beachfront houses on the island, featuring top notch amenities and views, and you will still have a hard time trying to match Princeville resort's nightly cost. I cannot understand why people would want to stay here, but I guess I am simply not the target customer of this property.
I recommend going to the Sunset Bar (a large balcony overlooking the ocean, with one of the best views in the whole of Hawaii)- certainly a great place to have some champagne (3 choices are available) and some super-fresh sushi & sashimi (for example the delicious octopus/Tako with slices of lemon- yummy!). From here you can watch the sun dive peacefully into the quiet waters of the Pacific Ocean. Very romantic. There is a catch though: there are only 15 small tables outside, so if you like to ensure getting a seat, you may need to arrive at least 2 hours before sunset, otherwise it gets really busy. The problem with that is, the sun beats directly so better bring lots of sunscreen! It gets really hot on this balcony, if there is no wind... Saturdays and Sundays are the busiest. We failed to get a seat on weekend afternoons, but finally on Monday we succeeded to get a table. We got a bit grilled in the strong 5PM sun... But overall it was a great success. I'd say it was worth every penny- but caution, sushi bar is rather pricey- especially if you have a champagne taste & beer budget... :D
People thought this was:
- Useful (5)
- Funny (2)
- Cool (4)
If you're a rich douchebag who likes his vacations 'Sandals' style with no surprises whatsoever, then knock yourself out in Princeville.
Honestly, why on earth would someone travel all the way to Hawaii to stay in some place that looks like any all-inclusive dump in Jamaica, Florida or Scottsdale, Arizona?
Total snobbitorium...
People thought this was:
- Funny (2)
I gave it 5 Stars because I had a great time and a great room. My suite was very nice with large spa tub and walk in (no door) shower, his and her sinks, window between bathroom and bedroom becomes cloudy for privacy with the flip of a switch.
Just a couple hundred feet to bay with great snorkeling and an infinitey pool with swim up bar.
Service was amazing too! We were treated like VIP's.
One time we stayed here we were using Starwood points. We were suppose to leave to go to Maui when 9/11 happened. The Kauai airport was the last airport to open in the US so we stayed an additional 2 days. The GM was great and allowed us to keep our suite and only charged us for a standard room and the use of the phones were free so everyone could call home.
Do not come here if you are concerned about spending too much money or you too will give it a bad review like some of the Yelpers.
http://www.princeville...
Starwood Category 6
Princeville Resort (Starwood Hotels) is the most beautifully located hotel on the Island of Kauai. Being situated along Haneli Bay and having breakfast every morning at the Cafe is the breath taking view of the bay.
The decor and flowers in this hotel are very grand and exotic. The suites and very nice and the standard rooms are a litte small but nice. The hotel has a golf course as well as as full spa services.
Their are two restaurants in addition to a nice lounge and pool area for eatting. Most of the guest are adults and not as many families stay here because of the cost. This resort is quietier than the rival Hyatt in Poipu which has more families. Keep in mind Princeville is more geared for the person who is looking to relax and not be surrounded by the large tourist groups. It's totally about relaxation and the facilitiy is beautiful especially for the time it was built in the eighties.
Remember it's great place for couples and not for night life seekers. Additionally the service is consistent and good but it isn't a Four Seasons. I have been lucky enough to visit here about fifteen times.
My wife and I stayed 5 nights at the Princeville in late Sept, 2007. Since they upgraded our room (we had an amazing view of Hanalei Bay) and we loved every minute of our stay there, I have to give it 5 stars. The resort location and the views are astounding. We were treated to a private beach sunset dinner one night and it was very romantic and the food was superb. We even saw a moonbow that night; apparently this is quite rare.
Other than the sunset dinner, we did not eat any meals at the Princeville as the prices looked ridiculous. The room was very nice: spacious, clean, well appointed ... though there is no wifi in the rooms and cell service was very minimal. Rooms come with a small fridge, packed with minibar items (minor annoyance). The grounds are well manicured and the infinity pool is decent. Highlight there is a swim-up bar. The 3 hot tubs were never crowded and we had a hot tub to ourselves one starry night, which was awesome.
Staff were very nice, especially the valet guys who do a great job. We would recommend and return to the Princeville in a flash.
If you are into meeting Gucci suit sale's men and mail order European brides then this is the place for you. They do have a nice location and I have to say I got one of my favorite photographs of Hanalei Bay from their balcony, but their service sucks and their customers are even more rude. The inside of the resort has a shinning feel to it, I was just waiting to turn the corner and see Jack Nicholson with an Ax. I was just happy I didn't actually stay here...I stayed up at Hanalei Bay Resort, but they share a beach. When I went to the shared beach I put my stuff on a beach chair that was for both resorts and went for a little snorkel. About 200 yards out in the ocean I could see two women throw my stuff off my chair and proceed to kick it. I swam as fast as I could and made it to shore. I picked up my stuff and proceeded to curse the two elderly women who kicked up their feet, shoved on their Dolce and Cabana sunglasses, and yell at me with a thick french accent and in words I couldn't understand. I could just envision their rich American husbands enjoying a scotch on rocks in the pool bar, while checking out younger girls in bikinis. This is the feel and atmosphere at this hotel
So yes, my experience with Princeville was cursed and even though they are located in a great place, their hotel is scary, their service rude (I was told to stop talking while on their beach by a staff member), and they don't attract the friendliest people.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (1)
What must have been a spectacular flower on the Garden Island a decade or two ago is still an impressive presence today, even if its gilded,.. well, everything is no longer the best way to signal opulence. Even though the decline is apparent in a number of ways (slow ancient elevators, permanently broken in-room wi-fi, an outdated gym, dodgy breakfast buffet, etc -- even the average age of the Princeville Spa masseuses suggests better days gone by) I hear the attached golf course is probably still the best on the island. The North Shore of Kauai is a very wet place -- next time I plan to take to the Hyatt on the South Shore of the island.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Funny (1)
It was many years ago that I stayed there during the Christmas holidays. It was quite romantic. Room was nice and I really enjoyed staying there. Yes, it's pricey but you're staying in a resort in Kauai, not Las Vegas!!
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
If your planning to visit Kauai, you'd be missing out if you didnt head out to the Princeville Resort for their seafood buffet. But you MUST get an outside table for sunset or you are missing the entire magical experience of Hanalei Bay. Its Amazing! Dont forget your camera (its a picture perfect moment) So get there early (they dont take reservations) to get a good table outside.Then enjoy some champagne or have a few mai tai's (i prefer lava flows myself) and take in one of the most beautiful places in the world to view a sunset. The food was great, even for the snobbys out there who avoid buffets...this is first rate! Everything you could ever want, fabulous salads, fresh sushi, tons of seafood & even a few non seafood dishes such as prime rib, etc. I just have to stress the importance of getting an outdoor table at sunset. The five stars is for the setting, and Id give it 4 stars for the actual restaurant.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Funny (2)
- Cool (2)
5 star prices for a run down hotel with no service. Save your money and visit a real island like the big Island. Everything at this place is overpriced and the resort smelled. Plus - expect a sales pitch when you arrive. We felt like we had an apartment at the hotel and there was no service at all. Plus - the pool is so disgusting I don't even know where to begin. First of all, I never saw anyone cleaning it and we stayed for 6 days. There was a gross film in the water and lots of yucky water bugs. The gym was also in bad shape and the rooms on the 1st floor leading to the pool smell like mold and there were several people complaining about the smell (rooms 100-120). Also, there are lots of chickens everywhere especially by the pool - they got loose in the 1990's after a storm and they have taken over the island. If you're on the 1st floor of any room - they will be on your balcony and gross you out. Hopefully its not to late to reschedule your vacation - this place needs to be torn down.
Most likely the most opulent place I've ever stayed, with one of the most beautiful views on the planet. Starwood points made this happen for us, and it doesn't hurt to have a relative in management here at the resort either. We started out with an ocean view room, but upon meeting up with a long lost cousin were upgraded to a ocean view Jr. Suite. The see-through view showers are unique and a great way to enjoy a view of Hanalei Bay. The buffet for brunch was terrific and so was the service, but at the branded hotel high cost of course. The happy hour sunset view over Bali Hai is to die for, but it's too bad the service doesn't come close to matching the splendor. It seems like we were waiting forever to get an order, then the drink and then the check. Hawaiian time is WAY to slow when you pay the prices on the drink and appetizer menus. I'd definitely go back again, but primarily because the surf valet is great and it's one of the best breaks in the world right out front. I'd never pay the rack or discount rate and will be using my Starwood points again.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Cool (1)
An amazing resort. Stayed here for honeymoon in 2002. Was greeted with beautiful flower leis and upgraded to a room with a view upon arrival. The views are breathtaking, to say the least. The room was luxurious and I, like everyone else, had to play with the privacy glass between the shower and the main room a million times. The bed was VERY comfortable. I would have given 5 stars but I ordered a pizza from room service one night and it was CLEARLY a frozen pizza like you'd buy at the grocery store. Come on...at a resort of this caliber you can't do better than that? The Living Room area where they serve small meals, sushi and drinks in the evening was our favorite. Freshest and best spicy tuna rolls we ever had. The drinks ain't bad either. Returned to the Living Room to eat and drink this year (9/07) and it was just as good. The hotel decor is European and I read that they will be remodeling next year to make it tropical. The pool is outstanding with a bar in it that you can swim up to. The view of the ocean from the pool area is quite something to.
