St. Regis Princeville vs Halekulani?
Jan 22nd, 2014, 04:05 PM
#1
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St. Regis Princeville vs Halekulani?
We will be flying into Kauai and out of Oahu, and have the choice between two grande dames of the islands. We have already booked the St. Regis (easily cancelable) for a Ocean View Room March 28th-30th and have always wanted to stay here. However, the Halekulani seems to review a little better and be slightly nicer, and the prices are the same but we would have to sacrifice for a "garden view" room (which I have heard are not so nice). What would you do? And is there ever any promotions at the Halekulani (AAA, 3rd night free?) Thank you
Jan 22nd, 2014, 04:34 PM
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If you are going to stay at the Halekulani you really need to spring for a Diamond Head view room or at the least an ocean view room up on one of the higher floors. The Halekulani has history, tradition and old Hawaii on its side. When they built the monstrosity that is the Halekulani today, they at least had the good sense to leave some of the original buildings. House Without A Key is classic old style Hawaii. Having brunch or cocktails with hula at sunset are must dos.
The rooms at the St Regis are nice, but remember don't expect a lanai as 90% of the rooms don't have them. The location is lovely, but I'm not a big fan of the hotel's build and style. It is a completely different kettle of ahi than the Halekulani. It is an apple and oranges thing.
If you've always wanted to stay at the St. Regis, then do that.
The rooms at the St Regis are nice, but remember don't expect a lanai as 90% of the rooms don't have them. The location is lovely, but I'm not a big fan of the hotel's build and style. It is a completely different kettle of ahi than the Halekulani. It is an apple and oranges thing.
If you've always wanted to stay at the St. Regis, then do that.
Jan 22nd, 2014, 04:47 PM
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Well - on the one hand you are on busy Waikiki beach at the Halekulani - and on the other - you have the most magnificent setting - Bali Hai/North Shore of Kauai - in all of Hawaii - as you look out from the St. Regis hotel.
Jan 24th, 2014, 05:53 AM
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The St Regis is really not a 'grande dame.' It has about one third the rooms of the Grand Hyatt, but its in a more beautiful location. Its one of my favorite hotels, but I wasnt crazy about the St Regis upgrade. I liked it better when it was the Princeville Resort and we could bump into all kinds of celeberties in a relaxed atmosphere. Now its a papparazzi dream and a zoo at sunset. Further, I dont think they made the basic rooms very nice, I think an above average Westin offers the same quality room, so upgrading to a Jr Suite is recommended.
Jan 24th, 2014, 04:28 PM
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I'd choose the Grand Hyatt on Kauai for that feeling of a grand hotel Hawaiian style.It is stunning with a wonderful open air feeling and good restaurants and great pools. I agree about the Halekulani. Need an ocean view and it is on a very busy street...BUT if you have always wanted the st. Regis then go for it...Who are we to change your mind. You are just getting our personal preferences. I do love the North Shore of Kauai however...
Jan 24th, 2014, 06:02 PM
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How long will you be in Hawaii? What do you want to see and do -- outside of enjoying a hotel? (I might book something simple but nice if I planned to be out and about most of the time.)
I've never cared for the huge, could-be-anywhere hotel at Princeville, in any of its' reincarnations. The *setting* is gorgeous, but the hotel doesn't play to that very well.
I still enjoy the Royal Hawaiian in Honolulu. Historic. With some 'property' to insulate it from the hub-bub.
I've never cared for the huge, could-be-anywhere hotel at Princeville, in any of its' reincarnations. The *setting* is gorgeous, but the hotel doesn't play to that very well.
I still enjoy the Royal Hawaiian in Honolulu. Historic. With some 'property' to insulate it from the hub-bub.
Jan 25th, 2014, 06:22 AM
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100% agree about the Royal Hawaiian. Lovely historic hotel with beautiful grounds. Stayed there on my 10th anniversary and always go back for a drink when we are in Honolulu. So true that The Halekulani has no grounds to "insulate" the hub-bub of Waikiki.
Jan 25th, 2014, 04:35 PM
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I forgot to mention, if we didn't stay at the St. Regis we would be staying at the Grand Hyatt or Koa Kea in Poipu. We will fly into Kauai on March 25th, island hop to Oahu on the 29th and leave on the 1st. We will mostly want to stay at the hotel and beach the whole time, venturing out for day trips on Kauai maybe, and on Oahu we also plan on staying at the hotel all day, then dining out and shopping at night.
Jan 25th, 2014, 05:53 PM
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The Hyatt and the Koa Kea are two completely different kettles of poke.
Hyatt = gigantic
K.K. = small
Hyatt = lots of families
K.K. = lots of couples
Hyatt = corporate
K.K. = boutique
Hyatt = one of the best Hyatts ever built.
K.K. = the rebuilt shell of the old Poipu Beach Hotel that was wrecked by Iniki.
Hyatt = on Shipwreck Beach, pretty, but not a swimming beach.
K.K. = right at the edge of one of the best swimming beaches on the island.
I have stayed at the Hyatt and I did like it. The lobby area is spectacular and gorgeous as are the grounds with all its nooks and crannies. Would I go back? Probably not. It is just too darn big for me, plus the whole "get-down-to-the-pool-early-and-claim-your-chair" thing bugs me with resorts of this size.
You can see aerial views of them on this link.
http://www.hawaiirevealed.com/free-t...rts/poipu-area
Have fun deciding.
Hyatt = gigantic
K.K. = small
Hyatt = lots of families
K.K. = lots of couples
Hyatt = corporate
K.K. = boutique
Hyatt = one of the best Hyatts ever built.
K.K. = the rebuilt shell of the old Poipu Beach Hotel that was wrecked by Iniki.
Hyatt = on Shipwreck Beach, pretty, but not a swimming beach.
K.K. = right at the edge of one of the best swimming beaches on the island.
I have stayed at the Hyatt and I did like it. The lobby area is spectacular and gorgeous as are the grounds with all its nooks and crannies. Would I go back? Probably not. It is just too darn big for me, plus the whole "get-down-to-the-pool-early-and-claim-your-chair" thing bugs me with resorts of this size.
You can see aerial views of them on this link.
http://www.hawaiirevealed.com/free-t...rts/poipu-area
Have fun deciding.
Jan 26th, 2014, 08:16 AM
#10
i know Halekulani is supposed to me #1 in Waikiki but because of the setting (busy) and lack of grounds (i've only seen it from the outside) it just doesn't float my boat. Royal Hawaiian would be my pick for high-end hawaiian-feeling in Waikiki.
Jan 26th, 2014, 08:34 AM
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Halekulani is far more luxurious, exclusive and refined than the Royal Hawaiian. It always has been, but the Royal Hawaiian has a beach area that is the best on Waikiki. A real weakness of the Halekulani is that is has hardly no beach area, just a seawall. Once inside the grounds though, the hubub of Waikiki disappears.
Jan 26th, 2014, 11:56 AM
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Do understand that you've visited Hawaii before? Most new visitors want to do some sightseeing. Fewer stay within a hotel's grounds or in a 'compound', as is common in destination resorts in countries outside of the United States.
With a stay of only one week, I'd enjoy one island and not spend time and money 'hopping'.
With a stay of only one week, I'd enjoy one island and not spend time and money 'hopping'.
Jan 26th, 2014, 12:02 PM
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Do understand that you've visited Hawaii before? Most new visitors want to do some sightseeing. Fewer stay within a hotel's grounds or in a 'compound', as is common in destination resorts in countries outside of the United States.
With a stay of only one week, I'd enjoy one island and not spend time and money 'hopping'. I think you would enjoy Honolulu more than Kauai if you want a wide choice of restaurants and shopping. Until May the ocean should be calmer off Waikiki and Poipu than up north on Kauai.
With a stay of only one week, I'd enjoy one island and not spend time and money 'hopping'. I think you would enjoy Honolulu more than Kauai if you want a wide choice of restaurants and shopping. Until May the ocean should be calmer off Waikiki and Poipu than up north on Kauai.
Jan 27th, 2014, 12:09 AM
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I've stayed at neither but have utilized the restaurants and bars at the Royal Hawaiian and Halekulani many times. The Halekulani has a classier feel to me and the service is on a different level, much more refined, than the Royal Hawaiian.
Jan 27th, 2014, 08:01 AM
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Haven't stayed at either, but have walked around and drinks in both the Halekulani and St. Regis Princeville. Based just on that, the Halekulani would be an easy choice for me. The St. Regis feels like it has an identity crisis, a wannabe top-rated world class hotel that can't pull it off. So it tries to make up for it in snootiness.
Jan 30th, 2014, 07:22 PM
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We've finalized our plans to:
Arrive in Lihue, Kauai, 2 night at the Grand Hyatt Poipu
3 nights at the St. Regis Princeville
Island Hop to Honolulu, 2 night in Waikiki
Leave out of HNL
Arrive in Lihue, Kauai, 2 night at the Grand Hyatt Poipu
3 nights at the St. Regis Princeville
Island Hop to Honolulu, 2 night in Waikiki
Leave out of HNL
