Help!
I don't have much time and need to book our package to Kauai soon. Does anyone have any info on the relative merits of Princeville vs. Hyatt Regency in Kauai? Right now, it looks like Princeville may cost us another $400 and that is not including a buffet breakfast like the Hyatt. We are grad students and money is a concern but we don't know when we'll be able to come back to Hawaii and want the best we can afford.
If we did go to Princeville, how expensive would breakfast be?
Thank you for your help!

Cindy

My husband and I spent a week at the Hyatt three years ago for our honeymoon and absolutely loved it! The hotel, grounds and staff are wonderful. The breakfast is served as buffet and has much to offer. If I am not mistaken, Princeville is more of a rainer section of Kauai. I would definitely go for the Hyatt.

A small tip to offer you would be to call the Hyatt's 1-800 telephone number to get the name of the manager of the hotel and mail him/her off a note before your visit to express your excitement about spending your honeymoon there etc. This got us an upgrade and a bottle of wine.

If you have any other questions, please let me know.

Good luck!

Hi Cindy:

I haven't been to Hawaii yet but have spoken to many people both in person and online. I have also asked this very same question here months ago. No matter where you stay you should definitely get a car and tour each side as there is much to see and do both on the north and south shore. Here are my observations. The north shore (princeville area) is much more beautiful and lush. It is also much rainier than the south shore. The south shore (Hyatt) is drier and not as beautiful but the weather is more predictable. There is also much more nightlife on the south shore. But keep in mind that it's still relatively quiet as Kauai is not the island to go to if you like to party. Here's a quick comparison of each hotel.

Hyatt: Fabulous hotel in every way. The rooms are spacious and well appointed. The grounds are very lush and expansive and the pools are just awesome. Unfortunately the beach is not quite as good, but you can go to Poipu beach a short distance away and hav ea great beach. The spa is to die for. This is a very "Hawaiian" feeling resort.

Princeville: Overall another fabulous hotel. Rooms are also very nice but they're in need of an update and not every room has a lanai. The grounds are very nice but not quite as nice as the Hyatt. Of course the whole surrounding areais much more lush so that makes up for it. The beach is very nice. I've heard that this resort is somewhat out of place in Hawaii as it looks more like a Ritz in New York or Chicago and not quite as Hawaiian ad the Hyatt.

We chose the Hyatt mostly for the free breakfast (it can get very $$$ especially if you're paying more to begin with) and the predictable weather. Also my fiance preferred it and I could have flipped a coin and been happy either way. In general I've heard that the Hyatt is a superior resort but the Princeville isn't too far behind and the lushness of the north shore makes up the difference. It all depends on what you're looking for. If it's lushness/beach choose the Princeville, and if it's a resort atmosphere with fabulous grounds and predictable whather with more outside dining/entertainment options then the Hyatt. Incidentally there are likely more children at the hyatt but ther resort is so huge that you may not even notice them. Some people have suggested splitting your stay. That's a great idea as long as you're not getting a free night promotion, as we are. Be sure to get the Ultimate Kauai book, it's fantastic http://www.wizardpub.com/kauai/kauai.html. When are you going?

I hope this is helpful!
Kristy

By the way, I'll be in Maui/Kauai in mid-late July so feel free to email me in the beginning of August and I'd be happy to give you a full report. Also, please pardon all the typos

Kristy

I'd stay at the Hyatt.
Much better weather, hotel is just about as nice, and it's a better rate.
On rainy days you'll end up driving down to where the Hyatt is anyway (since it's usually sunny down south when rainy up north).

I just read on another forum from someone who just returned from the Princeville. She sais that it was recently downgraded to 3 stars. She said it rain everyday that she was there and it wasn't just bad luck--it's normal. She also said that it was very "tired" looking.

This is quite disappointing news to me as I plan on staying at the Princeville on my honeymoon in November. I know what to expect when it comes to the weather, but this is the first time I've heard the hotel described as anything but fabulous. Run down? Tired looking? 3 stars? News to me, can you point me to the forum and/or source of this info?

When we visited the hotel in May, it was fabulous and did not appear run down. Although we did not stay there, but just had dinner and walked through the hotel to the pool and beach. And, the food was wonderful; add the view of the bay and cliffs at sunset - Perfect!

princeville! the fact that it is not in the overpopulated area of kauai makes it ideal for a honeymoon. rundown? i don't think so! it is much classier that the hyatt in my opinion, but i don't go for crowds and night clubs which is nonexistent at the princeville. what do i know! have fun & you will wherever you stay.

I was in Kauai in December and I did not see any crowded nightlife anywhere. We did choose to stay in Poipu because they have much better weather than the northern side. We stayed in a Condo which was very near the Hyatt. My daughter and son-in-law were married on Shirwreck Beach and had some of their pictures taken at the Hyatt. Of all the places I have traveled, I have to say the Hyatt has some of the most beautiful and best manicured grounds of any resort of I have seen. The weather up at Princeville was not nearly as nice as the south side and, in fact, the beach at Princeville was closed one day we were there due to 20-foot waves.

My husband and I stayed in Kauai 3 years ago and fell in love with Princeville. Although we didn't stay there (we stayed at a less expensive B&B in Kapaa), we really loved having drinks on the terrace at sunset. Completely stunning views. The pool looked fabulous and we used their beach (since it's open to the public). So even if you stay at the Hyatt you should at least go to Princeville at sunset.

I MUCH preferred the north coast over the south. I could've spent our whole time right there. We did the 12 mile hike along the Napali coast--an absolute must if you're in good enough shape. Before you go you need to get a permit from the park service, as only about 12 people per day are allowed to do the hike in the protected area. Try it out!

Hyatt is sunnier but it depends on the time of year you are going to be on the island. I was there in Aug 01 and only had rain on one morning and 1-2 after dark. I was there for 5 nights. The North Shore is the most beautiful area of the island drive out if it rains. When I first starting going to kauai I found myself driving to the North Shore each day. I think once you see what kind of shangrala it is you will do the same. If the princeville is too costly consider the Hanalei Bay Resort that is where I stayed you can walk down to the Princeville hotel. There are also affordable Condiminum alternative at Poi Pua (sp?)(same area this is the name of condo)and some others check it out on the internet.

I kinda consider PoiPoi ragedy looking.
The landscape is very dry and there seems to be a lot of pending construction that is not what I look for on a tropical vacation.You have Waimae Canyon (20 minutes if memory serves)close by nothing else equally spectacular if you like dramatic landscape, I do. If you want to spend the entire time in the hotel than go for the Hyatt.

Okay...to add to this....regarding the rotten weather on the north shore....well it has the rainy season from November-April so if you are to married in the summer over thereabouts, you will have wonderful weather on the north shore. We stayed first at the Hyatt and second at the Princeville as we are the type of people who like variety. Both properties are gorgeous...rooms are lovely, actually Princeville's at the time was even nicer. The water on the north shore during the summer is like ice...meaning, no waves, placid, perfect for swimming and there are a lot of little beaches down the road past Hanalei. The beach at the Hyatt was lousy...didn't think too much of the one at Poipu either. The scenery on the north shore is to die for..far surpasses Poipu in beauty. You have got to see it. Food at the Princeville is pricey but if you have a car drive into Hanalei and check out some reasonable restaurants there. We ate at the pool a lot and food was more reasonable. Phone the hotel direct and see if you can get a better rate than the 800 world wide number...also ask how to get a Starwood(I think) membership as this used to bring down the rate. Ask also if they have any Hawaii specials. Never be content with the first rate they give you. Hope this helps.

they're both great hotels, but here's one big difference: Princeville is on the north side of Kauai, where it's lush and beautiful....and rainy. Hyatt is on the south, where there's lots more sun. Poipu beach is not too far away. Go for the Hyatt!

Cindy -

These are good choices to have to make. We travel to Kauai each winter and have experienced both. The North Shore by far is the most spectacular as far as scenery, remote beaches, and extremely lush, but it is lush for a reason. It can be very rainy, but when it isn't, it does not get any better. However, we have learned to hedge our bet, and spend about 5 days on the North shore (first) and the remaining two weeks on Kauai's "sunny south shore" at Poipu. If you have the time, that would be my suggestion. The Princeville Hotel used to be a Sheraton and was very tropical in decor. It is now owned by Asians and the decor reflects that taste. IMO, it is very heavy furniture, dark colors, not very Hawaiana in decor, however, it is fronted by one of the most spectacular views on the island - Bali Hai in the distance and Hanalei Bay. My preference for hotels would be the Hyatt. All the usage of the koa woods is very tastefully done, and it is exactly what you would expect of Hawaii - very tropical looking, and the grounds are lovely. There are a number of restaurants at the Hyatt from which to choose as well as many in the surrounding area. You are more centrally located from which to make your base whether you are traveling North, East or West.

As for breakfast at the Princeville, they have a wonderful breakfast buffet, but there are a number of other restaurants to breakfast as well. The Hanalei Bay Resort has the same spectacular view as the Princeville (you can walk from one to the other) and their breakfasts are excellent (about $8.00 for omelettes of many varieties) as well as other breakfast fare.

Good luck.

I stayed at the Princeville for my honeymoon July 99 and we absolutely recommend staying there over the Hyatt...The surrounding are is so much prettier and Poipu was very disappointing...we were sorry we wasted a day driving there. The Princeville is situated on the best property in Kauai and was a beautiful hotel...the showers are the best! The north shore is where all of the scenery is...you will not be disappointed! Have fun!

I vote for the Hyatt anytime - The hotel is beautiful, I think you get more for your money, the breakfast buffet is wonderful and the southern part of the island gets less rain. We took a drive up to the Princeville area for the day and the hotel there is nice, but I still think the Hyatt is the best choice.

Hello there everybody!
I just wanted to thank you all for all of your help- it was so useful and so kind of everyone to take the time to include so much useful info. It really sounds like we can't go wrong at either and maybe we can try to split our stay.
Thanks again,
Cindy