I'm reviving an old post regarding this, but can't decide between between the Hyatt or Princeville Resort. Planning to visit in May, middle age couple, no kids. How far apart are these 2 resorts? Maybe we can stay in one, and just visit the other for dinner? Thanks....

Hi Gail try a text search, there is a recent question asking the same.

It's a tough choice. I prefer the salt water pool at the Hyatt and the breathtaking view as soon as you walk in the Hyatt's main entrance. You are closer to more dining choices (including Roy's, yum). Service wise we did find the Hyatt to be lacking.

Princeville- amazing views of the ocean as well as the mountains. But only a small % of rooms have Lanais. Prefer the room decor at the Princeville. Very easy to find a secluded spot. Pool still good but not as good as the Hyatt's.

For a first time I guess I'd suggest the Princeville but it's a tough one

travelinwifey-How far apart are these 2 resorts from each other? An easy drive?
Thanks...

No, not an easy drive... I'd say about 45 mins from each other. We stayed at the Princeville last Sept but we did not travel to the Poipu area so this is a guess. Can anyone else confirm the travel time?

BTW, I take that back regarding the 2 choices, if you want more desolation choose the Princeville but if you want to be near more attractions choose the Hyatt. Don't get me wrong, the Hyatt is still desolate but there are just more dining/activities nearby.

I'm kind of leaning towards the Hyatt more for some reason because they reviews seem to be better. We kind of like to be more near decent restaurants and attractions. We will have a car so we can really explore on our own. I'd like to split the stay and stay at both resorts, but both require 1 or 2 nights deposits when booked, plus hate lugging luggage from one place to another. Decisions.. decisions...

If you stay at one I wouldn't switch to another. You can certainly drive up to the Princeville/Hanalei area for the day or vice-versa Too much packing and unpacking just imo.

I agree and just want to relax and enjoy the surroundings...
Thanks for your responses, they were very helpful..

You'll enjoy the Hyatt. It's a beautiful hotel.

Gail, We'll be at the Hyatt next month for the third time. It is a beautiful hotel, close to really good restaurants, including their own, Tide Pools. I love the salt water lagoon and grounds of the hotel.
Always spend a day driving up to the north, stopping at beaches and having lunch along the way.
8-)

GaiLK:

We live in Princeville -- the drive from here to the Hyatt is about 90 minutes (just had dinner at Hyatt's Tidepools last week...pricey, but ohso yummy!).

Oh my! 90 minutes! I guess I'm not surprised though

Stayed at Hyatt in May, visited Princeville but didn't stay there.

The Hyatt was a big impressive place with all their pools, etc, but honestly, I didn't like it that much. Absolutely full of honeymooners. Lots of noise nightly from one band/concert/reception after another. The beach is lousy, not swimable. For my take on it, the pool complexes, even the saltwater pools do not make up for not being able to swim, play, snorkel on a nice beach. For me, having a great beach is so important that I would head to Princeville next time because of that. (I recently stayed in Maui at the Maui Prince Makena and remembered how great it was to be on a superb beach. The Hyatt beach is just not good) I had a lousy meal at Tidepools, but only went once. Stevenson's Library is by far the best place to eat/drink if you get one of the tables on the balcony. My experience was that it was long 90 mintues between the two, especially if you hit rush hour traffic in Waileai(sp?) north of the airport.
If you had more than 4 nights, I'd suggest splitting your stay between the two. Next time I'm in Kauai, I will stay in the Princeville area.