Here's my situation:
After staying a week at the 4S in Maui, we will be going to Kauai. At this point we have 2 nights booked at the Sheraton in a luxury ocean front room (374. a night using Starwood discount) and 3 nights at the Hyatt. I am very happy with staying at the Hyatt since I have children coming on this trip (5,9) and they will love the pools.
(Here's my problem: Since we are going during the holiday season, most hotels require a minimum night stay and/or are booked solid already. Sheraton did not require a certain number of nights or even a deposit but most do. Anyway, I was thinking of changing the Sheraton to the Princeville so we could enjoy the other side of the island (rain or shine!) but I can't get the Starwood discount there because the hotel is booked and the only way I can get a reservation there is through Travel-Hawaii. They are holding a partial water view room for me until tonight but the price is quite a bit more than the Sheraton (some of you may need to sit down: 559. a night). My question is this:
Is the Princeville worth that price or should I just stay at the Sheraton and do a day trip to the Princeville area? I was looking forward to enjoying the pool area while my husband tries to hike the Kalalau trail. Is there another option? How long will it take him to hike the first 2 or 4 miles? I suppose we could hang out at a beach while he hikes if it is not too long. I appreciate any advice you can give me!
Thanks! By the way, I already tried to extend the Hyatt stay and they are booked solid. The rental vacation home/condo places all seem to require a 5 night stay.
Please help!!!!!!!!!!!

I would investigate whether there are any 1BR condo's available at the Hanalei Bay Resort since it shares the same beach with the Princeville Hotel and will give you a complimentary golf cart ride to and from the beach. I would expect the prices to be about half or less than half of 595.

Ashley,

While I loved The Princeville when I stayed there in Feb., not sure if I would have stayed there to begin with if it was over $500/nite.

But that being said, the northern part of the island is just so lush, green, and beautiful that you really have to spend some time there. So maybe JohnD's suggestion of the Hanalei Bay Resort is not a bad idea. Or you can obviously take a couple of day trips to the Princeville area and beyond if you decide to stay the entire time in Poipu (which I personally might recommend since you are there only 5 days....every minute spent packing, unpacking, checking out, checking in is one less minute you have to enjoy Kauai).

As far as the Kalalua Trail, the 4 mile roundtrip hike to the beach probably takes upwards of 2-3 hours....of course if you're like me and you linger staring at the beautiful views of the NaPali Coast it can take longer. The extra 4 miles there and back to the falls obviously adds another 2-3 hours to the trip, but is well worth it IMHO.

Keep in mind that Ke'e Beach is right at the foot of Trail so even if you're not staying in the North to enjoy a hotel pool or what have you while your husband does the hike, you could relax and snorkel at Ke'e (some of the best snorkeling on the island).

I would stay anywhere on the north shore you can find. Multiple day trips from south to north is a waste of time IMO.

A-two four,
$559 for ONE NIGHT?!?!?!?! CheeeeeWAWA!
That's about 5 days for us at our little hole in the wall, 1.5 hotel.

While I usually don't like being in a car for most of a vacation, the scenery is so nice on Kauai, the drives up and back really aren't that bad.
Unless of course, you stay for more than one week and you find yourself not even wanting to drive the 10 miles out to Brick Oven Pizza because "it's too far"!

I would not pay $550 a night for the P-Ville Hotel if it is a financial burden. Some people can afford it no problem, others will have angst when the bill arrives. But the P-Ville IS gorgeous at Christmas...

If you are staying at the Sheraton, I am pretty sure you can use the
P-Ville Hotel pool while husband hikes Kalalau. The pool isn't spectacular but the view is. Check and see, both properties are managed by Sheraton; I do know that all the Sheratons in Waikiki have reciprocal agreements.

What Dates would you be staying there?

Vivi's right....The Princeville and the Sheraton have reciprocity agreements with each other.

While we staying at The Princeville we used a room at the Sheraton to shower and change before going to dinner at The Beach House.

That's outrageous! What kind of room is that? Bottom line is if everything was booked and I had that kind of money to blow, I might would do it for a romantic get-away. It is a rip-off though. With a child I wouldn't feel like it was worth it.

Even if you can afford it...why do it? How much time do you spend in your room (non-sleeping) anyway? Kauai itself is the luxury worth exploring....a hotel that expensive makes no sense to me. If you have that much money to burn (and don't want to donate it to a worthy cause) then rent a fabulous house right on the beach on the north shore.

Thats way too much for a room. For less than that price you can find a vacation rental or a condo in the princeville/ Hanalei/haena area.

Renting a home or condo won't work. You can't rent a vacation home for just 2 nights. And with the condo cleaning fee - (same for 2 nights as one - usually a couple hundred bucks) it's not worth it.

I can't find a house/condo to rent during the holidays because of the 5 night minimum stay. We will be in Kauai Dec. 27-January 1st. I considered staying at the Hanalei Bay resort but have read bad things about the hotel. I was trying to find a condo at the HBR for rent so I could actually see on a website the condition of the rooms but all are booked for the holidays.

Ashley, suggest you check with hawaiian travel agents or realtors in Kauai for privately owned condos in HBR and Princeville resort area. Some can be found in a thread I topped for youquot;Kauai Princeville Alternative???".
I am not sure how successfull you will be but we have were very impressed with a 1BR privately owned condo at HBR, and other privately owned condo's in the Pville Resort Area. The hotel rooms are less desirable at HBR.

Ashley not sure what your travel days are but looks like 1BR Ocean View available at HBR on this site:http://www.royalhawaii.com/orsystem/user/property.asp

JohnD,
You have been very helpful with my trip plans! I just put in a request for the one bedroom condo at the HBR through Royal Hawaii. I hope I get it! I will let you know!

Unfortunately, they have a 7 night minimum stay during the holidays! Back to square one!

Ashley....check out summitpacific.com
Maybe something will be available at HBR.

nothing available, but thanks anyway!

Ashley, try bluegreenrentals.com
Pono Kai in Kapaa has availability for 2 bedrooms for $150/night. These are very modest, but absolutely clean.
I would call the rental department directly and talk to them instead of going online to book. You may just get a deal, who knows.
This is NOT a swimmable beach, but a central location. If you do decide to call them..try for a 2br(lots more space) and not that much more in cost..and see if you can get buildings A,B,C or D...they are oceanfront.
You'll find something...you may get lucky with priceline...Happy Holidays!!