auntiemaria

Attended our annual Princeville Community (homeowners') Association meeting yesterday -- to get da scoops on all the new stuff happening here.

Hotel has been sold/bought -- ambitious $50 million renovation job to begin 6/2007 and be completed by 1/2008 when it will have grand opening as the St. Regis Princeville Resort (wu-huuuu!). No changes to the magnificent glass-walled "Living Room" and bar area. But 11,000 sq ft spa (plus shops & espresso bar) will be added to entry floor (left side, beyond registration desk). Cafe Hanalei will remain; La Cascata will be renamed and given a new menu (finally!!); all guest rooms will be extensively renovated (read: new sheets...ha!). Best of all -- and this from the lips of Kelly, the hotel's manager -- "all vestiges of European design will be removed" (replaced with Hawaiian theme...yay!). The parking lot will soon have a gate -- parking only for hotel guests (local surfers and sunset-gazers are NOT happy).

And yes, rates will be "substantially reduced" (her words) during renovations.

iamq

Awww! No more crystal chandeliers and cherubs flying around? What a shame!

Too bad about the parking lot though.

Thanks auntie.

Bill

wtm003

Very interesting auntie! We just returned from Kauai yesterday. We walked through the Princeville Hotel and it was definitely not for us. I thought it was missing that feeling of serenity that I find in most places in Hawaii. I was surprised by the number of buses at the front entrance and the baggage lining the street out front. My son said he felt like he was at the airport. And the European design - ughh - so glad to hear that it will be replaced. My husband thought the Princeville seemed more like a Vegas hotel than a Hawaiian hotel.

It sounds like the changes will be for the better. I'm sad for the surfers and sunset gazers, though!

iceeu2

Thanks for the update auntie. I always feel out of place there and am glad to know it will have the Hawaiian flavor.

Now another couple of questions for you. We will be there Easter Sunday. Is Cafe Hanalei "the place" for Easter brunch? And, how far in advance should we make reservations?

Next question...another part of the island....has Costco opened and if so...how is it?

Happy Halloween!!!!!!

sistahlou

But I just love, love loved Princeville in it's Christmas decor....oh yeah, I forgot, I enjoy the water more in the springsummerfall months! Very interesting news auntie! How's the other new resort coming along?

If rates are substantially reduced,does that mean you get a two for one at the seafood buffet?!?

I need to rethink the changing realestate market....condos up, land and houses down?

Stay safe Auntie!
G

iamq

sistah,

What other new resort? Did I miss something? Hard to believe.

-bill

sistahlou

Westin??? I forget, hang a right near the entrance to the hood and they are building it as we type.....

iamq

In Princeville? More tourists on the north shore? Just another reason....

-Bill

wtm003

Sistah,

I noticed the sign for the Westin as we left Princeville heading back to the south. I don't remember the opening date and I'm not sure if it is going to be mainly timeshares vs a hotel resort. Hopefully, auntie can fill in the details.

I am really glad I had the chance to visit Kauai now after seeing all the development going on in the Princeville area.

sistahlou

Well perhaps you will agree....

"it is rainy and dark and dismal. the roosters are awful as are the bugs. the surf is out of control and the food and nightlife simply do not exhist. A horrid horrid hellhole.........?" Some posters have gotten all soft lately and forget to warn others that the island of Kauai is truly a waste of your hard earned after tax dollars..........sheeeze!!!!!!

sistahlou

Oh and northshore and Hanalei.....stayed there.........

hated it!!!!
G

wtm003

Info on new Westin -

http://tinyurl.com/y6fxl5

auntiemaria

Will attempt to answer all questions...8-)

Costco has opened (next door to Home Depot, behind Kukui Grove Center in Lihu`e). Love it!!! We were thinking they might give us mini-version, but this one is equal in size to all we've seen. And as of last week, Costco gas was just $2.79

Buses and luggage at entrance to Princeville Hotel? There must have been a large tour group leaving or departing. These are usually non-USA visitors who require bi-lingual tour guides. Germans are here in _droves_ this year.

Easter Brunch -- Hyatt and Princeville are the tops. Make reservations as soon as the hotel will allow (January/February?).

New resort -- timeshares, on ocean-end of Wylie Road (first major cross-street intersection on the main entrance road to Princeville). Construction traffic as created a real bottleneck at that end of Princeville. Haven't heard of a firm opening date yet.

Real estate -- it's definitely a buyers' market island-wide. Only problem is, most sellers who are bailing out of their "investment properties" bought when prices were high, and cannot afford to drop their prices. One year ago, accurately-priced properties sold in a matter of weeks. Now properties are on the market for months and months -- many of them now being offered as long-term, high-priced rentals instead. And of course, those are going begging, too...

Neighbor told me that a northshore realtor friend of hers -- who made over $100K in 2006 -- has still not made a commission this year.

travelinwifey

Thanks for the info. I also read today that the Four Seasons Hualalai was sold too.

I never understood why people didn't care for the Princeville, I thought it was beautiful with the old world european design. I really liked the hotel because we found it to be so quiet and not overcrowded, hope it stays that way. Thanks again for the update