G2 is also available but it is no the second floor.

>>

VERY steep.

I stayed in G2 and loved it. It's not ground level--but the views are fabulous from your private balcony. If you want to sit on the bluff, you can walk down a flight of stairs and sit on a blanket, or bring your chairs. There are benches, too.

J1 looks great, too -- but as you can see, you'd have a view of the ocean, lighthouse & reef -- but it is partially obstructed by the hillside. I assume you noticed that J1 is a 2-br; G2 is a 1-br. Don't know if that matters to you.

First vs. second floor is a toss-up. Lately, I've been preferring the ground floor -- so I can walk out the door and be on the bluff. But the 2nd floor has more of a sense of privacy because no can walk by. I love both.

Re: the beach ... Sealodge has an access trail that leads to "Sealodge Beach"--but as the PP said, it is VERY steep--and I don't do it unless the trail is dry. But I typically only go to Sealodge Beach once or twice during a 4 - 6 week stay. It's beautiful, and worth a visit -- but not a favorite.

The beaches at Hanalei Bay, Anini, the St. Regis, and Anahola are all within about a 10 minute drive--and are gorgeous. Within about 20 minutes you'll find two other faves: Lumahai and Kealia. Haena, Ke'e, and Tunnels beaches are spectacular and probably less than a 30 minute drive.

It's not as if you have to go only to Sealodge Beach just because you hapopen to be staying in the complex--so I wouldn't worry about it. I assume that regardless of where you stay, you'd want to explore the different beaches.

The good news re: the units is that you can't lose. They're both fantastic--and you're going to have a great time.

PS. I'll be there the entire month of October--but haven't selected my unit yet.

OMGoodness! Then we might be neighbors! GTG maybe!

I understand the situation of the the condos in Priceville - up above the water, beach access difficult - but as I said, my a view is more important to my husband. We do love spending our evenings on the beach in Hanalei and watching the sun set.

Thanks for the terrific info.

I assume sf7 is talking about the beach below Sealodge. It's a nice little walk - but private when you get there.

You can also go over to the Hanalei Bay resort? (on the other side of the St. Regis) - albeit somewhat surreptitiously perhaps - and walk down their path to the beach below the St. Regis.

Surreptitiously? Are you for real? And there is a public path between the two properties.

Found this:


* Hideaways (Pali Ke Kua) Beach Just before the St. Regis Princeville Hotel gatehouse, there is a public parking lot, with a walkway alongside the tennis court that takes you to the steep stairs and tricky trail leading to Hideaways. Small children (and some adults, like me) may be a bit scared to use the steps going down. But once there you'll usually find safe swimming. There are two beaches, the second is off to the right accessed by a private path. Snorkeling is popular in this gorgeous spot.

Pu'u Poa Beach Parking is the same as above. Located directly below the St. Regis Princeville Hotel, this beach is accessed by a cement trail and 192 easy stairs leading from the left of the gatehouse. A beautiful view of Hanalei Bay can be seen from a walk to the left. You can walk all the way to the mouth of the River.

http://www.wailuabayviewcondos.com/kauai_beach_list.pdf

So glad you found that page about beaches Ronda. I almost posted it. Glad you did.

Well, after searching many different options such as house rental in Hanalei, Pali ke Kua, Hanalei Bay Villas, we came back to Sealodge and decided on unit D6 through Hestara. It has many good reviews and I couldn't find a bad one so we shall see. We are looking at this as our "scoping out" trip for the future.

I really like the interiors of some of the other rentals and the size for the price, but then some were too close to the road or had mountain views instead of ocean views or bad reviews or no reviews so will check them out.

I found a video on YouTube of the trail to Sealodge Beach made in February (looks muddy).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wc4k3...e_gdata_player

Yes, it looks steep but probably won't go there every day. Get up, have our coffee while gazing at our amazing view and head out like we usually do!

Hii.. Ronda... it's great that you are going on a trip to Princeville. Have a nice journey. But I want to suggest that Miami and it's beaches are also a great hot spot to visit. It's a very splendid city in Florida.
There you can easily get flats or condos at reasonable rates.