My husband and I are going to Kauai in October and are considering either the Princeville or Hyatt Kauai. I have read that the Princeville rooms do not have a Lanai and that the beach is non-swimming. Is that true? How is the beach at the Hyatt? Also, how do the rooms compare at either property?Both resorts have similar rates in October so price is not an issue. Any help would be appreciated...

Reply to jett, from what I have seen some, but not all of the rooms have a lanai, and the beach should be fine for swimming in October with decent snorkeling and spectacular ocean, mountain and bay views.

It is true that the Princeville rooms (the oceanview ones we have stayed in) have no lanai. What they do have is a huge window seat with wooden shutters that you can sit in and look at that gorgeous view. According to the website, some of the partial oceanview rooms do have lanais. At least when we were there, the beach directly in front of the hotel and to the left was swimmable. Either hotel is a great choice and you will have a wonderful time.

Website says some rooms floors 1, 9 & 10 have lanais, suggest check with P'Ville hotel for exact room numbers with lanais.

http://www.princeville.com/stay/pvguest.html

I have stayed at the Hyatt and the beach is very nice and beautiful, but not really a swimming beach. More of a surfing beach. You can walk through Poipu Kai on a nice pathway to Poipu Beach in about 15 or 20 minutes for great swimming and snorkeling. The hotel has a fabulous heated saltwater lagoon for swimming that somewhat makes up for the lack of a swimming beach. We loved it! The hotel is huge, but we loved the grounds and the atmosphere.

I had to choose between these two properties a short time ago. - Boy, was it tough! I wanted to stay in them both (break up my time between them) but the Hyatt gives you a free night and daily breakfast if you stay at least six nights. Ultimately, I chose the Hyatt because of the great pool complex and the tropical feel of the place. (I'll almost always choose "tropical" or "Hawaiiana" over "understated elegance" or "European flair".) You better believe I'll spend some time visiting the the lovely north shore! I ultimately decided that there's no wrong decision.

Thanks to all for the great tips! It sounds like both resorts are wonderful! Is it true that the south part of Kauai is apt to have better weather than the north coast? I have read that the north coast is more likely to be rainy.

We had to make the same decision a few years ago. Since we were traveling in the winter and are from the midwest, we decided we had to have a lanai. In addition to some of the rooms at the Priceville not having lanais, I've read that some don't even have windows that open.

I know the weather is rainier in the north in the winter, I'm not sure about October. If you decide to stay at the Hyatt, make sure and take a day and head to the north shore.

Jean