My husband and I will be using Starwood points to stay on Maui (6 nights) and Kauai (5 nights) this fall. We have enough Starwood points for 2 additional nights which I was thinking about using for the Sheraton Kauai after our Princeville stay. After reading the many postive postings and talking to a co-worker who recently stayed at the Princeville, I thought maybe we should spend all 7 nights on the North Shore. We don't mind driving 40 minutes or so to see something new (ie, if it rains, zip down to the south shore for the day). We do like luxury though.

Any suggestions?

Celeste

We stayed at the Sheraton Kauai in late May in a nice oceanfront room and were pleased. However, I don't think the garden or mountain view rooms would be special. Having read about the Princeville and visited it while on our vacation, the Sheraton itself might be a letdown. The three advantages of the Sheraton, and the reasons we stayed there, are the weather is often better, there are more good restaurants nearby, and there is more shopping nearby. Also, the drive from Princeville to the Poipu area can take longer than 40 minutes.
Since your hotel acommodations are free, splurge and take a helicopter ride. The views of the canyon and coast are fantastic.

The Sheraton is nice, but would only recommend the ocean front rooms. The garden rooms are in a series of wings across the street. So you feel as thought you are staying in a separate hotel. Have fun.

PRINCEVILLE!!! We stayed there 5 nights and then moved down to visit the south shore and were completely let down. Wanted to turn around and go back. Sheraton is just moderate. Lovely but nothing special, and crowded with kids. The Princeville is a destination. Stay there and take day trips to the south shore!

Glad to hear that if we move South, we may be a little let down after staying at the Princeville for the first 5 nights. When I posed the question by my husband he said, "let's do luxury for the 7 nights as we can always drive to the South end if we get the urge".

When you stayed at the Princeville, do you recall the prices for breakfast, lunch and/or dinner? Also, any recall on the price of beer or drinks by the pool?

One last questions, any good places to eat that you could recommend near the Princeville hotel (ie, 15 to 20 min drive)?

Thanks for the help!

The princeville is absolutely the most gorgeous hotel in the most gorgeous setting. The beach is quiet and has nice trees shading some areas over the water, with mountains to look at in the distance. In fall, the mists coming off the water in the orange sunset with the surfers off in the distance is unbelievable. The mists come from the higher waves, good for the surfers. But your beach will be protected by the vast reef. There is a small area to swim freely without reef though. When I say reef, I mean the water never gets above five feet and the floor is all coral with lots of gorgeous fish swimming around, for what seems to be a good quarter mile out! Cozy. The breakfasts are in line with posher hotels, 20 bucks for a full breakfast, but you can do one breakfast and sides to feed two people well. Coffee you can make yourself, and fruit you'll want to pick out on your own.

The princeville is absolutely the most gorgeous hotel in the most gorgeous setting. The beach is quiet and has nice trees shading some areas over the water, with mountains to look at in the distance. In fall, the mists coming off the water in the orange sunset with the surfers off in the distance is unbelievable. The mists come from the higher waves, good for the surfers. But your beach will be protected by the vast reef. There is a small area to swim freely without reef though. When I say reef, I mean the water never gets above five feet and the floor is all coral with lots of gorgeous fish swimming around, for what seems to be a good quarter mile out! Cozy. The breakfasts are in line with posher hotels, 20 bucks for a full breakfast for one, but you can do one breakfast and sides to feed two people well. Coffee you can make yourself, and fruit you'll want to pick out on your own at stands and stores. Lunches you can get at the hotel on the beach, or at Hanalei, not to far away, lots of restaurants there, plus the princeville grocery store is on the main road at the entrance to the vast Princeville land, and it's a full sized grocery. Breakfast and dinner on the lanai is a must, the view is spectacular. Sushi or steak and drinks in the "living room" with the lounge singers is a great way to spend LESS than a hundred dollars on dinner, nearly an impossible feat at Princeville. You won't regret it.

ttt for Celeste

It has been a couple years since we were at the Princeville, but at the time, the hotel did not have a good reputation for dining and it was pricey. Now, the pool area restaurant we found more reasonable and it was good. Nearby Hanalei would be your best bet for good dining...do a search and see what is offered.

In May 2001 we used our Starwood points at the Princeville after staying at Manele Bay and Four Seasons Hawaii. The Princeville cannot compare with either of those hotels. It was dank, we had to change rooms three times, the pool was very dated. BUT it has the MOST gorgeous view in the world. They used chain saws to trim trees practically all day right next to the beach, which was very very annoying. We complained, but they obviously did not care. I am amazed that folks like the Princeville - we would NOT go back, but we would return to either of the other places in a heartbeat. If you like big American cars, you'll like the Princeville - thats the feel it gives. I drive a Lexus, and I thought it had no style whatsoever. Just big. BUT if it is free, you really cant complain. The island is fabulous.

If I had the extra points (that means money), I would have 2 recommendations : Hotel Hana (Maui) or the Princeville (Kauai). And then of course, there's the helicopter ride that you must try.

We absolutely LOVED the Princeville!!! The bay view is magical and the service wonderful.

The long drive can get weary though, but we think it was well worth it.

(See my other post about Hotel Hana - it's not as expensive as the other hotels)