Best Resorts in Hawaii – St. Regis Princeville

August 7, 2015

“If only I could be a prince of every world.” – Stephen J. Carroll, A Prince of Earth

This is how I felt upon viewing the resplendent and unparalleled beauty of the St. Regis Princeville – that there are certain moments in life where you yearn to experience all there is to be enjoyed, without fear that your joy will end.

Why the St. Regis Princeville?

The St. Regis Princeville has been on my Resorts-To-Visit List since a friend (the lovely Jenny) visited the property last year. The property is not only one of the most luxurious resorts in Hawaii, but the town of Princeville and the property share a special place in the history of Kauai and Hawaii.

So when I learned that my endlessly generous parents were treating our family to a trip to Maui, I decided to write a “Best Resorts in Hawaii” blog series, and I knew that my series would be incomplete without a visit to this majestic property.

Unfortunately the property was fully booked on the day we planned to visit Kauai, so the property was incredibly generous in offering a tour. Thanks very much to Stephanie and the St. Regis Princeville for their kindness and generosity in providing a tour and making us feel very welcome. I can’t wait to return to enjoy a very long stay!

How Do I Get There?

The St. Regis Princeville is on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai, which is northwest in the chain of the Hawaiian Islands. There are many ways to travel to Kauai – 1) Direct flight from the US (mostly Phoenix or Los Angeles); 2) Inter-island ferry from Oahu; or 3) Inter-island flight from one of the other islands on Hawaiian Air or Island Air.

Whether you arrive by ferry or plane, you’ll need to drive approximately 40-75 minutes (depending on traffic) to the North Shore of Kauai to reach the resort (Google Maps Link).

Arrival and Entry

The St. Regis Princeville is positioned magnificently on the North Shore of Kauai, at the Northwest section of Hanalei Bay. As you would expect, the entry of the property is stately and lustrous.

Grand Room

I’ve visited many high-end properties, and I’ve never seen a more sumptuous and palatial main entry to a luxury resort; which by virtue of its sheer and astounding size, extends to the north end of the property and the grand bay windows which frame the Wainiha Bay and its lush mountains in the distance. Here are some pictures, which unfortunately do not do justice to the actual views of the property and its striking views:

The area is so expansive and vast that I could only fully capture it with panoramic images:

Elevated Exterior

One of my favorite aspects of the property is that there are varied elevations, which offer a myriad of views:

You’ll notice how some buildings feature “green” roofs to aid in cooling. Love this.

Dining

There are multiple dining options at the St. Regis Princeville, including the Makana Terrace, Nalu Kai Grill and Bar, KG Beachside Tapas, The Kauai Grill, St. Regis Bar, and Napali Cafe. For more information on the many and varied dining options, Click Here.

We dined poolside at the Nalu Kai Grill and Bar, which features light Mediterranean-influenced cuisine with breathtaking beach and pool views. It was one of the best meals we enjoyed during our entire time in Hawaii – which is impressive considering the range of high-end meals that we enjoyed.

Closing Thoughts

My supreme thanks to friends John and Miriam for their low maintenance and exceedingly rare travel friendship. Also, my infinite thanks to Stephanie and the St. Regis Princeville for your hospitality and welcoming spirit.

While we experienced quite a lot in a few short hours, I feel a strong pull to return and spend more time visiting and enjoying the property; preferably over a two or three night stay. There are many features that I didn’t have the time to truly experience such as the evening dining experiences, the vast Hanalei Bay beach, the Halele’a Spa, and the property’s sea-view accommodations.

That said, in a short timeframe, the St. Regis Princeville cast a deep impression in my mind. It’s one of the most magnificent resort properties I’ve experienced – almost a yearning and soulfulness rushes through your senses when walking the property – and I can see why many of its visitors return yearly to its views and calming clear waters of Hanalei Bay.

Who can blame those perennially returning and fortunate souls? It’s clear that experiencing the St. Regis Princeville is a way of inviting peace and joy into your heart, without the fear that those feelings will ever go away.

More Info

If you’re looking for other reviews of the St. Regis Princeville, here’s a link to Trip Advisor’s collection of reviews and information on the property. But I wouldn’t waste the time. Just go, you’ll thank me for it.