The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook - The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas

346 units, 3 pools, keiki pool, 3 spas, free 24-hour fitness room with steam room and sauna, daily maid, children’s program, valet parking, free room safes, restaurant, poolside snack bar, 24-hour business center, bbq area, elevators, free hi-speed Internet access and Wi-Fi. This resort was completed in 2008, and most of the rooms are being sold as timeshares, but many rooms will always be available for rentals. The grounds here are lovely with a very pretty multi-level pool and keiki pool complete with waterslide and spouting honu (turtles). Thatched umbrellas around the pool are free for the taking. Poolside cabanas rent for $125 per day. There are even 2 waterfall-edge plunge pools (about 4 feet deep) tucked on the side of buildings 2 & 3 and 6 & 7 with their own spas. (The one between 6 & 7 is best because it sits on the cliffs overlooking the ocean.) The rooms are clean, spacious and modern complete with Starwood’s “Heavenly Beds,” full kitchens and washer/dryers (even in the studios). The 2/2s are actually a studio and 1/1 joined at the hip. They offer an on-site Kids’ Club for $75 per day for 5–12-year-olds ($55 for a half day). They also have an extensive activity list daily (almost every hour)—everything from hula to lei making to tapa painting to water balloon contests and noodle races in the pool. If you have small children, this may be a better choice than the St. Regis considering all the activities on site. The friendly staff here will cater to your needs, from having food delivered to your room before your arrival and stocked in your fridge to driving you down to the beach in front of the St. Regis where you get discounts (which you’ll need) and have signing privileges. You can buy meats to grill at one of the many bbq areas in their small market (with prices similar to Foodland in Princeville). Every night they have drinks, pupus and (some nights) entertainment by the pool where you may plan a 5-course romantic dinner for $425 per couple, tax, wine and tip included.

Buildings 3, 6 and 7 are closest to the ocean, but there is no beach here (it’s on a bluff), and access is actually on the property next door. Many of the buildings are oriented away from the ocean with garden views. Building 4 has some great views of Bali Hai, but backs up to a parking lot. They charge a $1.50 “connection fee” for local calls and $13 for valet or self parking.

So, how pricey is it here? More than a buck per square foot per night. Studios (512 sq. ft.) are $675, 1/1s (799 sq. ft.) are $915, 2/2s (1,311 sq. ft.) are $1,590. Ouch! That’s too much. Most people don’t pay the rack rate here, and we doubt you will either. If you are a Starwood Preferred member, you can get 30–35% off that rate.