It is no exaggeration to say that there is no resort in Hawaii quite like the Princeville Hotel - now known as the Princeville Resort in the ever growing Princeville at Hanalei resort development.
As you drive through the resort's gate, a first time guest will always wonder "Where is the hotel?" That puzzlement is only compounded when you walk into the resorts huge lobby and look around. What you see is not at all what you'd expect. To understand what you see you need to step back to a different time when Victoria ruled the British Empire and the descendants of Kamehameha the Great ruled the Hawaiian Islands.
The Royal Legacy of Princeville
In 1845 Scottsman Robert Crichton Wyllie entered the service of King Kamehameha IV, Alexander Liholiho, as Minister of Foreign Affairs. In 1850, the area of today's Princeville was purchased by Wylie for the king. Wyllie planted sugar cane and coffee and constructed a large, modern sugar mill which he imported from Scotland.As Wyllie grew his estate, Hawaii's king and his wife Queen Emma welcomed a son and heir into the world - Albert Kauileaouli Leiopapa - born May 20, 1858. When he was just two Prince Albert first visited Wyllie's expansive estate on Kauai. It was on one of these royal visits that Wyllie named his estate "Princeville," in honor of young Prince Albert who was beloved by Wyllie and all Hawaiians. It was Wyllie's intention to deed the estate to Albert, proclaiming it to be the "Barony de Princeville," the "city of the prince."
Wyllie's plans would never see fruition when the young prince died at the age of four, and his father, the king died a year later. Yet, a century and a half later, this area of Kauai retains the name of Princeville and continues to honor its origins and its history.
A Step Back into History at the Princeville Resort
It is into this world of 19th century Victorian elegance that you step when you enter the expansive lobby of the Princeville Resort. With its marble pillars and floors, period furniture and art, the resort is a tribute to Robert Wyllie, Kamehameha IV, Queen Emma and their young son Prince Albert.When I first entered the resort years ago, not as a guest, but as a curious visitor who lacked knowledge of the area's history, my initial thoughts were about how inappropriate the decor was for a Hawaii resort. Over the years and with subsequent visits, however, I have come to appreciate the resort and treasure its architectural and decorative beauty.
Refined Elegance
No one better demonstrates what the Princeville Resort is all about than their Director of Public Relations, Stephanie Kaluahine Reid. With her perfect posture, soft but assertive voice, impeccable dress and attention to small detail, Stephanie is the epitome of the Princeville experience. Lest, however, you feel that she is lacking the Hawaiian element so important to any stay in Hawaii, all you need do is see her smile and discuss her family and her roots in this special area of Kauai.Stephanie is not alone, however. Each associate on staff has the same combination of refined elegance yet with firm roots in the aloha spirit.
Unparalleled Views
A walk across the lobby to the panoramic glass windows at the rear is a quick reminder that you're still very much in paradise. The view of Hanalei Bay, the mountains beyond and the majestic Bali Hai (Makana Ridge) is unequaled at any resort in Hawaii.
Unique Resort Construction
The resort itself is built directly into the pali or cliff face. The lobby is at the highest point on the bluff overlooking Hanalei Bay. Guest rooms, restaurants, the fitness club and pool are all located in the complex of buildings which terrace the ridge from lobby entrance to the beach hundreds of feet below. A walk to the pool from a lobby can easily become an adventure since it involves two separate elevators and a walk between the two. It seems everyone gets lost at first.You never feel crowded at the Princeville Resort. Despite its large size it is an exceptionally intimate resort with just 252 rooms and suites. It's quite the opposite of the mega-resorts in Waikiki where thousands of guests are often crammed into much smaller space. Whether at breakfast or dinner, at the pool or beach, or sitting in The Living Room for after dinner entertainment, you have plenty of room to appreciate the special beauty of the resort and the beauty of Kauai's North Shore.
If You Go
This luxury does come at a price. Room rates are higher than at many of the standard hotels and resorts with prices starting at around $565 per night. Several special packages, however, can help lower that figure. The Princeville experience is well worth the investment.For more details about the Princeville Resort, please refer to our Princeville Resort Profile. We also have compiled a large collection of Princeville Resort Photos which will help you get a feel for this very special place.
Big changes are in the wind for the resort and only time will tell how they will be received and whether the Princeville state of mind will be preserved. We'll keep you posted on the news this spring.
