We stayed three nights at the Princeville (after 3 in the southern part of the island) and it is one of the most amazing views from a hotel room that I have ever seen. That, however, was the best thing about the hotel (but it's a view worth seeing even if you don't stay there).

My travel partner and myself are in our early 20's and I knew that we would seem a little out of place before I got there. However, a couple pulled up in front of us and one behind us and both were greeted by the valets, given leis and helped with their luggage. NOBODY came to meet us, we were given no welcome, and we unloaded our own bags. This was not a good first impression. And then our room wasn't ready until about 10 minutes after 3pm (yeah, it's only 10 minutes, but there's not much excuse for a room not to be ready until AFTER the check-in time in a hotel that charges as much as his one).

HOWEVER, I did bring this matter to the attention of management, and Mr. Silva sincerely apologized and treated us to dinner. As someone who is involved in customer service as my career, I know mistakes happen, but you cannot drop the ball when it comes to correcting them. I felt like the employees felt it was IMPORTANT to correct the mistake, not an obligation.

The hotel itself is just as you read in other reviews: it's in need of renovation. But it is still a beautiful property without question (I think the reviews come mostly because of how much it costs to stay there, not the actual condition of the hotel). The rooms do have a semi-Floridian cheesy kind of feel to them, but they are sufficient - and who spends that much time in your hotel room anyway?

The sunsets from the hotel were AMAZING as well as all the views. You can see a beautiful waterfall from most every room in the hotel, and we woke up one morning after a heavy rain and that mountain had FIVE waterfalls cascading down - beautiful! Sadly, the drinks and everything else were terribly overpriced, but the grocery store nearby really wasn't that terribly priced. It's not CHEAP, but we got corn dogs for $1 each for lunch one day so if you are travelling with little ones there is still reasonable ways to eat on a budget (entrees for dinner cost between $35-50 in the hotel restaurants).

I recommend this hotel mostly because of the views, but because of the service that we experienced. The employees seemed to enjoy working there and it showed in the service we received at the pool bar and restaurant as well as at the front desk. There is nightly entertainment in the lounge in the lobby which was also fun to experience.

We stayed here on our last night and wished we'd stayed the whole week. We got a special deal through the hotels website which included an automatic upgrade to an ocean view room. We arrived early - 10am - but no problem, they had a room ready for us. The room was just lovely (okay, the woodwork was a little tired looking) and we had a spectacular view of the ocean and the mountains.

The pool and beach area were very nice and we really appreciated the friendly drinks service and especially the complimentary iced water and pineapple. The pool was the perfect temperature and we really enjoyed having cocktails at the swim up bar.

When we returned to our room, they had sent up complimentary champagne as it was our wedding anniversary - so nice of them. We celebrated by having their romantic beachside dinner which was just wonderful.

We had a late flight the next day and they gave us a later checkout time plus we could reserve a time in another room to shower in and change in just before we left. All the staff were wonderful, especially Richard (our private waiter at the beachside dinner), and the ladies at the front desk.

I'm so glad we got to experience this wonderful hotel before it closes in September.

We stayed here on our last night of our stay in Kauai as a gift to ourselves. It was truely a nice stay. Enjoyed the whole property. Staff is friendly, clean large rooms and hotel and grounds are great. Bathroom was large with a jacuzzi tub. Huge window with screen that opens.

The lobby living room was great to relax and listen to live music, really nice ambiance.

Views are amazing. We had a late flight and the hotel offered to give us a day room and let us enjoy the grounds even after check out.

Great Place!

My advise is do NOT book the Princeville Resort! I give the room 2 stars! MOLD on the lampshades, broken fridge ( not only in our honeymoon room, but also our wedding guests rooms! And when I say broken, I mean the door was off the hinges and did not get cold at all.) Rust on the fixtures! Now, about my wedding gown...The Princeville Resort claims to press wedding gowns, but they flat out lie. I was told it was broken, and I was also told I could bring it down to laundry and do it myself!!!! UNREAL!!! My silk gown was a wrinkled mess.

> The salon is tiny and can handle a max of 2 people and they are far behind with technology and techniques. They overbooked and the hair and make up went from a quote of 165. to 365. because the mani pedi was overpriced! I had to go to my room and pull the Italian Set curls out of my hair to restyle it myself.

I have celiac disease and require a gluten free meal. This was known for over a month. The chef and staff did not even serve me what I ordered for the dinner at my wedding! I was given some awful tomato soup and a PLAIN piece of seared tuna. NOT what I ordered! I have a disability and gave them plenty of notice! I ended up paying 300 dollars a head for a meal that was rushed ( a 3 hour reception was crammed into an hour and a half) and I was expected to ask my guests to leave before cake was served! That should not have been my job! They didn't even freeze my cake top and when I went to get it upon check out it was given to me upside down and rotten. MY HEART BROKE to see it! They also overcharged for everything. I spent every dime I had on this wedding, and we were re organizing the room at 1 am the night before the wedding because they put the sweetheart table with the dance floor behind us! Over $6000. for 19 people and my husband and I for dinner! Did I mention they suddenly charged me $2000.00 over for my wedding reception? Well they knew they had me where they wanted me! They tried to charge us a different price for the room, watch your debit cards people!! 378. went up to 700. without out knowledge. Good thing my husband caught it quick!
The chef and the staff could care less and they completely ruined my wedding reception. I had to sit and smile through the whole mess!
I am writing to the CEO of Starwood Hotels and also St. Regis Hotels....and have all receipts and photos. I expect better treatment. I hope to god that no one else has to go through this on they're wedding day!

The PRINCEVILLE RESORT gets a big 2 STAR in my book, and thats purely for the main lobby and the hotel view ( which is everywhere on the island).
On a good note for the hotel, the florist , Mr. Flowers on Hotel premises was excellent. They get 5 stars ! Worth the price!

Also , the cleanest and nicest place we stayed was the ( believe it or not) Best Western Plantation Hales in Kapaa. The night life was fun and funky, the food was great and the room had a kitchen, you really need one on that island. Kauai is beautiful, but stay away from the Princeville Resort. My new husband and I have just returned after 3 weeks on the Island of Kauai and I recommend eating local. The food is better and the price is right. I hope none of you get it stuck to you the way we did!
PHOTOS TO COME!!!!