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 The St. Regis Princeville is the epitome of Hawaiian elegance, luxury and charm. With aloha’s double meaning, it can be hard to tell whether you’re coming or going when visiting Hawaii. But one thing’s for sure: I’m glad I went. My first trip to our 50th state was to Kauai, the oldest and fourth-largest of the main Hawaiian Islands. Calling it paradise could be an understatement, because everything on this tiny slice of heaven with only 63,000 full-time residents is naturally beautiful and refreshingly relaxing in pace. There are no high-rises, no freeways, no urban centers and no congestion. But unlike Gilligan’s Island, there are some lights and cars and motorboats — and more than a single luxury, if you know where to look. For lodging, the St. Regis, Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa and Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club are good places to start. While it’s easy to unfold a beach chair in the sand or pull up a stool at the bar and watch the world go leisurely by, there are plenty of heart-pumping activities for active-minded visitors, such as snorkeling, hiking, biking and kayaking. And if you want to go clubbing, don’t forget your sticks, because great golf options dot the landscape. The panoramic splendor of the Prince Course at the St. Regis Princeville Resort has some of the most diverse scenery a golfer will find, and other layouts along the eastern edge of Kauai take full advantage of the natural beauty as well. “I love Kauai,” said Scott Ashworth, PGA director of golf at Kauai Lagoons Golf Club, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Design facility next to the Marriott in Lihue. “I love the pace. I love the scenery and serenity. I worked on Oahu for a few years and I’ve lived on Maui, but if you’re looking for a pure back-to-nature experience and laid-back atmosphere, this island is the place to be.” LODGING St. Regis Princeville Princeville, Kauai, Hawaii (877) 787-3447 • stregisprinceville.com Getting there can be half the fun on the scenic 30-mile drive from the airport in Lihue to the St. Regis on Highway 56, which, for all intents and purposes, ends at the luxury resort on Kauai’s North Shore. Any traveling west of here requires a pack animal, helicopter or excellent hiking skills. Built on historic ground beside Hanalei Bay (the inspiration for Peter, Paul and Mary’s “Puff the Magic Dragon”) and overlooking the enchanting Napali Coast, the St. Regis has some of the best deck views I’ve had in my travels. The facility, which opened in October 2009 and has 252 guest rooms, is St. Regis’s first resort in Hawaii. The eclectic atmosphere is a combination of elegance and Hawaiian culture, with a 10,000-square-foot spa, infinity pool, tropical gardens and four distinctive dining options adding to the ambiance. Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa Koloa, Kauai, Hawaii (808) 742-1234 • grandhyattkauai.com The sprawling resort on 50 oceanfront acres has 602 guest rooms with views of nearby mountains and the coast. With 40,000 square feet of formal gardens and lawns, 19 meeting rooms, 12 dining options and multiple recreational activities on site, it would be easy to spend your entire vacation on the grounds and not get bored or feel like you’re missing out on anything. One of the cool features is a five-acre saltwater swimming lagoon. Other water options include two freshwater outdoor pools and various “river pools” that wind throughout the property. A room renovation project that started in April is expected to be completed early next year. The theme, said designer Mary Suenaga, is to bring “the richness of Kauai indoors.” “Choices integrate elements from the Hawaiian home, making each room a private sanctuary for guests,” she said. Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii (808) 245-5050 • kauaimarriott.com A law on Kauai states that no building can exceed the height of a coconut tree — approximately three or four stories. But that statute was written after June 1995, when this 85-acre resort with two 10-story lodging towers opened. The resort with 356 guest rooms and 232 one- and two-bedroom vacation suites includes a quarter of a mile of coastline that provided the backdrop for the film “South Pacific.” And since the resort is in Lihue, it’s the closest luxury option to the island’s airport, and the location gives guests a chance to stroll through areas of the quaint town to sample some of the local flavor. Guests who don’t want to wade into the ocean can find plenty of space in the resort’s 26,000-square-foot pool that is the largest on the island. The pool is surrounded by five Jacuzzis, with four waterfalls cascading from the reflecting pool at the Aupaka Bar. Of the seven dining options on site, Duke’s Canoe Club might be of particular interest to Southland residents who enjoy eating at the restaurant operated by the same company at Huntington Beach Pier. |
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RSS SubscribeReaders Feedback:
Aloha Al,
Thank you for this great article! Hopefully you can make it back to Kauai sometime soon! I'm sure this will generate lots of interest in Kauai ~ thank you very much!
Mahalo, Mariko
| Comment at 8/4/2010 |
Going to Kauai in November to swing the sticks at the very same course you spoke of.
Can't wait to get there.
| Comment at 8/5/2010 |
I also was in Kauai a couple of years ago and loved the pace and golf. Nice job describing the courses and resorts. Makes me want to go back again. Aloha!
| Comment at 8/6/2010 |
Kauai is a beautiful place. There are many great golf options. Play Princeville on the north side of the island and Poipu Bay on the south side. It's also one of the most scenic places in the world. Check out Hanalei Bay and the Napali Coast. Take a helicopter ride and do some hiking.
| Comment at 8/12/2010 |
I feel so much happier now I undesratnd all this. Thanks!
| Comment at 5/25/2011 |
Great thinking! That really bearks the mold!
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| Comment at 6/1/2011 |
