One of Hawaii’s finest ocean view resort communities is Princeville at Hanalei on Kauai’s north shore. With a backdrop of lush and tropical mountains lined with waterfalls, Princeville sits on the bluffs overlooking the Hanalei Bay and the distant Bali Hai, or Makana Mountain.
Activities in the Princeville area include horseback rides along the mountain range, ziplining, kayaking up the Hanalei River, and a whole variety of fun watersports including great snorkeling. At the end of the road beyond Hanalei is the trail to the renowned Na Pali Coast.
Princeville’s tropical setting and natural beauty is magnificent, and the crown jewel of this resort area is the elegant St. Regis Princeville Hotel. Princeville also has two championship golf courses including the Prince Course which has been rated among the top in the nation and the Makai Course which just finished a multimillion dollar renovation.
The Princeville Shopping Center offers everything from art galleries and boutiques to groceries and fine dining. Just across from the shopping center is the Hanalei Valley Overlook which provides a great view of the taro patches along the Hanalei River and up into the valley.
From the Makana Terrace at the St. Regis Princeville Hotel you can enjoy a cocktail on the lanai while taking in the spectacular view of crescent-shaped Hanalei Bay beneath the verdant mountains. This is also a great place to watch the sunset over Bali Hai.
The Restaurants at St. Regis Princeville also provides Hanalei Bay views and features the culinary expertise of award-winning chefs.
In the 1800s, the lands of Princeville were planted with sugarcane and then used for cattle ranching. The area was named Princeville in 1860 to honor of the Crown Prince Albert who visited when he was just two years old along with his parents King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma.