I am sure it's been asked before a few times but I didn't see straight forward answers after searching.
Trip to Kauai - Me and SO, we are fit, hikers, and will travel all over the island for hiking and snorkeling at remote locations.
Pick one hotel and please tell me why?
The Westin Princeville
Pros: Best property closer to Na Pali Coast
Cons: Far from all other attractions
OR
Koloa Landing at Poipu, Luxury Collection
Pros: Centrally located
Cons: Touristy and not the best property
Princeville is in general at least as and more touristy than Poipu. I wouldn't figure the touristy-ness into your choice. But, it's a medium long drive from Poipu to Na-pali, so if you're focused on hiking I'd think you'd want to be closer to the access point
Thanks for the advice! But isn't princeville a really long drive from kokee and waimea state parks?
How was your experience at princeville.. anything I can do to make my experience better will be helpful.
Princeville has gorgeous sunsets. I didn’t have enough points for the Regis so we did the Westin but ate at the Regis. We’d spend the daytime out in other parts of the island but it was really calming to come back to a beautiful sunset at the end of the day. If you’re planning to do the Kalalau trail, you’re much closer to the starting point and parking fills up fast (well, pre-covid).
Whoops, totally thought I read Regis in your post. The Westin was nice, I wouldn’t mind staying there again. Not a lot of food options in that area from what I remember though.
We’ve stayed at both two different trips. We love hiking as well.
Here’s the thing, depends on which hikes you are going to do more of where you should stay. If you are doing more in the canyon, go to Poipu. If you are doing more Napali coast, do Princeville. The “cities” give you a similar experience, they are equal distance from Wailua.
If you made me pick between them saying you were doing equal hiking, I’d say stay at Koloa landing. It’s a nicer hotel. We had a full kitchen dining and living room and at the Westin it was more of a studio type room. Koloa is the #1 pool in America right now.
Also highly recommend Wailua River Sacred Falls kayaking!!
Thanks this is fantastic. Generally the way we plan trips includes first 3-4 days of some rigorous adventures (includes hiking and tours like you recommended) and last 2 days at pool / spa
This helps me immensely I think I will book the Poipu resort.
Planning to stay 6 nights. The pros and cons above are what I could find online.