Kauai’s Princeville Resort to Close in September for Renovation

Well, if you’re planning a vacation to Kauai from September 2008 through April 2009 and you were looking for a North Shore accommodation, your choices just got slimmed down. The Princeville Resort is closing for seven months beginning in September 19th.

The resort will undergo a $60 million renovation to include an onsite spa, redesigning the 252 guest rooms, and renovating the pool among other improvements. As we reported back in May, the resort will be re-branded as an exclusive St. Regis resort

If you had already booked a vacation to the Princeville during the closure period, you should contact them for rebooking if they’ve not already contacted you. The Princeville Resort is part of the Starwoods group of hotels.

Hotel management is currently developing plans to relocate any hotel reservations and catering functions that will be affected by the closure to a sister hotel property in Hawai‘i.

The Sheraton Kauai Resort in Po‘ipu is currently the only Starwood property on Kaua‘i, although the Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas opens in April.

If you have your heart set on the North Shore (which is actually my favorite place to stay in Kauai) then consider these options:

• Renting a condo. I’ve stayed at the Puu Poa condos that are next door to the Princeville and the condo was quite nice.
• Hanalei Bay Resort (TripAdvisor Link)
• Hanalei Colony Resort (TripAdvisor Link)
• B&B’s
• Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas opens beginning April 11, 2008. It is a vacation ownership property, but if villas are available, they will be rented out. Call 1-888-847-8262 and ask for the Hawaii desk for more information.

When the resort reopens in April 2009, let’s hope they don’t jack the prices up as much as the Kapalua Ritz-Carlton did after their renovation – an additional $200 per night.

Source:  Kauai Garden Isle News