Hawaii’s Hidden Gem: This Affordable Kauai Resort Is a Top Hotel in the World
What if you could take a Hawaii vacation at a beloved hotel that’s actually affordable? It’s possible at The Cliffs at Princeville in Kauai. It’s a four-diamond, award-winning resort recently named by TripAdvisor as a 2023 Travelers’ Choice within the top 10% of hotels worldwide. And it was also voted the number one Eco-Friendly Hotel in America in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice for Best Eco-Friendly Hotel.
Take It From Someone Who Has Stayed There- Here’s 13 Reasons To Love This Resort
So whether you’re going to Hawaii with kids, or prefer a residential-like environment for vacation, here are 13 reasons why this Nā Pali Coast favorite is recommended by a mom who has traveled to Kauai more than 30 times.
Why You’ll Love The Cliffs at Princeville Kauai
The Cliffs at Princeville Resort is an excellent option for travelers seeking a little slice of Hawaiian paradise tucked away from the crowds. After days hiking Kauai’s trails through lush rainforests and Hawaiian flowers or kayaking down rivers surrounded by waterfalls, you can relax by the resort pool or spread out in your condo room.
You’ll have easy access to North Shore Kauai adventures and some of the best places to eat. However, if you need help planning your dream Kauai vacation, the resort has an expert concierge team. They can find activities and restaurants around town, book tours, excursions, or even arrange babysitting services.
It Has One Of The Best Views On The Island
One of the prettiest places on Kauai is the North Shore. It’s incredibly lush, and it’s so beautiful that it was the filming site for South Pacific and The Descendants. The Cliffs at Princeville Resort is situated on a secluded bluff with a sweeping view of the Pacific Ocean.
Not only can you see humpback whales, sea turtles, and epic waves, but you’ll also get to experience gorgeous sunrises and sunsets right from the resort. They even have Adirondack chairs set up in the best spots to take in these views.
The Property Location
The Cliffs at Princeville Resort is part of the larger Princeville Resort, tucked away from the highway. Guests can walk around the area away from cars and still take advantage of the on-site restaurants of the larger resort complex. 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay has a full-service spa and five gourmet restaurants.
Condo Rooms
One of the biggest perks of staying at the Cliffs at Princeville Resort is their spacious condo offerings. They offer one-bedroom suites as well as two-bedroom units that span two floors. So if you’re traveling to Hawaii with kids or for group trip to Kauai, you don’t have to worry about living in a tiny one-room hotel unit.
You’ll also get a fully equipped kitchen with granite countertops, great for cooking your own meals, even if it’s just breakfast. So whether you have picky eaters or are looking to stretch your vacation dollars, cooking one or more meals in a full kitchen is a big plus. There’s also a separate living room and two full bathrooms. Finally, each unit has two private lanais. These features are fantastic for families who enjoy being together and appreciate a little space from time to time.
Lots of On-Site Amenities
The Cliffs at Princeville Resort offers various amenities and on-site conveniences. Kids will definitely want to spend time at the swimming pool, the basketball court, and the playground. You can rent bikes to ride around the resort or into Princeville town. They also have helmets and locks so you won’t have to worry about packing those accessories in your suitcase. Whether you’re heading out to a nearby golf course or not, the hotel offers a mini putting green to practice your strokes.
They also have a Kauai farmers market on the property. It is an easy way to try local, fresh fruit and vegetables. There are food trucks with regular hours; you can even get Hawaiian food made with fresh Kauai fish. Finally, they offer outdoor yoga on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, a beautiful way to relax and practice mindfulness on your Kauai vacation.
All The Ways They Keep The Environment In Mind
The Cliffs at Princeville is Kauai’s greenest resort. They consistently win awards for their sustainability practices and their commitment to protecting the environment. The Cliffs at Princeville operates with Aloha’ Āina, a love of the land.
They has won recognition for its sustainability approach. For example, renewable energy powers the resort by more than 50%, LED lights are in use, over 30% of their waste is recycled, and their water conservation program supports reusable containers over bottled water. And starting in 2023, The Cliffs at Princeville will provide on site electric car sharing as a resort amenity, in partnership with Envoy Hawaii.
Book a Timeshare Unit to Save Money
The Cliffs at Princeville is a mixed-use hotel/timeshare resort. A little more than half of their rooms are Kauai timeshare units affiliated with the world’s largest timeshare exchange company, RCI. So if you also own a timeshare affiliated with RCI, you can trade yours for a week at the Best Timeshare in Kauai, according to Hawaii Magazine readers.
If you’re not a timeshare owner or couldn’t get an exchange, you can rent one from an owner, saving 25 to 75% of the resort direct prices. So if you think that a trip to Hawaii is out of your budget, you may be surprised at how much timeshare rentals can save you! Prices start at $207 a night for a one bedroom condo on Redweek, a 20-year old, A+ Better Business Bureau rated company,
Close to Stunning Beaches
There are several beaches nearby that are worth checking out. Pu’u Poa Beach is located at the end of Ka Haku Road and is great for a summer swim. Take the 191 stairs down to the beach if you park at 1 Hotel Hanalei.
Hanalei Bay is the most popular North Shore Kauai beach and is only 3 miles from The Cliffs at Princeville Kauai. The bay provides calm water for swimming, the sand is powdery soft, and there’s even a pier you can walk out on.
Close to the Island’s Best Snorkeling Spot
One of the best places to snorkel on Kauai is Tunnels Beach. This is ideal for experienced snorkelers looking for an epic spot to see tropical fish and sea turtles. It can get crowded with visitors, but you don’t have to jockey for a parking spot since hotel guests can walk (it would be an adventurous one though!) or take the shuttle bus from The Cliffs at Princeville Resort.
A Stone’s Throw to Princeville Town
The Cliffs at Princeville Resort is so close to Princeville town. Once you exit the resort, you’ll be right at the Princeville Shopping Center. This is a cute little shopping area with boutique shops, restaurants, and even a Foodland grocery store. They have free hula shows on Saturdays, daily free live entertainment, and offer a night market.
76 Station at Princeville Shopping Center is a hidden gem. Located inside the North Shore General Store, they sell some of the best pizza on Kauai. After lunch or dinner, don’t forget to stop at the gorgeous Hanalei Valley Lookout right across from the shopping center. It’s a great spot to see the taro fields, Hanalei river, and majestic mountains in the background.
Close to Steller Golf Courses
Princeville is well known for its golf courses with two courses designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. The Prince Golf Course is challenging with five different tees at each hole to match different abilities. The Makai Golf Course offers both a nine-hole golf course and the full 18 holes, great for families or golf groups with varying comfort levels.
It’s Down the Street From Hanalei
When you stay at The Cliffs at Princeville Kauai, you’re in the premier spot to experience the various things to do in Hanalei. Hanalei, a surf town with cute shops and cafes, is right down the street from the resort. They host a variety of food trucks that are definitely worth a stop for locally made, inexpensive meals. So make to stop into Wishing Well Shave Ice, Holey Grail Donuts, and Hanalei Taro & Juice.
Close to Limahuli Botanical Garden
If you’d like to explore a beautiful botanical garden while on Kauai, head to Limahuli Garden on the west end of Hanalei near Ha’ena. You can learn about Hawaiian history and native plants. There’s an easy hiking/walking trail that meanders through the garden for small children or those with limited mobility.
You’ll explore a historic Hawaiian hale (hut), cross over little bridges, see a little waterfall, and see the stunning mountain and ocean views. It’s easy to see why it was named the Best Natural Botanical Garden in America.
Easy Access to Na Pali Snorkeling Tours
In Hanalei, you can also access excursions to the Na Pali Coast. Almost all snorkel boats leave from the South Shore of Kauai; however, there’s a Na Pali Coast snorkeling excursion from Hanalei. This is a great way to see a part of Kauai that is hidden away without having to travel all the way to the South Shore to hop to join a tour.
Maui Communities Reopening After Devastating Wildfire: Here’s What Locals Want Visitors to Know
Hawaii Governor Josh Green, M.D., announces the re-opening of Kā‘anapali, Nāpili, Honokōwai, and Kapalua two months after Maui’s deadly wildfires. Travelers are encouraged to visit Maui respectfully to enjoy and support Hawaii’s second-largest island.
For people with Maui vacation plans and those considering booking a trip, here’s what local businesses and residents want travelers to know.
Maui Communities Reopening After Devastating Wildfire: Here’s What Locals Want Visitors to Know
20 Years in the Making, Oahu’s #1 Farm-to-Table Restaurant Now Has a Waikiki Beach Location; Here’s Why It’s As Amazing As It Sounds
Everywhere you turn in Hawaii is paradise. However, on Oahu’s Waikiki Beach, there is a new slice of paradise that is utter heaven. It’s a stunning open-air 12,000 square-foot space directly on the powdery sands of the Pacific Ocean with epic views of Diamond Head and the sunset.
It offers delectable food from the founder of Hawaii regional cuisine, iconic cocktails, and local craft brews in a fun and joyful environment. It’s the warm, welcoming Aloha spirit in physical form. It’s Monkeypod Kitchen’s newest location.
When’s the Best Time to Visit Hawaii? Here’s 13 Answers Based On What’s Important To You
With its unique aloha spirit, volcanic mountain terrain, tropical rainforests, national parks, Hawaiian flowers and world-class beaches, it’s not a surprise that Hawaii is a top destination on people’s vacation wish lists. If you’re thinking of planning your first trip to Hawaii, you probably have a lot of questions, including When is the Best Time to Visit Hawaii?
Well, that’s not an easy question to answer. That’s because if you’re a surfer, you’re going to want to come at a different time of the year than someone who wants to whale-watch. And if you’re on a tight vacation budget, you’re going to want to steer clear of the most popular times to visit the Aloha state when prices double or triple!
When’s the Best Time to Visit Hawaii? Here’s 13 Answers Based On What’s Important To You
Here’s How I Saved $7,000 On Our Summer Family Vacation To Hawaii
With its unique aloha spirit, volcanic mountain terrain, tropical rainforests, national parks, fantastic food, and the best beaches in the world, it’s not a surprise that Hawaii is a top destination on people’s vacation wish lists.
If you think it’s out of reach for your family to visit the Aloha state, here’s how I saved $7,000 on our trip with just two booking strategies.
Here’s How I Saved $7,000 On Our Summer Family Vacation To Hawaii
We Visited the Attraction Voted #1 in Hawaii – Here are 6 Reasons Why The Polynesian Cultural Center Deserves a Spot on Your Itinerary
55% of Americans said they travel to learn something new about a place, culture, or history. So perhaps it is not a surprise that over one million people visit The Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu a year, voted the top thing to do in Hawaii.
Located on Oahu’s eastern North Shore, about 1 hour from Waikiki, it is the only cultural attraction of its kind in the world. Across 42 acres, they’ve recreated six historical villages to explore and experience – Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Tahiti, Hawaii, and Aotearoa (New Zealand). But, what really shines are the people.
This article was produced by Planner at Heart.
