What is the best resort in Princeville?

1 Hotel Hanalei Bay is the flagship luxury resort; the Westin Princeville is the top villa-style option.

Is Queen's Bath safe?

Only in calm conditions. It has been deadly in high surf, and the county locks the gate for the winter high-surf season. Never go when waves are up.

Does it rain a lot in Princeville?

More than the south shore. Princeville is lush and green, with frequent short showers, especially in winter.

Princeville Kauai: Things to Do, Resorts & Beaches

Princeville sits on a green clifftop plateau above Hanalei Bay. It is the north shore's luxury enclave, with the island's most dramatic resort views and championship golf.

Hurricane Lowell recovery (as of October 21, 2026): Haena State Park reopened October 15 (reservations required), but Kokee and Waimea Canyon state parks, most other Kauai state parks, the Kalalau Trail past mile 2, all state camping, and Secret Falls remain closed, and Port Allen's small boat harbor is only partly open. See our what's open on Kauai page, and check DLNR state parks, openkauai.org, and your tour operator before you go.

Bluff-top view from Princeville toward Kauai's north shore mountains

Things to do in Princeville

Walk to Queen's Bath (the county locks the gate for the winter high-surf season), play the Makai Golf Club and take in the Hanalei Valley Lookout.

Best Princeville resorts

1 Hotel Hanalei Bay (formerly the St. Regis Princeville, originally the Princeville Hotel) and the Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas are the top stays.

Nearby beaches

Hideaways sits below the cliffs down a steep, roped county trail that sometimes closes for repairs; Puu Poa is nearby. Hanalei Bay is a short drive west. The road past Hanalei to Tunnels reopened to all traffic on October 21, 2026; parking is tight, so go early.

Weather note

Princeville is greener and wetter than the south shore, so pack a light rain layer even in summer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Visit Queen's Bath when the gate is open and the surf is calm, play Makai Golf Club, and see the Hanalei Valley Lookout and nearby beaches.

Useful links

1 Hotel Hanalei Bay

Keep planning

Resort pool and lawn above the ocean on Kauai's south shore

Resorts

Stay

Compare Kauai resorts: Grand Hyatt, Sheraton Coconut Beach, Royal Sonesta, 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay and more, with rates, locations and repair notes.

Couple walking on a Kauai beach at sunset

Honeymoon

Stay

Plan a Kauai honeymoon: the most romantic resorts, honeymoon packages, sunset cruises, and a 7-day couples itinerary with costs.

North Shore

Regions

North Shore Kauai guide: Hanalei Bay, Anini, Tunnels, Queen's Bath, Go Haena reservations and shuttle, road access after Lowell, and where to stay.

Crescent beach with green waterfall-streaked mountains on Kauai's north shore

Beaches

Kauai's best beaches ranked: Poipu, Anini, Tunnels, Hanalei, Shipwreck, Glass Beach and Secret Beach, with parking, safety, snorkeling and closure notes.