Emmalani Hideaway – Princeville, HI

Hotel Description

Look, I’ve stayed at a lot of places on Kauai over the years, but Emmalani Hideaway in Princeville honestly surprised me. You know how sometimes you book a place and cross your fingers it’ll actually match the photos? Well, this one does – and then some. The moment you pull up (parking’s easy, by the way, which is honestly a relief in Princeville), you realize you’re somewhere special. It’s tucked into this lush hillside location where you can actually hear the ocean from your room, but you’re not dealing with the crazy wind that hits some of the clifftop resorts.

What really got me was how they’ve managed to feel both upscale and genuinely Hawaiian at the same time. I mean, you’ll find plenty of luxury places on the north shore that feel like they could be anywhere tropical, but Emmalani has this authentic island vibe that’s hard to fake. The staff – mostly locals who’ve been there for years – actually know the area inside and out. They’ll tell you which beaches are good for swimming versus just photos (spoiler: Hanalei Bay is still your best bet for actually getting in the water), and they’re not just reciting some script. The rooms themselves are spacious enough that you don’t feel cramped when it rains – which it does up here, usually in short bursts that leave everything smelling incredible and green.

Here’s the thing about staying in Princeville that a lot of people don’t realize until they’re there: you’re perfectly positioned for everything, but you need a car. Emmalani gets this, so they’ve focused on making the property itself somewhere you’d actually want to hang out. The pool area catches the afternoon sun just right, and there’s this little outdoor space where I ended up spending way more time than planned just reading and watching the light change over the mountains. Honestly, the whole place has this relaxed luxury thing down – it’s nice enough that you feel pampered, but not so fancy that you’re afraid to walk around in flip-flops and sandy feet. And speaking of sand, you’re about ten minutes from some of the most gorgeous beaches on the island, but far enough up the hill that you’re not dealing with beach parking drama. The only minor thing I’d mention is that like everywhere in Princeville, it can get pretty quiet at night – which I loved, but if you’re looking for nightlife, you’ll want to head down to Hanalei town. But really, after a day of exploring Kauai, sinking into that kind of peaceful quiet with the trade winds and ocean sounds? That’s exactly what you came here for.

Rooms

• One-Bedroom Apartment with extra-large double bed, 1 extra-large double bed, sofa bed and 1 sofa bed for 4 adults

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities