Keiki Honu Kauai Princeville 2BR2BA King+Queen bed

Hotel Description

Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first pulled up to this place in Princeville – you know how vacation rental descriptions can be hit or miss. But the Keiki Honu actually delivers on what it promises, and then some. The location alone is worth talking about because you’re right in the heart of Princeville, which means you’re about as close as you can get to some of Kauai’s most stunning coastline without paying resort prices. I mean, you can literally walk to the Princeville Center for groceries or a quick bite, and the St. Regis is just down the road if you want to pretend you’re staying there for an afternoon by their infinity pool (not that I’m suggesting anything).

The condo itself feels surprisingly spacious – two bedrooms, two full baths, and they’ve actually furnished it thoughtfully. The king bed in the master is comfortable (I’m picky about mattresses), and the queen in the second room works well for kids or friends. What I really appreciated were the little details that show someone actually lives in Hawaii and knows what visitors need: good beach towels, a cooler you can borrow, decent kitchen knives that actually cut things. The lanai faces inland rather than ocean, which initially bummed me out, but it’s actually quieter that way – no resort noise or wedding parties. Plus, you get these gorgeous mountain views of the interior that change throughout the day as the light shifts.

Here’s what nobody tells you about staying in Princeville though – the trade winds really do work their magic up here. Even on those sticky August days when the rest of the island feels like a steam bath, you’ll get these amazing cross-breezes that keep things comfortable. The parking situation is straightforward (you get two spots), check-in was smooth, and the property management company responds quickly when you text them. My only minor gripe is that the kitchen could use a proper coffee grinder – I ended up driving to Foodland every morning for decent coffee, but that’s probably just me being particular. The beach access is what really seals the deal: you’re maybe a five-minute walk to Hideaways Beach if you’re feeling adventurous, or you can drive down to Hanalei Bay in fifteen minutes. During whale season, you can actually hear them from the lanai some evenings, which is pretty magical. For the price point and location, it’s honestly one of the better vacation rental experiences I’ve had on the North Shore.

Facilities