Pali Ke Kua #3

Pali Ke Kua #3 Overview

You know what? I wasn’t expecting much when I first pulled up to Pali Ke Kua #3 – honestly, the name doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, and without a proper street address listed anywhere, I was half-convinced I’d be driving around Kauai in circles. But this place actually turned out to be one of those hidden gems that makes you feel like you’re in on some local secret.

The thing about this property is that it sits right on Kauai’s north shore in Princeville, and I mean *right* on it – you can literally hear the waves from your bed, which sounds cliché until you’re actually lying there at 6 AM listening to them crash against the bluff below. The condo itself (because that’s really what this is, despite the hotel-style rating) feels like someone’s really well-appointed beach house that they just happen to rent out. The kitchen’s got everything you’d actually want to use – not those sad hotel kitchenettes with two plates and a broken can opener – and the lanai faces west, so sunset cocktails are basically mandatory. I spent way too much money on groceries at Foodland in Princeville Center, but cooking breakfast while watching the surfers at Hanalei Bay? Worth every overpriced pineapple.

What really sets this place apart, though, is the location within Princeville itself. You’re close enough to walk to the St. Regis for dinner (if you’re feeling fancy), but far enough from the main resort traffic that it doesn’t feel touristy. The Princeville golf courses are right there if that’s your thing, and honestly, even if golf isn’t your jam, those morning walks along the cart paths with your coffee are pretty spectacular. Parking’s never an issue – which, trust me, matters when you’re hauling beach gear and groceries up from town. The only real downside is that you’ll need a car to get anywhere beyond Princeville, but let’s be real, you’re going to want to explore the whole north shore anyway. Hanalei town is maybe ten minutes down the hill, and once you discover Puka Dog and those food trucks by the pier, you’ll be making that drive daily. Just remember that the road to Ke’e Beach gets absolutely packed by mid-morning, so if you want to hit those Na Pali trail heads or find parking at Tunnels Beach, you’ve got to get moving early. The 9.1 rating makes total sense once you’ve been there – it’s not luxury resort perfect, but it’s got that authentic island living vibe that actually lets you feel like you’re experiencing the real Kauai, not just visiting it.

Facilities