By: Bobbie Abood

Before becoming the St. Regis Princeville, the hotel operated as a different entity and underwent an extensive renovation.  Someone in their infinite wisdom, decided guests preferred more spacious rooms instead of lanais.  Because of this, most of the lanais were eliminated  and the additional square footage added to the room size. This will not change. Only a small percentage of the rooms and suites will have lanais.  A “lanai” room category will now be offered so guests will be able to confirm a lanai as long as the room category is available.

Each guest room is 547 square feet and has either a King or two Queen Beds, 42” HD LG flat screen television and high performance audio system, a  TV auto sensor that provides easy viewing of photography and video from hand held devices,  high speed wireless and wired internet access, IPod sound dock and clock radio, sitting area with loveseat, two occasional chairs and coffee table, in-room safe, honor bar Original artwork by Kauai artists, and a large picture window with a seating banquette.

The suites will range in size from 820 to 2400 square feet.  They will offer a private entry foyer with original artwork by Kaua’i artists, contemporary décor with hand crafted residential furnishings, spacious living and dining area, premium entertainment center including a 52” and 42” HD flat screen television and Bose 3-2-1 audio system, TV auto sensor as in guest rooms, and marble bath with oversized tub and separate shower.  The Bali Hai Signature, Presidential and Royal suites include dining area for six to eight guests, full kitchen with private butler entrance, master bedroom and “Royal Spa” bath suite, and guest powder room adjacent to living area. Interestinly enough, the view from these rooms show the peaks  that were included in  the 1958 movie version of “South Pacific” with Rosanno Brazzi and Mitzi Gaynor.  It was called Bali Hai . The preferred, Hawaiian name for the green twin peaks featured in the movie is Makana (meaning "gift").

There will be five distinctive dining venues offered –each offering the freshest seasonal ingredients and locally inspired fare and utilizing ingredients farmed and produced on Kaua’i:

• Hawaiian-inspired restaurant with outdoor terrace that will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Chef Jean-Georges Vongreichten signature restaurant
• Poolside restaurant Oceanfront bar with views of Hanalei Bay
• Intimate cocktail lounge that offers club style service and live entertainment