The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook - The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas

346 units, 3 pools, keiki pool, 3 spas, free 24-hour fitness room with steam room and sauna, children's program, valet parking, free room safes, restaurant, poolside snack bar, 24-hour business center, bbqs, elevators, coffee maker with free coffee daily, free hi-speed Internet access and Wi-Fi. This resort was completed in 2008 and most of the rooms are being sold as timeshares, but many rooms will always be available for rentals. The grounds here are lovely with a very pretty multi-level pool and keiki pool complete with waterslide and spouting honu (turtles). Thatched hales around the pool and umbrellas are free for the taking. There are even 2 waterfall-edge plunge pools (about 4 feet deep) tucked on the side of buildings 2 & 3 and 6 & 7 with their own spas. The rooms are clean and modern complete with Starwood's "Heavenly Beds," full kitchens and washer/dryers (even in the studios). The 2/2s are actually a studio and 1/1 joined at the hip. They offer an on-site Kids' Club for $75 per day for 5-12-year-olds ($55 for a half day). They also have an extensive activity list daily (almost every hour)--everything from hula to lei making to tapa painting to water balloon contests and noodle races in the pool. Clearly the staff here will cater to your needs, from having food delivered to your room prior to your arrival and stocked in your fridge to driving you down to the beach in front of the St. Regis. You can buy meats to grill on one of the many bbqs in their small market (with prices similar to Foodland in Princeville). Every night they have drinks, pupus and entertainment (some nights) by the pool where you may plan a 5-course romantic dinner for $450 per couple.

Buildings 3, 6 and 7 are closest to the ocean, but there is no beach here (it's on a bluff) and access is actually on the property next door. Many of the buildings are oriented away from the ocean with garden views. Building 4 has some great views of Bali Hai, but backs up to a parking lot. They charge a $1.50 "connection fee" for local calls and $9 for valet parking.

So, how pricey is it here? More than a buck per square foot per night. Studios (512 sq. ft.) are $600, 1/1s (799 sq. ft.) are $800, 2/2s (1,311 sq. ft.) are $1,400. Ouch! That's too much. Most people don't pay the rack rate here and doubt you will either. If you are a Starwood Preferred member, you can get 30-35% off that rate.