Accommodation & Amenities
- Room types & typical rates: One-bedroom condos (sleeps 4) with full kitchen run about ~$289/night, larger 1BR+loft units (sleeps 6) from ~$389, and four-bedroom suites (sleeps 6) from ~$575 (www.cliffsatprinceville.com). (Each suite has 2 baths, two lanais, living room, washer/dryer and color TV (www.cliffsatprinceville.com) (www.tripadvisor.ca).)
- Core amenities: Two large outdoor pools (plus a separate kiddie pool) and two hot tubs (princevillevacationrentals.com); two tennis courts, putting green and pickleball/shuffleboard courts (princevillevacationrentals.com); a fitness center and kids’ playground (princevillevacationrentals.com); BBQ grills and picnic areas (www.cliffsatprinceville.com). Suites include full kitchens (dishwasher, oven, full-size fridge, etc.) and in-unit washer/dryer (www.cliffsatprinceville.com). Amenities also include complimentary Wi-Fi, business center, beach chairs/gear, and an on-site Envoy EV car-share (Tesla rentals) with chargers (www.cliffsatprinceville.com) (www.cliffsatprinceville.com). There are no pets allowed (www.bringfido.ca). Handicap parking and some ADA-compliant units are available (accessible units can be requested) (www.cliffsatprinceville.com) (www.cliffsatprinceville.com). The Cliffs is noted for sustainability – solar panels power most rooms and it’s been voted the top eco-friendly resort in the U.S. (www.cliffsatprinceville.com) (www.hinowdaily.com).
Setting & Vibe
- Bluffs over the Pacific, lush landscaping and Aloha style: the 22-acre resort has low-rise condo buildings surrounded by tropical palms and gardens, with cliff-edge lounging areas (Adirondack chairs) for sunrise/sunset watching (princevillevacationrentals.com) (www.tripadvisor.ca). Guest rooms emphasize indoor–outdoor living via two lanais per unit (www.tripadvisor.ca).
- Atmosphere: Laid-back and family-friendly, with a “small-town” community feel (www.tripadvisor.ca). The vibe is peaceful and resort-casual (guests gather nightly at the clifftop at sunset (www.tripadvisor.ca)), but activities abound (tennis, pickleball, kids’ games). Many previous guests call it both “family-friendly” and “serene” – ideal for kids yet also attractive for couples chasing romantic sunsets (www.tripadvisor.ca) (www.tripadvisor.com.my).
Local Context
- Neighborhood: In Princeville resort on Kauaʻi’s lush North Shore, about 28.8 miles (≈47 min drive) from Lihue Airport (www.rome2rio.com). Within 1–2 miles of Princeville Shopping Center (grocery, Lappert’s ice cream and casual tiki bar (www.tripadvisor.ca)) and the Makai golf course. Hanalei Town and Hanalei Bay are ~3.5 miles (7–10 min) west (www.rome2rio.com), and beaches like Tunnels and Queen’s Bath are minutes farther. (Further afield, Kapaa/Wailua are ~30–40 min east; Napali Coast boat launches in Haena ~40 min north.)
- Transport & Parking: A rental car is strongly recommended (public bus service exists but is sporadic). The resort offers on-site self-parking (permit required; $15/day) (www.cliffsatprinceville.com). An on-site Envoy Tesla (hourly EV car share) is available for short trips (www.cliffsatprinceville.com). Shuttle/taxi services are limited; the Kauaʻi bus (#500, #400 lines) stops at Princeville shopping center, but most guests drive or use rented vehicles.
History & Ownership
- Built in 1980 on 22 acres of bluff (www.cliffsatprinceville.com). The Cliffs is a mixed resort condominium: 202 total suites, with 129 in two timeshare programs (∼7,000 owners) and the rest privately owned/rented (www.cliffsatprinceville.com). Located midway up the Hanalei-P. Makai corridor, it has operated as a family-oriented condo resort ever since.
- Recent updates: Guest tours in 2023–24 tout renovated suites (new floors/furnishings) of ~900 sq. ft. each (www.hinowdaily.com). Awards/press: Voted USA Today’s “#1 Eco-Friendly Resort in America” (www.hinowdaily.com) and TripAdvisor’s only U.S. 2024 Best Nature Destination (www.cliffsatprinceville.com); Forbes called it “one of the most delightful… and affordable” North Shore stays (www.hinowdaily.com). The Cliffs has won sustainability honors (RCI #1 of 4,200 NA resorts (www.cliffsatprinceville.com)) and partners with groups like Kauai Sports Academy for on-site tennis programs (www.cliffsatprinceville.com).
Pros & Cons
- Pros: Spacious, home-style condos with full kitchens and two lanais (www.tripadvisor.ca); sweeping ocean/mountain views and stunning sunsets. Resort-scale amenities unmatched on Kauaʻi: two pools (and kids’ pool), two hot tubs, multiple sports courts, BBQ areas and more (princevillevacationrentals.com) (www.cliffsatprinceville.com). Very environmentally conscious (solar-powered, EV chargers, college recognitions) which appeals to eco-minded guests (www.cliffsatprinceville.com) (www.hinowdaily.com). Guests also praise the quiet, lush setting and friendly community vibe (www.tripadvisor.ca) (www.tripadvisor.com.my).
- Cons: No air-conditioning – only ceiling fans and open trade-wind breezes (www.cliffsatprinceville.com), so some find it uncomfortably warm in summer. A number of guests note that units show their age or thin walls (noise from neighbors) (www.tripadvisor.com.sg) (www.tripadvisor.ie). (Also: an on-site restaurant is lacking, and shuttle/cab access is limited, so dining/driving can be a hassle.)
Booking Tips
- Seasonality: Kauaʻi peaks in high winter (Dec–Apr) and summer break (Jul–Aug). Best value is in spring or early fall (Apr–Jun, Sept–Oct) when rates dip. Watch for special offers – e.g. Hawaii residents (kamaʻaina) get off-season deals (~$299 in winter (www.cliffsatprinceville.com)), and AAA/AARP discount about 10% (www.cliffsatprinceville.com). Check for limited-time promotions (e.g. summer package discounts (www.hinowdaily.com)).
- Insider advice: Book direct (the resort’s site and front desk) to access all discounts (www.cliffsatprinceville.com). Room upgrades (upper floors or partial-ocean-view suites) are harder in high season – request early (note: true ocean-view units are usually reserved for owners (www.tripadvisor.ie)). Cancel at least 7 days before arrival to avoid a one-night penalty (www.cliffsatprinceville.com). Mention AAA/AARP or Military when booking for 10% off (www.cliffsatprinceville.com), and if you qualify as kama‘āina (HI resident) be sure to ask for that rate (www.cliffsatprinceville.com).
Comparison
The Cliffs is larger and more amenity-rich than nearby condo alternatives. For example, Ali’i Kai Resort (also on Princeville Hill) is a much smaller two-building complex of mostly 2BR,2BA units “on a bluff” with a single pool (www.tripadvisor.com.my). By contrast, The Cliffs spans 22 acres with 202 multi-size suites (www.cliffsatprinceville.com), two full-size pools, tennis courts and extensive grounds (princevillevacationrentals.com), giving it a more resort-like feel despite being a condo property.
Sources: Official Cliffs at Princeville web pages; recent travel articles/reviews (www.cliffsatprinceville.com) (princevillevacationrentals.com) (www.hinowdaily.com) (www.tripadvisor.ca) (www.cliffsatprinceville.com) (www.cliffsatprinceville.com); guest feedback on TripAdvisor (www.tripadvisor.com.sg) (www.tripadvisor.ie) (www.tripadvisor.com.my).
