Princeville Resort Kauai

Hotel Information: Built in plantation style, the hotel appears modest from the driveway: low-rise, creamy stucco with a green-tile roof. The vast lobby creates a different impression: marble, gently falling water, tapestries, antiqued chairs, sofas so deep they seem to swallow guests. A terrace off the lobby showcases ocean views, as breaking rollers sweep into beautiful Hanalei Bay past the rock spire called Bali Hai.

Amenity highlights: The beautiful beach provides calm water for swimming and snorkeling except under the most dramatic offshore surf conditions. A huge pool with an ocean view and a swim-up bar are surrounded by a spacious sundeck and a garden of small palm trees. One level up from the pool are a toddlers' pool and three enormous half-moon-shaped spas.

Insider tip: Golf carts at the Prince Course are equipped with a color screen connected to a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) so golfers have a bird's-eye view of each hole and precise shot distances. Food and beverages can also be ordered through the system.

This tranquil plantation-style Princeville Resort offers 252 guestrooms in four 3- and 4-story buildings arrayed on the cliffside of the 23-acre site. Rooms have views of gardens, the green Hanalei Mountains, or the Pacific Ocean.

Room decor features wood ceiling moldings, light-colored, plantation-style wood furniture, window seats, and original oil prints on the walls. Instead of step-out balconies, most rooms have Juliet balconies, with wrought-iron railings in front of large sliding windows.

Bathrooms are done in green marble, with twin sinks, a deep soaking tub and shower, gold-plated fixtures, a lighted makeup/shaving mirror; and side-lit mirror panels.

Premium bedding, plush bathrobes, minibars, and refrigerators are among the numerous amenities. High-speed Internet access is available (surcharge).