Casual Chic at Kauai’s Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas

There’s a lot for both parents and kids to love about The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas, part of the upscale Princeville community on Kauai’s wild and dramatic North Shore. Nestled along a cliff above the ocean, it offers sweeping views of the scenery, as well as opportunities for all kinds of adventure—both onsite and in the surrounding area.

Family-Friendly Review of The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas

Accommodations

Accommodations at The Westin Princeville are ideally configured for families. The 346 air-conditioned villas feature fully equipped kitchens, which make eating in as appealing as dining out. Studio villas have a queen-size bed plus a sofa bed, a private lanai, a flat-screen TV, a washer and dryer, complimentary wireless Internet access, and a bathroom with separate jetted tub and shower.

The resort also offers one- and two-bedroom villas with full living and dining areas, ideal for larger families or those who desire more space to spread out. Rooms are done in Hawaiian style, which adds to the authenticity.

Dining

Nanea Restaurant & Bar offers a variety of cuisine throughout the day. There’s a buffet in the morning and healthy menu options, including gluten-free and vegan items, for lunch and dinner. Children 3 and under eat free with an adult who is a registered guest at the hotel, and kids 4-11 get 50 percent off regular menu items. If you’re in a rush or have an early start, grab a quick bite to eat at Princeville Market in the lobby.

For something really different and fun, try the Pohaku Iron Chef Cook-Off and Poolside BBQ Dinner. You’ll be split into two teams, presented with a slate of fresh ingredients and given an hour to prepare a great dish. Judges will choose the best one, while the hotel’s chef and team prepare a delicious meal for you. Kids will love this Food Network-type competition.

Activities

The Westin Princeville puts out a calendar of daily activities for the entire family—most are free; some have a nominal cost. Activities include introductory paddle boarding, sand art, lei classes, Wii games, storytelling, nature walks and even cooking classes. On the grounds, you’ll find a golf course (with a scenic background), four heated pools, a children’s pool with a water slide, a tennis club and more. The year-round Westin Kids Club, for children ages 5-12, offers both half-day and full-day programs.

For parents who can get away for a bit on their own, the onsite spa features both outdoor and indoor treatments. Massage services range from lomi-lomi and reflexology to classic Swedish and deep tissue.

Venturing off-property opens up a wider variety of activities, including Limahuli Gardens, Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, the Hawaiian Art Museum, Kauai Children’s Discovery Museum, Waimea Canyon State Park, miles of incredible beaches, surfing, shopping in nearby Hanalei, horseback riding and water sports. If you want to educate your children about Hawaiian heritage, there is no better way than to attend a luau, such as the one at Kilohana Plantation. The evening will be full of Hawaiian cuisine, traditional music and dance, and arts and crafts demonstrations — a fitting way to bid aloha to the Garden Isle.

Relevant Links:

Browse family-friendly accommodations and things to do in Kauai on Ciao Bambino

Kidding around Kauai: Why the Garden Isle is a dream for families

Three must-do family adventures on Kauai

The perfect laid-back day on Kauai with kids

Editor’s Note: The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort provided a media package for Ciao Bambino to facilitate our review. As always, our opinions are our own. Photos by Holly Rosen Fink.