This was our second stay at PKK, and we plan to return. My wife and I stayed at PKK#212 for a week in early September. #212 is a 2nd floor end unit with a loft 2nd bedroom, with a great view of sunsets and the north end of the Na Pali Coast (see photos taken from the lanai). Also, since this is an end unit that extends out a little more than the building next door, there is a partial view to the north from the dining area. There is also a great little snorkeling beach at the base of the cliff, which is accessed by walking down a paved (most of the way) path. Even with the path, it is a steep hike, so the beach is often deserted.

We like the west facing views the best (there are a number of buildings with north views, and there is unit 226 on the point with fabulous north, east and west views). The only downside is that in late afternoon, until the sun goes down, these west facing units get direct sun to the interior of the unit and become quite warm (no A/C). So if you plan a sunset dinner, you might want to get takeout or prepare most of it ahead of time. Cooking in the kitchen in the early evening was my wife’s chief complaint.

Of the west facing units, my opinion is the second floor units have the best views. We stayed in unit 226 previously, which no question has the very best view of any unit at PKK, but unit 212 helped make up for this with some smart furniture choices. They have a bar height table and 4 swivel bar chairs on the lanai (plus a lounge chair and stool). This means you can see over the top of the railing while dining. It may seem like a minor thing, but it really makes a difference, as in a regular high chair, you are looking at or though the railing. Also, the owners of #212 didn’t go overboard with the furniture on the inside of the unit. These units are not large, so if there is too much furniture, or it is too big, you will feel a bit cramped. Unit 212 seemed to have just the right amount. The unit also has a flat top electric range, which was nice, a dishwasher, and most important, a washer/dryer, which means you can pack light. Overall, we give #212 high marks.

We did have a few minor maintenance issues. After our stay, and before this posting, I sent an e-mail about them to the property manager and within 24 hours had a response that all would be fixed. It is unfortunate that one of the prior guests did not bring these to the attention of the rental agent (Princeville Vacations) for the benefit of the downstream guests. This stuff takes a team effort.

One negative about the complex. No BBQ. You may read there is one on the path to the beach, but believe me, you are not going to hike down there with your food and cooking gear, grill your fish, and then hike back up! There is a pool and hot tub, but nothing special, and we didn’t use it on either visit.

Also, it seems that September is the start of the brief low season on Kauai. So that may be a preferred time for maintenance and there was painting in process on the exterior of our building many of the days we were there. It wasn’t too obtrusive (although the workers did about as much talking as painting), but had it been anything more significant in the way of maintenance, the related disruption might have been a problem. Recommend you ask about planned maintenance activities. Also, perhaps since it was a slow time, the complex was not full, and we did not have the noise problems reported in some of the other reviews.

Overall, we really like PKK. Since the units are individually owned, the décor, upkeep, and furnishings can vary widely. If you can get recent reviews or photos of your specific unit, I would recommend it. We have rented at PKK though Princeville Vacations and Kauai Vacation Rentals, and had good experiences with both.

We have stayed at unit #227 Pali Ke Kua twice now, most recently in 08/27. It has fantastic ocean bluff views with a view of a beautiful little cove with turtles usually swimming it. Steep walking path to beautiful Hideaways Beach - good snorkeling, one of my favorite beaches in all of Hawaii. Morning sun on the Lanai with afternoon shade - perfect! Corner unit, 2bd, 2ba. Unfortuantely, it has been for sale for approx. 1 year and the current owners obviously have no desire to invest any $$ in the upkeep of the unit. Couch is old, rest of unit has bare minimum of used, old furniture and furnishings. Unit definitely needs a major renovation. Not worth the money until it is renovated. Pool is decent sized but surprisingly rather cool.
I am sure there are other units at Pali Ke Kua that are in much better shape than #227. Most units have beautiful ocean bluff views. The private access to Hideways Beach and the views are the reason we have stayed here in the past. Several other beaches are within 10-15 minute driving distance. In winter beware of high surf on North shore.

Me, my wife and 3 small children stayed at Pali Ke Kua from July 10 to July 15. We had unit #209, a 2 bedroom that slept 6. The unit had new carpeting and paint, and the furnishings were adequate. As had been said over and over in these reviews, the views from this unit and all around the complex are no less than spectacular. The ever-changing light on the ocean and surrounding mountains provides endless opportunities for photographs.

The pool area was quite nice, which included a new spa. There were an adequate number of chairs on the deck, the water was a nice temperature, and the kids had a great time swimming.

I rented the unit from Regency Pacific Realty. They have a website [--] that is quite good, with a large selection of units. I would say this complex is a 3 or 3.5 star place, depending on the unit you choose. It provides an excellent value compared to what you'd pay at a hotel. The Princeville location was excellent, and the drive into Hanalei town was just a few minutes. I would recommend this complex to anyone looking for a mid-level accommodation on the north shore.

We stayed at the Pali Ke Kua oceanfrontrealty.com/vrentdetails.aspx?Code=e136)from June 2 to June 11, 2007 on our honeymoon.
Princeville is a beautiful place to stay, the condo we stayed at was very nice and had a very nice location, partial ocean view. Also nearby is a shopping center with a great supermarket. I would say this is a quiet affluent community.
I highly recommend this condo and this condo complex. One thing to consider is that in Princeville it rains a lot more than southern Kauai, however it is not a far drive to southern Kauai and hitting up those beaches.