Watching the Academy nominated movie Descendants starring George Clooney, inspired many movie fans to travel to Kauai Island to experience the beauty of the dramatic tropical verdant green and emerald trees near gorgeous aquamarine waters.
The sandy beaches allures visitors to swim, snorkel and sunbathe in the warm water.
Arriving at the St. Regis Princeville Hotel, guests are greeted by a valet, with a shell lei placed around their neck. The valet shares, "You have arrived at one of the most beautiful places on earth.”
Built in 1985, on one of the most premiere locations on the island, the lovely hotel overlooks Bali Hai Beach. Large windows in the lobby look out to the majestic green cliffs of the Napali coast.
At sunset the view is especially dramatic, as two butlers from the hotel celebrate the end of the day, by blowing a conch shell and slicing off the cork of a bottle of champagne with a sharp saber sword. It's a St. Regis tradition.
The spacious rooms are decorating in contempoaray Hawaiian motif offering golf course, bay and ocean front views. Rooms have one King size bed or two Queen size beds, along with a soaking tub and marble top vanity.
Walking just past the St. Regis entrance is a public pathway down to the secluded Hideaway public beach. The path can be tricky at times, especially after a rain, but the slippery slope offers hand tied ropes as a railing to hold on to. The beach is spectacular and offers a coral playground filled with purple sea cucumbers and the Hawaiian Trigger fish, Humuhumunukunuku apua'a.
Hiking to the Queen's Bath is not far from the hotel. The dirt path is an easy walk and the cascading waterfalls are beautiful. Sea turtles the size of truck tires float lazily in the sheltered area to nibble on greens.
Dining at the resort includes the Kauai Grill with Hawaiian cuisine served during breakfast and sushi in the evening. There is also the Makana Grill offering views of the Makana Mountains.
Relaxing by the pool, guests can enjoy salads, sandwiches, Ahi poke and flatbreads at the Nalu Kai Grill and Bar.
Driving outside of the resort, tourists stop for lunch at the Kilauea Fish Market, a favorite local spot, for fresh fish tacos. A short drive away is thenorthern-most point of Kauai, the historic Kilauea Lighthouse. Celebrating its 100th year, the scenic lighthouse was recently refurbished. This area is also a preserve for hundreds of sea birds. You can often spot whales, seals, dolphins and sea turtles at the point.
Nearby, the Kauai Mini Golf Course is a botanical garden filled with lush Hawaiian flowering plants and shrubs. Some of the golf holes were challenging with water hazards and an erupting volcano. You can rent bicycles here too.
Another fun activity in Kauai is to drive along Kuhio Highway to the end of the road to snorkel and admire sea caves next to white sandy beaches. The north side of Kauai feels the most Polynesian with its jagged canyons, taro fields and verdant tropical forests.
Stop at Tunnels Beach to snorkel with yellow tang, angelfish and pretty butterfly fish swimming in warm and clear water.
Eager to see more bucolic scenes from the Descendants film? Reserve an ATV tour at Kipu Ranch. The 3,000-acre ranch was once owned by royalty. This is where George Clooney stood overlooking the majestic bay and estate that his character inherited. Jurassic Park, Hook and Raiders of the Lost Ark were filmed here too.
The St. Regis Princeville offers guests a new appreciation of the Hawaiian Island of Kauai with its glorious setting, luxury accomodations, ocean-to-table cuisine and scenic views from every angle.
More information: St. Regis Princeville Resort - stregisprinceville.comKipu Ranch - www.kiputours.com
