The Ko'a Kea Hotel & Resort officially resumed business yesterday as a boutique hotel, after years of renovation and permit processing, preceded by even more years of mouldering in place on Kauai's sunny South Shore. I've been hearing about this hotel for at least a year  as my friend, Paul Koulbanis, started working there long before the place officially opened.  Paul was formally the food and beverage manager at the PRINCEVILLE RESORT, and the timing of this opportunity at this new hotel turned out to be perfect for him.

The pocket resort, located next to Marriott's Waiohai Beach Club and Kiahuna Plantation, has a Hawaiian-themed spa with five treatment rooms, including a couples' suite; oceanfront massages are available. Treatments use "natural and indigenous ingredients, such as seaweed, pineapple, awapuhi root, red Kauai clay, guava and coconut," according to the press release.

Unlike the budget Poipu Beach Hotel of 20 years ago, this incarnation is obviously going for a romantic, grownups-oriented atmosphere, given the intimate ambience (only 121 rooms, with serene-chic interior design by Anita Brooks), posh amenities (L'Occitane toiletries, 42-inch flat-panel HDTV, iPod docking stations) -- and pre-recession prices.

I'm hoping to be playing some evening jazz there in the fine restaurant once the business gets up and running.

Read the full review from sfgate.com

Cool lobby and reception area at the Koa Kea Hotel

Pool and Ocean at the newly opened Koa Kea Hotel.