1 Hotel Hanalei Bay is the north shore's headline luxury address: a cliff-top, beachfront resort in Princeville, on Kauai's lush northern coast. It has 252 rooms spread over three buildings and eleven floors, and it faces the bay and the green mountain ridges that appear in so many photographs of the island. The look is natural and low-key, with plant walls, a rooftop garden, an open-air lobby courtyard with a fire and a strong focus on local, sustainable materials and food. The location is the point. Hideaways Beach is about a two-minute walk, Puu Poa Beach is roughly eight minutes on foot, and the town of Hanalei, its river and the start of the road to Haena are within a short drive. It suits couples, honeymooners, wellness travelers and families with the budget to match, and it is the obvious choice if you want to spend most of your trip on the north shore rather than commuting from the south.
The rooms
There are seventeen room types, but they fall into a few groups. Mountain View and Pool View rooms are the entry point at around 547 square feet, Ocean View and Panoramic Ocean View rooms sit higher and look out over the water, and terrace versions add outdoor space. Studio suites run to about 820 square feet, the ocean-view one-bedroom suite to about 1,200, and the Puu Poa Ocean Loft Suite to nearly 1,800, with the Makana Penthouse and Napali House Suite at the top of the range.
Rooms have air conditioning, a ceiling fan, a pillow menu, a coffee and espresso setup, a mini-fridge, free bottled water and fast Wi-Fi. Rooms with two queen beds sleep four, which is useful for families.
Pools, spa and activities
There are two outdoor pools plus a children's pool, three hot tubs, and a lagoon-style pool with waterfalls beside the beach. Beach loungers, towels and umbrellas are free, and private cabanas are available for an extra charge. The Bamford Wellness Spa has an ocean float, an infrared sauna and a steam room, and the fitness area offers yoga and Pilates classes. Activities include beach yoga, surfing and bodyboarding lessons, kayaking and free bicycle rentals, and an adjacent 18-hole golf course takes tee-time reservations.
Families will find a children's club and a camp for ages five to twelve for an additional fee, and children up to twelve stay free when using existing beds. Dining leans plant-forward, with several restaurants and bars including a beach bar and two poolside bars, and a buffet breakfast is offered at a set price.
What to know before you book
A nightly resort fee applies and covers items such as beach and pool access, bicycle storage, the fitness area, in-room bottled water and coffee, and the concierge, so check the current amount when you book. Valet parking carries a nightly charge, and electric vehicle charging is available. The north shore is wetter than the south, so expect showers, especially in winter, and pack a light rain jacket.
Lihue Airport is about a 51-minute drive, so allow time on arrival and departure days. Check-in begins at 4 PM, check-out is at 11 AM, and the minimum check-in age is 21. Dogs are accepted, and the resort is smoke-free.
Why stay here
- ✓Beachfront setting in Princeville
- ✓Ocean and mountain view rooms and suites
- ✓Two outdoor pools and a children’s pool
- ✓Lagoon pool with waterfalls
- ✓Bamford Wellness Spa
- ✓Fitness area with yoga and Pilates classes
- ✓Free bicycle rentals
- ✓Adjacent 18-hole golf course
Good questions
Is it a good base for Hanalei and Haena?+
Yes. Hanalei town and its river are a short drive, and the road to Haena and the start of the Na Pali coast continues beyond. Expect the drive to Lihue Airport to take close to an hour.
Is there a beach at the resort?+
Hideaways Beach is about a two-minute walk and Puu Poa Beach is roughly eight minutes away. Ocean conditions on the north shore change with the season, so check lifeguard guidance and avoid swimming in big winter surf.
Does it suit families?+
Yes. There is a children's pool, a kids' club and camp for an extra fee, and children up to twelve stay free using existing beds, though check the room occupancy limits when you book.
