Hanalei Bay is the kind of view that stops conversations: a two-mile crescent of sand, a surf break curling in from the open Pacific and, behind it all, green mountains streaked with waterfalls after every rain. For decades, the grand hotel on the Princeville bluff was the place to take it all in. In 2024 it reopened after a top-to-bottom transformation as 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay. The result is the most exciting luxury stay on Kauaʻi in years.
The 1 Hotels brand is built around nature. Here, that philosophy has a dramatic canvas. Reclaimed wood, stone and living plants fill the interiors, while the grounds have been replanted with native and adapted species. The hotel's vast wellness program makes it feel like part spa retreat, part North Shore basecamp. It is not kid-free and families do come. Still, the scale of the views and the calm, earthy design make it a natural fit for honeymooners who want to hike the Nā Pali Coast by day and fall asleep to the surf at night.
Highlights at a glance
- Wide views over Hanalei Bay to Makana (Bali Hai)
- Reopened in 2024 after a full nature-led transformation
- 18,000-square-foot Bamford Wellness Spa
- Garden-to-table dining and sunset sushi at Kai Maikaʻi
- Gateway to the Nā Pali Coast and Hāʻena State Park
- Ocean-view terrace rooms facing the surf
Above Kauaʻi's Most Beautiful Bay
The hotel cascades down the Princeville bluff, so the lobby sits high above the water and the guest floors step down toward the beach below. The panorama across Hanalei Bay to Makana, the peak many know as Bali Hai from the film South Pacific, is the defining view of the property. It changes all day as clouds build and clear over the mountains.
The North Shore is Kauaʻi at its greenest and most dramatic. Hanalei town, with its surf shops, food trucks and taro fields, is a few minutes' drive away. Beyond it, the road winds over one-lane bridges toward Hāʻena and the start of the Nā Pali Coast. This is a place to slow down, look up and keep a rain jacket handy.
Rooms, Terraces and the Retreat Suites
Rooms are clean-lined and natural, with wood, stone and greenery throughout, rain showers and, in many suites, separate soaking tubs. The views divide into three types: mountain, pool and ocean. For a honeymoon, an ocean-view category is the one to book, ideally a terrace room so you can step straight outside with your morning coffee and watch the surfers.
The suites range from ocean-view studios to one-bedroom layouts, while the Retreat Collection includes the hotel's showpieces, such as an ocean loft, the Nāpali House Suite and a penthouse. Pool-view terrace rooms are a good middle ground if you love the idea of slipping from your room to the water. Whatever you choose, the design keeps attention on what is outside the window.
Bamford Wellness Spa and Beyond
Wellness is a cornerstone here. Bamford Wellness Spa covers about 18,000 square feet beside a courtyard garden, with treatments that blend Hawaiian healing traditions and Bamford's botanical products. A couples' massage after a day of hiking is close to mandatory.
The program goes well beyond massage. The hotel offers touchless therapies such as sensory floatation, a meditation pod, hyperbaric oxygen and contrast therapy, plus a functional medicine center and an indoor-outdoor fitness space of about 10,000 square feet. Daily classes like sunrise movement sessions are a gentle way to start the day. You can dive deep with a multi-day wellness retreat, or simply dip in between beach afternoons.
Why guests fall for it
Farm-to-Table on the North Shore
Dining draws on the hotel's organic garden, Kauaʻi farms and local waters. Every venue is certified Ocean Friendly by the Surfrider Foundation. 1 Kitchen is the main restaurant, with seasonal, farm-driven menus that change with what the island is producing. Kai Maikaʻi is the date-night pick, pairing sushi and inventive cocktails with the bay at sunset.
For the rest of the day, Welina Terrace Lounge is ideal for a drink with a view, The Sandbox handles poolside meals and the Sunrise Nourishment Bar and Neighbors Café cover breakfast and coffee. Zero-proof cocktails get as much attention as the spirited ones. The concierge can also arrange tours and harvest dinners with the nearby Waipā Foundation, a lovely way to connect with Hanalei's farming heritage.
North Shore Adventures
The hotel is a superb base for Kauaʻi's most famous scenery. A few favorite outings for couples:
- A Nā Pali Coast boat or helicopter tour for views of the fluted sea cliffs
- Hiking the first section of the Kalalau Trail from Kēʻē Beach (Hāʻena State Park reservations required)
- Surfing or paddleboarding lessons in Hanalei Bay, ideal in the calmer summer months
- Sunset at Hanalei Pier, followed by dinner in town
- Snorkeling at Tunnels Beach on calm summer days
Closer to home, complimentary beach cruisers, guided e-bike tours and a fleet of electric vehicles make exploring Princeville easy. The Makai Golf Club is next door for golfers.
Why Guests Fall in Love
Guests and critics alike rave first about the views, which many describe as the best of any hotel in Hawaii. The renovated rooms win praise for their natural, calming design. Couples often mention how good it feels to stay somewhere that takes sustainability seriously without sacrificing comfort.
The spa and wellness facilities are a frequent highlight, especially for travelers who arrive tired from wedding planning. Service is regularly described as relaxed and genuinely friendly, in keeping with the North Shore's laid-back spirit. Diners enjoy Kai Maikaʻi's sunset setting. Many reviewers say the hotel finally gives Kauaʻi the top-tier luxury stay it deserved.
Good to Know
Līhuʻe Airport is roughly 45 minutes to an hour away. A rental car is essential for exploring the North Shore. The North Shore is the wettest part of Kauaʻi, especially from roughly November to March, when passing showers keep everything green and big surf often makes Hanalei Bay unsuitable for swimming. Summer brings calmer seas and the best snorkeling.
Hāʻena State Park, which includes Kēʻē Beach and the Kalalau Trailhead, requires advance reservations for out-of-state visitors. Spots sell out, so book as soon as your dates are set. The hotel welcomes families and pets, with a kids' club on site, so expect some young guests during school holidays. Rates are at the luxury end of the Kauaʻi market.
Insider tips
- Book an ocean-view terrace room for the full Hanalei Bay panorama from your own outdoor space.
- Reserve Hāʻena State Park entry and parking or shuttle as soon as reservations open for your dates.
- Plan Nā Pali boat tours for summer, when seas are calmer; in winter, a helicopter tour is the more reliable choice.
- Book a sunset table at Kai Maikaʻi for your most romantic dinner.
