1 Hotel Hanalei Bay

My husband and I were in Kauai during Hurricane Lowell and unexpectedly ended up staying at 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay. Despite the power outages and all the stress and uncertainty the storm brought, we were absolutely BLOWN AWAY (no pun intended!) by the level of service and care we received. One of the most special parts of our stay was meeting Lauren, the general manager. She went out of her way to check on us—and seemingly every other guest—and brought such a positive, calm, and comforting presence during a very difficult situation. The room was stunning, and somehow, despite being short-staffed and without power, they provided three complimentary meals a day of truly incredible food. Each meal seemed better than the last. There were even fresh coconuts on the beach! More than anything, though, it was the staff who made the experience so memorable. They showed up every day with so much friendliness, warmth, and genuine care. We kept saying that if this was the experience during a hurricane, we can’t even imagine how incredible the hotel must be when everything is fully functioning. We are so grateful for the way the entire team took care of us and cannot wait to come back and experience 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay now that it’s fully back up and running!

Impeccable stay. The bar staff by the beach, Kyle and Aleah, were two of the most charismatic, welcoming, and attentive folks we’ve come across at any resort.

Hands down the best property we have ever been on in Hawaii and we have been to every island and many of the premier properties. The care this staff takes along with the focus on sustainability and the environment is first of mind. The views are stunning and the food options aplenty. The fitness center is a dream for those wanting to get a workout in. The pool and beach are super private.

We booked the 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay for our Babymoon & had a wonderful experience. The rooms have some oddities (super dark overall, lights that can't be controlled individually, the bathroom shower head could use some more regular cleaning). But the staff, ambiance and vibe were spectacular. 10/10 for the gym, spa, and pool. we absolutely recommend renting a car and venturing off the hotel property for the incredible beaches that lie beyond the property. The real star of our experience and reason for this review is to give a shout out to the hotel photography service on the 4th floor, Coral Photography. We booked a 45 minute complimentary session and were paired with our photographer Gary. Gary turned a last minute decision for a maternity-focused shoot into a full album of photographs that we will cherish for the rest of time. Flexible, friendly, charismatic, talented - Gary was all of the above. From the start, Gary made our photo shoot work for us - he waited out the rain and pushed back our appointment start time until we had clear skies and a golden sunset - he helped pose us, direct us, and also let us have time to get comfortable with the camera. He picked perfect locations around the property to bring us a variety of shots - and captured both me and my husband in ways that went beyond just maternity. We laughed through the entire 45 minutes - when it came time to review our photos and packages, Gary sat down and walked through photo by photo - brought tears to my eyes with the extra mile he went to recap the photo shoot for us in a video reel, and gave direction on which photos to choose for our final selection. I cannot recommend enough to go for it, and book a session with the Coral Photography services, but make sure you request Gary - it will be the most comfortable you've ever been in front of a camera, and you'll walk away with photos in the stunning Hanalei Bay that you'll never be able to capture again from these moments.

There is a great deal to like about 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay. The grounds are gorgeous, the pools and hot tub are wonderful, and the beach access is fabulous. The staff members we encountered were consistently warm, accommodating, and genuinely wonderful. We also enjoyed the food, although dining at the resort was substantially more expensive than eating elsewhere nearby. Unfortunately, our room experience did not come close to justifying the price. We stayed on the eighth floor, immediately below the main level, and noticed what appeared to be mold in several places on the ceiling. The hallway also had a very strong mildew smell that was difficult to overlook. At an average room rate of approximately $2,700 per night before taxes and fees, these conditions were particularly off-putting. We reported the issues, but the response did not adequately resolve our concerns. The shower was another problem. The water pressure fluctuated during a single shower from barely acceptable to hardly spraying at all, and the water temperature was similarly inconsistent. We also paid a premium for a room with a terrace, but the outdoor space did not feel private. The room immediately above directly overlooked our terrace, and when those guests opened their window, we could hear their conversations as clearly as though they were sitting outside talking to us. They could also look directly down onto our outdoor space. It left us feeling as though we were in a fishbowl and made it difficult to relax or use the terrace comfortably. The room itself was also extremely dark. The downlighting over the vanity was not sufficient for grooming; I had difficulty finding things in my shaving bag and suitcase. I imagine the lighting would be especially frustrating for anyone trying to apply makeup. This is undeniably a beautiful property in an extraordinary setting, and the employees deserve considerable credit. However, at this price level, guests should not encounter mildew odors, apparent mold, unreliable shower pressure and temperature, inadequate lighting, or a premium terrace that affords so little privacy. The adjacent public beach is every bit as beautiful, so if we returned to the area, we would likely choose a distinctive vacation rental and enjoy the same remarkable surroundings without paying the extraordinary resort premium.