Nature Lovers Will Love This Greenery-focused Hawaiian Resort — Voted One of the State’s Best by T+L Readers

1 Hotel Hanalei Bay is as green as they come, with lush plantings, incredible snorkeling, and a vast wellness program.

When I arrived at the tip of Kauai’s North Shore with my mom and young son, we were tired from the long journey from the East Coast. Our flight on Hawaiian Airlines — direct from New York to Honolulu, followed by a super short connection to Kauai — was pleasant enough, but it was still exhausting at more than 10 hours. But as soon as we saw 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay’s verdant garden with trickling waterfalls and volcanic rocks on a rocky cliff jutting into the Pacific Ocean, we perked up. The shot of locally made Koloa coconut rum paired with fresh juice we were given at reception also helped.

If you remember the St. Regis Princeville that this property used to be, you’ll hardly recognize it post-1 Hotel makeover, which took several years and many millions of dollars (1 Hotel Hanalei Bay opened in 2023). The bright white and marble are gone, replaced by blend-in-with-the-surroundings neutral tones and lush native plants that reach from the ground, up the living walls, and to the rooftop herb gardens. However, sustainability goes beyond design here, and the brand’s ethos fits perfectly with Kauai’s spirit.

Touches in the rooms like recycled cardboard hangers, carefully selected crystals, artfully hung hula grass skirts, and yes, more greenery, keep that eco-friendliness top of mind, but none of it sacrifices the luxury either, which comes in the form of rainfall showerheads, lofty pillowtop mattresses, comfy robes and slippers, and welcome amenities like local banana bread and fresh fruit.

Service and staff are low-key in that laid-back, Hawai’i way, which is not to say that they are lacking — they’re just not stuffy. Similarly, guests are relaxed enough not to dress to the nines for dinner, but it’s clear the clientele has money to spend.

The heart of the hotel is the sprawling main pool and its three hot tubs, but there are always enough loungers to go around, as we happily discovered. The beach is similarly full with snorkelers and sun worshippers, although be aware that this side of the island typically gets rain at least once a day. Luckily, it’s often a brief sprinkle that ends with a rainbow.

While the ocean and its legendary surf breaks attract plenty of guests, this hotel also brings a wellness-seeking crowd (myself included) thanks to its substantial and excellent spa facilities and programming. From hands-on body treatments to cutting-edge, no-touch therapies, the spa menu is miles long. Plus, the diverse daily fitness and wellness classes are nearly all complimentary, as is the use of the spa’s saunas and steam rooms and the massive fitness center. If the beach didn’t beckon, I could’ve easily spent my whole vacation in the wellness center.

Here's my review of 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay.

1 Hotel Hanalei Bay

• You can see the ocean and mountain backdrop (and oodles of lush plantings) from nearly every part of the resort.

• The expansive spa has a lengthy treatment menu

• The Hawaiian shave ice stand by the pool is a refreshing treat after a long day in the sun.

• There’s excellent snorkeling — and tide pools filled with marine life — at the beach.

The Rooms

Since I was traveling with my mom and 8-year-old son, we decided on an oceanview room with two queen beds (I was the unlucky one to share with my son, who likes to kick in his sleep). There was a cozy daybed against the massive window looking out onto Hanalei Bay, and the plush beds, clad in organic cotton sheets, were extremely comfortable. The color palette of the room, like the rest of the hotel, featured tones of tans, grays, and browns, but it was the textures — rough-hewn reclaimed teak, woven rope, braided reed, volcanic rocks — that gave the nature-inspired design its depth. The carefully placed potted plants and crystals (for positive energy, as the staff member who showed me my room noted) were ideal minimalist accents. One of my favorite touches that reminded me I was in Hawai’i without being too obvious or tacky was the dried grass skirt hung like a tapestry. The bathroom — lined with bumpy volcanic rocks — was roomy, and the rainfall shower had a window on one side that would allow for views straight out to the ocean if the blinds were raised on it.

The hotel has 252 rooms, including 51 suites, with various views and configurations. Like mine, the color palette and furniture are neutral and natural throughout. All rooms have yoga mats, cozy sweatshirt-like hooded robes and slippers, Bluetooth speakers, Nespresso machine, and Bamford bath products. Greenery also comes standard.

Suites feature separate sitting areas and larger bathrooms with soaking tubs; some have kitchenettes, dining rooms, and terraces. Certain suites also have perks like priority seating at hotel restaurants, complimentary mini-bar snacks and non-alcoholic drinks, and complimentary beach activity rentals, while the highest level, which is part of the Retreat Collection, includes complimentary spa treatments, daily breakfast, a dedicated concierge, and more.

Food and Drink

The hotel has six food and beverage outlets. Neighbors Café is a health-focused grab-and-go breakfast and lunch cafe, which can be found at all 1 Hotel locations. You order at the counter, and aside from a robust coffee menu, there are smoothies, fresh juices, and dishes like overnight oats, pastries, and breakfast sandwiches. There are counters with seats, and if you have to catch up on emails, this would be the place to do it with a cup of coffee made from locally grown and roasted beans by Hanalei Coffee Roaster.

If you find yourself by the pool or beach craving lunch, the Sandbox has fare like poke, fish tacos, and pizza from a wood-burning oven. Adjacent is Wai’Oli, the shave ice stand we visited nearly every day. It has traditional Hawai’ian shave ice with various flavors and toppings, soft serve, and gelato. The Juice Bar is by the gym and offers cold-pressed juices from Kauai Juice Co., plus coffee, tea, and kombucha.

The signature restaurant is 1 Kitchen, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and faces the ocean and its surf breaks. It focuses on local, seasonal ingredients and has a chalkboard displaying the local catches of the day. A robust breakfast buffet with local specialties like ube pancakes, loco moco, tropical fruit, and rotating flavors of delectable malasadas (fried doughnuts with fillings like coconut and passion fruit that originated in Portugal) is also available. Lunch brings salads and sandwiches, while dinner has homemade pasta and grilled and roasted proteins, with several fish options and an excellent selection of locally grown vegetables as sides. Cocktails skew tiki and feature fresh juices and premium liquors.

Welina Terrace is only open for dinner and has a more adult-only feeling, although children are allowed to dine here (but there’s no kids' menu here, as at the other restaurants). It has a large bar and a smattering of small tables that spill out onto the terrace facing the ocean — and sunset. In fact, there is a nightly sunset ritual with a traditional Hawaiian hula (leaning more romantic than cheesy), and certain nights bring local musicians. The menu features small Japanese-inspired dishes like sushi rolls, nigiri, shishito peppers, and wagyu tataki. Cocktails include a large agave-inflected selection and a menu of sake and Japanese whisky, along with wines and other spirits. Both here and 1 Kitchen feature a short zero-proof cocktail menu as well­ — my son loved the All Pina No Colada.

Activities and Experiences

The large central pool with several rock and waterfall features and the sandy beach are the places to be, and there are beach activities like snorkeling, surfing, kayaking, and paddle boarding. There is also an adults-only infinity pool on the upper level. If you need a break from the sun, there is a daily calendar full of primarily free activities like paint and sip, lau hala bracelet weaving, a Mai Tai workshop, lei making, and nature walks, plus tons of wellness classes ranging from sunrise yoga to hot pilates to sound baths to cardio boxing.

You can also go on a guided 1.5-hour outrigger canoe tour, play tennis or pickleball, or play a round of golf at the adjacent Princeville Makai Golf Club, one of the most beautiful courses in the world. Off-property, you can book guided hikes, helicopter tours, fishing, and boat tours through the hotel. There’s also a menu of malama — volunteer opportunities to give back to the community — like beach cleanups and visits with shelter dogs.

Guests can sign up to borrow one of the house cars — an Audi e-tron electric vehicle — to visit nearby island attractions. We didn’t rent a car, and having access to the house car was a perfect way to explore the island.

The Spa

The wellness program here is a major focus, and spending several hours at the massive spa, wellness area, and state-of-the-art fitness center is easy. Lady Carole Bamford, organic pioneer and founder of Bamford skincare and spa brand, helped create the natural-wood, 18,000-square-foot Bamford Wellness Spa, which provides a serene setting for wellness therapies. There are 18 treatment rooms, some with specialized equipment like a quartz bed and aqua table. Transformative facial and body treatments are inspired by local Hawaiian culture, and specially formulated products from Hawai’ian medicinal plants and organic ingredients, such as tulsi, noni fruit, coffee, sea salt, and honey, are used.

Before I arrived, I had recently found out that I had two herniated discs in my back and was experiencing some pretty severe discomfort. It’s not an exaggeration when I say that the 80-minute Intuitive Herbal Ritual I had on my first day helped immensely with my pain. The full body massage spotlights Kaua‘i Farmacy’s Comfrey Noni Serum, infused with rich macadamia nut oil. I also experienced several touchless therapies offered, including the saltwater flotation chamber, rainbow chakra mat, and Somadome meditation pod — they even have a hyperbaric oxygen tank and a soon-to-come cryo chamber. I got a sneak peek of Precision Wellbeing, their medical spa featuring longevity treatments via medical professionals.

The 10,000-square-foot Anatomy Fitness features equipment like Pelotons, StairMasters, rowers, battle ropes, boxing equipment, squat racks, and Booty Builders.

Family-friendly Offerings

While you’ll see plenty of honeymooners, friend groups, and retired couples here, the resort also caters to families. There are connectable rooms, kids' menus at most dining outlets, and an outpost of Seedlings, 1 Hotels’ kids club, which my son thoroughly enjoyed while my mom and I were at the spa. The resort tries to offer local cultural activities like ukulele lessons and tide pool explorations.

Accessibility and Sustainability

The hotel meets ADA standards, with elevators and ramps where necessary. There are six accessible room types.

1 Hotels is a brand known for sustainability at its core, and in many ways, this property feels like the epitome of this mission, thanks to its natural design featuring reclaimed materials, lush native plantings, rainwater harvesting systems, and many locally sourced ingredients and brands. The hotel is LEED-certified and extremely energy efficient. It is also working toward being carbon neutral. Touches like recycled paper hangers, soy ink pens, and electric house cars show they are truly serious about the environment.

Location

The hotel is located on Kauai’s stunning North Shore, right on the famed Hanalei Bay. It’s part of Princeville, a discreet development home to a Westin and a Wyndham, plus homes and condos, many of which are vacation rentals. The town of Hanalei is about 10 minutes away and very charming. There are chill shops, restaurants, and markets, and it’s very walkable. The hotel is about a 50-minute drive from Lihue Airport.

How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay

1 Hotels has its own loyalty program, Mission by 1 Hotels, although you can’t earn free stays with it, only perks. Members earn rewards with each stay that allow them to receive certain benefits with each tier, and they receive Give Back cash to help fund environmental and social causes.

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