Review of 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
I want to start by saying that 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay is not a bad hotel, in fact, it’s stunning in many ways. But overall, our stay fell short of expectations for the price and brand. Primarily in the areas of services and dining.
The Positives
The grounds are spectacular, seamlessly blending with the surrounding landscape. Everywhere you look, you’re met with lush greenery and water features that make the property feel naturally part of Kauai’s beauty. The views from the terraces are truly unmatched, and the infinity pool, open 24 hours, is a genuine highlight.
The gym deserves special mention; it’s one of the best hotel fitness centers I’ve ever seen, perfect for anyone who likes to stay active while traveling.
The breakfast buffet was also exceptional, with a wide range of healthy yet creative dishes that made mornings a pleasure.
The Negatives
Most of our criticisms come down to expectations versus atmosphere. The overall vibe feels more like a curated Instagram backdrop rather than one of understated luxury.
The Welina Terrace restaurant, for example, is clearly designed to attract outside guests. During dinner, it wasn’t unusual for non-hotel visitors to lean over our table to take selfies with the view. That, combined with the high noise levels - a DJ on the first night, followed by live musicians playing too loudly to converse comfortably made it difficult to relax. For a property charging over $1,100 per night, it didn’t feel like the experience was meant for guests.
The food at the hotel’s main restaurant was fine, but not exceptional; more mid-range dining at fine-dining prices. In addition, restaurant operations felt disorganized: despite having reservations, we often found staff scrambling to prepare our table when we arrived. The food lacked refinement. The pasta dishes bathed in heavy cream. As an addition, on days we did not make reservations, there would be long waits for tables. I have never stayed at a high-end hotel that did not hold tables for guests. I should not have to make a reservation for the hotel restaurant.
The clientele mix also impacts the atmosphere. Many guests seemed to be working remotely, meaning that a quiet morning coffee with a view was often interrupted by someone taking a Teams call nearby. Which is surprising given that the WiFi is painfully slow, and spotty.
Service and Housekeeping:
Our biggest objective issue was housekeeping. The hotel uses an exterior light system: green for service requested, red for do not disturb, but three days in a row we received texts saying, “We went to your room, but the light was red,” despite it being set correctly. It often felt like we had to chase down staff to get the room cleaned. On the third day, it took two visits to the lobby to get service. They rectified it (and included a bottle of prosecco) Even when service occurred, details were missed (like replacing silverware), and a laundry pickup request went completely unaddressed.
The Rooms:
As seems common nowadays, the bathrooms feature a sliding door with no fan, and a rainfall shower without a door. The vanity feels intrusive being right in the middle of the room. It becomes difficult to not disturb your partner when getting up to use the rest room, or getting ready in the morning.
The Area around the hotel:
There are no other options for food within walking distance of the hotel - and certainly no high end restaurants. Anywhere on the north shore.
Final Thoughts
1 Hotel Hanalei Bay is a visually stunning property with incredible natural surroundings and excellent amenities. However, the execution and service don’t yet live up to the luxury price point. With more attention to guest experience and consistency, it could easily become one of Hawaii’s best, but for now, it feels like a beautiful hotel still learning how to deliver five-star service.
