Hanalei Bay Resort: good price, great beach!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase through my links we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. The Hawai’i Vacation Guide has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. The Hawai’i Vacation Guide and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Read about our affiliate policies here.

In a nutshell: Vacation rental convenience with resort amenities on Kauai’s North Shore. Hanalei Bay Resort is a great Princeville option, with a great beach!

People had told us to stay at Hanalei Bay Resort for years. Yes, years. And while we did try to book it for a few trips, it was always sold out months in advance. (That should’ve been a signal of just how good it is).

We finally stayed there and *spoiler* we loved it. It has easy access to the beach. Take a walk or let them drive you in a golf cart. It has insane views. And it does have two restaurants on-site, which is unique for a vacation rental property (the restaurants are rather mediocre, but convenient).

Take my advice though: we went cheap and stayed in a studio that was very inexpensive and hasn’t been updated in 30. years. Spring for something a step up. That’s what I plan to do on our next trip.

Now…onto the details.

Overview of the Hanalei Bay Resort

With the Hanalei Bay Resort you don’t have to choose between in-unit laundry and full kitchens or amazing pools and tennis courts, you get to have your cake and eat it too. This resort has an on site restaurant and bar, is walking distance to the beach, has a fantastic lagoon pool, and plenty of classes to keep you busy. Plus these units can easily accommodate large groups.

But beware: this place books up well in advance. The secret is out. So if you’re interested in staying here, make those reservations fast.

The Hanalei Bay Resort Key Facts

The Hanalei Bay Resort Location:

The Hanalei Bay Resort is in Princeville on the north shore of Kauai. It is walking distance to Pu’u Poa Beach, a 7 minute drive to downtown Princeville, a 15 minute drive from Hanalei, and just under an hour from Lihue Airport.

Check out these Napali Coast tours that leave right from Hanalei Bay!
Seasonal Catamaran Sail & Snorkel (Mar-Oct) to the Napali Coast from Hanalei
Napali Coast from Hanalei: Snorkel and Rafting

The Hanalei Bay Resort Pool:

There are 2 pools and 1 large hot tub on the property. One of the pools is a modest and simple round pool great for lounging. The other is a lagoon pool that features a waterfall and a sectioned off wading area perfect for young kids.

The Hanalei Bay Resort Unit Sizes:

The Hanalei Bay Resort is unique in that it has studio, 1-, and 2-bedroom units, but some units are adjoining, so you can have up to 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms for larger parties. Be sure to check out each unit’s description to see your options. Most units have in-unit washer and dryers as well as A/C.

The Hanalei Bay Resort Review: why we love it

• Amenities: Although not all of these are included in the resort fee, there are some great options like lei making, private tennis lessons, 8 tennis courts, water sport rentals, yoga classes, and a 24/7 fitness center.
• Hospitality lounge: Complete with a kitchenette, TVs, and areas to kick back and relax, the lounge is complimentary during your stay and has a small per party fee for the day of checkout. If you have a late flight or are in between lodging, this can be really nice to have access to.
• The lagoon pool: Their lagoon pool is really beautiful and a wonderful place to relax. It just about makes up for the resort not being beach front, and is a great perk as far as vacation rentals go.
• The views: When you look out your window, what you see is nothing short of stunning. The lush landscape coupled with an ocean view makes unwinding on your lanai with a drink in hand a picture perfect way to start or end your day.
• Beach access: Getting beach access in Princeville is tough. That’s why we love this place. And the beach is shared with luxury hotel One Hanalei Bay, so you get the same beach at a steep discount.

Things to Know Before Booking The Hanalei Bay Resort

• No elevator: There are no elevators to get to any of the rooms, so if anyone in your party uses a wheelchair or other mobility aids, be sure to book a ground floor unit.
• Rental fees: All accommodations in Hawaii can come with some (rather large) fees. Whether you’re in a hotel paying resort fees or you’re getting a vacation rental and paying service fees, factor these into your equation. We usually go with VRBO because we’ve found that these fees are usually lower than what you’ll find on other similar platforms.
• Separate fees: On top of the usual VRBO fees, there is a one time registration fee, a daily resort fee, and a daily parking fee that is paid directly to the Hanalei Bay Resort upon check in and is not included when you book.
• No unit consistency: All of these vacation rentals are individually owned, so there’s a lack of consistency. Some have excellent views and others come with a less impressive view or fewer helpful in-unit amenities. Reading reviews of individual units can always give you a better sense of what to expect before booking.

Want to check out other options on Kauai? Read our reviews:
Puamana, Princeville: ease of access to the North Shore
Koloa Landing Resort Review: the best resort on Kauai
Waipouli Beach Resort: part resort, part vacation rental

The Best Kauai Itinerary

Ready to plan the rest of your vacation? We have you covered with our Kauai itinerary. This download and go itinerary takes you on a planned out route around the island seeing the best sights and eating at the best restaurants.

Your vacation guide was absolutely amazing. Traveling to Hawaii required 100s of decisions from where to stay, what to eat and what to do, and you made it a TON easier. All of your restaurant suggestions were fantastic.

Rebecca S.