Hanalei Colony Resort

Genevieve Burch

2024-04

AWFUL. They are rude and there are no services. Wildly overpriced.1. NO CLEANING -- They say "no contact" cleaning, but it's just no cleaning. They are "happy" to give you new towels if you CARRY YOUR DIRTY TOWELS TO THE OFFICE and exchange them for clean towels. During their limited hours.2. LIMITED HOURS -- They are only on the property 8 - 6, so if you need *anything* after 6 pm, too bad.3. Cheap -- We asked for more coffee and they said it would be $2.4. Poorly stocked -- The kitchen only had one small towel and a washcloth -- not nearly enough. The bathroom towels were also very limited, particularly when you get no new towels unless you are willing to carry wet & dirty towels across the property.5. RUDE RUDE RUDE -- I arrived around 10:30 am and said we were there to check in. One lady was putting away towels and the other was on a computer. They both sort of looked confused. One lady said -- "Check in is at 3." Uh, ok. I said that it would be great if our room was ready but if not, we'd like to leave our luggage. And that I was confused b/c we'd been emailing with someone about this exact issue. They asked my name and when I told them, they said we had no reservation. We did have a reservation in my husband's name. Another day I came into the office about something else. The particularly unpleasant older lady was checking someone in. I stood there for 5+ minutes while she did not acknowledge me. I left before getting any help.6. No services -- If you want anything, you got to them to get it. If you need help with your luggage, there is a weird cart you can use.7. Property is not in great condition.The location is amazing -- right on the beach. But they are charging 5 star prices for one star treatment and services. Wildly overpriced. Most expensive and least decent place we stayed. We had been to this resort 10+ years ago and were so excited to return -- sadly, it's now just a bad memory for us.

Patrick Callahan

2024-04

A great secluded beach location choice. If you want to just chill out on the north shore, make your own meals, and visit hanalei now and then, this is a great option. It's a 90 minute drive to West side activities from here. The unit has all the kitchen necessities and space in the unit is ample for a couple or small family. Plenty of outdoor things to do from here as well. Staff is super responsive and genuinely cares about your stay experience. I had some concerns about obstructed views from the Lanai that they immediately took care of. Pool and hot tub area is very nice now as well, with 2 gas grills, and charcoal grills around the property as well, with charcoaling supplies furnished. Laundry facilities are good too. This is our second time to stay here and it's been great both times, If you want to feel like family on the north shore stay here. The staff even set up lawn games on the central lawn for anyone to use, which made it feel like home. Lots of hidden perks here! Beach gear and umbrellas are in every unit as well. Ample close parking is great too.

Jeffrey Leiser

2024-04

The untamed ocean, for the untamed heart. If you’re seeking solace or simply connection to nature, book a room, unplug and find some rest in your spirit. Hanalei is waiting for short dinner excursions. Tunnels is around the corner for snorkeling (mind the current though). The appeal here is engaging with nature another way, less vacation and more contemplation. We felt the experience of a week in only four nights because hurry is for worry. North side Kauai is for getting away from all of that.

Chris Krohn

2024-03

If you're tired of the crowds and the corporate feeling at commercial resorts, get back to traditional Hawaii at Hanalei Colony Resort. It's way up on the North Shore, west of the town of Hanalei proper, with a beautiful view of Wainiha Bay. The bungalows on the property are each made up of four units, two-over-two, with a large lanai for each unit. The oceanfront units are steps away from the sand, and their lanais are great. The interiors abound with tropical woods and slatted, retractable walls to take advantage of the constant tropical breeze, so there's no need for air conditioning. Furniture is comfortable, beds are firm, the bedding is soft with beautiful prints, and there are lots of pillows. There's a coral reef just offshore, along with a nice, sandy beach at the west end of the property great for swimming. There's a restaurant/bar onsite with live music and an eclectic menu. Staff members Chawake and/or Jeanne always seemed to be in the front office, ready with answers to any questions we may have had. They made us feel like VIPs.

Catrina Muir

2023-12

We recently visited Hawaii for the first time (Big Island, Kauai & Oahu) & by far our favourite island & place to stay was Hanalei Colony Resort Kauai. Beautiful & thoughtfully appointed rooms, fell asleep listening to the sound of the waves. The resort is secluded in a tropical paradise. Courtesy bus was an easy option, the drive into town also easy once we got the hang of the single lane bridges. We didn't want to leave!

rei ganir

2024-02

Looking for a tranquil vacation with stunning views of both mountains and the ocean? The Hanalei Colony Resort offers just that. Their exceptionally accommodating staff, especially Chawake, embodies the true meaning of the Aloha spirit. Chawake is not only friendly but also incredibly knowledgeable about the island.On the property, you'll find a small swimming pool and two grilling stations, providing a fantastic opportunity to save money. Depending on the month of your visit, you can enjoy a beautiful sunrise and indulge in star gazing since the resort is far from the city and lacks excessive external lights.I highly recommend this place if you seek a connection with nature. Thank you for making us feel at home.

Vassil

2023-11

Part of me doesn't want to leave a review as I'd prefer this gem to remain relatively hidden - but that would be unfair to our wonderful hosts! The location is fantastic for enjoying the real beauty of Kauai and avoiding the tourist crowds. Right on the ocean, walking distance to Tunnels Beach, a 12-minute drive to Hanalei town (plus there is a shuttle that can take you there and back). Listening to the ocean / and or rain at night felt magical.

Mike Moore

2024-02

We have stayed at this property 2 times 18 months apart. We can’t imagine staying anyplace else on Kaua’i. This is unplugged and family focused. Both times were amazing experiences.Rooms: Well designed Hawaii style condominiums with shutters between rooms. Well appointed kitchen. The unit that we were in was a Bath and a half. When they say premium oceanfront room they mean it amazing unobstructed view and three large steps to the beach.Safety: As a family with two small children we felt very secure in SAFE the entire time that we were on the property and in the local area.Noteworthy details: 15 minute drive past Hanalei. Stunning views. Remote but not austere.

Lisa Crane

2024-03

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Stacy Rogers

2023-09

I recommend this to anyone who wants to enjoy Kauai. I would hands down choose to stay here again, I heard there wasn't a TV but I didn't notice because I was busy walking on the beach or enjoying the sights. There is WiFi for those who must remain connected. This place was so peaceful and relaxing and I fell asleep listening to the ocean waves through the screened windows every night. There was a wonderful secluded feeling that was different than the big resorts.

Andrew Hackett

2023-05

Do not pay attention to any of the negative reviews, as I have no idea how the hell you can go to this place and be nothing but happy.First of all, splurge for the ocean front room. You are literally on top of the water, with a view of the bay and the mountains. It is one of the most amazing views to wake up to in the morning or go to sleep to at night. No AC? Who cares, you don't need it. The fresh breeze coming in the room at night gave us the best nights sleep for our entire stay.The staff! It pains me to not remember the names - shout out to the amazing staff that not only made our check in easy and painless, but also shuttled us to and from town a few times.We were delighted to share a drink next door with a few of the wonderful staff (after work of course) and that was so much fun.Look, if you are looking for a 5 star hotel with all of the amenities, go stay at the resort in Princeville for $2,000 per night.But if you want a truly authentic Hawaiian experience in one of the most beautiful settings in the world - stay here!oh and the restaurant literally touching the property, Opakapaka Grill and Bar is better than any hotel bar and grill because the food is the bomb and the owner is the man!Sending our love from Boston!

Josh Hiltz

2023-08

Quite possibly the nicest place I've ever stayed. If you're planning a trip and can get yourself into G2, I would highly recommend it. The room is right on the corner of the property blanketed on the entire back half by sand and the sea. The sound of the ocean and waves crashing will gently put you to sleep every night after relaxing on the lanai with a glass of wine. The staff are amazing and willing to help with anything you need. We wound up sharing a drink with them at the onsite restaurant Opakapaka (also highly recommend) after conversing earlier in the afternoon. Everything about this place is a dream come true if you're lucky enough to find yourself here.

Drew Ayling

2023-09

All in all it’s a 5-star experience, but take the negative reviews seriously if you’re expecting a 5-star luxury resort - this is not the accommodation for you.Sierra was fun and fantastic at helping us check in the morning after of our late arrival. We had fun with surf and stay package and spent an afternoon in Hanalei at the Aloha Surfing School. The front desk stayed in touch all week to help us feel at home and enjoy our anniversary celebration.Rooms are wonderfully mid-century and are clearly updated “as necessary”. They have shutters and not glass windows which maybe different for folks, but you want that breeze. Go open the shutters.No housekeeping, which, to be honest, I was always the kind of person pre-covid to put up my sleeping beauty door tag and ask for fresh towels in the evening. But as it’s almost now the norm in a post-covid world, better starting expecting it more and more.My biggest gripe? The beds and pillows. They are just not my jam. My back is dying for some mattress toppers and some thicker more supportive pillows.

Julie S

2023-05

The good: The location is excellent! Loved that it was out of the main Hanalei touristy area. Isaac, our shuttle driver and Margaret at the registration desk were very friendly.The bad: The rooms could use a really good deep clean and fresh coat of paint…walls, seat cushions, were quite dirty. Heard everything from the people above us beginning at 6am every morning. One staff member at the registration desk was very rude and could use a lesson in basic customer service.In the end: I’d probably spend a little more and stay elsewhere next time.

Jennifer Schmitz

2023-05

No a/c and we felt this was not promoted or mentioned anywhere on their website. Google should update the amenities since it is misleading. It felt like fancy camping because you can hear everyone else around and above you since all doors and windows are open for air flow. Scenery is beautiful but can be very windy. No walking trails. Restaurant and coffee house both closed unexpectedly and we did not get notice. Friendly staff. At times you feel like an intruder because units are all privately owned. Certain folks gave off status vibes and owners tend to dominate common areas. On the flip side we met some very friendly and nice owners too. Overall with taxes and resort fees it cost about $500/night which we felt was not worth the cost. Exploring the remote part of the island was a cool experience but now that we’ve done it we probably wouldn’t come back. We appreciated reading about their efforts to help the community during the flood(s).

Heidi Marcus

2023-05

$4,000 for 6 nights for 2 adults - no house keeping included, even though it’s a line item expense on your bill. Rooms are very dated and not very clean. Location is great, but unless you pay for a “premium” unit (we did not), you get a view of the ocean and all the other occupants- not ideal. Do your research…$4,000 for 6 nights can get you so much more at a different venue. Also, keep in mind - north shore of Kauai in January/February it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to get in the water, so most of your time will be in your unit…so, spend your money wisely- we did not!

K Harrington

2023-05

Room – The pictures were as advertised. If you get the “premium ocean view” (for $900 per night all taxes included), you are right on the ocean. You literally have about 20 steps from your door to the beach. In this respect, the room has a beautiful view of the ocean and Kauai coast. It is away from most tourists and very few people on the beach. Getting into the ocean is very limited due to hard volcanic rock beyond the visible sand. We loved the idea of this place being very isolated on the island. However, most activities are in the south part of Kauai and take 1-2 hours to reach due to heavy traffic (also speed limit on the island is mostly 35 mph).Our room looked new and very well kept. The mahogany colored trim throughout the room is beautiful. Our mattress was not comfortable: sheets kept coming off (exchanged twice), and the pillows are awful (I used 5 every night to get a decent sleep, and my partner folded his two pillows in half to get enough cushioning, i.e. think pancake flat). The kitchen is well stocked with utensils, plates, glasses, etc. We cooked many nights in the room. Bathrooms are nice and clean.Resor: this is not a traditional resort, even though they charge a $30 per day resort fee. If you stay beyond 5 days they will give housekeeping for one day. Less than that, and you have to go get your own towels and sheets from the check-in area and exchange the old ones. All condos either have people living in them, or they are time-shares that the property is managing. The pool/hot tub/ BBQ/laundry facility was only 2 years old and well used. We used the Day Spa on site, which was nice, but pricey ($385 for 2 including tip). We used the separate restaurant on site, which was mediocre and pricey.Air conditioning: there is none. They told us this when we made the reservation, so we were aware. We read online that this was not a big deal. Others online said you can leave your windows/door open at night for a nice breeze. However, when you leave the windows/door open at night you let in the gnats/mosquitoes and wake up with bites all over. We got bit up for a few days before we stopped doing this, closed the door and bought bug spray to douse ourselves with before bedtime. In the north of Kauai the wind and rain can come on at any moment and, in our case, lasted 3-4 days straight for the first part of our week there. We had winds of 25 mph for 3 days without letting up. So when we opened the windows and patio door it created a very large, loud wind tunnel making it difficult to sleep. The ocean sound is also quite loud. We tried closing the patio door for some quiet, but that heated up the room and made it very stuffy. You seriously need to consider this before renting a room at this place. You might curse yourself after a few days like we did.The wind gusts during windstorms make the patio unusable for long stretches. A sandwich was literally blown off the plate on the patio table. During the last 3 days of our vacation, the wind did quiet down enough to sit on the patio and it was then beautiful.Overall, we know that everyone will have their own opinions, and certain issues that bother one person may not bother another. We can only say that in our very specific case the $900/night cost did not justify our time here at all. We would not book this experience again.

Kat Myhre

2023-07

It's a Private owned room I have at the Resort. I'll just have to a load of laundry for the towels and buy some toilet paper is all. But who cares when you can see the sunset, sleep with the screen door open listeningvt9 the waces crushing and the cw8nd blowing through the flowers and trees outside and wake to the sunrise. It's 13 min to the store Big Save. Note Nearest gas station is in Princeville. Everything closes by 8 or 9pm so get fed before then. :)Rooms: Perfect. I can see the ocean from every room except the kitchen and bathrooms lol.

Michał B.

2023-06

We were a bit dissapointed. Location is beautiful and the staff is really nice, however there were many things which we found annoying:1. Noise - we got a room next to the parking and it was super noisy. As there are no actual windows, just wooden shutters, we could hear all the guests coming and going out in the middle od the night, one night there was also some kind of argument at 2 am on the parking lot which kept us awake. It was really annoying, we couldn’t get comfortable sleep during any of our 4 nights.2. No room service - we found this really strange as they claim themselves to be a resort. We could exchange linen on our own at the reception desk which was only open at certain hours a day (so if you were late from the hole, you had to use old towels) but e.g. when we run out of coffee (we got 1 pack of filter coffee only), they were checking how many nights we are staying and if we are eligible for the other one 😳😳 this was a bit strange as this is not the cheapest hotel.3. Pool area is nice however located next to the road, it is also together with the BBQ place, so there are people gathering and partying making it a bit hard to unwind and relax.4. There is also no A/C in the room which was particularly uncomfortable during the humid nights when it was raining.We would definitely choose some other place next time.

Anna Pivato

2023-05

We stayed in Hanalei Colony Resort for one week in August 2022. Our experience was simply perfect. We had a fully equipped flat in front of the ocean, with private relaxing terrace (lanai) to watch dawn and sunset. The resort is very close to the best crystal blue beach of the island, Tunnel Beach, good for children too. Complementary shuttle service was great to reach town center and avoid moving our car since parking can sometimes be an issue. Staff extremely kind and available. Strongly suggested to who is looking for a very quiet, authentic, Hawaian holiday in the deep beauty of nature.

Claudia Hochschild

2023-05

I live on Maui and still totally amazed how incredibly gorgeous Hanalei is. I would recommend this resort if you don't want the overpriced and hotel cookie cutter experience. This place had a local, almost old Hawaii vibe that I love and find very relaxing. The pool area is new etc but... who cares you have insane beaches/rivers etc close by. The free shuttle operated by Tyler was 5 star. He is awesome and loves showing people his Hanalei. The only negatives are the units are individually owned and our unit was pretty dated. The coffee machine was so cheap and the kitchen cupboards could have been upgraded. Our friends units were way newer. The other thing that was a bit lame was check out is at 10:00am and the front desk lady called Lei called me at 10:01 am to make sure we were getting out. .. it was almost funny but It kinda ruined the vibe that the other distaff had created. Kewake is also front desk and she is all Aloha.

Phillip Borghuis

2023-09

Kauai is wonderful and Hanalei is a beautiful piece of old Hawai’i. But the Hanalei Colony Resort (HCR) is also old and tired. Our bed and bedding was very poor. The bathrooms are old but still function. Some stairs are closed due to rot and most everything including the staff work but just.There is no daily room cleaning but towels can be refreshed by bringing them to the reception desk - when it’s open.Generally speaking HCR is run to accomodate the condo owners but not the guests. And yet the room rates are top tier. HCR is no value - but the beach is very nice.Rooms: In need of updating.

Chad Snow

2023-05

For $700 US night you can expect, no services, no housekeeping, you want you trash removed? You want new towels? That’s on you, no phone to call front desk. They added a pool and laundry facilities for $5 per load but it’s in the back by the road with no view. The room sizes were reasonable, but with no AC you need the windows blinds and a breeze to stay cool. Really the 2nd star is for the location, but for me I’d rather save $300 per night and stay at a superior unit in Princeville, with sound of the ocean on the hill.

Mark Ruth

2024-04

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Jon Felter

2023-05

Rude staff upon arriving and rude upon leaving. As stated on their website the rooms are not air conditioned BUT we had no glass in our windows, just wood shutters covering the window openings. To say it was noisy would be an understatement. We also had water come through the shutters and everything felt damp. They lost power while we were there and gave no update at all with a lackadaisical attitude when we tried to get some feedback on the status. The location is beautiful but this place really needs a facelift with friendlier staff.

Richard Zilm

2023-11

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Caroline Przybylowski

2023-05

My husband and I stayed here during our honeymoon in early October, 2022, and we could not be happier with our experience! The setup is very much apartments, vs. hotel rooms, but the front desk is very responsive and everyone is incredibly sweet. While Hanalei itself is remote, Hanalei Colony Resort provides a very flexible shuttle to take people to Princeville, etc., so that you don't have to solely rely on driving. We'd recommend checking out Tunnels Beach for sunbathing (and seal sightings!) and the Hanalei State Park for hiking!

Dana Reed

2023-05

We booked a condo directly through HCR. What a disappointment! Place was run down; toilet leaked water, "Contactless" housekeeping was non existent. There were no cleaning supplies left in condo. I found a cockroach in the silverware drawer. At the end of our stay as we checked out, my fiance asked to use the bathroom. Front desk told me to walk to the local state Park a mile away and use the toilet. I was dumbfounded. Don't waste your money here!!! Overpriced, run down and rude front desk.

Christopher Kaminski

2023-07

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Nicole Mercolino

2023-05

3 most important qualities… accommodation, friendliness, and LOCATION!! The rooms are well appointed, very comfortable, and very clean. The Kitchen comes stocked with everything you need to prepare simple meals (sans food!) The staff was incredibly friendly and took the time to help us with all our needs - thank you Chawake and team for making this trip to north shore one I’ll never forget!!