Paradise Found at Kaua'i – Princeville at Hanalei

Source: orangecoast.com

With its focus on wellness and well-being, 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay invites guests to decompress, relax, and reset. When I think of Hawaiʻi, I think of swaying palm trees, crashing waves, the trade winds’ soothing breeze, and the sweet scent of plumeria. Each of the eight main islands has its own unique charm. And with its flourishing rainforests and verdant valleys, Kauaʻi—the oldest of the chain—stands as a crown jewel.

It’s here, nestled against an emerald cliffside on The Garden Isle, that 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay beckons with relaxed luxury and a space meticulously designed in biophilic style, incorporating native timber and natural foliage into the resort’s decor. Upon arrival, a lush garden and bubbling creek lead guests to an open-air lobby, where the reception staff welcomes weary travelers with a cool hand towel and refreshing local fruit-and-spirits shot.

A chalkboard outlining the day’s activities stands at the far end of the reception area—sunrise movement, Pilates, and stress management meditation are listed among other offerings like lei making, puka shell crafting, and watercolor painting. It’s like an invitation to decompress, relax, and reset the body and mind.

Designed as a global holistic wellness destination, the resort sits on 23 acres and features 20,000 square feet of space dedicated to well-being. The 10,000-square-foot fitness center is outfitted with all kinds of equipment—everything from free weights and battle ropes to Pelotons and StairMasters. You can book a personal training session, sign up for a fitness assessment using an InBody analyzer, or go it alone. And there’s a separate studio for yoga and Pilates sessions.

The Bamford Wellness Spa offers an impressive array of treatments (like lomilomi massage and a thermal-cryo facial) and touchless offerings (think hyperbaric oxygen, a combination infrared sauna and ice bath, and an Ocean Float experience). At Vitality Kauaʻi, guests can book IV infusions, B12 shots, and aesthetic offerings such as traditional injectables, microneedling, and chemical peels.

Formerly the St. Regis Princeville, 1 Hotel opened in 2023 as an eco-friendly resort committed to sustainability. And the effort hasn’t gone without notice—it’s been recognized by the Surfrider Foundation as an ocean-friendly hotel.

The 252 guest rooms and suites boast breathtaking views of Hanalei Bay, which is visible from almost every angle in the ocean suites, from the bedroom to the living room. Even the waterfall shower and deep soaking tub gift guests with vantages of the sparkling ocean.

Sustainability is a guiding force in the resort’s food-and-beverage operations. The main restaurant, 1 Kitchen, serves up island-inspired dishes, including local fresh catch and vegetables sourced from Kauaʻi’s natural bounty, including an on-site organic garden. You’ll see entrees like a delicious banana-wrapped snapper with lentils and coconut curry sauce. And the coriander-sesame ahi with arugula, braised onion, and lemon is to die for. Meat lovers can choose between a 14-ounce New York striploin or a 7-ounce prime beef tenderloin.