Once I arrived on the tip of Kauai’s North Shore with my mother and younger son, we have been drained from the lengthy journey from the East Coast. Our flight on Hawaiian Airways — direct from New York to Honolulu, adopted by a brilliant quick connection to Kauai — was nice sufficient, however it was nonetheless exhausting at greater than 10 hours. However as quickly as we noticed 1 Lodge Hanalei Bay’s verdant backyard with trickling waterfalls and volcanic rocks on a rocky cliff jutting into the Pacific Ocean, we perked up. The shot of domestically made Koloa coconut rum paired with recent juice we got at reception additionally helped.

In the event you keep in mind the St. Regis Princeville that this property was, you’ll hardly acknowledge it post-1 Lodge makeover, which took a number of years and lots of hundreds of thousands of {dollars} (1 Lodge Hanalei Bay opened in 2023). The intense white and marble are gone, changed by blend-in-with-the-surroundings impartial tones and luxurious native crops that attain from the bottom, up the dwelling partitions, and to the rooftop herb gardens. Nonetheless, sustainability goes past design right here, and the model’s ethos suits completely with Kauai’s spirit.

Touches within the rooms like recycled cardboard hangers, fastidiously chosen crystals, artfully hung hula grass skirts, and sure, extra greenery, preserve that eco-friendliness prime of thoughts, however none of it sacrifices the posh both, which comes within the type of rainfall showerheads, lofty pillowtop mattresses, comfortable robes and slippers, and welcome facilities like native banana bread and recent fruit.

Service and workers are low-key in that laid-back, Hawai’i approach, which isn’t to say that they’re missing — they’re simply not stuffy. Equally, visitors are relaxed sufficient to not gown to the nines for dinner, however it’s clear the clientele has cash to spend.

The center of the resort is the sprawling fundamental pool and its three sizzling tubs, however there are all the time sufficient loungers to go round, as we fortunately found. The seashore is equally full with snorkelers and solar worshippers, though remember that this aspect of the island sometimes will get rain at the least as soon as a day. Fortunately, it’s usually a short sprinkle that ends with a rainbow.

Whereas the ocean and its legendary surf breaks appeal to loads of visitors, this resort additionally brings a wellness-seeking crowd (myself included) due to its substantial and wonderful spa amenities and programming. From hands-on physique remedies to cutting-edge, no-touch therapies, the spa menu is miles lengthy. Plus, the varied each day health and wellness courses are practically all complimentary, as is using the spa’s saunas and steam rooms and the large health middle. If the seashore didn’t beckon, I might’ve simply spent my entire trip within the wellness middle.

This is my evaluation of 1 Lodge Hanalei Bay.

The Rooms

Since I used to be touring with my mother and 8-year-old son, we selected an oceanview room with two queen beds (I used to be the unfortunate one to share with my son, who likes to kick in his sleep). There was a comfortable daybed in opposition to the large window looking onto Hanalei Bay, and the plush beds, clad in natural cotton sheets, have been extraordinarily comfy. The colour palette of the room, like the remainder of the resort, featured tones of tans, grays, and browns, however it was the textures — rough-hewn reclaimed teak, woven rope, braided reed, volcanic rocks — that gave the nature-inspired design its depth. The fastidiously positioned potted crops and crystals (for optimistic vitality, because the workers member who confirmed me my room famous) have been very best minimalist accents. One in every of my favourite touches that jogged my memory I used to be in Hawai’i with out being too apparent or cheesy was the dried grass skirt hung like a tapestry. The toilet — lined with bumpy volcanic rocks — was roomy, and the rainfall bathe had a window on one aspect that will enable for views straight out to the ocean if the blinds have been raised on it.

The resort has 252 rooms, together with 51 suites, with numerous views and configurations. Like mine, the colour palette and furnishings are impartial and pure all through. All rooms have yoga mats, cozy sweatshirt-like hooded robes and slippers, Bluetooth audio system, Nespresso machine, and Bamford tub merchandise. Greenery additionally comes customary.

Suites characteristic separate sitting areas and bigger loos with soaking tubs; some have kitchenettes, eating rooms, and terraces. Sure suites even have perks like precedence seating at resort eating places, complimentary mini-bar snacks and non-alcoholic drinks, and complimentary seashore exercise leases, whereas the best degree, which is a part of the Retreat Assortment, consists of complimentary spa remedies, each day breakfast, a devoted concierge, and extra.

Meals and Drink

The resort has six meals and beverage shops. Neighbors Café is a health-focused grab-and-go breakfast and lunch cafe, which may be discovered in any respect 1 Lodge places. You order on the counter, and other than a sturdy espresso menu, there are smoothies, recent juices, and dishes like in a single day oats, pastries, and breakfast sandwiches. There are counters with seats, and if you need to compensate for emails, this might be the place to do it with a cup of espresso created from domestically grown and roasted beans by Hanalei Espresso Roaster.

If you end up by the pool or seashore craving lunch, the Sandbox has fare like poke, fish tacos, and pizza from a wood-burning oven. Adjoining is Wai’Oli, the shave ice stand we visited practically each day. It has conventional Hawai’ian shave ice with numerous flavors and toppings, mushy serve, and gelato. The Juice Bar is by the gymnasium and presents cold-pressed juices from Kauai Juice Co., plus espresso, 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 native, seasonal elements and has a chalkboard displaying the native catches of the day. A sturdy breakfast buffet with native specialties like ube pancakes, loco moco, tropical fruit, and rotating flavors of delectable malasadas (fried doughnuts with fillings like coconut and fervour fruit that originated in Portugal) can also be out there. Lunch brings salads and sandwiches, whereas dinner has do-it-yourself pasta and grilled and roasted proteins, with a number of fish choices and a very good number of domestically grown greens as sides. Cocktails skew tiki and have recent juices and premium liquors.

Welina Terrace is simply open for dinner and has a extra adult-only feeling, though youngsters are allowed to dine right here (however there’s no children’ menu right here, as on the different eating places). It has a big bar and a smattering of small tables that spill out onto the terrace going through the ocean — and sundown. Actually, there’s a nightly sundown ritual with a standard Hawaiian hula (leaning extra romantic than tacky), and sure nights deliver native musicians. The menu options small Japanese-inspired dishes like sushi rolls, nigiri, shishito peppers, and wagyu tataki. Cocktails embrace a big agave-inflected choice and a menu of sake and Japanese whisky, together with wines and different spirits. Each right here and 1 Kitchen characteristic a brief zero-proof cocktail menu as effectively­ — my son liked the All Pina No Colada.

Actions and Experiences

The big central pool with a number of rock and waterfall options and the sandy seashore are the locations to be, and there are seashore actions like snorkeling, browsing, kayaking, and paddle boarding. There may be additionally an adults-only infinity pool on the higher degree. In the event you want a break from the solar, there’s a each day calendar stuffed with primarily free actions like paint and sip, lau hala bracelet weaving, a Mai Tai workshop, lei making, and nature walks, plus tons of wellness courses starting from dawn yoga to sizzling pilates to sound baths to cardio boxing.

You may also go on a guided 1.5-hour outrigger canoe tour, play tennis or pickleball, or play a spherical of golf on the adjoining Princeville Makai Golf Membership, some of the lovely programs on this planet. Off-property, you may guide guided hikes, helicopter excursions, fishing, and boat excursions by the resort. There’s additionally a menu of malama — volunteer alternatives to present again to the group — like seashore cleanups and visits with shelter canine.

Company can signal as much as borrow one of many home vehicles — an Audi e-tron electrical car — to go to close by island points of interest. We didn’t lease a automobile, and accessing the home automobile was an ideal strategy to discover the island.

The Spa

The wellness program here’s a main focus, and spending a number of hours on the huge spa, wellness space, and state-of-the-art health middle is straightforward. Woman Carole Bamford, natural pioneer and founding father of Bamford skincare and spa model, helped create the natural-wood, 18,000-square-foot Bamford Wellness Spa, which offers a serene setting for wellness therapies. There are 18 therapy rooms, some with specialised gear like a quartz mattress and aqua desk. Transformative facial and physique remedies are impressed by native Hawaiian tradition, and specifically formulated merchandise from Hawai’ian medicinal crops and natural elements, similar to tulsi, noni fruit, espresso, sea salt, and honey, are used.

Earlier than I arrived, I had just lately came upon that I had two herniated discs in my again and was experiencing some fairly extreme discomfort. It’s not an exaggeration after I say that the 80-minute Intuitive Natural Ritual I had on my first day helped immensely with my ache. The complete physique therapeutic massage spotlights Kaua‘i Farmacy’s Comfrey Noni Serum, infused with wealthy macadamia nut oil. I additionally skilled a number of touchless therapies provided, together with the saltwater flotation chamber, rainbow chakra mat, and Somadome meditation pod — they also have a hyperbaric oxygen tank and a soon-to-come cryo chamber. I received a sneak peek of Precision Wellbeing, their medical spa that includes longevity remedies by way of medical professionals.

The ten,000-square-foot Anatomy Health options gear like Pelotons, StairMasters, rowers, battle ropes, boxing gear, squat racks, and Booty Builders.

Household-friendly Choices

When you’ll see loads of honeymooners, pal teams, and retired {couples} right here, the resort additionally caters to households. There are connectable rooms, children’ menus at most eating shops, and an outpost of Seedlings, 1 Inns’ children membership, which my son totally loved whereas my mother and I have been on the spa. The resort tries to supply native cultural actions like ukulele classes and tide pool explorations.

Accessibility and Sustainability

The resort meets ADA requirements, with elevators and ramps the place essential. There are six accessible room varieties.

1 Inns is a model recognized for sustainability at its core, and in some ways, this property feels just like the epitome of this mission, due to its pure design that includes reclaimed supplies, lush native plantings, rainwater harvesting methods, and lots of domestically sourced elements and types. The resort is LEED-certified and intensely vitality environment friendly. It is usually working towards being carbon impartial. Touches like recycled paper hangers, soy ink pens, and electrical home vehicles present they’re really severe in regards to the atmosphere.

Location

The resort is positioned on Kauai’s beautiful North Shore, proper on the famed Hanalei Bay. It’s a part of Princeville, a discreet growth residence to a Westin and a Wyndham, plus houses and condos, lots of that are trip leases. The city of Hanalei is about 10 minutes away and really charming. There are chill outlets, eating places, and markets, and it’s very walkable. The resort is a couple of 50-minute drive from Lihue Airport.

Find out how to Get the Most Worth Out of Your Keep

1 Inns has its personal loyalty program, Mission by 1 Inns, though you may’t earn free stays with it, solely perks. Members earn rewards with every keep that enable them to obtain sure advantages with every tier, they usually obtain Give Again money to assist fund environmental and social causes.