Where To Stay In Kauai – Why We Loved Hanalei Colony Resort

ByAmy Ragsdale Updated on

Not sure where to stay in Kauai? Looking for an ideal unspoiled beachfront vacation for the family with excellent snorkeling from the beach and few crowds? Feeling the need for an unplugged vacation for the family? 

This post is for those who are looking for lodging on the north shore of Kauai, trying to decide whether or not to stay on the north shore of Kauai, or for those who have booked a stay at the Hanalei Colony Resort, (lucky you!) and just want to know what to expect. 

Our family friend, who once lived on the island of Kauai (Hawaii’s 4th largest island) for over two decades, absolutely insisted that our family would love vacationing on its north shore with its lush mountains, unspoiled beaches, and excellent snorkeling

With her guidance, we did in fact have an amazing family vacation. It was one of our best vacations yet for unwinding and relaxing with the family, in large part due to the lodging that she recommended for us at Hanalei Colony Resort. Note that this is not a sponsored post– it was just a simply awesome trip!

If you are trying to decide where to stay in Kauai, read on to see why Hanalei Colony Resort worked so well for our family vacation.

No time to plan a vacation? We’ve already done it for you! See our Things To Do In Kauai And How To Spend Your Last Day Before Your Red Eye Flight

Driftwood sticks arranged upright in the sand spell out “ALOHA” on a sunny beach, with rocks, turquoise ocean waves, and a clear blue sky in the background.

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Kauai’s North Shore or South Shore?

Your first decision for lodging is deciding whether to stay on the Kauai’s north shore or south shore. Most lodging options are found in the south shore near Poʻipū.

While the entire island is beautiful, its north shore is considered more rugged and lush with mountains rising from the beaches, while its south shore near the town of Poʻipū is more developed and touristy with more shopping, restaurants, and corporate hotels and resort options like the Grand Hyatt Kauai.

For us, the natural beauty of the north shore was far superior to Kauai’s south shore.

Tip: Some visitors split their time between the north shore and south shore to explore both sides of the island.

For our visit, we stayed at the Hanalei Colony Resort on Kauai’s north shore. The resort is tucked away on 4 acres of secluded beachfront, and it was just what we wanted and hoped it would be- beautiful ocean views with the backdrop of dramatic green cliffs, amazing oceanfront location, laid back, and terrific snorkeling from its beach.

Check current prices at Hanalei Colony Resort. Depending on when you visit, prices range from $450-$550 for their standard 2 bedroom. This is a fairly affordable option on Kauai’s north shore compared to other oceanfront hotels like 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay

The Beach At Hanalei Colony Resort

You will have incredible access to the beach from the resort. The beach is beautiful, uncrowded, and you can easily walk over a mile along the beach from your room.

The beach directly behind the resort is perfect for watching sunrises but swimming is not recommended due to rocks and strong currents. However, you can walk just 5 minutes north along the beach and you will find a nice sandy beach and great snorkeling. 

Two empty seats—a lounge chair and a wooden bench—sit under a large tree by a sandy beach, facing the ocean with waves and a partly cloudy sky. A “Caution” sign is posted on the tree.
A perfect spot to watch the sunrise at Hanalei Colony Resort

The sunrises from the beach each morning were stunning. And did I mention the excellent star gazing at night? Even in the summer, the sun sets before 8pm so you don’t have to stay up late to see the night sky.

For your convenience, each room at Hanalei Colony Resort provides 2 beach chairs, beach towels, and even a beach umbrella for your use. (You’ll find them in the bedroom closet). I also liked that the beach offered some shady areas under the tree canopy.

Upon return from the beach, we appreciated the wash-off stations that are scattered throughout the resort for rinsing sand off your feet or body after your beach time. 

A sandy beach with rocks in the foreground, gentle ocean waves, and lush green mountains in the background under a sky with pink and orange clouds at sunset.
Sunset views from the beach

Check out the webcam Hanalei Colony Resort to see the beach and current conditions.

Snorkeling In Kauai

First things first. I love to snorkel, but my daughters are both prone to motion sickness so I’m always on the look out for a place where you can snorkel from the beach rather than getting on a boat. Hanalei Colony Resort checked this box for sure as did nearby beaches on the north shore.

See our Things To Do In Kauai And How To Spend Your Last Day Before Your Red Eye Flight.

Snorkeling At Hanalei Colony Resort

Hanalei Colony Resort offers excellent snorkeling from their beach. Just walk a few steps from your lanai to reach the beach behind the resort.

For the best snorkeling spot on the beach, turn left at the seating area to walk about 5 minutes just past the point that juts out into the ocean. Here is where you’ll find a sandy entry to the shallow reef. 

A large beach umbrella provides shade on a sandy beach with lush green trees and plants nearby. Ocean waves roll in, and mountains are visible in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.
The best beach and snorkeling spot at Hanalei Colony Resort. We often had the beach to ourselves. Umbrella provided by the resort which was nice.

The water temperature was refreshing and not too cold or too warm, and it is crystal clear. We were delighted every day to see all shapes and sizes of tropical fish and even sea turtles. What a thrill!

There were never more than a dozen people at any given time and we often had the beach to ourselves. 

Sunny beach with golden sand, green shrubs, and palm trees on the left, leading to clear blue ocean waves under a bright blue sky.
This is the beach directly behind the resort. The best snorkeling is found just beyond where the sandy point juts out into the ocean at the top of the photo.

I recommend bringing a snorkel and mask from home rather than renting them. It’s more affordable and doesn’t take up much room in the suitcase. We skipped the fins to save space in our luggage and did fine without them.

I would, however, bring water shoes/sandals to enter the water. Some areas can be rocky.

The Greatever Dry Snorkel Set ($29.99) and the Cressi Adult Light Weight Premium Travel Snorkel Set With Fins ($94.95) are well-reviewed and popular options on Amazon.

Snorkeling on the North Shore

Nearby Ke’e Beach, Anini Beach, and Tunnels Beach are highly recommended beaches for swimming and snorkeling. Each of these beaches is absolutely beautiful and perfect for families looking to swim in soft waves.

  • A sandy beach with gentle waves, lined with palm trees on the left. In the background, lush green mountains rise under a clear blue sky. Footprints are visible in the sand along the shoreline.
    Tunnels Beach
  • A sandy beach with clear blue water and gentle waves, bordered by lush green trees and hills, under a bright blue sky with scattered white clouds.
    Ke’e Beach

Tip: We walked along the neighborhood roads and then along the beach to reach Tunnels Beach from Hanalei Colony Resort. It took about 30 minutes. Parking is limited at Tunnels Beach, so it was a bonus to be able to walk there from the resort.

Note: To protect the reef, reef-safe sunscreen is recommended. Oxybenzone and octinoxate are the main ingredients that are harmful to the reefs, so look for sunscreen without it.

Travel & Leisure rated Thrive Natural Care Body Mineral Sunscreen (Amazon) as their best overall pick but you have plenty of choices (and prices) available. We like Sun Bum Original SPF 30 Sunscreen Body Lotion (Amazon.)

What The Rooms Are Like At Hanalei Colony Resort

Our room at Hanalei Colony Resort was decorated nicely and felt like a tropical Hawaiian retreat. With an open layout, it has 2 bedrooms separated by folding and sliding doors if more privacy is desired.

One room has a king bed and the other room has 2 daybeds that can be converted to two twin beds by taking off the cover. to expose the sheets.

  • A bright, cozy living area with patterned sofas, a wooden coffee table, a backpack, and a glass dining table with four reusable water bottles and green lids. A partition separates the bedroom from the living room.
    Living room with king bedroom behind it. The doors can slide for additional privacy.
  • A cozy room with two daybeds featuring striped cushions, green leaf-patterned bolsters, and orange accent pillows. A table with a large lamp sits between the beds. An open suitcase is on one bed.
    Two twin beds double as couches in the 2nd bedroom. Remove the cover and the sheets are on the beds ready to go.

The majority of the units have an ocean view and several are perched within feet of the ocean. Each has a lanai (outdoor patio) with table and chairs to enjoy meals and the beautiful views. We stayed in Building D and had great views of the ocean.

Map of Hanalei Colony Resort showing building layout, parking, pool, BBQ areas, office, housekeeping, entrances, and proximity to the ocean, highway, and Haena State Park. Text boxes provide contact and operational details.
Map of Hanalei Colony Resort

The unit has a full kitchen (minus dishwasher) and comes with dishes and basic pots and pans as well as a microwave and coffee pot. No spices, but they provide a starter package of coffee and tea. 

The unit feels tropical with a mix of windows and glass-less windows with wooden slats that you adjust to allow the trade winds to circulate and cool the unit.

Like many homes on the island, there is no air conditioning. In its place, you will find 2 ceiling fans- one in the main bedroom and one in the living room. With the fans and the constant ocean breeze, the temperature was cool enough at night.  

View through a sliding glass door of a wooden patio with a table and chairs, leading to a grassy yard and distant ocean, with buildings and a tall tree in the background under partly cloudy skies.
We stayed in the first floor D unit. Just walk across the grassy courtyard and you are right there at the beach. The covered lanai always had a nice ocean breeze, and we enjoyed our meals there.

While we were there in August (the hottest month of the year), it was 85 degrees with 72 degree lows at night. We enjoyed a constant ocean breeze, and it didn’t get too hot inside our rental until later in the afternoon. It then cooled off as the sun set around 7:15pm.

Note: Although the resort offers Wifi, you won’t find TVs in the rooms. The Wifi signal worked really well.

Check current prices at Hanalei Colony Resort.

Hanalei Colony Resort Grounds

Peaceful and Quiet

Hanalei Colony Resort and its surrounding area is everything you would imagine for a tropical vacation- green gardens with flowering fauna, the constant sound of the ocean, the dramatic mountains, the golden sand and multiple shades of blue in the ocean.

A two-story beachfront building with balconies overlooks a large grassy lawn. The ocean and a tall tree are visible under a partly cloudy sky.
Buildings A & B are shown here. Building A and F directly front the ocean, but all units have ocean views with the exception of Buildings M and L.

The resort is a complex of several buildings that each houses 4 units–2 upstairs and 2 downstairs. The resort is located on the North Shore of Kauai right next to the infamous Nāpali Coast, a rugged and beautiful 17 mile stretch of coast perched next to steep mountainous cliffs. 

This area of Kauai feels much more low key and secluded than the east and south shore and more green and lush. 

Traffic can be a problem here though with its one-lane bridges and a single road, Kuhio Highway, that traverses the entire length of the north shore.

Tip: The local rule is to take turns crossing the one lane bridges with 7 cars crossing at a time before giving the right of way to the waiting cars on the opposite side.

Pool and Hot Tub

Outdoor dining area with tables and chairs by a swimming pool, surrounded by lush tropical plants and tall palm trees under a clear blue sky. Decorative wooden panels provide partial shade overhead.
Pool, hot tub, and gas grills

Brightly colored flowers dot the landscaped property, and walking paths lead you to the swimming pool, hot tub, and BBQ areas. 

We did not use the swimming pool although it was beautiful. It would be a great place to read a book while the kids splash and play. We simply couldn’t leave the beautiful beach.

The upstairs area of the pool complex offers a washer and dryer for a small fee. You can get coins and detergent at the office.

BBQ Grills

  • Outdoor covered patio with wicker sofas, dining tables, and built-in grills beside a pool. Surrounded by tropical plants and palm trees, the area has decorative screens and ceiling fans, creating a relaxing, resort-like atmosphere.
    Gas Grills By The Pool
  • A barbecue grill with food cooking sits under a wooden gazebo in a lush garden setting. Nearby are a picnic table and wooden cabinets, with a red fire extinguisher mounted on the right. Trees and buildings are visible in the background.
    Charcoal Grills Near The Courtyard

We did, however, use the gas grills found at the pool as well as the charcoal grills closer to our unit. All grilling utensils, lighter, charcoal, etc. are supplied and ready to use at the BBQ, and we loved that. 

Shuttle Service

Although you could easily never leave the resort if you wanted, Halanei Colony Resort also offers complimentary shuttle service to locations on the north shore. You can take the shuttle van to restaurants and shops in Hanalei, the closest town to the resort (about 10-15 minutes). 

You can also take the shuttle to the other beaches on the north shore as well. Just give 24 hours notice to the office staff if you can. 

Note: Try to visit the Tuesday Farmer’s Market–You can eat at one of the various food vendors or purchase fresh fruit and vegetables at reasonable prices. We bought dragon fruit, star fruit, and thai bananas. The produce is less expensive than the grocery, and the craft vendors are there for some fun souvenirs.  

Check current prices at Hanalei Colony Resort.

FAQs

Getting To Kauai

Hanalei Colony Resort is located near the Nāpali Coast on the North Shore of Kauai. It is 10-15 minutes from the tiny town of Hanalei and just 5 minutes from Hāʻena State Park which is home to the beautiful Ke’e Beach and the infamous Kalalau Trail. (Reservations to the park are required- see our itinerary below for more info)

Driving time from the airport takes about 1 hour or more with traffic.

A map of Kauai, Hawaii, showing a driving route from Hanama‘ulu Beach Park in the southeast to Hanalei Colony Resort in the north, passing through Lihue, Kapaa, and Princeville. Markers highlight stops along the route.

Lihue Airport

Lihue Airport (LIH) serves the island of Kauai. The flight time for us from Seattle-Tacoma Airport took just over 6 hours. 

Tip: It’s a long flight and surprisingly did not have dinner service like international flights do. For convenience, consider ordering a meal or “snack” through your airline before your flight.

Note: When you fly to Hawaii, you need to complete an animal declaration form that you’ll receive on the plane before landing. You can complete it online or on paper provided by the flight attendant.

After landing at Lihue, you’ll exit at baggage claim and walk to the right and cross the road to the green Car Rental Building where you’ll take a shuttle to your specific car rental company. You will be greeted by the island’s feral chickens upon arrival!

Car Rental At Lihue Airport

You have several car rental options at the airport. We used Dollar Rental car and all went smoothly.

Important: When returning to the airport, allow ample time to catch the car rental shuttle and check-in. It took a while to get on our rental shuttle to the airport, but once there it moved fairly quickly. I would recommend allowing at least 1.5 hours.

Note that all checked bags have to be scanned on a conveyor belt before check-in at the airport for your return flight. And depending on your airline, some carry-on luggage has to be scanned in addition to the checked baggage. We flew Alaska Airlines, and we had to have everything scanned before check-in. 

One Lane Bridges

Note that you will cross 7 one lane bridges on the way from Lihue Airport to Hanalei Colony Resort. Shortly before the Hanalei Colony Resort, you’ll cross a double one lane bridge which can be a bit tricky. Be patient and courteous- the local custom is to allow 5-7 cars to cross before you take your turn.

Also note that the drive from the airport to Hanalei Colony Resort at night could be difficult depending on what you are used to driving. It is a narrow curvy road that is not well lit.

Grocery Stores

It’s worth stopping at the Safeway Grocery in the town of Kappa on the way to Hanalei Colony Resort. It is a full service grocery store and has the best prices compared to the smaller Big Save Grocery found closer to the resort in Hanalei. There is also a Costco on the island near the airport.

There is also a super small market, Hanalei Market, less than 5 minutes from the resort if you need just a few things.

If you don’t want to cook, the nearby town of Hanalei has several food trucks and restaurants- all within a 15 minute drive of the resort.

Nāpali Art Gallery and Coffee Shop is located at the resort. It is a good breakfast and coffee to go option.

What To Bring From Home

We wish we had time to drive and explore Waimea Canyon on the south shore, but we will save that for our next visit! The dramatic natural beauty of the north shore of Kauai was stunning and we can’t wait to return to Hanalei Colony Resort. “A hui hou”, until next time!- Amy

See our Things To Do In Kauai And How To Spend Your Last Day Before Your Red Eye Flight

Check current prices at Hanalei Colony Resort. Depending on when you visit, prices range from $450-$550 for their standard 2 bedroom. This is a fairly affordable option on Kauai’s north shore compared to other oceanfront hotels like 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay

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