Kelsie Kleiber
Google
Breathtaking views, disappointing stay. The scenery and grounds at Hanalei Bay Resort are truly stunning – lush landscaping, dramatic mountain backdrops, and gorgeous sunsets. Unfortunately, almost everything beyond the views fell short of expectations.
The rooms are extremely outdated (30+ years) and very musty. Ours felt humid all the time, with sheets that never seemed fully dry, and the AC units struggled to keep up. It wasn’t a space you’d want to relax in – which was fine for us since we spent almost no time in the room. We stayed in a ground-floor unit, which meant geese wandered up daily, leaving the patio dirty and making it less private.
On top of that, there are extra charges that aren’t clearly advertised: a daily $20 parking fee and a $50 check-in fee. These should really be better communicated or baked into the overall cost of the stay.
I’d highly recommend booking through Airbnb or a similar platform rather than directly with the resort. That way you can choose a specific unit (many privately owned and renovated), instead of being stuck with whatever you’re assigned. The rentals booked directly through the resort seem to be the lowest-quality units, and it makes a big difference.
Amenities are also lacking. There’s no breakfast or lunch service; a small coffee shop is on-site, but very limited with the offerings, and nothing else opens until 3 PM. The resort vibe is also unusual since it’s a mix of timeshare owners and hotel renters. Owners frequently complain to staff about people walking around without wristbands, which leads staff to constantly check them. This dynamic created a negative vibe and at times made us feel unwelcome.
The overall atmosphere also skews much older, which means the grounds and pool are very quiet. If you’re looking for a lively environment with kids playing, music at the pool, or social activity, this is not the place for you. The pool itself had no amenities – no bar, no restaurant, no food service – and was so quiet it often felt like you had to lower your voice.
One highlight worth mentioning is the on-site pizza restaurant, which was excellent and also had incredible views!
If you only care about the views and don’t mind treating this as a 2–3 star stay, it may work for you. But if you plan to spend time in your room or want a true resort experience, I’d suggest looking elsewhere.