Hanalei Colony Resort

Resort hotel · Haena

Hanalei Colony Resort

Resort hotel · Haena
5 7130 Kuhio Hwy, Hanalei, HI 96714

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Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null
Hanalei Colony Resort by null

Highlights

Oceanfront condo-style units, outdoor pool, local shuttle, spa  

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5 7130 Kuhio Hwy, Hanalei, HI 96714 Get directions

hcr.com
@hanaleicolonyresort

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5 7130 Kuhio Hwy, Hanalei, HI 96714 Get directions

+1 808 826 6235
hcr.com
@hanaleicolonyresort

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Last updated

Aug 9, 2025

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Becky Foltz

Google
My husband and I stayed here for a full 10 days in June. We loved every second. I will be quick to say that this resort will not be for everyone, so do your research before booking. The rooms are more of a relaxed, older cottage vibe. If you are looking for modern luxury hotel accommodations, this will not be for you. Rooms are nice and clean. They serviced our room twice over the 10 days, but were very accommodating in switching out towels any time we asked. Paying for a premium oceanfront is 100% worth it. We had the most beautiful view and the sounds of the waves drowned out any other noise from the resort. Tunnels beach is in walking distance (30-45min walk). We did a sunset walk on many nights. Besides Hanalei, the location is far from other tourists areas - we did a lot of driving back and forth. This didn't bother us, as the quiet location was worth it. We enjoyed the north shore and hanalei the most. We ate dinner once at the on site restaurant - it was good, no complaints. All in all - beautiful, relaxing, peaceful and quiet. We look forward to going back again one day!

melissamU9088LT

Google
This was my first stay at HCR and I stayed 5 nights for a solo vacation. It was perfect, every day was more fun than the last. Sitting on the lanai and seeing the ocean was great. I booked a room with premium ocean view, but next time I’ll book full ocean view. Sunrise from my bed was amazing. I got a massage at the spa and ate at the art cafe every morning. The grill next door was tasty and the staff super friendly. Shout out to Django at Opakapaka grill!

xAngelaMarie

Google
HCR is an absolute gem. There is no other place like it. We had an oceanfront room in the "A" building, and the views are breathtaking. Windows span the entire front and side of the room and offer stunning views of the ocean and lush mountains. The room is spacious, charming, and comfortable. If you are worried about no AC, don't be! We kept all the windows and balcony doors open and were very comfortable the entire time. Loved unplugging as well. ||The location is ideal. 15 minutes from Hanalei, 10 minutes from Tunnels (fantastic snorkeling), and 15 minutes from Ha'ena State Park. The courtesy shuttle they provide is an excellent amenity for getting around the area so you don't have to worry about parking. Opakapaka Grill and a coffee shop are also on property which is very convenient. Both spots are lovely as well. ||The staff at HCR are warm and friendly. From check-in to check-out, we felt so welcomed. Thank you to everyone there for creating such a wonderful experience! ||This is truly a special place on a special island. We cannot wait to return for years to come.

R7116HLtonyr

Google
We arrived a couple of hours before our check in time and the super welcoming and professional staff were great and told us our unit was ready and checked us in. We had requested a 2nd floor in one of the ocean front units and the staff were happy to accommodate us. We were in awe of the beautiful view and accommodations! This is the best area on the north shoe to stay at with a stunning shore. The pool was brand new and lovely. The unit was spacious and old school classy. We loved our balcony and the trade winds blowing through. Loved everything about this resort. Highly recommended!

L8263DWmaryn

Google
My family and I loved HCR! The ocean front condos with the steady sound of rolling waves, a warm ocean breeze, and awesome views are perfect. I appreciated the low-tech vibes of this place, no tvs, not great internet so you are forced to really unplug and "Try Slow" as the road signs nearby suggest. Keith, the shuttle driver, was so chill and kind. Margaret, front desk staff, was extraordinarily warm and welcoming, from the first phone call to make reservations to the last goodbye, for now, we will be back. Mahalo HCR!

Allison Chaney

Google
Beautiful remote place. Even though we have a garden view we can still see the ocean and it's pure magic! The sound of the waves at night are like a lullaby. The bull frog outside our room is delightful and I'm feeling so connected to nature. I love that there are no tvs and no ac. It's exactly the medicine I need to reconnect with my self and nature and let go of the stresses of every day life. Such a beautiful place! Highly recommend!

Curious46903365334

Google
We had a wonderful stay at Hanalei Colony Resort. We splurged and got the oceanfront condo and it was worth it! Waking up every morning to a cup of coffee beachside was of my favorite parts of the vacation. I also enjoyed falling asleep to the sounds of the ocean. I was nervous about the resort not having AC, but it was not needed. The fans and breeze off the ocean kept us cool and comfortable all day and was perfect for sleeping with a blanket. The bed was very comfortable. Even though you can not swim right at the beach at the resort, there is a nice sandy area just past the hotel that, I was able to swim in. I also took a long walk on the beach and could have walked all the way to tunnels beach if time had allowed. The front staff was very helpful, and the complimentary shuttle service was easily available. I would highly recommend staying at Hanalei Colony resort!

660GaryC

Google
We just returned from our fourth visit to the north shore of Kauai. It's more laid back and less corporate than elsewhere. And more beautiful than the east or south. ||We stayed at the Hanalei Colony Resort for the second time. This is a place to relax. ||It's west of Hanalei a few miles. The views from the resort are spectacular. You can see Princeville and Hanalei Bay from here. And let's not leave out the nearby mountains. We spent a lot of time sitting on the lanai taking in the view its so beautiful. ||It's much windier than elsewhere on the island which keeps it cooler and more comfortable. The units don't have AC, but they do have three ceiling fans which are more than adequate.||The place isn't new or fancy but the units are a good size. Very comfortable and well maintained. One and a half baths and a small but complete kitchen. When we've had to call the office to take care of something, the repair was done in a timely manner.||There are no TVs here. Cell signals are good (we use AT&T). They also have wifi and fortunately, they have one 5G network. The 2G networks are low speed. Wifi is up most of the time. ||The swimming pool is pretty large. It's nice to have because the beach there isn't good for swimming. Tunnels beach is about a mile away and there are more further down the road. There's a laundry room on site and the office has change available for the machines.||There's a decent coffee shop on site with bagels, coffee, tea, smoothies and other things to eat. It's also a gift shop. The on site restaurant lost its liquor license so you can't get anything alcoholic to drink there although you can bring your own bottle. This could change at some point in the future so if you're concerned, contact the office. While not fancy dining, the food is good and its certainly convenient.||Driving between here and Hanalei involves traveling on a windy road and over something like 7 one lane bridges, including a double bridge. Like elsewhere, you have to take turns. Current practice is for 5-7 cars to go at a time. Occasionally a driver on the other side will go before its their turn but this is rare. The resort has a shuttle which will take you as far as Hanalei in the east and to some of the beaches in the west. This is great if you want to drink at a meal without having to worry about driving. ||The staff are always friendly and helpful. We arrived earlier than check in and had groceries we picked up at Foodland in Princeville. They refrigerated the stuff needing it and kept our bags until we were able to check into our room. ||As far as things to do in the area, Hanalei has a lot of good to great restaurants as does Princeville and Kilauea. We also love the Limahuli Botanical Garden which is close by. ||If it isn't evident, we love this place. Highest recommendation.

Karen B.

Yelp
If you like isolation, a non swimmable beach, and the worst restaurant on the island, you should stay here. The waiter was very nice, but the food was so basic and depressing. I was waving away flies from my meal. Half hearted and lackluster recipes/flavor. The floors looked like an old summer camp cafeteria (chipped and dirty). The dining furniture is also chipped, and all of the windows are blurry with a dirty film. Mirrored walls dirty with many handprints. The next nearest restaurant is a 15 min drive to Hanalei. Many good things to eat in Hanalei! The wind here at Hanalei Colony Resort blows full force almost non stop, the shuttle driver told me it blows like that about 80% of the time. The wind is exhausting and makes it unpleasant to hang out in the out of doors, except between 6-8 am, when it's calm. My traveling partner described the exterior of this place as looking like low income housing. I think the buildings look more like an old summer camp. The landscaping is pleasant and the pool area is nice and brand new (much less windy at the pool!!) The only benefit I can see to staying here is perhaps if you are hiking the Kalalau trail, or want to snorkel Tunnels beach or Ke'e beach. I paid for an ocean view room, which I was grateful for, the views are outstanding except for the constant sound of the gale force winds. The lack of AC was not an issue, with ceiling fans and the gale. Somehow we ended up with a newly remodeled, fresh and modern feeling condo with a giant couch. Another positive thing is their shuttle service, which runs on your request, so you can get to town and eat, and not have to drive! The shuttle driver was so pleasant to be with, driving with him was like a balm to the soul. Even the music he chose to play was soulful and pleasant. I found the front desk ladies to be helpful and kind, although my traveling partner said one of the older ladies was snarky to us, I didn't hear it so I didn't care. Aloha!
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Zane S.

Yelp
THIS "RESORT" IS ROACH INFESTED! I stayed there for 4 nights - 4 long terrbile days and nights. It was absolutely roach infested. I reported the issue to the front office and they didn't care. There was one employee that was sympathetic so she offered me a $146 credit to reimburse me for my "groceries." Ummm. That's not good enough! This resort absolutely ruined my Hawaiian vacation! I slept with all the lights on (but you'll see in the pics that the roaches came out 24/7) I never unpacked my bags and kept my luggage zipped tight for fear of bring roaches home with me. The unit was full of roaches - definitely NOT what you expect when paying $636/night. To top it all off on my last day I asked for an extra 45 minutes at checkout so that I didn't have to stand in the parking lot (where there is no shade and nowhere to sit) in the hot sun for an hour waiting for my taxi. They said "absolutely not" and that check out is 9am and I had to be out at 9am. Crazy! Given the fact that I paid a fortune for a roach infested room you'd think they'd have tried to do something for me. But nope! Nothing!!! The staff there is very rude - the woman they call Aunty something is the absolute worst! DO NOT STAY HERE!!! IT'S GROSS!!! I'd give it zero stars if I could!
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Brian J.

Yelp
I recently spent a couple weeks in Kauai, and stayed here for 3 days. In hindsight I realized that I screwed up, I should have spent the majority of my time here! It's such a neat place! Beautiful sandy beach in a sheltered cove. The units are really great, it's an open room concept where there is living room, kitchen, and bedroom connected, with nice and tasteful furniture. Full kitchen! Fridge, stove, oven etc. With all the pots, plates, tablewear etc provided. If you can, you should try to get a second floor place with an ocean view. OMG, there's nothing like spending time chillin on your porch, watching the gentle waves coming in and a nice sea breeze. Talk about relaxing and de-stressing! On-site is a really good gourmet coffee place that features fresh Kona coffee. I loved starting my day with a sugar free flavored latte each morning. Very friendly proprietor. There's also an outstanding (although pricy) restaurant on the colony! GREAT food. The manager was also very friendly and I actually got to know him a little bit. It's that sort of place. I love the location of the resort too. It's out of the way of all the tourism stuff, but only about 5-10min drive to an awesome little town with eateries, shopping etc. No chain stores or restaurants at all. I particularly enjoyed getting smoothies and shaved ice, as well as a place that sells fresh bread!
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B. T.

Yelp
This resort has everything you need for an outstanding vacation! We stayed for eight nights and days in early June, and the weather was great. We would absolutely come back next summer. This spot is not a resort in the sense of a traditional hotel (like you'd probably find in nearby Princeville). You won't get day-to-day house-cleaning (or room service, or some of those other traditional luxuries, but those are not necessary here). This place is fantastic! The location is really good. The Hanalei Colony Resort is essentially a block of two-story condos and they're right on the water. It is an ideal spot if you want to get away from crowds, and navigate along the island at your own pace. It's very easy to walk to various beaches (15-minute walk to Tunnels Beach, and 10-minute drive to Hanalei Bay). Renting a car is a very good decision. The beach setting is fantastic, but this beach is not swimmable - please know that ahead of booking your stay here. Tunnels is a close walk, but you will not want to swim at the beach here due to the rocky shoreline and the strong currents. The views are phenomenal. They do have employees on-site to assist with day-to-day service items and they were friendly. A little bit on this resort's fantastic accommodations - they have a very nice swimming pool & jacuzzi, BBQ station, on-site coffee shop & art gallery, and a day spa. There is one restaurant directly on site, named the Opakapaka Grill & Bar (but there are some much better dining options in Hanalei Bay). Parking at this resort was easy. They do have an office with business hours, and they were very friendly/helpful. We rented our upstairs unit through AirBNB (managed by "Kauai Kahuna") and it was a really good move on our end. One-bedroom unit had a nice balcony with an ocean view, furnished kitchen, one room with a good-sized closet and a desk, and another living room with a small TV and a sofa (and four-seat dining room table). Good tip - stock up on food at the Princeville Foodland (grocery store). It's a 15-minute drive, and Foodland has everything you'd see in a market on the mainland U.S. We brought in a bunch of groceries (fridge/freezer was great) and cooked our breakfasts and lunches there. Hanalei Bay has some really good dinner options if you want to go out. The bathroom was clean. They provide towels, stocked there as you would see in any traditional hotel. The bed was very comfortable. This unit doesn't have air conditioning but it's not needed. They have windows that help with air-flow and three ceiling fans throughout the unit (easy to operate, helps to cool down rooms if temps get up into the 80s). The rooms are all connected, it's a wide-open space, and the area cools down quickly. Also, keep those windows open if you want to feel the nice Hawaiian breeze and hear the waves crashing on the shore. The upstairs balcony in our residential unit was perfect for breakfasts with a great view (again, Foodland has good options to help make yourself at home in that kitchen). If you're looking for a nice and quiet spot for an enjoyable getaway on the north shore of beautiful Kauai, we highly recommend staying here. This place can help you to get away from more of the touristy stuff you'll see in other towns on the island, but you are not far from many enjoyable activities.
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Amy B.

Yelp
Spectacular experience in a quiet and serene location. Ocean is right outside your door. You can feel the breezes and enjoy the sounds of the surf 24/7. Watch the sunrise and have a coffee at the coffee shop next door. Don't plan to snorkel or swim here, but it's a short walk to many beaches where you can spend your time in the water. Make sure you understand that you'll be in a semi-remote area with few services and there's an expectation of quiet. While there's a coffee shop and restaurant onsite, they don't sell anything like sundries or snacks. There are no TVs here and if you sit on your balcony and watch sports on your phone , everyone will hear you and pray for your demise. There are no dishwashers or laundry machines in the units. They do have most things you'd need, though. If you need to do laundry, there are washers in the pool area. We rented via VRBO so we couldn't use services like the shuttle, but I didn't think this was a huge drawback. You can still use the pool and laundry. The kitchen is a bit dated, but it does the job. It has all the utensils and appliances you need except a colander and hot pads. This isn't a good place for small children. You can hear and see everything all the time, so when your kid wakes up on her normal EST schedule, I am also awake. Not that I know this from experience. I would stay here again x1000. It's a fantastic location and has just the right amount of amenities and is close to a lot of awesome north shore spots. I didn't have much interaction with the staff, but they are here if you have questions about the facilities.
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Lisa C.

Yelp
Our room was oceanfront and was awesome with everything you need for a peaceful, romantic vacation. We were there for our honeymoon and couldn't have asked for a better place. Thank you to the staff that does a wonderful job in taking care of the resort in making it such a warm and cozy place.
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Wulfstan C.

Yelp
We stayed at the Hanalei Colony Resort when visiting the north shore of Kauai on our trip to Hawaii this summer and loved it. We got a premium ocean front condo unit which looked right over the beach and on the ocean, with a patio. The unit was large, with nice kitchen, two bathrooms, separate bedroom, and two living room area, one of which had convertible sofa bed unit (which was comfortable) as an additional sleeping area. The decor was very nice, the place extremely clean, and the views wonderful. The grounds of the whole place are nice and well kept, and there is a nice swimming pool/hot tub area, plenty of bbqs for grilling, the place is peaceful and quiet the atmosphere relaxed. It is near beaches like Tunnels and Ha'ena Beaches, to which we walked (although the immediate beach area is not good for swimming). It is also convenient for visiting Ha'ena State Park, the NaPali Coast State Wilderness Park, and the Kalalau Trail, one of the reasons why we stayed up here. We loved it and will definitely return.

Scott M.

Yelp
Fantastic location, great people! We enjoyed our time here, and plan to return soon! Thank you! Mahalo!!!

K M.

Yelp
Where to begin? This was my first Time in Hawaii on the Island of Kauai. This resort was recommended by my travel agent and wow! Absolutely breathtaking views, the ocean at my fingertips, and so much more. I was weary at first when I read that the rooms have no A/C. Don't worry, it is not needed! Rooms are beach style condos and have plenty of fans. Upon arriving open all the windows and doors and feel the breeze! You'll fall asleep to ocean waves or rain trickling down. Just as their website describes, if you're looking to unplug, unwind, and enjoy the lush beauty of Kauai this is the spot! Not a complaint, but an fyi: No housekeeping, if you need something you must stop at the front desk during open hours. I will definitely be returning. Mahalo HCR!!!
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Adam D.

Yelp
Let me start with the breathe taking view of the ocean! We got to spend a week here with the oceanfront view. I wish we could stay for another week 2 bedroom 2 bath with king size bed, living room, balcony and living room.. washer and dry in a separate building if you needed. Staff and crew - awesome people! What a amazing way to to spend our vacation. Will definitely be back.
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Michael M.

Yelp
It's really a beautiful place; the location is amazing! It was at the end of a long drive around the North Shore of Kauai...but it was so worth it. If you absolutely have to have the Grand Hyatt experience, this is not for you...there are no TVs, phones, or AC. (there is great internet though) But you don't need any of those things. This is our second stay in 18 months, we will stay again.

Betsy S.

Yelp
10/10 on so many levels! I had an incredible stay and would stay again at HCR in a heartbeat. This is the best spot on the island, not crowded, incredible views, and everyone on the staff was so friendly!! HCR is for you if: - You want to be immersed in a spot in nature/have a more remote feeling - Are looking for a community vibe - Want a condo/Airbnb type setup (fully stocked kitchen) - Want incredible views right at your front steps! Not for you if: - You want a TV in your room (no TVs - it's meant for unplugging) - Want AC (it's not needed - there are fans, all the rooms open up nicely to the winds) - Need cleaning service/major hotel services like room service I will be coming back to HCR in the near future and can't wait! Thanks to Chawake at the front desk for being so welcoming and taking great care of us.
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Nina M.

Yelp
Tomorrow is my last day of the stay here. I don't want to leave. I'm writing this from my lanai, drinking a cup of coffee I brewed in the room kitchen, watching the sunrise over the waves. I have traveled the world. I have been throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. Hawaii is an entirely different place -- and can't be compared. But staying here is nothing short of magical. And unlike many of the places I've been in my life, and despite my "adventurous spirit," I cannot wait to return here. We spent the first half of our trip on the south side of Kauai and it was absolutely great yet - I wish I had spent my whole trip at the Hanalei Colony. No AC, so you fall asleep with the noise of ocean (and, in our case, rain) and the fresh sea breeze. We are here in October, and while I was super worried about the heat and humidity and not having AC, let me tell you... if this room HAD AC, I would still choose to have the windows down. It was beyond comfortable. It was perfect. The rooms are huge. If you're from (or have lived in) NYC you can expect a much larger space than your standard one bedroom. The furnishings suit the resort, which is an upscale and authentic feeling. The grounds are immaculate. The views, the location, the free shuttle service (that operates on YOUR schedule) make this hotel a no-brainer. But also? The restaurant on premises? Um, the best fish we have had in Kauai (and yeah, we refreshed reservation sites and made pleading phone calls months before this trip for all the "hot restaurants.") The catch of the day and Poke - so good! Despite the weird "rec room" decor, the staff is so warm, the prices are so reasonable (even by mainland standards) and the food is so damn good. Ask for extra lemon butter sauce despite how you will feel emotionally later that night after eating a side of lemon butter sauce. So good! I'm heartbroken to leave this place.
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Carol H.

Yelp
Once we finally got to this lovely remote destination we were very pleased. It's a good 70-90 min. drive from Lihue airport if you don't stop and depending on traffic, construction. The resort is more condo-like units, 4 per building and there's 13 buildings situated on the good size beachfront property. Some are full ocean view, partial and then garden view at back which we had. It actually had peek-a-boo view from one corner of lanai. All the staff is very welcoming and helpful. The units are larger than expected if your used to standard hotel rooms, these are about 2-3 times larger with two bedroom areas that close off or can stay fully exposed giving the area a very spacious feeling. Nice perk was 2 bathrooms, one w/shower one w/tub! Hubby and I had our own mess to make, lol. Kitchen full size appliances and nearly everything basic need.... Paper towels, dish soap, sponge, towel, s&p, flatware, dishes, drink water, pitcher, pans, utensils, knives, bowls, even coffee for the brewer! Made our own ice with the trays in freezer as there aren't ice machines on property for self-serve but office will give out. No vending machines but the small art/gift shop does have coffee bar and minimal cold beverages. They also serve fresh toasted bagels. The gift shop has gorgeous custom quality jewelry, ended up buying a beautiful stone ring. The beach is a stones throw away from gift shop/Opa restaurant which is in parking lot of resort. We were often only ones on the beach, too rough to swim and pretty rocky out front but if you walk either direction just a short way you'll find sandy areas to walk in a few inches, stunning. One day we brought down the awesome beach chairs and sat under a tree to shade us and just took it all in, could have stayed there all day, perfection. Both days we walked the beach we had it to ourselves. The garden room was very enjoyable even with the ocean view extra expense. Beds/pillows comfortable. The towels a bit rough but understand especially with Covid I'm sure extra bleach is being used, at least bedding soft. The only complaint was that it was disappointing enough that the pool/spa were under construction so unusable but sadly there was non-stop noise of the ongoing work all day long straight behind us from our lanai. Took away from enjoying time out there or having full privacy since the room is full I've lovely big windows and refused to close blinds/curtains. If that distraction wasn't bad enough 3 of the afternoons we attempted to take a little cat nap but then each afternoon a grounds keeper would start working on a rotted floor area smack outside our bedroom window!! As if he planned it each time we tried to have some shut eye!! Errr Other than that the facility was clean, efficient w, comfortable and tastefully decorated with quality furnishings. I would recommend once construction completed. Oh and can't forget shuttle driver Tyler, a true gem willing to take you countryside!! Full of insight too being from the area.

EastCoasteR -.

Yelp
In the spirit of knowing what kind of vacation you want before booking...This is the kind of place where you take your dirty linens to the office during hours in order to exchange them for clean ones, and you take your trash to the dumpster. They clean between guests. Not a problem if that's the kind of vacation you have in mind, but for me that doesn't feel like a vacation. There is a fully stocked kitchen with full size fridge, toaster and coffee maker, along with dish soap and a sponge. It's nice to hear the ocean at night and temperatures are very comfortable here without air conditioning. However if you're expecting daily maid service, keep looking before booking. Also, there are a lot of single lane bridges and narrow roads in this area...and no alternatives. Drivers (living nearby) were surprisingly aggressive (and I'm used to cities) and laid on the horn even when going the speed limit or pausing at single lane bridges to check for traffic. That also didn't feel like a vacation and the bridge thing isn't an issue in other parts of the island. That being said, the staff here were nice and helpful. Overall I've determined this is not my kind of place to visit given the overall experience and expense, but many people enjoy it here. If you do come to Kauai, don't miss the Smiths Family luau-it's absolutely fantastic!
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Lauren S.

Yelp
We had an absolutely amazing experience here. The room was well appointed and spacious with all the amenities you could ever need, including two beach chairs, a beach umbrella, and two beach towels. While there was no AC, the deck doors have a screen door option, and the ocean breeze keeps the room cool enough at night. The staff were friendly and full of recommendations. Would definitely stay here again!

Lida S.

Yelp
It's the right place for me to stay 4 days in Kauai Island, this resort has everything I want. My wish lists: NO.1 beautiful beach line with few walkers, I could fully enjoy a peaceful sunrise moment. NO.2 the closest shuttle bus stop to the Haena State Park, I left the resort with coffee in the hand at 7:30, later caught the bus around 17:00, walked 8 miles (over 12 km) ---ke'e beach--- Hanakapi'ai Falls (round trip). I think it's equally unforgettable compared to my Everest Base Camp hike in 2014. I sincerely hope all the young people try that difficult Kalalau Trail, trust me, you have to try world famous tough hikes during your golden age. NO.3 this resort is also close to the helicopter airport, do not hesitate about taking a flight, you won't regret it. Just remember to wear all black, if you don't want to see reflection on the window glasses.

Hami S.

Yelp
Beautiful place to stay while in Kauai, if you can pay the extra money for a partial ocean view take advantage of it. We went the first week of June and the weather was great. We're looking forward to returning next year.
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Momo B.

Yelp
To be clear... This review is for a single condo we rented through Airbnb and not for the resort and its facilities! The facilities, were not available to these Airbnb rentals... In fact many are under reconstruction such as the pool and laundry. The location is very remote (at the time we were dealing with the landslide and road closures so very limited access to the rest of the island), but that was perfect for us wanting a romantic getaway and not a family outing. The unit was very spacious and well laid out, the furniture very comfortable. The bathrooms and a kitchen appliances rather dated but all very functional. Brand new Tommy Bahama beach chairs, towels and umbrella available for use. The kitchen had all of the basic implements, but unlike many Airbnb's there are no leftover condiments like salt and pepper. There is no air-conditioning, and most days there is enough breeze to keep everything cool, however there were some hot still days that were a little harder to deal with. Sound carries very well here, so not the best place for young or small or rambunctious kids because there are just screens with no windows and everybody can hear everything going on... All said, we would return to this location because we loved the fact that it was so remote and not in one of the touristy areas. The biggest bonus is that the restaurant on site is one of the best restaurants on the North Shore and their Seafood chowder has to be the best on the whole island! The beach immediately in front of the resort is rather rocky and usually very choppy and there is a sign warning against swimming there. However the last morning there was calm enough that I was able to go snorkeling among the reefs and it was beautiful.

Phillip B.

Yelp
Kauai is awesome. Hanalei is wonderful. The beaches on the north coast above Hanalei are beautiful. The Hanalei Colony Resort (HCR) not so much. It's a 50 year old property that is very tired and in slow decay. At half the price HRC would be worth it... but it's room rates equal 5 star resorts. Our bed and bedding was very poor (torn sheets and plastic wrapped mattress. That was a first!) A bathroom is small and old and towels that could be refreshed by walking them to the front desk (there is no room cleaning while you're there) but that's minor. Everything mostly worked. It was just old. The room appointments were confusing (don't sleep on the sofa!) oh and don't leave your screen doors open. We received text msgs during the day with admonishments for rules we had unknowingly broken like the screens. Room rates are deceptive and add on charges are many. This was the first time I've paid per person. If you need an extra bed it's a rollaway and costs $50 for delivery and $50 per day. If someone sleeps in the day bed that's already in the room that's also an extra $50 per day. The receptionist insulted us when she thought my wife couldn't hear her. There was trash around the building in the shrubbery (to go box, water bottle, rags, aluminum pan, etc) where it seems no one looks. On the plus side the beach is very good and snorkeling at HCR was terrific. It's the steep cost for what HCR delivers that doesn't add up.
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Khya M.

Yelp
THE STAFF IS AMAZING!! My family and I stayed here for 3 days for my 18th birthday and we had an amazing time. Steven, the concierge has everything we needed at any given time. They all kept the grounds so clean and tidy. Jessica was great when we checked in- full of energy, vibrant, and engaging (everything you could ask for out of a receptionist). And don't get me started on Tyler. Tyler alone made our trip a 12/10. He was super flexible with picking us up on the shuttle, he told us stories the whole way, and made hilarious jokes with us. Tyler definitely made my birthday vacation unforgettable and deserves so much appreciation. Also the on-site restaurant was so delicious and amazing staff as well. I 12/10 RECOMMEND HCR IF YOURE STAYING ON THE NORTH SHORE
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John T.

Yelp
This is one of our favorite vacation spots in the world. Such a beautiful location, and so close to the waves (we prefer the ocean front units, with waves crashing feet from your pillow). To be sure, it's not a "resort" in the usual senses. Hotel services are modest (but friendly), and you are truly at the edge of civilization (several one lane bridges past Hanalei). But if you like sitting on the porch watching waves, or taking long walks on the beach, it can't be beat.
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Phil C.

Yelp
What a great experience I had in Kauai and this place was home for our stay. Condo style accommodations. Great and friendly local type service. Views of the beach, ocean, mtns, etc. are amazing. Love that this isn't a "luxury" resort, still with some great amenities like pool, bbq grills, club house, massage and spa, great restaurant and bar (The Mediterranean), and walking distance to the beach. Traffic isn't bad so having a rental car is great to get around. It's a short drive from some good local/touristy spots, super market and local grubbing. Not too much night life going on other than The Mediterranean at the resort or Tahiti Nui, a nice local bar with live music and pretty good grub. Highly recommend! I'd come back again and stay here. It was amazing.
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Lance L.

Yelp
Because of the pandemic and other disasters on the island, it's been too long since we have visited here. Being back is like coming home. Check in and help while we've been here have been great. We are so happy to see Steve, Lehua and Chawake at work again. Leon is keeping the landscaping in top shape.
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Michael S.

Yelp
This is our tenth stay at the HCR condo rental complex. It does seem to keep getting better with each passing year. While the price has escalated steeply, the quality of service has gotten much more attentive and the rooms have been nicely renovated. Our room has new wooden floors, beautiful hardwood furniture and plush linens. While we have enjoyed the daytime complementary shuttle to the beaches, it was nice to see it was extended to town in the evening. The pool area still has beautiful lush gardens with a nice picnic BBQ pavilion. To help with the overall costs we noticed good pricing on these rental condos via Expedia and VRBO. We will definitely be back! It is by far the best and only beachfront accommodations on the north shore.
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Manal M.

Yelp
A wonderful place to stay. It's truly unspoiled and unforgettable! Tucked away towards the end of the North shore of Kauai, the resort is close enough to the Ching Young Village Shopping Centre where you can find everything you could possibly need, from souvenir stores to restaurants, and juice bars where you can relax after an adventurous day on this picturesque island. The rentals at HCR are very spacious and we had an amazing condo on the second floor overlooking the beach (easily the best unit at the resort)! Our unit was well-stocked with appliances (and the best-smelling toiletries ever!) so we could be as self-sufficient as we wanted. As a result, we were able to enjoy a lovely Oceanside breakfast on our own personal balcony. Also, there's a lovely outdoor pool area with space to barbecue. The staff are wonderfully accommodating and friendly, and the resident resort cat is a total delight! Steven was so very helpful in planning and booking activities for us, so Mahalo Steven! We had a slight issue with the lock on our door jamming incredibly late on the night we arrived and the night manager, Joe, came to help us without delay. The promptness was much appreciated! This is the perfect location for a peaceful getaway. Surrounded by towering cliffs on one side and incredible beaches on the other, with a plethora of activities just a car ride away, I could not have hoped for a more relaxing and enjoyable experience! It goes without saying that I would stay here again in a heartbeat, Mahalo for a wonderful holiday!
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Kristen v.

Yelp
Wow - this is what Hawaii is all about. I've lived in Hawaii and subsequently visited every island, but nowhere fit the bill like this. The location is spectacular, surrounded by rugged and astonishing beauty. The staff is unfailingly gracious, and do everything they can to make your visit enjoyable. If you are looking for amenities like nightly entertainment (even TV!), and drinks by the pool, this is not the place for you. But if you want to go back to a more gentle and gracious time, and really want to unplug and be around some of the most naturally beautiful beaches and lush green of your life, you've found it here. MAHALO again to the wonderful staff. It is one of the few places in my life I vow to return to..! xoxo

Robin B.

Yelp
We stayed here for four nights. The condo was spacious, bed was comfortable, and patio had a view of the ocean. The location cannot be beat if you want to stay on the North Shore, and not be in Princeville. The reason I am giving it two stars is the customer service. I will tell you my experience and you can decide for yourself. First, I filled out the online concierge form to get some help picking and scheduling activities. After a couple of weeks without a response, I tried to call the hotel, but the phone was not working. I sent an e-mail telling them I would like to schedule activities, but the online service had not responded. I did not receive a response. I do not give up easily, so I tried again. This time I called and reached a lovely woman who listened to the problem and assured me that if I sent an e-mail, she would help get it to the right person. I sent my second e-mail. NO RESPONSE. AT ALL. I filled out the online form. NO RESPONSE AT ALL. I thought about changing hotels due to this ineptitude, but did not see another viable hotel. I booked my own activities. But wait, it gets worse. I received an e-mail from the hotel two weeks before we arrived, offering to help with activities. In the e-mail, they asked if we were celebrating a special occasion. I wrote and explained the activities we wanted to participate in and stated that we were celebrating my 50th birthday. Not only did I get NO RESPONSE AT ALL, but I have no IDEA why they asked about a special occasion, as there was not so much as a Happy Birthday post it note in our room. So I hope you have better luck.
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Steven L.

Yelp
I went here for a family event recently and was really just blown away. Everything about this resort is top notch in my book. It's not a full blown five star luxury type resort where you can expect to be pampered. The units are quite large, more like condos, with full fridges and kitchens. There are also no televisions in the rooms, which adds to the rustic feel. Thankfully there was free WiFi so I could check my email. My room was less than 100 feet from the water and had this panoramic view of the ocean and the surrounding mountains. Just breathtaking. One morning I got up at dawn and walked down to the water. From where I stayed it was a quick drive, perhaps 15 minutes, into town, or to Ke'e Beach. So the location was quite convenient for doing lots of things. The restaurant on site (The Mediterranean Gourmet) was wonderful. I ate there a few times. More on that in a separate review. I LOOOVE this place! I want to go back.
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Dave C.

Yelp
HCR is a great place to stay if you're looking for the kick back island feel, free from the many creature comforts of other local hotels. The resort is broken up into 40+ 2 bedroom condos, spread out with about 6 per building. The waitstaff are extremely friendly and accomodating. All rooms are equipped with a fully-stocked kitchen, though if you're looking for marble flooring or big screen TVs I would recommend the Marriott or Princeville instead. The only slight negative for me was the somewhat remote Northern location, which required traveling over 4-5 one-way bridges and about an hour drive from the Kauai airport. But I'm sure others see this as a positive. The local restaurant (Mediterranean Gourmet) which I'll review later, is also a nice spot to fill up. Tunnels, the best spot for snorkeling on the island, is only a few short miles away. To sum it up, HCR would be the spot to stay at in Kauai if you're looking for a relaxing place to lay your head with a true island feel to it. Its an island getaway no doubt.
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Paul M.

Yelp
Married on-the-beach! It has been several years ago, but we had a wonderful tiny romantic wedding ( a pastor friend & just us) and Honeymoon at a top floor beachfront condo at this place for a week. After living in Hawaii for several years, it seemed to be the only place that we could afford, that had the sea literally lapping at your doorstep. It was a humble place...but when you are in love, who cares? On other major events, we would stay at the Princeville, which has fantastic views of the Na Pali Coast from some of the rooms! Of course we paid, the Hawaii resident rate at the time....
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Graham K.

Yelp
Seems there are two entries for this place on yelp, so adding my review here too: We really loved this place. We had an ocean prime unit (A4). We were really worried about the lack of air conditioning as we are used to sleeping in a cool room. Not an issue. A beautiful sea breeze blows 24/7 and every room has a ceiling fan. We asked for a stand alone fan, they brought it, we never used it. Fabulous view from the 2nd story unit. We wanted ground level and I'm kind of glad they didn't have any. The 2nd story unit was quiet and much more private than the ground level would have been. Did I mention the FABULOUS view? And the WONDERFUL sea breeze. Outstanding. Almost entirely private beach. Hardly anyone around. Last week of July. Rough seas here but that was true everywhere we went on Kauai. In fact, the seas here may have been the calmest we saw. Ke'e beach included. Very close to, but not too close to, shopping, surfing lessons, food, end of the road trails and ke'e beach (leave early to get a parking space - but staying here puts you 5 miles ahead of the crowd). We stopped at foodtown, stocked the fridge with food, drink and ice and were in "leave me the heck alone" heaven. Just perfect. VERY HARD TO LEAVE HERE!! We had to leave and go to another reservation we had at the Grand Hyatt and we damn near stayed here anyway and blew off the Hyatt. Definitely would have been happy to do so but the Grand Hyatt was a work thing so.... But we nearly stayed anyway. Get me? ;-) So tempting to keep this to myself, but I found this place on yelp and I'm returning the favor. Only one Con: Occasional septic odors that they could fix with a single visit to odorhog.com. Just saying.
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Shannon H.

Yelp
We had a blast staying at the resort last week for our 10 year wedding anniversary. The place was beautiful, peaceful and just perfect. We stayed in the D building and the view was great. You could hear waves crashing in all night. Check out the massages at Luana Aloha which is almost right next door. I'm sure the spa at the resort is great but this was a whole-nother-level! Cute prints at the gift shop and good coffee with a helpful staff both there and at the resort. I would probably skip the Mediterranean food if you have other options but it was nice to be able to call in an order after an exhausting day and take it back to the room. Food was just ok though. The resort provides dishes, silver wear, cooking items, beach chairs, towels and an umbrella. Overall great experience and we will be back.
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Ning Z.

Yelp
I would have given this place 5 stars if there wasn't construction going on. Extremely relaxing environment! There was a seal sleeping on the beach in front of the resort. Would definitely go back!
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Ashley F.

Yelp
I enjoyed my stay here so very much - it was heavenly. We stayed in D1 which was the lower level of the building right behind check in that offers a beautiful view of the ocean although you aren't directly on the beach. I would have preferred being able to walk out and be on the sand, but apparently we booked a Premium Ocean View room and wanted an Ocean Front (premium or regular). Good to know when booking! I initially was annoyed that I couldn't be on the beach because they were totally booked and our first floor, middle of the complex location did not get me excited (I'm a light sleeper). But by the evening (around 8 or 9pm) I was pleasantly surprised how quiet it was - we had all of the windows open and didn't hear a peep except for beautiful bird songs. Something to note is that this unit is right next to the recycling area and grills so it can get loud during the day. I loved having a kitchen where I was able to eat a light breakfast on the patio while watching the ocean and make a hot cup of tea at night. My husband was slightly less of a fan of this place than I was (he thought it needed some work and wasn't thrilled with the day noise or how pushed back from the beach we were) but nonetheless we had a beautiful stay!
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Wendy Y.

Yelp
I love Hanalei Colony Resort! Why: the view and the location I was there with my husband and our two small children. We got a fabulous ground floor room with ocean AND mountain view. I still can't believe how beautiful the view was and the feeling of sun/breeze on my face while staring out to the ocean on my lanai. It was super relaxing to sit there and just gaze out to the ocean. The oceanfront unit we had was a remodeled unit and the furnishing is classic Hawaiian. (We previously stayed at Kiahuna Plantation which I think has slightly nicer furnishing) The staff is friendly and accommodating to our family's need. The place is minutes from best snorkeling beach on the island, Tunnel Beach, which almost ensures you the precious parking spot. Some cons: - the rooms are not "solidly" divided so I wouldn't share this 2 bedroom condo with another family/friend. Lack of privacy - there's no dishwasher and the kitchen is small-ish. - the wall is pretty thin so with our small kids, we had to transfer from an upstair unit to a downstair unit not to disturb our downstair neighbors. - maid service only 2x/week - this is a casual/laid back place - not a 5 star resort. The buildings look like a well maintained motels. Even with the "cons", I would go back again and again and again. We got our room through a vacation package and thought the price (~$210/night) to value ratio is fair.
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Christina Y.

Yelp
An amazing place to stay. 2BR/2BA, huge living room/common area, full kitchen, oceanfront view, lanai, no TVs, no phones. Super relaxing and just great to disconnect from the world. Our unit was on the first floor in the B building. The whole resort is steps from its own beach, which is a bit rocky so it's not the best swimming beach, but it's beautiful nonetheless. Lots of little tidepools to explore. HCR has its own restaurant (a surprisingly tasty Mediterranean place), along with a small art gallery, coffee shop (that also serves bagels), and an on-site spa. There's free wi-fi around the restaurant and coffee shop if you feel the need to know what's going on in the world outside. There are also washing machines (handy for washing off that red Kauai mud), dryers, various BBQ facilities, and a pool and Jacuzzi. The staff is really friendly. Housekeeping services only every three days, but you can exchange your towels and linens in between if you want at the housekeeping building by the pool. HCR is really close to great hiking on the Na Pali coast, which we took advantage of. The main drawback is that its remoteness means it's a good 15-minute drive even from Princeville, so it can take a while to get places. Wide range of customers: families with kids, old folks, other couples like us -- it ran the gamut. Hope to return! BTW: the low season prices are a steal.
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Surai J.

Yelp
I've stayed in resorts (timeshare owner as well) on 4 continents and HRC blows me away. You can't pay this little and get this much any where else! Oceanfront 2 bedroom units are the way to go, splurge-worthy for sure! All the 5 star resorts and timeshares have a nickel and dime policy, will make you buy your own dish detergent and paper towel! Not here, every thing is fully stocked, so grateful! The beach is NOT swimmable, but Hanelei Bay and Ke-e are all a short drive. Plus, the resort offers a free shuttle service. This resort is a more of a boutique style hotel, specializing in a quiet natural vacation No TVs, VCRs, telephones, that's the point of coming to the end of the highway on a 1 highway island right? :-) The cons: don't expect the wi-fi to work! I have to cut this review short or my wi-fi will time out and log out!
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M H.

Yelp
Absolutely loved our stay here. It's tucked into the mountains with stunning views. It's very peaceful and quiet. We had a wonderful view of the ocean even though we had a garden view room. A full kitchen in our room and grills available on the property helped save us money so we didn't have to go out to eat for every meal. The staff was very accommodating. We'll definitely be back!!!
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Krystie H.

Yelp
Bottom Line: Ok, but didn't meet my expectations. We had a coveted ground floor ocean front unit. The view was beautiful, and just a couple of steps from our patio to the sand. The afternoons were shady on the sand, nice to sip some wine and watch the kids play without the sunscreen ordeal. You don't see the sun set from this side of the island, but it's still breathtaking. My first impression of the resort was that it feels like a not-so-great motel, especially the non-view units. The parking area is far from many of the units. I wish they'd use a golf cart to move your luggage rather than making you drag plastic wagons all over hell's half acre. Kitchen is nicely stocked, but there isn't a dishwasher and 80% of the dishes were dirty. So I'm hot and tired from moving all the luggage and now I have to wash all the dishes. Cool vacation, bro. The pool area is quite pretty, better than the pictures. There is a nice shaded area with sofas, tables, and gas grills, perfect for poolside dinners. We had planned just such a dinner when we learned that the pool was closed all afternoon and night for a private event. I was extremely annoyed that we had to find that out by a note taped on the pool gate. How do you rent out your pool with a resort full of guests and not even notify them? LAME. They have a laundry area, the washers are little, cold water only, and you have to purchase soap on the other side of the resort. As far as the room, furnishings were dated, the headboard had caked dust, and I found a huge piece of broken glass on the carpet. Unlike some other reviewers, I actually liked that the rooms were divided with partitions. It was nice to open them all up and see the view. The bed was comfy. All of the staff were very nice and helpful. You're close to some of the most beautiful beaches on Kauai, but you're 20 min from anything else. They have a shuttle, except you can't reserve it in advance, so we didn't use it. The restaurant food was good, but very expensive for what it was. Unfortunately, the little annoyances kind of took the shine off of this place for me. We probably won't be back.
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Vanessa S.

Yelp
We stayed here in late July early August. This place is beautiful.! The ocean breeze at night feels so refreshing.! The beach is very private with only about a handful of people on it.! (Snorkeling was fun) The on site restaurant had pretty decent food. The only downside was when we went it was very muggy and the mosquitos were out like crazy.! Make sure to pack your bug spray.!
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Janet D.

Yelp
I just returned from a week at HCR. I left the husband and kids at home in search of parental rejuvenation, peace & solitude...and this was a great place for just that. When I first pulled into the driveway and headed to check-in, I was a bit disappointed...the resort looked a bit tired and was undergoing renovation. However, by the end of the week, this feeling was pretty much gone. Here's a summary of the pros & cons... PROS: ...Remote & pristine setting on a quiet rocky beach (if you can afford it, definitely go for an ocean view or oceanfront room; I really wouldn't want to be stuck in the rear units) ...Nice interior decor, very light & open to the outside (try to get a unit that backs up to the large central lawn) ...Private deck with dining table/chairs ...No TVs or phones ...Onsite coffee place (good) & Mediterranean restaurant (average) ...Unobtrusive staff (they don't bug you unless you need them; housekeeping comes every 3 days making for even more privacy & less waste) ...Steps from a quiet, almost private, beach ...On-site spa (never got there!) ...Free Wi-Fi in front of restaurant/coffee shop ...Pool & jacuzzi (never got here either...how could I with the beautiful beaches beckoning to me?) ...BBQ areas ...A great place to totally disconnect from your life on the mainland! CONS: ...If you're looking to tour the island, you'll need to drive at least 15 minutes (to Hanalei). You can't walk to town because of the narrow winding road and multiple one-lane bridges. This is more of a place for staying put with only occasionally ventures out. ...Overall lower end construction (especially poor insulation...thank God I had quiet neighbors above me or I would have been pretty miserable. Try to get an upstairs unit...I requested one, but didn't get it. Also, there are no windows, just locking shutters, so you can hear everything outside and vice versa.) ...NOT a true 2-bedroom (if I would have come with my husband & 2 kids, I would have been starved for privacy by the end of the trip. The "rooms" are merely areas separated by partial walls and/or shutters (no sound proofing at all!). ...You need to buy every condiment as there wasn't even salt & pepper in my unit. ...and did I say horrible toilet paper??? I would definitely return here for more rejuvenation...especially at the price I paid ($215/night for an ocean view unit)! Aloha!
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P J.

Yelp
We had a nice 8 night stay at HCR. The view can not be beat, and the beach was literally outside the patio door. Definitely breath taking. 2 of the 3 in our party got the stomach flu while on vacation, which probably plays out in some of my critique. Pros - proximity to beach - friendly service - onsite restaurant is very good, and has live music some nights - frogs live on the property and our 18 month old loved it - pool cabana and BBQ area are lovely - having a kitchen in the unit was a big plus when 2 of the 3 of us caught the stomach flu - nice to have 2 bathrooms (see above) - free WiFi throughout the resort Cons - pretty far away from town if you need anything - no TV in the room, no phone, again if you get sick on vacation this sucks - noise travels way too easily here. children were out hunting easter eggs at 5:30am and were SCREAMING just outside our bedroom window. better insulation, and better manners would be helpful - need a car to get here or get anywhere from here I'd definitely go back, as the resort is lovely and serene. I highly recommend it :)
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Jessica R.

Yelp
This is our second trip to HCR and it's different this time around, but not bad. The last time we came, we were with another couple and had a fabulous time. This time, we brough our 13 & 16 year olds along for the ride. We had an oceanview room that was great but we had small children in our unit, which was not so great. Personally, I think the resort should put all small children in the same unit (by type, of course). So if there are three families & small children with gardenview rooms, they should all be put into the same unit. Also, oceanview rooms should be for adults only. There is no reason to have a 2 & 4yr old in an oceanview rooms. That would be my biggest complaint this second time around. We woke up every morning to small children running up and down the hallways while the parents could have cared less (or perhaps were still sleeping). Ok, off my soap box on bad parenting. The last time we came (2.5 years ago) the resort was under construction. Same thing this time but it is not disruptive at all. They have limited construction hours to times when you should be out on the beach anyway. Also, the last time there was no internet in the rooms but now they do. The idea is to not use electronics and to enjoy your trip but sometimes it's inevitable so it was much more convenient this time around. Since we had our children, we decided to do a lot more cooking indoors & less dining out (very expensive on this island). This was not only a spectacular decision but also much cheaper. The food in Kauai is not a knockout by any stretch. HCR's Mediterranean restaurant is ok but pricy and very small portion sizes. For us Iowa diners, this is kind of a waste. CJ's steakhouse in Princeville is fantastic & we highly recommend Olympic Cafe as a breakfast/lunch place. Their banana pancakes are not so much pancakes as just large fluffy cakes with bananas on them...yum. And enough to bring home for breakfast the next day; our kind of deal! HCR lacks in beach chairs so plan on sitting on a towel on the beach, which is just as fantastic. The sand is coarse so beach shoes or flipflops are essential. HCR's outdoor grill is a gem & I highly recommend hitting up Costco & making meals indoors. It's far better than most of the island's dining. Both times here at HCR we had an ant problem. If you plan to cook, do NOT leave food &/or dirty plates out; you'll come back to ants that are microscopic in size but there are thousands in a matter of minutes. After the last experience, I learned to ask the main office for cleaning supplies before our arrival, & hosed down the kitchen after every meal, no matter how large or small the meal. HCR is limited. It's just the livingroom, bedrooms, kitchen, and bathrooms. The idea is to get out and do stuff, not sit in a hotel room. No tv's, no phones, it's great! The bedrooms are divided only by screens that go up 3/4ths of the way to the ceiling so very little...privacy. Again, it's very simple living. If you stay here, plan to walk in the door and clean. Both times our plates had old food crusted on them from the last users and the drawers were full of sand. I think housekeeping does the basic cleans and we're left to do the small stuff which is fine by me; I'd rather clean it once through myself to know it's clean. This is a great place for adult relaxation. I don't think it'll be our last time here. Out of all the islands, this is the only one we desire to return too & will most likely stay at HCR again. One last thing, I did get bedmite bites after our first stay here but they did take care of the problem and fumagated the entire resort, condo by condo. Also, I was the only one out of four people and I have very sensitive skin. I really think this was a fluke and it did not deter us from returning again, where we did not have any bedmite problems! Just plan to always have cleaning supplies from housekeeping, don't leave food out, clean up after yourself, and we purchased bug coils for the patio as a preventative and it was a wise choice. I wish I could have used bleach but HCR does not allow bleach in their septic tanks but their alternative cleaner works great.
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Tasha C.

Yelp
I will echo PJ's recent comments regarding the pros and cons of the place. In addition, I want to ensure that people know that the kitchen (at least in our unit) was fully stocked! We're talking coffee maker, blender, pots, pans...the works! We went to the grocery a couple minutes up the road the first day there and cooked breakfast in the condo our remaining mornings. My primary purpose in this review is to tout the work of Shentel, the wedding coordinator on staff. We had an unfortunate experience which resulted in us 'firing' our wedding coordinator 8 days before we were to arrive in Kauai from MN. Shentel immediately stepped in and had all vendors, flowers, and arrangments done within two days. Just four days before our departure, we felt confident in our wedding plans for the first time EVER! She was attentive, kind, highly knowledgeable of the area, supportive, and just all around an awesome woman! She set us up with an AMAZING photographer and videographer (Island Echoes Photography and Joel Guy - videographer) who gave us absolutely everything we could ask for! We had an intimate wedding right on the beach outside HCR (Shentel, photographer, videographer, minister and US!) and it was absolutely everything we dreamed. I will remind all that, although Kauai does have a public transportation system, it does not go as far north as HCR, which is about ten minutes from the end of the highway. You will need to rent a car. Additionally, if it is your intent to check out the west side of the island, be prepared for solidly three hours of driving (we didn't go beyond Poipu, which was a perfect day trip from HCR). One other downside of HCR - the wi-fi was SUPER spotty. I wouldn't count on it in a crisis. However, I personally enjoyed the removal from TV/phone/internet. It's what Kauai's all about. Staying here is like forgetting you're on vacation. Oh, and if you're gonna do it, splurge on an ocean-facing condo. There's nothing like walking off your lanai, drink in hand that you concocted yourself, onto the beach!!
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Eliza C.

Yelp
I wanted to immerse myself in a natural, tropical paradise and HCR fit the bill. No phones or tvs but they have free wifi around the onsite restaurant, Mediterranean Gourmet. We stayed in a deluxe, oceanfront condo which was tastefully furnished and very comfortable. There is no a/c but you don't need it because you get lovely, cool breezes from the ocean. The well-stocked kitchen even included a styrofoam ice chest which came in handy for beach outings. The property is on a beach (unlike the Princeville). Although it isn't a good swimming beach, I loved being able to walk out of the condo and onto the beach for morning and evening strolls. There is a swimming pool for the kids and a few bbq areas. We had our destination wedding here. Nancy was great. She stayed on top of everything and I can't imagine a more stress-free wedding planning experience. And everything was perfect. I can't recommend them enough for destination weddings! Tips: If climbing stairs to a second-floor unit isn't your thing, be sure to ask for a 1st floor condo. The Costco in Lihue is a great place to stock your kitchen. Tunnels and Ke'e beaches are only a few miles northwest and are great for snorkeling and honu sightings. Pier jumping in Hanalei Bay is a favorite activity of the local kids. Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints. Kill nothing but time.
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Jocelyn L.

Yelp
I Love this resort. It's NOT a 5-star resort with Cabana Boys serving you Maitais with a snap of your fingers. . It IS, however, a low-key, affordable, somewhat dated condo-type digs with full kitchens and clean rooms. There's also a hottub (common area); there's something to be said about enjoying the hottub under the stars, with the waves lapping the beach. There're not too many food options on the North Shore, so we went grocery shopping at the market in Hanlei and BBQed our dinner one night. It was Amazing! We also laid out on the beach later that night and it was so peaceful and gorgeous. The resort is located in Hanalei, which is a personal favorite (Poipu is too touristy for me). If you're looking for an affordable option in Hanalei, this is it
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Gavin H.

Yelp
We can't wait to go back! Great little bungalows. No TV was a nice tough too. The pool area has a couple of grass grills perfect for BBQing fresh caught fish from the local fish market. A shirt drive out of town, and close to the prime beaches in the North part of the island. A definite break from the commercial hotel and resort environment. We will be back!
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Andrea J.

Yelp
From the moment we stepped in our room we were hooked! The beautiful wood floors, spacious lay-out (with 1.5 bathrooms! That is key to a long-lasting marriage), full kitchen, private patio. We would sleep to the sounds of the beach. Beautiful location, much needed reprieve for the both of us. Highly recommend!