Hanalei Colony Resort

We got married here 4 years ago and been back every year since. This place is magical. Going to bed and waking up to the sound of the ocean is so relaxing. I consider this place to be home away from home.

Horribly overrated, this «resort» resembles a 70’s era apartment complex, complete with run-​down furnishings, stained carpeting and a pervading smell of mildew. No A/​C in the units means the rooms are hot and humid and the sheets are sticky. You only get maid service 1 day out of 7, so you need to enjoy cleaning and taking out the trash on your vacation. We paid for an upgraded «beach front» room, but our room was neither on the beach nor fronting the beach. Instead, we looked directly out on a series of septic tanks with a few potted plants scattered on the lids. I talked to management and they stated, «Oh, you should have reserved a ‘premium’ beach front.» The septic tank, of course, emitted horrendous odors at various times during the day, especially at night. There was no escaping the stench since all windows are louvered to allow a breeze because of the lack of A/​C. One night we hid under the covers to escape the nauseating combination of human feces and dead fish wafting through our cabin. Their literature spins all this as a «unplugged» and «romantic» getaway. Don’t believe any of it. This place is gross and not least bit romantic.

Don’t be fooled by the luxurious photos on travel websites. Their pictures make this place look far newer, sleeker than it really is. However, this is a well-​run group of condo units that are clean and nicely furnished. The setting is really beautiful. Although the beach out front is not great for swimming — in summertime, it is still kind of choppy — it makes for a lovely view from the lanai. I found it to be very quiet even though the bedroom windows were next to the parking lot and the roar of the ocean is so relaxing. Have not eaten in the onsite restaurant yet but it looks full every night and the menu is interesting. This side of Kauai has the best beaches but the parking is a nightmare; taking the free shuttle from the hotel to the beach is a super plus for this place. One thing they could improve on is to bring back daily maid service. Once every two-​three days isn’t very convenient. Ditto a previous reviewers comment about the occasional sewer smell. Not a deal breaker because the room is very well-​ventilated. Another bummer is that every time we went to the pool there was a large family (the same one) monopolizing the grill and picnic table. It was a bit uncomfortable and I wouldn’t be happy about this if I were a couple on a romantic vacation. They should have a reservation system so that this doesn’t happen and that one group doesn’t decide to take over a public space every single night. Otherwise, I would be back. This place certainly has a unique charm that you can’t find in the big, fancy, crowded hotels.

My husband and I stayed here and at the Grand Hyatt for our honeymoon and first trip to Kauai, and both preferred the HCR. It is very charming and quiet. In light of the other reviews, I think if you are wanting a full service place, this is not the place for you. If you are wanting to relax in a serene environment and be somewhat self-​sufficient, this is the place for you. We will definitely be here again. The beds are comfortable, and we are picky about beds. The ocean is within footsteps, and you can hear the waves from your window. Jessie and Juan provided amazing customer service and hospitality. We had an ocean view room, which I definitely recommend. Loved the bar and coffee shop next door. Loved the closeness to Ke’e Beach. Loved everything. We will be here again.

We just spent an amazing 7 nights stay at this resort and every bit felt like it was our home away from home. This is a hidden gem located on the north shore of Kauai in Hanalei Bay. Mahalo, HCR!

Was here from April 30-​May 9 and wish my stay had been about 5 days longer. hcr is one of the best kept secrets on the north shore, although I’m afraid then secret is getting out. No matter what unit you are in you are basically beachside and everyone of them have gorgeous views. Sitting out on the lanai watching the breeze in the trees, the birds and the ocean just doesn’t get old. Personally I love that there is NO TV in the rooms, and no phones. There is a computer center at Mediterranean Gourmet if you need to log on and print. There is a spa on site across the parking lot and a nice little coffee shop that makes awesome mochas. I love Mai tai night on Thursdays, currently at the pool while Mg is under renovations. I love this place and if I even won the lottery I would buy a unit here in a heartbeat.

I’m a fan! Here with my mother, so the one room sweet, with the extra foldout couch and bathroom is perfect. It has a great kitchen. If they provided coffee filters with the coffee machine, it would have been a five star ;). Room near large pool with views of the mountains, which to me are just as beautiful as the ocean. Pool and hot tub are nice, and staff is great. I’d absolutely come back!

Found a great deal on groupon and stayed here 5 nights in an oceanview unit at a nightly rate of $ 191 a night. If booked thru the resort website the cheapest available for an oceanview was $ 265 a night. Needless to say we got a great deal.
The location was great, very secluded and basically the resort is at the end of the road on the north shore.
The staff was extremely friendly. LeAnn was awesome and always willing to answer questions and chat.
The units were nice, spacious and had a full kitchen. No TVs in any of the units (for a couple in their 20’s this was tough to go without for 5 days).
The restaraunt/​bar next to the resort was a good place to go for food and a drink and has a large tv to catch the game on. Chris was an awesome bartender and took great care of us.
Overall it was a wonderful and relaxing facility and would stay here again.

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.

Seems there are two entries for this place on Unilocal,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 2^nd story unit. We wanted ground level and I’m kind of glad they didn’t have any. The 2^nd 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 Unilocal and I’m returning the favor.
Only one Con: Occasional septic odors that they could fix with a single visit to
. Just saying.

This place is exactly what my husband and I hoped for when we booked a condo on the North Shore of Kauai. We were on the water in G4, a few steps from the sand and walkable to Ke’e beach, a favorite spot for us. The rooms were cute, clean and well-​appointed but because of its location, this spot is inevitably going to have a bit of rust and wear to the exterior, even though workers were constantly, unobtrusively maintaining it. We had several good meals in our room and at the restaurant at the resort. The concierge offered great recommendations on where to go and what to do. We ended up with a great surf lesson and snorkel boat ride with his help! Best vacation ever. Thanks, Steven!

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!

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!

Enjoyed the incredible pistachio-​encrusted Walu. This was the best fish dish I have ever enjoyed… anywhere. Bar makes a
superb Mojito. To finish, Taro bread pudding. Wow.

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.