I'm going to Kauai for my Honeymoon in March...Unfortunately, I pricelined my ticket and got stuck with Hanalei Bay Resort... From the pictures, it looks great, and it was rate 4 1/2 stars on Priceline...but I'm still a bit worried...

Anyone ever stay at this resort? Any feedback would be great...

Thanks...

FYI I just did a text search using "Hanalei Bay Resort". 169 posts came up regarding this resort. Oldest was in 1997 so not all will be useful but that's alot of posts anyway.

The Bay Resort is a fine spot with the most beautiful view on the planet. Just be sure to get a room with a "Bali Hai" view, and in a building that is near what you are most interested in (ie the pool or the beach, which is a hike). It's a big resort, true, but whenever I go there the view cancels out any of the negatives.

I have stayed there and you will love it. It is located in a very idealic setting. Look up the fodor's reccomendation here. I remember them talking about this place being a steal considering if you walk down hill you are at the Princeville Sheraton which is about 2 thirds more in cost.

It is not new but certainly worth a stay for the bargain hunter. I love the restaurant such a beautiful. I would also book dinner at Sheraton for the veiw. There is a luau also but not with Bali high veiw.

The walk to the beach is not that bad it is just not right outside your door. I would say it is the equivalent of 3 city blocks down hill. You will want to get in your car and explore area North Shore beaches anyway (tunnels, Kakey (Sp, Annini to name a few).

We stayed there in '96 and from what I've heard its turning into timeshares - but hopefully the restaurant is still good. The view at sunset from Bali Hai Restaurant is awesome. And it is a bit of a walk down to the Princeville, but you can walk right into the pool area and have a drink at the bar. Its beautiful! (but so are the prices - $18 for a long island and banana daiqari). But hey, its Hawaii!

I stayed there 2 yrs ago, and hated the place.
My rm was unrenovated, and was in a 1* condition. Old furniture, chipped mirros, stained and chipped bathroom counters, moldy shower curtian that didn't reach all the way, photocopied papers all about the rm on buying timeshares; not enough parking spaces.
While the view is wonderful from the Bali Hai Restaurant, the decor of the restaurant reminded me of a camp lodge. The menu display for the restaurant included a timeshare sales pitch; ( In BOLD writing across the top of the menu display is a come-on aboutn how you can get a 'free' dinner for 2 if you listen to the sales pitch) There is 1 restaurant, and 1 bar, and the whole hotel shuts down PROMPTLY at 10 pm; no food, drinks or entertainment.
The walk is fair to the beach, down a steep road; it's not lighted, so I would NEVER walk it at night, it's too steep to walk back up comfortably anyway. The service was terrible and unprofessional. I had to sign 2 poorly photocopied pieces of paper; one attesting to the fact that there is a charge to use the safe, and the other that there is a charge if you lose the rm key. Why must I sign and attest to these things anyway? It's 2002; this suposed 'resort' charges you for a lost key?
There is no poolside service.
The good things are the nice landscaping and plenty of tennis courts. But in NO WAY is this a resort.
It is a 2-2 1/2 * at best.

The rooms vary a lot so good luck. The pool is nice, they'll shuttle you to the beach & I think to Princeville Hotel. Didn't like dinner at the resort but breakfast and lunch are good.
Aloha

We stayed there in '98 and have no complaints. I know a lot of folks have complainded about this place in the last year or two, which really surprised me. We paid for a studio ocean view and were upgraded to a one-bedroom ocean view condo. Everything was absolutely perfect! Loved the views from the resort. From what I've been hearing it sounds like the hotel ROOMS have been problematic, but maybe they've gotten their act together!
check out epinions.com and maybe you can punch in the name of this resort and read others travel reviews!
Even if your room is not the ultimate best, you won't be disappointed with the views. As for the restaurant on the property, we never even tried it. Why bother when there are so many other wonderful places to eat down in Hanalei.
Many good places to dine.