Hanalei Bay Resort- Did We Miss Something?
 

I KNOW this posting will generate alot of feedback, but I'm not posting this as a joke,but rather to get a real understanding of why people feel a certain way. <BR> <BR>Having just completed a 2 nt stay here (Bougainvillea Section, 2nd Flr)I can't for the life of me understand what all the fuss about this place is. My hotel room resembled a Days Inn motel standard(everything was old, the shower curtain wasn't long enough, the mirror all scratched and chipped, no soapdish, crummy pillows, motel-style paper-wrapped tumblers, time share literature ALL over the rm.) <BR>Check-in was unprofesssional - I was asked to sign 2 separate, cheaply photocopied slips of paper: one stating that I understand that a replacement rm. key is $15, and the other verifying that I turned down using the rm. safe for a daily fee. ( why must I 'sign' and attest to these things?) <BR>As for The Bali Hai Restaurant, although the view is beautiful, the restaurant decor and appointments itself resembled a cafeteria or camp lodge; nothing except the view was inviting about it. The display for the restaurant menu was actually a timeshare invitation( It had the mandatory legal disclosure in big lettering at the bottom, with an 'invitaion' for a free $100 dinner for two in big lettering at the top of the display)The property is dead by 10pm; even the lounge was closed. Although the pool is very nice, no poolside service is available. There were 'Do Not...' this and 'Do Not...' that signs posted everywhere on the property. One good thing was that there are plenty of tennis courts for players. <BR>The grounds are nice, but not any nicer than the majority of hotels all over the islands. <BR> <BR>This hotel garners raves and 4 star ratings, yet I don't feel how this so-called 'resort' differs from any of the Outrigger or Aston Hotel chain hotels; the decor; the rooms, decor, amenities and facilities are on par with any of the hotels in the aboved named chains. <BR>To sum it up, this 'Resort' is more like your VERY average time share property; except that it happens to be in one of the most incredible spots on earth. But credit then should be given to Hanalei Bay, and the general Princeville Community, not to HBR. <BR> <BR>As an aside, I don't have to stay at a 'mega, super luxury resort' to enjoy a hotel; in fact, 3 yrs ago when I was first in Kauai we stayed 2 nts at The Outrigger Kauai Beach Resort in Lihue and 2 nts at the Hyatt; I found the stay at the Outrigger to be just as enjoyable as our Hyatt stay,( That Outrigger had a very nice pool, large, clean rms, and provided a free Lauau - type show too!)and it was 1/5 the price of the Hyatt. <BR>This trip, our 4 nts at the Hyatt FAR exceeded our enjoyment than the stay at the HBR ( Again, ONLY considering the hotel property, NOT the location) <BR> <BR>I welcome any and all comments. <BR>

Hi Anthony. I completely agree with you! Read my recent posting in tthe Rants and Raves section. The trouble is that most of the rooms are being converted to timeshares. That means fewer "hotel'"roms. Those that are left are sadly in need of repair and maintenance. iIwas heartbroken, because the last time i was there, 2 years ago, the basic rooms were lovely. Nothing fancy, but very, very nice. I dreamed of my return there. Now, everything had a frayed, worn look to it. At least, the landscaping, and the location, are still phenomenal. I agree the restaurant is totally overpriced. Our first room stunk of tobacco smoke. the desk clerk just smiled and said "No problem" they'd spray in the room. Yeah, right--and get rid of the embedded odor? At least we got a room--there were several guests, despite "confirmed" reservatikons, who did not!! i actually did go to the timeshare presentation for the heck of it, and found the rudest timeshare "finance manager' imaginable. ike you, i loved the Outrigger Kauai Beach Hotel, stayed two years ago. Sadly, it was sold by Outrigger and is being expandedas a Radisson , i think. Next time try Islander on the Beach in kapaa behind the Coconut Marketplace--smaller than the old Outrigger, and a simpler pool (but clean and adequate and beachfront) but the same unmanufactured feel of Hawaii--not a Disney version of it. <BR>And it was a geat price...oceanfront, with a kitchenette, for $94/ night. Feel free to email for any other comments or recommendations of places to stay in Hawaii.

Sorry, Anthony. Rebecca is right. You, unfortunately, got one of the rooms that is transitioning. That happened to us a few years ago. We complained and management reduced our room rate for the week by 50%. However, we had the most fantastic view in one of the best buildings fronted by nothing but Bali Hai and Hanalei Bay. Dropdead gorgeous view is why we stay at HBR. The Hyatt is lovely, but you can't get that there. We think the grounds are quite nice at HBR and nightlife is not why we go to Kauai so we don't expect it. Perhaps you would better enjoy Maui or Honolulu. Kauai is quite different from the others. I'm sorry you were so disappointed. We have enjoyed wonderful breakfasts at HBR and some very nice dinners. They are pricier as all hotels seem to be compared to individual restaurants like the wonderful Casa de Amici (near Poipu), The Beach House or the really special A Pacific Cafe. <BR> <BR>Also, Bougainvillea is not the building you want to stay in, Anthony. It is probably the worst with no great views. Bamboo is the best followed by Plumeria and some of Ginger. We got it wrong the first time before knowing what to request and not to go through Hanalei Bay Resort directly for booking but to others who offer better prices as well as individually owned, beautifully decorated units. When you are unhappy with where you are staying, it tends to cloud your entire experience. I'm sorry this happened to you and hope it was not your first visit to the beautiful North Shore of Kauai.

I am so sad to hear this terrible trip report! My husband and I honeymooned at HBR 2 years ago, and it was fabulous. They upgraded us upon arrival - we reserved a hotel room, but they gave us a 1 bedroom apartment instead. It was not fancy, but we loved it - 2 large porches with stunning views. No timeshare literature to be seen - or maybe we didn't notice it. We ate at the restaurant - very good. It sounds like they are going through some type of transition, and that's such a shame. I'm sorry to hear that it wasn't up to par for your trip.

I too am saddened by this, as my husband and I stayed there 2 years ago and also were upgraded to a 1 bedroom ocean view; no timeshare literature. <BR>We loved the scenery and the room was very clean and nice. Now we know not to stay in certan buildings on the property until refurbished!