1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, the brand’s flagship property is now open in Hawaii
1 Hotel Hanalei Bay is perched on a hillside overlooking the breathtaking Hanalei Bay, surrounded by the lush tropical flora of Hawaiʻi's Garden Island. Share
1 Hotels, the mission-driven luxury lifestyle hotel brand founded by hospitality visionary Barry Sternlicht has unveiled 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, its flagship nature-and-wellness-focused island oasis overlooking a storied stretch of Kauai’s North Shore. Guests seeking solace and serenity at this sustainable sanctuary can swim, snorkel, bike, paddle, kayak, soak up the sun and surf off a legendary beach where Native Hawaiians lived in harmony with nature for generations and a laidback surf scene still thrives. The dramatic peaks of the Namolokama and Mamalahoa mountains loom over a verdant valley whose iconic waterfalls capture the breathtaking bounty and beauty of Hawaii’s famed “Garden Island.”
‘If you can’t find it in nature, you won’t find it here’ is the biophilic design principle that inspired the resort’s $300 million imaginative transformation, in line with the brand mission to connect people, place and nature. Indigenous and endemic vines and plants weave through low-impact structures that blend softly and seamlessly into their surroundings, causing the hotel to virtually vanish into its cliffside site.
The multi-year conservation plan replaced non-native and invasive species with wildlife-friendly vegetation including white hibiscus and nau, native to the Hawaiian Islands. The lobby, reception, and open-air entranceway lead guests on a journey deep into Hawaiian history and mythology. Much of the original building was removed and replaced with streams and gardens. Reclaimed teak joists, puka lava stone walls and ceilings hand-woven from abacá, a natural leaf fiber harvested from a cousin of the banana tree, are locally sourced.
The oasis’ 252 airy and nature-inspired rooms, including 51 suites, evoke a sense of sacred place and space with hand-woven floors fashioned from local black basalt, reclaimed teak and abaca furniture and traditional punai daybeds. Three spectacular spacious signature suites – the two-story Puu Poa Ocean Loft Suite, Napali House Suite and Makana Penthouse – serve stunning ocean and majestic mountain views from private terraces. Every interior detail lends texture framing panoramic vistas – visible through oversized openable windows – of the shimmering crescent-shaped Bay.
Opting for reconstruction as opposed to new construction enabled opening up the resort to the sky, warmly embracing the property’s astounding natural surroundings while diverting waste away from landfills. In collaboration with local partner RE-use Hawaii, nearly 150 tons of on-site furniture, fixtures, equipment, and other materials were salvaged, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay is on track to operate as a 100% Certified Carbon Neutral and TRUE zero-waste certified oasis, in-line with the brand’s other U.S. properties.
The sprawling winged structure’s verdant green roofs reduce and filter stormwater runoff, mitigate heat island effects and improve air quality through carbon sequestration. Planted with pili grass, pohinahina and nanea, the roofs host an organic chef’s garden from which fresh herbs, vegetables and micro-greens are harvested for culinary creations. Tree canopies harbor bird-and-bee-friendly candlenuts (kukui), breadfruit (ulu) and banana (maia) trees, bearing an abundance of fruit served fresh to guests.
Founder and organic pioneer, Carole Bamford, worked with the 1 Hotel team to create an 18,000-square-foot Bamford Wellness Spa which provides an open, serene setting for wellness sessions designed to nurture mind, body, and spirit. Under the care of expert therapists, transformative body treatments inspired by local culture use specially formulated products made from Native Hawaiian medicinal plants and natural and organic ingredients. Touchless therapies enable guests to achieve a range of wellness goals within one destination. Services include a cryotherapy chamber, hyperbaric chamber, infrared saunas with halotherapy, Dreampod ice baths, a Somadome meditation pod, and a salt pod flotation chamber.
1 Hotels’ Within Collection’s 22 rooms and suites provide a separate sanctuary to invigorate, rejuvenate and drive foundational changes that last a lifetime. The integrative approach to wellness infuses culinary, physical, emotional and spiritual healing with a sense of adventure. Sound therapeutic practices, enhanced by advanced wellness technologies, form the foundation of personalized journeys. These combine outdoor activities such as guided hikes with counseling sessions led by wellness sages to align mind, body, nature and spirit.
Dining options include 1 Kitchen, an all-day restaurant; Welina Terrace celebrating Hawaii’s multi-cultural heritage through modern Japanese cuisine; poolside dining at The Sandbox; Kai Maikai, a snack bar; Neighbors, the all-day grab-and-go; Waioli, serving shave ice desserts; The Juice Bar; and the Lobby Farmstand stocked daily with local produce.
The most extraordinary natural asset of 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay is the Bay itself. A world-class surfing destination that uniquely welcomes surfers from novices to world champions, from its near-shore sand bottom waves for beginners, and challenging sand bars and reef breaks for advanced surfers. The Bay’s year-round conditions spectacularly suit surfers at all levels.
At 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, guests can take advantage of a unique opportunity to surf with Bill Hamilton, the renowned Kauai surfer and shaper who will custom craft your personal surfboard, collaborate with you on its design and tailor it to your wave-riding style. Guests can schedule a session with Hamilton, followed by a private lunch or dinner with the living legend.
For further information, visit 1hotels.com
