BY SHELBY TUTTLE
Perched high on a verdant hillside on the North Shore of Hawai‘i’s Garden Isle, visitors to 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay are surrounded by nature at nearly every turn. The hotel’s commitment to sustainability — as with all in the 1 Hotels portfolio — is also ever-present, with its location creating the brand’s most stunning and successful integration with its surroundings to date.
In 2020, following a purchase by Starwood Resorts, the St. Regis Princeville Resort closed to undergo a monumental transformation. European-style columns, oversized slabs of marble, and outdated hues gave way to 1 Hotel’s signature biophilic design, reopening in February 2023.
SUSTAINABILITY
The resort’s new owners salvaged nearly 145 tons of existing equipment and materials and donated much of what couldn’t be used to the Kaua‘i community. Construction utilized locally sourced and reclaimed materials throughout, including teak joists, lava stone, and recycled clay for walls, ceilings, and countertops.
An impressive LEED-certified property with sustainability initiatives that go far beyond standard hotel practices like low-flow water fixtures and LED lighting, the resort implements advanced energy- saving strategies like green roofs for increased insulation, passive cooling, low-energy glazing on windows, energy-recovery HVAC, and advanced monitoring, all designed to cut annual energy costs by about 20%. Water conservation is maximized through high-efficiency plumbing systems, native plant use throughout the property, and a 7,400-gallon rainwater harvesting system used for irrigation, saving roughly 3.5 million gallons of water annually.
Waste management is central to the hotel’s sustainability mission, helping to drive a circular economy within the community. The resort strives to eliminate single-use plastic by using reusable or fully compostable foodware, which is processed locally into soil amendments for the rooftop garden. Food waste is donated to a nearby farm for pig feed and local haulers manage separate recycling streams. All revenue from redeemable materials is donated to a neighborhood elementary school. The property is also pursuing TRUE Zero Waste certification with a target goal of diverting over 90% of total waste from the landfill.
GUEST ROOMS
Rooms at 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay are an exquisite blend of uncompromising luxury and deep comfort, featuring majestic views of the rugged, emerald-hued Hīhīmanu, Nāmolokama, and Māmalahoa mountain ranges rising from Hanalei Bay’s crescent-shaped shoreline. The view itself is like medicine — a balm for frazzled nerves, an invitation into stillness and presence. Enjoying a cup of locally grown mamaki sage tea while watching the sunlight dance along the crests of rhythmic waves in the morning, or savoring the way the mist slowly rolls across the striated mountain peaks after a gentle rain in the afternoon were among my favorite ways to soak in the profound tranquility of the island.
This sense of connection to nature is consciously built into the design of every one of the resort’s 252 guest rooms and suites. Basalt flooring, local artwork, and limewashed walls the color of wet sand are complemented by a bevy of live plants that surround guests in understated elegance. Handwoven lighting, reclaimed wood ceilings, and custom-woven rattan wall panels stylishly emphasize the island vibe.
Thoughtful, sustainable touches were always within reach, including 100% recycled paper hangers, cups and carafes made from recycled wine bottles, recycled cork coasters, natural wood pens, and even a filtered-water spout for refilling complimentary aluminum Path water bottles.
The bathroom inside our 820-square-foot Ocean View Studio Suite was impressive. A striking puka lava rock accent wall above the vanity flowed naturally into a glass-enclosed shower complete with a rainfall showerhead and separate natural stone soaking tub. Adjustable, louvered wooden blinds provided a nearly floor-to-ceiling view of the ocean and mountains, inviting nature directly into one of life’s most private rituals for a secluded moment of personal care.
DINING
The dining at 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay is a celebration of hyper-local, sustainable cuisine, with all six venues certified as Ocean Friendly Restaurants by The Surfrider Foundation. Menus are primarily crafted from seasonal ingredients sourced from Kaua‘i and the resort’s rooftop organic garden. The culinary experience ranges from 1 Kitchen’s indulgent breakfast buffet and impressive dinner menu of fresh fish and local vegetable sides, to the Welina Terrace featuring Japanese-inspired shared plates, exceptional craft cocktails, and the island’s best sunset views. For fast, casual fare, guests can visit The Sandbox for poolside dining or Neighbors for healthy grab-and-go options.
WELLNESS
Wellness at 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay is centered on connecting with Kaua‘i’s natural environment for holistic health, spanning three dedicated facilities: Bamford Wellness Spa, Anatomy Fitness, and Vitality Kaua‘i Medical Spa. The Bamford Spa offers holistic services and 18 treatment rooms, with signature rituals rooted in locally sourced plant- based products from Kaua‘i. Complementing this is the 10,000-square-foot Anatomy Fitness center — a 24/7 gym with diverse equipment, a boxing terrace, and a studio for mind and movement classes like yoga and Pilates.
Finally, Vitality Kaua‘i offers specialized infusions, injectables, and medical aesthetic treatments administered by a qualified nurse practitioner, focusing on enhancing immunity, performance, and overall well-being.
RECREATION
Daylife programming at the hotel is extensive, offering on-site activities from sunrise to sunset that connect guests to the culture and a sense of place on the Garden Isle. Off-site, the hotel collaborates with a number of partners to provide exceptional experiences that can be booked directly through the concierge.
The neighboring Princeville Makai Golf Club offers more than just a round of golf — the sunset golf cart tour provides exceptional photo opportunities that belong on your next holiday card. Our tour guide and golf pro, Andrew, was exceptionally knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna, along with the history of the area. Notably, the club is a leader in environmental stewardship and uses salt-tolerant paspalum turfgrass, which is ideal for Hawai‘i’s climate. The club is committed to organic maintenance standards, utilizing sodium chloride for weed eradication, and adhering to a strict company- wide policy against the use of glyphosate.
The Lydgate Farms chocolate tour is a guest favorite, offering a look at the process of transforming raw cacao into finished, fine chocolate that rivals the best in the world. Founded in 2008, the farm is a model of regenerative land management. To keep carbon underground, workers do not till the soil. Instead, they foster a diverse agroforestry system with integrated root systems and use organic fertilizer to naturally provide necessary soil nutrients.
We concluded our stay in Kaua‘i with an unforgettable dinner cruise. Nestled into a little nook on a 65-foot Star sailing yacht at sunset, my husband and I enjoyed a gorgeous three-course meal featuring locally sourced ingredients, set against the breathtaking expanse of the Nā Pali Coast.
Yet, Captain Andy’s is known for more than providing spectacular experiences. The company is a certified Surfrider Foundation Ocean Friendly Restaurant, meaning all foodware is reusable, and no Styrofoam or single-use plastics (straws only upon request) are allowed on board. The company further demonstrates its commitment to the environment with a strict dockside recycling policy and is recognized as a Hawai‘i Tourism Authority Qurator Elite Tier operator.
A FINAL WORD
A strong commitment to responsible, restorative travel is what truly defines the experience at 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay. More than just a sanctuary of quiet indulgence, the resort functions as a true extension of its environment. From its LEED-certified design and resource-saving initiatives, to its world-class dining, wellness programs, and partnerships created with Kaua‘i in mind, every detail ensures your stay not only provides profound comfort and tranquility but actively supports the well- being of the island. A visit here is the rare privilege of enjoying five-star service while honoring the unique majesty of the very special Garden Isle. For more, visit www.1hotels.com/hanalei-bay.
