Hanalei Bay Resort beach access question

[RNCollins]

This morning my exchange came through for a 2 bedroom unit at Hanalei Bay Resort in Kauai for Summer 2023. I am not familiar with Kauai or the Hanalei Bay Resort. In one of the TUG reviews I read someone mentioned the beach access might be limited in the future due to an adjoining resorts refurbishment. Does anyone have any further information or insight about the beach access for the Hanalei Bay Resort? I would love to send my sister and her family there, if they have access to a nice beach. Thanks.

 

[DeniseM]

All beaches in Hawaii are public, so I don't believe they can block the beach access, but to be sure, I'd call the front desk.

 

[RNCollins]

All beaches in Hawaii are public, so I don't believe they can block the beach access, but to be sure, I'd call the front desk.

Thanks Denise!

Two more questions:

If you were a couple in your early 50’s and had two boys in their early 20’s, would you rather stay at the Hanalei Bay Resort or at the Marriott Waiohai Beach Club?

Why?

Thanks again!

 

[DeniseM]

The Marriott Waiohai is at Poipu beach which is probably the most popular beach on Kauai, with more things to do nearby. It's also warmer and dryer at Poipu due to it's southern location on the island. I think 20-somethings would like it better than Princeville which is more of an upscale golf enclave. That being said, I have stayed in Princeville, but I have not been to the Hanelei Bay resort, but it isn't right on the ocean.

Hanalei Bay Resort:

Marriott's Waiohai - located at one end of Poipu Beach:

YouTube Video: Poipu Beach:

 

[NiteMaire]

This morning my exchange came through for a 2 bedroom unit at Hanalei Bay Resort in Kauai for Summer 2023. I am not familiar with Kauai or the Hanalei Bay Resort. In one of the TUG reviews I read someone mentioned the beach access might be limited in the future due to an adjoining resorts refurbishment. Does anyone have any further information or insight about the beach access for the Hanalei Bay Resort? I would love to send my sister and her family there, if they have access to a nice beach. Thanks.

All beaches in Hawaii are public, so I don't believe they can block the beach access, but to be sure, I'd call the front desk.

The beach access "limit" isn't for the beach. As @DeniseM stated, all beaches are public. However, there's no access from HBR so you have to go through St Regis' property to get access to the beach itself. So depending on the refurbishment equipment, it could be that the path may be blocked. While I've driven to the entrance for HBR, I haven't stayed at HBR, but it is on my list for a future stay.

If you were a couple in your early 50’s and had two boys in their early 20’s, would you rather stay at the Hanalei Bay Resort or at the Marriott Waiohai Beach Club?
Why?

We're in a similar situation except we have a son and daughter in their 20s. I don't know if you could go wrong with either, but I'd choose Waiohai. Hanalei Bay is a unique area, and the 2BR units there offer great views from what I read. We prefer Marriott so we've stayed at Waiohai. It's directly connected to Poipu Beach. Great beach and location. You're closer to Waimea Canyon and can easily get to Napali Coast through excursions that leave nearby. Weather is typically better near Poipu, especially during the winter. You have better access to the rest of the island. It's not central, but definitely more central compared to Princeville/Hanalei Bay. Then again, it's not a big island at all, but drives can get long during rush hour.

I see @DeniseM just posted as I was typing. You can see in the first picture the other property you need to go through to get the access I mentioned above.

Edited to identify St Regis as the property nearby.

 

[wilma]

HBR has a path/road to the beach that is shared with the old st Regis soon to become a new hotel “number one or something like that”. The staff will give you a ride in a golf cart if you prefer and there’s a phone at the bottom to call for a pickup. The beach is ok but we prefer to drive to tunnels.

 

[DeniseM]

After reading Wilma's description, I realised that I have been to the beach below Hanalei Bay resort, because the Westin Princeville used to shuttle their guests to it. Poipu beach is FAR superior.

 

[zentraveler]

After reading Wilma's description, I realised that I have been to the beach below Hanalei Bay resort, because the Westin Princeville used to shuttle their guests to it. Poipu beach is FAR superior.

Have been to both beaches and agree with @DeniseM. Westin Princeville used to shuttle people to that beach (St. Regis... Ritz before that?) but that was long ago.

New version of that hotel is the very pricey Luxury Hotel in Kauai, Hawaii | 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay (1hotels.com). If I were guessing, it will not include bused-in guests from the nearby Marriott (Westin Princeville) resort. Although not Poipu beach quality it was still nice way to see Hanalei Bay.

 

[cowboy]

Hanalei Bay Beach will be a lot less crowded than Poipu Beach

 

[RNCollins]

Thank you everyone for your help.

I have ePlus for this Exchange, so I might try for the Waiohai. I think the boys would like Poipu better.

 

[Calyn79]

Waiohai - for sure - I've stayed at both t/share resorts in 2bedroom units and given a choice it would be the Waiohai hands down as it is so much nicer than Hanalei Bay, not to mention the surrounding area....and beach right there....and it is not that crowded.