Hanalei Colony Resort

Location. On the north shore of Kauai, Hawaii, just one mile past Lumahai Beach, the Hanalei Colony Resort occupies an area bordered by emerald mountains, white sand and the Wainiha Bay. Resting on a curve of golden beach in Haena, guests have easy access to hiking on the Na Pali Coast and snorkeling on the Makua "Tunnels" or Kee Beach two miles away. The quaint town of Hanalei, four miles from the resort, offers a variety of shopping and dining choices, and is home to the Waioli and Hanalei Beach Parks.

Features. This five-acre low-rise beachfront resort offers sweeping views of Hanalei Bay from 13 buildings. Continental breakfasts are offered on Fridays. The 3,000-square-foot Makana Room can accommodate events with up to 100 attendees, and also houses two guest computers with high-speed Internet access. The resort has an outdoor pool and spa tub along with barbecue areas, and hosts complimentary sunset Mai Tai parties on Tuesdays. The resort's own Hanalei Day Spa pampers guests with therapeutic massages, body wraps, yoga classes and facials. Hawaiian crafts such as lei-making and palm frond weaving are offered once a week in the summer for guests of all ages, and the resort's "Keiki Kamp" (kid's camp) offers activities such as Hawaiian arts and crafts, nature walks, children's movies and pizza nights.

Guestrooms. The two-bedroom condominiums at Hanalei Colony Resort feature private lanais and full kitchens. Guests only needing one bedroom can leave the sliding louver doors open so that the second bedroom becomes an extension of the living area. Guest accommodations at the Hanalei Colony Resort purposely exclude televisions, stereos, and phones to create a more peaceful and secluded atmosphere, but telephones are available at the pool/gazebo.

Expert Tip. The resort's spa offers massages at the resort or beachfront at the Hawaiian Hale, where guests can breathe in Kauai's salty ocean air and hear the crash of ocean waves. The spa imitates the Hawaiian thatched huts utilized by natives upon arriving to the islands, and are constructed entirely by hand.