1 Hotel Hanalei Bay

There are some places in the world that make you feel viscerally happy because the mark of humanity feels completely secondary to the natural world.

Kaua’i is like this. At least to me in my first visit this week.

I had learned about the 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay a little while ago from following Jen Atkin on Instagram (see post about Mane by Mane Addicts). The hotel rightfully calls itself an oceanfront sanctuary, and to go further, “a protected natural wonder that nourishes body, mind, and soul.”

1 Hotel Hanalei Bay is one of the most sustainable hotels that I have ever heard of. Sustainability is, quite literally, built into the hotel’s DNA, including “144.6 tons of salvaged materials turned into furniture, sustainable art pieces that pay homage to their surroundings, and an array of reclaimed teak joists, puma lava stone, quartz, Caesarstone, and so much more.” There is even a gym on the beach where the weights are made from invasive species of wood.

Kaua’i is considered to be one of the more nature-focused islands of the Hawai’i, and the 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay is protective of its surroundings in a way that brings them to life. This pays respect to the beauty without infiltrating on the life within. The hotel feels very much a part of the landscape in this sense, which I believe is the idea. Made with the island, to respect the island. Not for the humans who travel, but for them to learn more about where they are.

It’s a beautiful space in a stunning place and I hope that more hotels around the world will see this example and how well it has been done. It is surely a testament to a phenomenal team. Well done, 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay!

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