5 Best Hotels in The North Shore, Kauai

This swanky sustainable wellness resort—formerly the St. Regis Princeville—offers expansive views of the sea and mountains, including Makana, the landmark peak immortalized as mysterious "Bali Hai" in the film South Pacific. The reopening follows a $300 million overhaul that includes seven food venues, the Bamford Wellness Spa, a 1X Vitahealth Medi Spa program, a gym and fitness classes, on-site rooftop organic garden and apiary, a golf course, three saline pools (one adult-only), and kids' club. The overall design blends well with the natural setting of Hanalei Bay and honors the region's Native Hawaiian culture and history. The spacious guest rooms, many with private lanai, range from garden rooms to lavish suites with ocean views, all with furnishings made from recycled teak and local artworks; the neutral-hue decor uses textures and materials that evoke the natural world. 

The nicest feature of this three-story condominium resort overlooking Hanalei Bay is its upper-level pool with authentic lava-rock waterfalls, an open-air hot tub, and a kid-friendly sand beach. The buildings angle down the cliffs, making for some steep walking paths. Units are spacious, with high sloping ceilings and large private lanai. Rattan furniture and island art add a casual feeling to rooms. Some units are managed by the resort and others by private owners. All units have kitchens, including the smaller studios. This is a good choice for tennis buffs, and the on-site Happy Talk Lounge is lively in the evening with music, bar food, and dining.

The only true beachfront resort on Kauai's North Shore, Hanalei Colony is a laid-back, go-barefoot kind of resort sandwiched between towering mountains and the sea. There's an emphasis on simplicity here, but Wi-Fi is available in every unit. Some units are 10 feet from the sand, and though it's a beautiful coastline, the ocean is normally too rough for swimming. Many of the units are individually owned and generally well maintained, with Hawaiian-style furnishings, full kitchens, and lanai. Amenities, such as cocktail receptions and cultural activities, vary from season to season. There's a new two-story garden pool complex, plus an art gallery, small day spa, and restaurant on-site.  The road leading to this resort can occasionally be closed due to flooding or road repair, causing delays and possibly blocking access to the airport, so plan accordingly.

If you're looking for lodgings that won't break the bank and put you just a block from gorgeous Hanalei Bay, look no further, as this is literally the only choice among the town's pricey vacation rentals. The four attached studio cottages are bare-bones simple; the chief appeal here is price and location. Besides a private bath and queen-size bed, every room has HDTV and Wi-Fi, as well as a kitchen or kitchenette. Outside, you share a picnic table, hammocks, soda machine, and barbecue with other guests.

Spread out over 18½ acres on a bluff above Anini Beach, this Westin property marries the comforts of spacious condominium living with the top-notch service and amenities of a luxurious hotel resort. Studios and one- and two-bedroom units are offered—many of which have ocean views and lawn-facing lanai where nene, Hawaii's threatened state goose, amble by with their young—and there's a nice pool for children. From the tapa-inspired art in each villa's living room to the wood cutouts of Hawaii's state plant, taro, the place has a relaxing ambience with Hawaiian elements.