The morning light filters through the floor-to-ceiling windows at 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, painting Kauai’s emerald mountains in a soft, golden hue. My mom and I sit in silence, sipping fresh coconut water and watching the waves roll into Hanalei Bay. It’s our first morning on the island, and already I feel a kind of stillness I’ve been chasing for years.

As a seasoned travel writer with an anxious mind, I’ve made a career out of moving — collecting stamps in my passport, itineraries in my inbox and too many half-finished meditation apps on my phone. But here, on Hawaii’s oldest island, I came not to chase anything — but to pause.

THE SETTING

Nestled in Princeville on Kauai’s North Shore, 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay stands at the edge of one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world: where towering cliffs meet turquoise waters at the end of the fabled Nāpali Coast. The property is the flagship of the 1 Hotels brand — known for its sustainability ethos — and features 252 rooms, each designed with reclaimed materials, native greenery and views that pull the outside in.

From the moment we arrived, everything felt intentional. The filtered water station in our room, eliminating single-use plastic, became one of my favorite small details. My mom admired the organic cotton linens, while I was struck by how quiet the room felt, as though the building itself had learned how to breathe.

The property’s sustainability credentials are remarkable: a 7,400-gallon rainwater harvesting system irrigates the gardens, saving roughly 3.5 million gallons each year, while about 70% of the resort’s landscaping features native plants — restoring 28% of the site, or nearly 96,000 square feet, with native and adapted vegetation. It’s one thing for a hotel to claim it cares about the environment; it’s another to see that commitment flourishing right outside your window.

A SANCTUARY FOR BODY + SOUL

The Bamford Wellness Spa became our refuge. Created in partnership with organic pioneer Carole Bamford, the spa’s 18 treatment rooms and holistic menu blend modern technology with Hawaiian healing traditions.

Before my treatment, curiosity led me to the spa’s ocean float therapy room, where I spent 30 minutes suspended in a private saltwater vessel. For someone whose nervous system runs on high alert, the experience was profoundly calming — a rare invitation to fully let go and a reminder that wellness can be both ancient and cutting-edge.

My main event, the Intuitive Herbal Ritual, was customized by an extraordinary massage therapist who immediately sensed my anxiety about lying flat on my stomach. She thoughtfully pivoted, adjusting everything with such care. She incorporated warmed noni leaves on areas of tension (my stomach) and used traditional Hawaiian techniques alongside Bamford’s organic oils to support relaxation without ever forcing it. I truly felt seen and cared for in that moment. When I left the room, I felt lighter and grounded.

MOVEMENT WITH MEANING

Many mornings began at the 10,000-square-foot fitness center, which was so impressive my mom and I agreed we’d happily pay the (surely steep) membership fee if we lived on the island. The space draws an unmistakably California-esque crowd: effortlessly stylish, sun-kissed and committed to health as a way of life. The vibe is aspirational, yet still inviting.

We especially enjoyed the daily movement schedule, which ranged from mindful to high-energy. We both loved the myofascial release class, a guided stretch and recovery session that felt like physical therapy meets meditation. The yoga sculpt class delivered a satisfying burn, while sunrise movement — a morning yoga and breathwork class often held outdoors facing the ocean — became our favorite ritual of the week. Moving in rhythm with the waves felt like a full-body reset.

Guests can also stop by Vitality Kauai, the resort’s on-property hub for IV therapy and medical aesthetics. I decided to try the bioavailable B12 infusion, and despite some initial jitters at the sight of the (surprisingly painless) needle, I was delighted by the surge of energy it brought to my day. A B12 boost post-yoga and pre-beach, all with a fresh-squeezed juice in hand? In Hawaii? Honestly, it was heaven.

NOURISHMENT FROM NATURE

Across the property, food and drink are treated as natural extensions of wellness. Each of the six food and beverage venues celebrates Hawaii’s abundance with ingredients sourced from local farmers and fishers — a feat that’s harder to accomplish on the island than many realize.

For light bites and drinks, we gravitated toward Welina Terrace, where open-air seating and sweeping ocean views made even a bowl of edamame feel elevated. Japanese-inspired shared plates were the perfect first taste after a long day of travel from Denver, but it was the creative mocktails that stole the show — bright blends of tropical fruits, herbs and botanicals that tasted like sunshine in a glass.

Dinner at 1 Kitchen was one of the most memorable meals of our trip. The restaurant’s farm-to-table philosophy shines in every dish, with many ingredients sourced from its rooftop organic garden of native canoe crops, herbs and citrus trees. Each morning, we also indulged in the insanely good breakfast buffet: a colorful spread of island fruit, fresh-pressed juices and made-to-order favorites that made it easy to linger a little longer over coffee. We’d heard mixed feedback about service speed, but our own experience was seamless — attentive, gracious and every bit five-star.

A PLACE THAT TEACHES BALANCE

When we weren’t exploring or in class, my mom and I spent lazy afternoons by the water. From our cabana, we read books and talked about everything and nothing at all. For once, time didn’t feel like something to manage.

Kauai is known for adventure, and during our stay, we often overheard fellow guests trading stories of Jurassic Park-style helicopter rides and epic boat tours along the coast. We chose a gentler pace, venturing off-property for a guided hike, a stroll through the Waipā Farmers Market and a playful golf cart tour at Princeville Makai Golf Club, where we caught one of the most breathtaking sunsets I’ve ever seen.

As we packed our rental car to leave, I realized that Hanalei Bay had quietly rewritten my understanding of wellness. It isn’t found in perfection — it’s in balance. In morning light and ocean rhythm. In sitting next to your mom and realizing that for the first time in a while, you don’t feel the need to be anywhere else.

Lexi Marshall
Managing Editor
@lexi_marsha11 | lexireich.com

Originally published in the winter + spring 2025-26 issue of Well.