By the Where to Stay in Hawaii editorial team · Updated November 5, 2026
The Short Answer
Stay in Princeville, where most north shore hotels and condos are; our pick is 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, on the point above Hanalei Bay. Stay at Hāʻena, in Hanalei Colony Resort, to be closest to Hāʻena State Park and the Kalalau Trail. Hanalei town, a short drive below Princeville, is where you'll eat and spend beach days.
The north shore is rainier than Poʻipū, and from about November to April big swells can make Hanalei Bay and other north-facing beaches dangerous. In winter, consider splitting your stay with Poʻipū.
The North Shore's Areas Compared
| Area | Best for | From LIH | Downsides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Princeville | Most hotels, golf, views | 45 min–1 hr | Few beaches you can walk to |
| Hanalei | The bay, restaurants, surf | About 1 hr | Few hotels; the highway can close in floods |
| Hāʻena | Hāʻena State Park, Kēʻē Beach | 1–1.5 hrs | End of the road; one resort |
Map of Princeville and Hanalei Hotels
Princeville sits on the bluff above Hanalei Bay, and the road continues west through Hanalei to Hāʻena.
Map prices come from Booking.com and other partners through Stay22. Enter your dates on the map to see live rates.
Search all Princeville & Hanalei stays →Princeville
A luxury hotel and two condo resorts on the bluff.
1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
Puʻu Poʻa point, Princeville, Princeville & Hanalei
Our top pick: the north shore's big luxury hotel, on the point above Hanalei Bay, reopened on September 28, 2026.
Best for: North-shore splurges
- Views over Hanalei Bay
- Three heated pools and Bamford spa
- Seedlings kids' club
More about this hotel
The north shore's big luxury hotel, on Puʻu Poʻa point above Hanalei Bay, with three heated pools, the Bamford Wellness Spa and a kids' club. It reopened on September 28, 2026 after a brief closure for Hurricane Lowell.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0
Hanalei Bay Resort
Princeville, above Hanalei Bay, Princeville & Hanalei
Condos with full kitchens on the Princeville bluff; check its power notices first.
Best for: Self-catering on the north shore
- Condos with full kitchens
- Pools and outdoor spa
- Tennis and pickleball
More about this hotel
A condo resort on the Princeville bluff with one- and two-bedroom units that have full kitchens, plus pools and tennis. After Hurricane Lowell, it warned of power interruptions and closed outlets in October 2026, so check its notices before booking.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Bob Linsdell, CC BY 3.0
The Cliffs at Princeville
Clifftop, Princeville, Princeville & Hanalei
One-bedroom and loft condos on the cliffs, with a pool and tennis.
Best for: Couples and small families
- One-bedroom and loft condos
- Pool with two hot tubs
- Tennis, pickleball and putting green
More about this hotel
One-bedroom and loft condos on the Princeville cliffs, with a pool, two hot tubs, tennis and pickleball. There is no beach on site, and a resort fee and parking fee are charged.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Hāʻena
Beachfront suites near the end of the road.
Hanalei Colony Resort
Hāʻena, beachfront, Princeville & Hanalei
Beachfront suites at Hāʻena, close to the state park, with no TVs or phones.
Best for: Unplugging
- Beachfront suites with kitchens
- No TVs or phones
- Pool, day spa and coffee house
More about this hotel
A beachfront resort at Hāʻena, past Hanalei, with suites that have kitchens and lanai but no TVs or phones. It reopened on October 15, 2026 and is still repairing some buildings after Hurricane Lowell.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Travis.Thurston, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cheaper Bases on the East Side
The north shore has few budget rooms; these are in and near Kapaʻa, closer to the airport.
Hotel Coral Reef Resort
Kapaʻa town, oceanfront, Līhuʻe & Kapaʻa
Cheaper option: an oceanfront Kapaʻa hotel with no resort fee, between the airport and the north shore.
Best for: Budget travelers who like to bike
- Oceanfront rooms with lanai
- Lagoon pool with waterfall
- No resort fee; free parking
More about this hotel
An oceanfront hotel in Kapaʻa town with a lagoon pool and free bikes for the coastal path that runs past the door. There is no resort fee and parking is free.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Travis.Thurston, CC BY-SA 3.0
Kauai Shores Hotel
Wailua Bay, Līhuʻe & Kapaʻa
Budget option: a casual hotel on Wailua Bay, south of Kapaʻa, with free parking.
Best for: Budget beachfront
- Oceanfront
- Ocean-view pool
- Free parking
More about this hotel
A casual, oceanfront budget hotel on Wailua Bay with an ocean-view pool and the Lava Lava Beach Club restaurant. Parking is free and Līhuʻe airport is about 20 minutes away.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Heath Cajandig, CC BY 2.0
Aston Islander on the Beach
Coconut Coast, Kapaʻa, Līhuʻe & Kapaʻa
Budget option: a low-rise beachfront hotel on the Coconut Coast, across from Coconut Marketplace.
Best for: Value by the beach
- On the beach
- Pool, pool bar and hot tub
- Across from Coconut Marketplace
More about this hotel
A low-rise beachfront hotel on the Coconut Coast with a pool, pool bar and hot tub. Coconut Marketplace's shops and restaurants are across the street.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Bob Linsdell, CC BY 3.0
North Shore Hotels at a Glance
Prices change by date and room type, so check your own dates on Booking.com before you decide.
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1 Hotel Hanalei BayPuʻu Poʻa point, Princeville, Princeville & Hanalei · SplurgeNorth-shore splurgesCheck prices -
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Hanalei Bay ResortPrinceville, above Hanalei Bay, Princeville & Hanalei · Mid-rangeSelf-catering on the north shoreCheck prices -
The Cliffs at PrincevilleClifftop, Princeville, Princeville & Hanalei · Mid-rangeCouples and small familiesCheck prices -
Hotel Coral Reef ResortKapaʻa town, oceanfront, Līhuʻe & Kapaʻa · BudgetBudget travelers who like to bikeCheck prices -
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Aston Islander on the BeachCoconut Coast, Kapaʻa, Līhuʻe & Kapaʻa · BudgetValue by the beachCheck prices
| Hotel | Location | Price level | Best for | Prices | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
Luxury resort
|
Puʻu Poʻa point, Princeville, Princeville & Hanalei | Splurge | North-shore splurges | Check prices |
|
|
Hanalei Colony Resort
Beachfront suites
|
Hāʻena, beachfront, Princeville & Hanalei | Mid-range | Unplugging | Check prices |
|
|
Hanalei Bay Resort
Condo resort
|
Princeville, above Hanalei Bay, Princeville & Hanalei | Mid-range | Self-catering on the north shore | Check prices |
|
|
The Cliffs at Princeville
Condo resort
|
Clifftop, Princeville, Princeville & Hanalei | Mid-range | Couples and small families | Check prices |
|
|
Hotel Coral Reef Resort
Oceanfront hotel
|
Kapaʻa town, oceanfront, Līhuʻe & Kapaʻa | Budget | Budget travelers who like to bike | Check prices |
|
|
Kauai Shores Hotel
Beachfront hotel
|
Wailua Bay, Līhuʻe & Kapaʻa | Budget | Budget beachfront | Check prices |
|
|
Aston Islander on the Beach
Beachfront hotel
|
Coconut Coast, Kapaʻa, Līhuʻe & Kapaʻa | Budget | Value by the beach | Check prices |
Hotel details checked on November 5, 2026.
Hāʻena State Park Reservations
- Who needs one: visitors who are not Hawaiʻi residents need a reservation to enter Hāʻena State Park, which includes Kēʻē Beach and the start of the Kalalau Trail.
- Options: book entry with a parking spot, or entry only (about $5 per person) and ride the shuttle from Hanalei or the Princeville area.
- When to book: reservations open 30 days ahead, at midnight Hawaiʻi time.
- Past Hanakāpīʻai: going farther along the Kalalau Trail needs a state camping permit, and all state park camping on Kauaʻi was closed in early November 2026.
- Status: the park reopened on October 15, 2026 after Hurricane Lowell, and the shuttle was scheduled to restart on November 2.
Getting to Princeville and Hanalei
- From Līhuʻe Airport (LIH): 45 minutes to an hour to Princeville; Hāʻena is another 20–30 minutes.
- One road in: Kūhiō Highway is the only road to the north shore. Flooding closed it near Hanalei during both Hurricane Lowell and Hurricane Nolo in September 2026, so check road status when heavy rain is forecast.
- To Poʻipū: well over an hour each way, so the south shore is a long day trip from here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to help you choose where to stay.