Disappointing Experience at Hanalei Bay Resort - Misleading Relocation, Poor Communication, and…read moreUnacceptable Customer Service
We had been looking forward to our stay at Hanalei Bay Resort in Kauai, having specifically chosen this property for its beautiful location, direct beach access, lagoon-style pool, and unique resort amenities. Unfortunately, our experience was extremely disappointing, not because of an unexpected power outage, but because of how the situation was handled by management.
Upon arriving for check-in on October 21, 2026, we were informed that the property was experiencing a power outage and were directed to another location. What was not clearly communicated was that we were being relocated to The Cliffs at Princeville, an entirely separate resort offering a significantly different experience.
We were never presented with alternative options, informed that we could potentially request a refund, or told that checking into the replacement property would supposedly eliminate our eligibility for reimbursement.
Most importantly, The Cliffs did not offer several of the amenities that were the primary reasons we booked Hanalei Bay Resort, including direct beach access, the lagoon-style pool, and convenient golf cart transportation.
Unfortunately, our experience at The Cliffs at Princeville only added to the frustration.
Upon settling into our accommodations, we discovered that the toilet was leaking, requiring maintenance to repeatedly enter our rental throughout the evening and into the following day. Rather than being able to relax and enjoy our vacation, we spent a significant amount of time dealing with a plumbing issue and ongoing maintenance visits.
We requested to be moved to another unit to avoid further disruptions, but that request was denied.
This was particularly disappointing considering we had already been involuntarily relocated from the resort we originally booked. The lack of flexibility, consideration, and reasonable accommodation from The Cliffs at Princeville made an already frustrating situation even worse.
Our concerns extend to both Hanalei Bay Resort and The Cliffs at Princeville, as we believe the handling of this situation by both properties fell well short of reasonable expectations for guest service and hospitality.
After realizing the significant differences between the properties, we contacted management to express our concerns and were told that because we had already checked in at The Cliffs, we were no longer eligible for a refund.
This is where our disappointment turned into frustration.
We had agreed to a non-refundable reservation at Hanalei Bay Resort, not an undisclosed substitution at a materially different property. Had we been given accurate information and a clear explanation of our options, we would never have accepted the relocation.
We completely understand that unforeseen circumstances, including power outages, are sometimes beyond a resort's control. However, transparent communication, informed guest consent, and reasonable customer service should never be optional.
Our biggest concern is not that Hanalei Bay Resort experienced an outage. It is that we were relocated without being fully informed of what we were accepting, placed in accommodations with maintenance issues, denied a request to move to another unit, and then denied a refund based on a decision we were never given the opportunity to make knowingly.
When guests spend their hard-earned money planning a vacation, they deserve the accommodations and experience they booked--or, at the very least, honest communication, properly maintained accommodations, and a fair opportunity to choose an alternative.
We hope management at both Hanalei Bay Resort and The Cliffs at Princeville takes this feedback seriously, addresses our refund request, and improves how guests are treated when unexpected situations arise.
For anyone considering booking Hanalei Bay Resort or The Cliffs at Princeville, we strongly recommend confirming the property's relocation policies, refund terms, and procedures for addressing accommodation issues in writing before your stay.