- The Aloha State offers an array of accommodations for vacationers, including luxury resorts, boutique hotels, and secluded wellness retreats.
- For a resort vacation with all the amenities, consider the Grand Wailea Maui or Four Seasons Resort Hualalai.
- Andaz Maui at Wailea and Lotus Honolulu at Diamond Head offer a more intimate, stylish stay.
- Take the family to the Aulani Disney Resort on Oahu for character experiences and entertainment.
Shimmering sands and tropical breezes make Hawaii a dream destination whether you’re on a family vacation, honeymoon, or getaway with your best friends. From big resorts to hidden retreats, the right accommodation can be the perfect finishing touch.
This guide rounds up the best hotels on Maui, Hawaii, Oahu, Kauai, and Lanai islands. Read on to find the perfect tropical oasis for your stay in paradise.
1. Montage Kapalua Bay
Situated on the northwest point of Maui, Montage Kapalua Bay offers spacious accommodation that’s ideal for families and groups. These bright, airy residences feature one to four bedrooms, full gourmet kitchens, high ceilings, and private lanais. Guests can relax in three beautiful pools, including a quiet, adult-only deck. Spend time rejuvenating at the spa with a mineral salt bath, massage or shiatsu treatment. When you’re ready for an outdoor adventure, you’re just steps from Kapalua Beach, where you can snorkel, paddleboard and soak up the sun.
Shutterstock/Bill Morson2. Grand Wailea Maui
You’ll find the 40-acre Grand Wailea resort on Wailea Beach in south Maui. Choose from standard rooms or suites with private balconies, upper-floor rooms with access to a private lounge and three-bedroom luxury villas. One of the biggest attractions at the Grand Wailea is the 2,000-foot-long aquatic play area with nine pools on six levels, waterfalls and caves. Try the lava tube slide or Tarzan-style rope swing, or swim up to the bar and enjoy a drink. Round out your resort stay with an outdoor fitness class or pampering wellness and spa treatments.
Shutterstock/Shane Myers Photography3. Andaz Maui at Wailea
The Andaz Maui at Wailea is a refreshing alternative to a large resort. Stay in a beach house-style residence with a gourmet Miele kitchen and spacious lanai. Some villas include a personal plunge pool or outdoor grill. You may not want to cook, however, with delicious farm-to-table dining at Ka’ana Kitchen. The second restaurant, Morimoto Maui, is overseen by celebrity chef Masaharu Morimoto and offers fresh local seafood and other delicacies. Located at Mokapu Beach, the 15-acre complex boasts three infinity pools, a lagoon pool and an adult-only pool. It’s a short 5-minute drive from the Emerald Golf Course.
Shutterstock/EQRoy4. Westin Hapuna Beach Resort
The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort is nestled on the Kohala coast on the northwest side of the Big Island. Decorated in soft, airy palettes that create a soothing place to unwind, every room at this resort offers at least some ocean view. Four on-site dining options serve up tantalizing dishes made with produce from the hotel’s half-acre garden. Both the 6,800-square-foot family pool and adults-only infinity pool look out onto the glittering sands of Hapuna Beach. Stop by the activities hut to rent paddleboards and snorkeling equipment, or golf at the resort’s 18-hole championship course designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay. Guests also have access to the golf course and restaurants at the resort’s sister property, the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.
Shutterstock/Bill Morson5. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
Upscale luxury awaits at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on Hawaii’s Kohala coast. Rated five stars by both Forbes and AAA, this hotel is set against a stunning backdrop of ocean and black lava rock. While it looks onto a small, rocky beach, the resort offers plenty of themed pools to keep you occupied. Highlights include an ocean pool with a protected swimming area, as well as the King’s Pond, where you can swim alongside tropical fish. Golfers can try out the Jack Nicklaus-designed course and driving range. This family-friendly resort features a kids club, games center and tennis courts, as well as relaxing spa treatments in outdoor hales overlooking a verdant garden.
Shutterstock/Thomas Barrat6. Holualoa Inn
Immerse yourself in the lush Hawaiian landscape at Holualoa Inn, a working coffee farm on the west coast of the Big Island. This beautiful estate is tucked on the slopes of Mount Hualalai at an elevation of 1,400 feet and offers an intimate bed-and-breakfast-style escape. The property has only six guest accommodations, including a private cottage, whisking you far away from crowds. Wander the quiet walking paths among herb and flower gardens, coffee trees and mango trees. Enjoy ocean views from your private lanai or a morning coffee on the rooftop gazebo of the main house. It also has a tiled mosaic pool and hot tub for relaxation. The town of Kailua-Kona is a quick 15-minute drive away.
Shutterstock/orxy7. Royal Hawaiian Resort
You can’t miss the iconic pink-hued Royal Hawaiian Resort, with its vibrant mix of Spanish Revival and Moorish-inspired architecture. Built in 1927, the historic resort is right on Waikiki Beach and the main strip, but the 14-acre property envelops you in a peaceful getaway. Relax in luxurious lounge chairs at the serene Malulani Pool, or enjoy spa treatments in a garden setting. For a more lively atmosphere, stop by the Mai Tai Bar for cocktails and nightly entertainment. Guests can also access the Helumoa Playground shared with the Sheraton Waikiki, which features two freshwater pools and a 70-foot-long water slide.
Shutterstock/Phillip B. Espinasse8. Aulani Disney Resort
When the kids want to go to Disneyland but you’re dreaming of tropical beaches, make everyone happy at the Aulani Disney Resort. Located about 20 miles from Honolulu on the southwestern edge of Oahu, this hotel offers themed pools, character experiences and Disney storytelling in a lavish resort setting. The 21-acre property is set on a gleaming white sand beach with a private lagoon calm enough for snorkeling. The infinity edge pool twinkles at night, while kid-friendly splash areas will have the little ones laughing. Keep your children busy with kids club activities while you escape to the spa, or bring the whole family for a pampering treatment. The resort offers standard rooms, as well as villas with full kitchens and washers and dryers.
Shutterstock/Joshua Rainey Photography9. Lotus Honolulu at Diamond Head
Waikiki is known for its energetic vibe, but you can take a break from the action at the cozy Lotus Honolulu. There’s no pool at this boutique property, but you’re only 60 steps from soaking up the sun on Kaimana Beach. In addition to impeccable service, the Lotus Honolulu offers nice touches, such as outdoor yoga in Kapiolani Park with a view of Diamond Head and complimentary wine tasting at the restaurant 5 days a week. Take advantage of the hotel’s beach cruiser bikes to explore the Ala Wai Canal. A short 10-minute walk gets you back into the bustle of the Waikiki strip.
Shutterstock/sam chik10. Grand Hyatt Kauai
Sitting on the southern tip of Kauai, the family-friendly Grand Hyatt Kauai offers easy access to Shipwreck Beach and Keoneloa Bay. The complex boasts a saltwater lagoon with man-made beaches and islands, a waterslide, and a lazy river with waterfalls and caves. When you’re ready to stretch your legs, take a hike on the cliffside Maha’Ulepu Heritage Trail, or hop a shuttle to the Poipu Bay Golf Course, the resort’s challenging 18-hole championship course boasting spectacular views. Afterward, you can unwind in your bright, comfortable room or suite with garden, ocean or mountain views. Finish the day with a delicious meal at the gorgeous Tidepools restaurant, where you can dine under a thatched roof next to a koi-filled lagoon.
Shutterstock/Stockfootage Solutions11. Koa Kea Resort
For a romantic getaway, try the Koa Kea Resort on the south shore of Kauai. This welcoming hotel is a perfect choice for those seeking a quieter vacation experience. Lounge in the pool under the waving palm trees, join a yoga class on the lawn, relax with an oceanfront massage, or sip on cocktails at the tiki-style outdoor bar. The resort is right off of popular Poipu Beach, which offers swimming, snorkeling and boogie boarding. It’s also close to beaches with bigger waves for surfing. Savor locally sourced seafood and specialties at one of the resort’s two restaurants, or head to nearby Poipu Road for shopping and dining.
Shutterstock/Alexander Demyanenko12. Sensei Lanai
Those seeking a truly restorative experience will find a wellness sanctuary at Sensei Lanai. This adult-only, Four Seasons resort offers spa treatments, yoga, meditation, forest bathing, art walks and fitness classes. When you’re ready for adventure, take part in hiking, horseback riding, scuba diving, sailing and other island activities. Dine at Sensei by Nobu, the glass pavilion restaurant on a reflecting pond, or have a bite at the casual garden bar. The sustainably prepared culinary delights tantalize your taste buds, as well as nourish your body. Sensei Lanai is a rejuvenating escape for a mother-daughter bonding trip, quality time with your partner or much needed personal time to focus on yourself.
Shutterstock/Russell deJetley
