Looking for a tropical respite in a secluded spot? How about a getaway to a sprawling new oceanfront hotel in a buzzing metropolis? Or maybe you’re ready for a weekend of indulgence at an opulent spa resort? Whatever your mood, Hawai‘i boasts the world’s leading lodging for your next vacation. Here are the best hotels in Hawaii no matter what your needs are!
PHOTO COURTESY OF KAIMANA BEACH HOTEL
The Kahala Hotel & Resort This picturesque property celebrates its 60th anniversary. Book a spa treatment that employs Hawaiian healing techniques to rejuvenate your soul. Room to request: Say aloha to resident dolphins in the lagoon below the Dolphin Lanai rooms. 5000 Kāhala Ave., Honolulu, kahalaresort.com
Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu at Ko Olina The sprawling property has five restaurants including Michael Mina’s Fish House and Noe, and a multilevel fitness club and spa. Room to request: The penthouse suite, featuring an expansive wraparound 800-square-foot lanai overlooking the Pacific Ocean. 92-1001 Olani St., Kapolei, fourseasons.com/oahu
Turtle Bay Resort This action-packed resort in the quiet town of Kahuku boasts two world-class golf courses, the Jamie O’Brien Surf Experience (and a local favorite wave!), horse-riding trails, jogging paths, a tennis center and so much more including a wide variety of health and wellness offerings at Nalu Spa—ask for a new outdoor treatment room. Room to request: Book oceanfront bungalows or ocean villas, featuring deep soaking tubs tailored in marble and glass. 57-091 Kamehameha Highway, turtlebayresort.com
‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach The 280,000-gallon oceanarium in the lobby is a must-see, and don’t miss the two restaurants conceived by internationally acclaimed chef Masaharu Morimoto. Room to request: The one-bedroom premier oceanfront suite offers unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean and Waikīkī Beach with extended double balconies. 2490 Kalākaua Ave., alohilaniresort.com
ESPACIO The Jewel of Waikiki From Aqua-Aston Hospitality comes this all-suite hotel with bespoke services ranging from luxury cars to shopping sprees at your beck and call, and on-site dining via Mugen, a Japanese-French concept. Room to request: Any—the nine suites each take up one floor. 2452 Kalākaua Ave., Honolulu, espaciowaikiki.com
Halekulani One of the first properties in Waikīkī, Halekulani has spectacular views of Diamond Head and incredible sunsets. The hotel’s For You, Everything program gives guests full access to O‘ahu’s most prestigious museums. Room to request: The one-bedroom Halekulani suite offers privacy, with a personal butler. 2199 Kālia Road, Honolulu, halekulani.com
Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa Since opening in 1901, the Surfrider has drawn guests from all over the world. A long-standing tradition is Afternoon Tea at the Veranda, served on an oceanfront lanai shaded by a banyan tree. Room to request: Reserve a penthouse ocean suite and stay on one of the top floors of the Tower Wing. 2365 Kalākaua Ave., Honolulu, moana-surfrider.com
Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort With beautifully renovated guest rooms and suites and idyllic ocean views, embrace the Hawaiian lifestyle, which includes live Hawaiian music and island cuisine at the renowned Kani Ka Pila Grille. Room to request: The grand navigator suite on the 18th floor of its Pacific Tower. 2169 Kālia Road, Honolulu, outriggerreef.com
Prince Waikiki This oceanfront hotel offers a picture-perfect marina setting and easy access to Honolulu’s trendiest neighborhoods, city street art and progressive shops and restaurants. Indulge at its award-winning 100 Sails Restaurant & Bar that brought back its iconic buffet service. Room to request: The lanai suite that boasts its own private rooftop terrace. 100 Holomoana St., Honolulu, princewaikiki.com
Queen Kapi‘olani Hotel Where Diamond Head meets Waikīkī, expect unbeatable ocean and mountain views, delicious dishes at the open-air restaurant DECK., and specialty coffee, cocktails and grab-and-go items at Knots Coffee Roasters. Room to request: The Grand Leahi suite with an extra-large lanai. 150 Kapahulu Ave., queenkapiolani.com
Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club Head to this boutique hotel with a laid-back 1960s surf vibe for nightly live music, weekend pool parties, cultural workshops and events, unique cocktails and Mahina & Sun’s, the in-house restaurant featuring funky local fare by chef Erik Leong. Room to request: The two- and three-bedroom suites. 412 Lewers St., Honolulu, surfjack.com
The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach The second tower of this swanky condominium residence boasts luxurious penthouses. Foodies will adore the second-floor wine bar that overlooks Waikīkī beach at the Dean & DeLuca store and world-class Japanese resto, Sushi Sho. Room to request: For spacious accommodations with oversize lanais, book the two-bedroom premier ocean-view suite. 383 Kalaimoku St., ritzcarlton.com/waikiki
The Royal Hawaiian Resort The legendary “Pink Palace of the Pacific” is a landmark destination, standing out with its extraordinary hue along Waikīkī Beach. The resort’s 528 rooms and suites combine vintage motifs with modern interiors. Room to request: Reserve an oceanfront suite in the Mailani Tower and revel in the views. 2259 Kalākaua Ave., Honolulu, royal-hawaiian.com
The Wayfinder Waikiki A self-proclaimed celebrator of the “B-side” of Waikiki, the newly reimagined hotel offers a more authentic local experience. Room to request: Each has a lanai and feature bright colors, and aloha- and palaka-print quilted headboards—a nod to Hawai‘i’s plantation era past. MAUI STRONG: A portion of each direct booking supports the Maui Strong Fund. 2375 Ala Wai Blvd., Honolulu, wayfinderhotels.com
The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii This 32-acre oceanfront resort comprises six restaurants (including Binchotan, serving locally sourced seafood and meats cooked on white charcoal), 540 rooms, an award-winning spa and some of the finest golf and tennis facilities in the region. Room to request: The Fairmont Gold ocean-view suite houses a parlor separated by French doors, and fully equipped entertainment centers. 1 N. Kaniku Drive, Kohala Coast, fairmontorchid.com
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel The first property built on the Kohala Coast continues its 56-year-old legacy with beach-friendly vibes. Enjoy the resort’s expansive art collection, which features hundreds of museum-quality pieces collected over the decades by hotel founder Laurance S. Rockefeller. Room to request: Reserve the Mauna Kea suite on the top floor to enjoy panoramic views of the Kohala Coast. 62-100 Mauna Kea Beach Drive, Kohala Coast, maunakeabeachhotel.com
Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection Visitors call the Mauna Lani home for chic design and comfort, stunning scenery and incredible amenities. Dine at CanoeHouse, where locals have savored the island’s bounty for decades. Room to request: The private Residences at Mauna Lani are secluded yet conveniently located within a minute’s walk of the resort. 68-1400 Mauna Lani Drive, Kohala Coast, aubergeresorts.com/maunalani
The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort The property puts wellness and relaxation at the forefront. The piece de resistance? The adults-only infinity pool—a sanctuary for those seeking serenity, alfresco. Room to request: One-bedroom suites afford ocean or garden views from private furnished lanais. 62-100 Kauna‘oa Drive, Kohala Coast, marriott.com
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai Located in cozy two-story bungalows, the 243 guest rooms and suites at this property reflect nature-inspired decor. Reserve the Beach Tree Barefoot Table for a private, beachfront dinner. Room to request: Choose a room in King’s Pond Crescent and enjoy gorgeous views of the resort’s 1.8 million-gallon lava rock aquarium right from your lanai. 72-100 Ka‘upulehu Drive, Kailua-Kona, fourseasons.com/hualalai
Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort Sitting on 81 acres of the stunning volcanic landscape, this revived retreat reopened its doors over the summer. Room to request: Echoing traditional Hawaiian hale, the bungalows’ soaring windows and expansive lanais showcase ocean views. 72-300 Maheawalu Drive, Kailua-Kona, rosewoodhotels.com
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa Start the morning with scenic back-nine holes at Po‘ipu Bay Golf Course, followed by an afternoon in the pools—including 1.5 acres of saltwater swimming lagoons. Room to request: For whale-watching during the winter months, the deluxe suite is a must. 1571 Po‘ ipu Road, Koloa, kauai.hyatt.com
The Lodge at Kukui’ula is a haven of barefoot luxury, where guests can enjoy exclusive access to the sprawling amenities of The Club at Kukui'ula with nightly luxury vacation rentals in Poipu Kaua'i. Three Club Neighborhoods with elegant homes featuring authentic plantation-style architecture meander down a tree-lined drive towards The Club. Room to request: In the third enclave of contemporary Hawaiian villas overlooks the private golf course and perfect ocean views. hyatt.com
1 Hotel This flagship property of 1 Hotels and Resorts features 252 rooms and suites—all with views of the bay. Central to the hotel experience is it’s Bamford Wellness Spa and Anatomy fitness studio. Room to request: For those seeking a pure wellness sanctuary, the Within Wellness, a hotel-whithin-hotel elevated experience, offers 22 rooms and specialty suites featuring wellness amenities. 15520 Ka Haku Road, Princeville, 1hotels.com/hanalei-bay
Hana-Maui Resort This boutique property, located on the rolling hills of east Maui, offers unique programs to help you truly relax, including taking clocks and other electronics out of its rooms. Room to request Enjoy the private lanai at the deluxe oceanfront bungalow. 5031 Hana Highway, Hāna, hyatt.com
Kā’anapali Beach Resort Association This three-mile stretch of beach has been touted as one of the best beaches on Maui. Encouraging visitors to continue to make new #MauiMemories, the following accommodations in the association are now open: OUTRIGGER Kā‘anapali Beach Resort; Kaanapali Alii; Maui Eldorado Kaanapali; Aston Maui Kaanapali Villas + Aston at The Whaler on Kaanapali Beach; Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa; and Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa. Northwest Maui, kaanapaliresort.com
Montage Kapalua Bay This luxury resort is the epitome of leisure and quiet seclusion. All 70 residential-style accommodations—ranging from 1,250 to 4,000 square feet—have gourmet kitchens and spacious living and dining areas. Room to request: For a group living arrangement, reserve a three-bedroom premier ocean-view residence. 1 Bay Drive, Lāhainā, montagehotels.com/kapaluabay
Montage Kapalua Bay Beach Club. PHOTO COURTESY OF MONTAGE KAPALUA BAY
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua Nestled on 54 acres, this stunning property has a world-class spa and seven on-site restaurants. Room to request: Ask for the sixth floor, where the Royal Pacific suite boasts unobstructed views of Honokahua Bay. 1 Ritz-Carlton Drive, Kapalua, ritzcarlton.com/kapalua
Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort Spend an afternoon at one of four infinity pools and indulge in handrolled sushi at Morimoto Maui, Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto’s restaurant. Room to request: The Andaz Poolside Suites offer direct access to the resort’s tranquility pool. 3550 Wailea Alanui Drive, Wailea, maui.andaz.hyatt.com
Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui The only oceanfront resort in Hawai‘i with all suites and villas, the Fairmont completed a multi-year renovation that includes a brand new lobby plus Native Hawaiian cultural center. Sample the award-winning Hawai‘i Regional Cuisine at Kō. Room to request: The Kilohana corner suites feature oversize wraparound corner lanais and panoramic views. 4100 Wailea Alanui Drive, Wailea, fairmont.com/kealani
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea Luring guests away from the spacious suites here are the hotel’s three award-winning restaurants: Ferraro’s Restaurant & Bar, DUO Steak & Seafood and Wolfgang Puck’s famed Spago. And, guests can participate in the Resort’s Mālama Hawaii experience that allows visitors to give back to the island in a meaningful way. Room to request: For quiet rooms with easy access to recreational areas, stay in the oceanfront prime suite. 3900 Wailea Alanui Drive, Wailea, fourseasons.com/maui
Relax at Wailea Beach Resort with a its special Maui Bliss cocktail inhand—a portion of sales goes to the Maui Strong Fund. PHOTO COURTESY OF WAILEA BEACH RESORT
Hotel Wailea The state’s only Relais & Châteaux property, this 72-suite boutique hotel offers an ultraluxury, ultraromantic experience in the posh resort area of Wailea. Room to request: Choose between ocean views or garden views; either way you’ll be in the lap of luxury. 555 Kaukahi St., Wailea, hotelwailea.com
Wailea Beach Resort Nestled between two of Maui’s best beaches, you won’t run out of things to do at this family-friendly resort. Three distinct pools spanning 22 acres include the longest resort waterslide in Hawai‘i. Room to request: Ask for the oceanfront Sundeck Collection, but all oceanfront accommodations are so close to the water’s edge that you can hear Wailea’s waves crashing. 3700 Wailea Alanui Drive, Wailea, marriott.com
Four Seasons Resort Lana‘i One of the most tranquil resorts in Hawai‘i makes a splash with waterfalls and koi ponds overlooking Holupo‘e Bay. Try its Zen Sports Wellness experiences (golf, horseback riding and other activities) to amplify your relaxation. Room to request: The most sought-after units are the Ohana ocean-view suites. 1 Manele Bay Road, Lanai City, fourseasons.com/lanai
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