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 is a refuge from the mundane. Spa and wellness specialists employ Hawaiian healing techniques to rejuvenate your soul. ROOM TO REQUEST Say aloha to resident dolphins that swim in the lagoon below the Dolphin Lanai rooms. 5000 Kahala 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 (possibly the best Italian food you’ll have in all of Hawai‘i), and a multilevel fitness club and spa. ROOM TO REQUEST Entertain guests in the Presidential Suite, featuring separate dining and living rooms, furnished balcony overlooking the Pacific Ocean and private access to the rooftop Sky Terrace and Lounge. 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, a surf school (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 Kinetic Spa. ROOM TO REQUEST Book oceanfront Ocean 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 onebedroom Premier Oceanfront Suite offers unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean and Waikiki Beach with extended double balconies. 2490 Kalakaua Ave., alohilaniresort.com
ESPACIO The Jewel of Waikiki From Aqua-Aston Hospitality comes this year-old, 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. At a whopping 2,250 square feet each, you’ll feel like a VIP no matter which one you choose. 2452 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, espaciowaikiki.com
Halekulani One of the first properties in Waikiki, Halekulani has an unbeatable location with 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 seclusion and privacy, with a personal butler and airport limousine service. 2199 Kalia Road, Honolulu, halekulani.com
Kaimana Beach Hotel A prime property with arguably the best beachfront location on the Gold Coast of Waikiki. The Instagram-worthy lobby, reimagined suites and stunning oceanfront restaurant are all courtesy of Hawai‘i-based Henderson Design Group. ROOM TO REQUEST Penthouse suite with panoramic views. 2863 Kalākaua Ave., Waikiki, kaimana.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 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, moana-surfrider.com
Queen Kapi‘olani Hotel Where Diamond Head meets Waikiki, you’ll find the recently revamped Queen Kapi‘olani Hotel. 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. The on-site activities, island-style eateries and the authentic, retro-chic vibes appeal to residents and visitors alike. ROOM TO REQUEST The QK Premier Suite. 150 Kapahulu Ave., queenkapiolani.com
Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club Time seems to slow down at the Surfjack, a boutique hotel with a laid-back 1960s surf vibe. Head to this swell little spot in Waikiki 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 award-winning chef Ed Kenney. 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 was just completed (boasting $1 million to $20 million penthouses). Foodies will adore the second-floor wine bar that overlooks Waikiki 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 Waikiki 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 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, royal-hawaiian.com
The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii This 32-acre oceanfront resort comprises six restaurants (its newest, Binchotan, serves 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, marble bathrooms 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 stylish interiors and 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
The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort The property puts wellness and relaxation at the forefront—with refreshed rooms featuring the Westin’s signature Heavenly Bed and Heavenly Shower. 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. The resort offers myriad programs—from a coffee farm tour to private Hawaiian cooking lessons from executive chef Thomas Bellec. 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
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa Start the morning with scenic back-nine holes at Po‘ipu Bay Golf Course. Spend an afternoon in the pools—including 1.5 acres of saltwater swimming lagoons. Then cap the evening at Stevenson’s for award-winning spirits and sushi. ROOM TO REQUEST For whale-watching during the winter months, the Deluxe Suite is a must. 1571 Po‘ ipu Road, Koloa, kauai.hyatt.com
Hana-Maui Resort, Maui 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 The Waikoloa Family Suites accommodate up to six. 5031 Hana Highway, Hana, hyatt.com
Montage Kapalua Bay Beach Club. PHOTO COURTESY OF MONTAGE KAPALUA BAY
Montage Kapalua Bay This luxury resort is the epitome of leisure and quiet seclusion. All 50 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 with ample privacy, reserve a three-bedroom Premier Ocean View residence. 1 Bay Drive, Lahaina, montagehotels.com/kapaluabay
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua Nestled on 54 acres, this stunning property has a world-class spa and seven on-site restaurants, and there is no reason to leave the property. 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 $70 million renovation in 2015. Book a treatment at the awardwinning Willow Stream Spa, plunge down water slides and sample the menu at Kō. ROOM TO REQUEST The Kilohana Corner Suites feature oversize wraparound corner lanais and panoramic views. 4100 Wailea Alanui Drive, Maui, 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 Bar E Ristorante, DUO Steak & Seafood and Wolfgang Puck’s famed Spago. ROOM TO REQUEST For quiet rooms with easy access to recreational areas, stay in the Oceanfront Prime Suite. 3900 Wailea Alanui Drive, Maui, fourseasons.com/maui
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. This haute spot may be Maui’s best-kept secret. ROOM TO REQUEST Choose between ocean views or garden views; either way you’ll be in the lap of luxury in the one-bedroom suites. 555 Kaukahi St., Wailea, hotelwailea.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 new 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
Photography by:
