16 Best Resorts in Hawaii

Also available to book at Tripadvisor.com

This Travel + Leisure World’s Best Hall of Fame resort is set on five acres, with 453 guestrooms and suites across five buildings on the Waikiki beachfront. Furnished in their signature “seven shades of white,” the rooms offer modern conveniences, many with ocean views. Travel + Leisure A-List Travel Advisor Marilyn Clark states, “The moment guests arrive at Halekulani, they recognize it as a special place. Well-known for its outstanding service, phenomenal staff, understated elegance, top-notch spa, and award-winning cuisine, Halekulani is located in a quieter area of Waikiki, away from the main thoroughfare, but close to the shops and restaurants on Beach Walk.”

Restaurants include the fine dining La Mer and the indoor-outdoor House Without a Key, named for a novel written in Hawaii. Orchids, the resort’s oceanfront restaurant, serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch. Halekulani Bakery offers specialty coffees and pastries, while Lewers Lounge features light jazz entertainment from Tuesdays to Saturdays.

Spa Halekulani’s Kawehewehe, a transformation of the being, enhances the signature Art of Wellbeing with an integrated approach specializing in nutrition, movement, emotional health, and traditional treatments. Clark, a Hawaii specialist at Lighthouse Travel in Huntington Beach, California, says, “Guests should be sure to take a dip in the pool if for no other reason than to see the orchid mosaic at the bottom composed of 1.2 million pieces of glass tile.”

The Details: 

• Location: Honolulu, Oahu
• Accessibility: ADA-compliant common spaces and rooms
• Loyalty Programs: Leaders Club – Leading Hotels of the World
• Parking: Valet and self-parking $68 per day
• Rates: Starting from about $750 per night

Also available to book at Tripadvisor.com

This World’s Best Award winner is located in 542-acre Ko Olina, one of five resorts in the west-facing area that offers some of the island’s most spectacular sunsets. “The resort is ideal for families with children of all ages with programs that are offered by age groups,” according to Clark. “The resort is also within five miles of places like Wet ‘n’ Wild and Coral Crater Adventure Park.”

There’s an adult infinity pool with private cabanas on the quiet western side of the resort and a Keiki pool for families near the lagoon and beach. Five restaurants and lounges include Chef Michael Mina’s Fish House and La Hiki, with one of the island’s most popular breakfast buffets. For Southern Italian cuisine, there’s Noe, and Hokulea is an open-air coffee bar where guests can start the day with pastries, baked goods, sandwiches, and specialty coffee drinks.

The resort features a 35,000-square-foot, six-level spa with indoor and outdoor treatment rooms. Various room and suite categories are available, with the smallest rooms starting at a spacious 640 square feet.

The Details:

• Location: Kapolei, Oahu
• Accessibility: ADA-compliant common spaces and rooms
• Loyalty Programs: None
• Parking: Valet parking is $50 (self-parking not available)
• Rates: Starting from about $900 per night

Also available to book at Expedia.com

“Turtle Bay is an ideal place to stay for those who want to get away from it all but want options for things to see and do as well,” says Clark. “Set in a remote North Shore location on 858 acres of land with five miles of oceanfront, Turtle Bay features a highly-rated golf course, two short courses, stable with horses and ponies for exploring 12 miles of beautiful paths and beaches, surfing, snorkeling, sailboarding, swimming, kayaking, bird watching, biking, and much more.”

Clark continued, “For dining enthusiasts, Turtle Bay features a number of different experiences, including Alaia, which offers comfort food featuring products from Turtle Bay’s farm, and Beach House by Roy Yamaguchi, one of the co-founders of Hawaii Regional Cuisine.” At Hoʻolana, guests can enjoy lunch or start the day with specialty coffees and fresh baked goods.

Accommodations at this 2024 World’s Best Award-winning resort include guest rooms, suites, bungalows, and three and four-bedroom villas at a neighboring beach enclave. Nalu Spa offers a wide range of treatments and an oceanfront fitness center.

The Details: 

• Location: Kahuku, North Shore, Oahu
• Accessibility: ADA-compliant common spaces, rooms, and suites
• Loyalty Programs: Marriott Bonvoy
• Parking: Valet and self-parking $48 per day
• Rates: Starting from about $950 per night

Also available to book at Tripadvisor.com

One of two Four Seasons resorts on the island of Lānaʻi, this hotel features a white-sand beach perfect for snorkeling and two lagoon-style pools, one designated for families. My husband and I spent a few days there, and while we enjoyed the beach and pools, his favorite experience was playing golf on the gorgeous Jack Nicklaus-designed course. I just looked back at my photos from that day and was reminded of the spectacular ocean views, clifftop greens, and gorgeous landscape.

The guest rooms and suites are furnished with rich woods, textured fabrics, serene shades inspired by Hawaiʻi, and convenient controls for lighting and temperature combined with practical amenities like charging stations, iPads, Nespresso machines, and beach bags. Art in the rooms, walkways, and public areas was expressive and beautiful, evoking Hawaiʻi past and present. This World’s Best Hall of Fame resort has been a favorite of T+L readers for 10 consecutive years, including the 2024 World’s Best Awards.

Our Japanese dinner at Nobu Lanai by Chef Nobu Matsuhisa was fabulous. We ordered his well-known miso black cod, sushi, and much more. Osteria Mozzarella by Nancy Silverton features Italian cuisine and dinner with an ocean view. There’s also Malibu Farm and poolside dining.

The Details: 

• Location: Lanai City, Lanai
• Accessibility: ADA-compliant common spaces, rooms, and suites
• Loyalty Programs: None
• Parking: Valet parking is complimentary for guests
• Rates: Starting from about $1,500 per night

Also available to book at Hotels.com

I have stayed at Sensei Lānaʻi twice. My first visit was in 2020, and I experienced the entire guided program, starting with meeting my Sensei Guide for a thorough health and fitness assessment. I then had a full schedule of fitness classes, thermal body mapping to detect problem areas, massage, and more. There was also time for a long walk among the property, passing horses, goats, and ponies, swimming in the lagoon-style pool, and soaking in the onsen. My next visit was last year, and it was just as beautiful as ever, with a few new fitness class offerings.

Guests can opt for the fully guided program or just enjoy the property, creating their own schedule of wellness consultations, spa treatments in a private hale, and fitness classes. Author Dr. David Agus developed the wellness programs along with tech billionaire Larry Ellison, who owns about 98 percent of the island of Lānaʻi.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served in the light-filled Sensei Nobu, which has indoor seating and outdoor tables next to a koi-filled pond. The selections are varied, fresh, and delicious. Guest rooms and suites are furnished in pale, creamy shades, creating a serene environment with every comfort anticipated. Many feature private outdoor terraces facing the beautifully landscaped grounds. Traditional crafts demonstrations, cultural programs, and island tours are available. Shuttle service to the beach is also available.

The Details: 

• Location: Lanai City, Lanai
• Accessibility: ADA-compliant common spaces, rooms, and suites
• Loyalty Programs: None
• Parking: Valet and self-parking are complimentary for guests
• Rates: Starting from about $1,100 per night

Also available to book at Tripadvisor.com

It’s been several years since I’ve stayed at Mauna Lani; the last time was prior to its latest major renovation and reopening in 2020. Still, it’s on my favorite island and coastal location, and I have heard from colleagues that the renovated rooms, each with a furnished lanai, are comfortable and tastefully furnished. The resort is a Travel + Leisure reader favorite on the 2024 World’s Best Award list. Larger oceanfront residences are ideal for families and groups, as are estates with up to five bedrooms.

CanoeHouse is the signature oceanfront restaurant where guests enjoy Japanese-inspired dishes in a stunning setting. Every Friday, there’s a lūʻau at Hale Hoʻloha Hale, with music, dance, local dishes, and an exciting fire knife finale. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served at HāLani, and cocktails at Hā Bar. There’s also The Market coffee shop and deli for snacks and convenient takeaway items.

Three pools include the Keiki pool for young guests, the 3,900 square foot resort pool, and the Adult Pool, bordered by lounge chairs, with cocktail service from nearby HāBar. Surf Shack offers casual food, cocktails, and beach equipment rentals at the resort’s beach.

The Details: 

• Location: Kohala Coast, Island of Hawaii
• Accessibility: ADA-compliant common spaces, rooms, and suites
• Loyalty Programs: None
• Parking: Valet and self-parking $50 per day
• Rates: Starting from about $1,100 per night

Also available to book at Tripadvisor.com

Located about 15 minutes from the airport, Hualālai is a luxury resort with accommodations ranging from guest rooms and suites to private home-style villas for eight to ten guests. I’ve stayed at Hualālai, a World’s Best Hall of Fame and 2024 World’s Best Award resort, at least four times over the years, and my favorite rooms are the ones with private outdoor showers.

Aside from lounging in the infinity pool and snorkeling in King’s Pond, playing golf on the stunning black-lava-strewn Jack Nicklaus signature course is my favorite activity. The PXG rental clubs, practice facilities, and golf hale add to the experience. Dining is also among the pleasures of a stay at Hualālai. The oceanfront ‘Ulu Ocean Grill serves breakfast and dinner along with fresh breezes and Pacific views. During the day, guests can enjoy lunch poolside or at Beach Tree, and there’s also Hualālai Trading Company for snacks. Miller and Lux Hualālai, helmed by celebrity Chef Tyler Florence, overlooks the golf course.

The spa offers a variety of massages and treatments, many based on local Hawaiian ingredients. The resort will arrange boat trips, diving and surfing experiences, and island activities.

The Details: 

• Location: Kohala Coast, Island of Hawaii
• Accessibility: ADA-compliant common spaces, rooms, and suites
• Loyalty Programs: None
• Parking: Valet and self-parking are complimentary
• Rates: Starting from about $1,600 per night

Also available to book at Expedia.com

My husband and I have often stayed at the Mauna Kea, a World’s Best Award-winner, even before my travel writing days. We usually traveled to the Big Island with friends when we all worked for United Airlines — and with nearly free flights, we could splurge on the Mauna Kea.

In the early days of its opening in 1965, Mauna Kea was the most expensive hotel ever built, and owner Laurance S. Rockefeller filled the resort with his personal art collection. We would all marvel at the art and also at the fact that we were staying in rooms with no televisions. The idea was to relax in the serene setting of the comfortable minimalist rooms.

The resort has been renovated and refurbished over the years, including a major project after the 2006 earthquake. Today, the rooms feature modern comforts (including televisions) and Hawaiian-inspired prints, with ocean, mountain, and golf course views and beachfront locations. Mauna Kea Villas have been added — private residences with two, three, and four bedrooms. Guests have access to the amenities at Mauna Kea and Hapuna Resorts.

Manta Restaurant serves breakfast and dinner, and Meridia specializes in Mediterranean cuisine. The gorgeous Copper Bar was always a favorite pre-dinner stop, where we indulged in many Mai Tais and bowls of macadamia nuts.

Mauna Kea Golf Course, the Big Island’s first golf course, offers dramatic ocean views and remains one of the Hawaiian Island’s most highly rated courses. The Hapuna Course is excellent as well.

The Details:

• Location: Kohala Coast, Island of Hawaii
• Accessibility: ADA-compliant common spaces, rooms, and suites
• Loyalty Programs: Marriott Bonvoy
• Parking: Valet and self-parking $35 per day
• Rates: Starting from about $1,200 per night

Also available to book at Hotels.com

“Guests are drawn to The Fairmont by its location, the friendly and helpful staff, the spa, the dining options, a wide array of activities, and many of the amenities the resort offers,” according to Clark. Situated on 32 oceanfront acres along the Kohala Coast, The Fairmont offers 540 guest rooms and suites with private lanaʻis. Fairmont Gold rooms include amenities that include Champagne in the room on arrival, a hot breakfast, an exclusive all-day lounge, sunset canapes, and more.

Available activities include tennis, golf at the Mauna Lani course, petroglyph hikes, and water activities at the Hui Holokai Beach Club, where beach club ambassadors offer ocean and land adventures like snorkeling, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, and more. The resort’s Spa Without Walls offers beachfront massage on its eight outdoor thatched huts and serene indoor treatment rooms.

Dining options include Brown’s Beach House, which has nightly music, spectacular sunsets, and a fine dining menu. Hale Kai is open for lunch and casual dinners, and there’s an expansive island buffet breakfast at Orchid Court. Binchotan Bar and Grill offers Happy Hour and dinner (Friday–Tuesday). This World’s Best Hall of Fame resort has been a reader favorite for at least 10 consecutive years, including the 2024 World’s Best Awards.

The Details:

• Location: Kohala Coast, Island of Hawaii
• Accessibility: ADA-compliant common spaces, rooms, and suites
• Loyalty Programs: ALL – Accor Live Limitless
• Parking: Self parking is $38 daily. Valet parking is $45
• Rates: Starting from about $638 per night

Also available to book at Tripadvisor.com

My husband and I spent several days in a one-bedroom bungalow at Kukui’ula a few years ago, and we keep talking about returning for another visit. We recommended the resort to a friend traveling with 20 or so friends, which was perfect for them. The resort offers private cottages, bungalows, and villas ranging from one to four bedrooms, many with outdoor porches, fire pits, and plunge pools. Guests can access the game room at The Clubhouse, where there’s shuffleboard, chess, a pool table, and vintage Pac-Man games.

The Tom Weiskopf-designed golf course offers ocean views from every hole, and the well-stocked pro shop was the source of two of our all-time favorite golf shirts. There’s a 10-acre farm where guests can pick up baskets of flowers, fruits, and vegetables any time or stop by for a chat and some home gardening advice from one of the Farm team. That was perfect as we prepared a few meals in the kitchen of our bungalow and ate outside on our porch.

There is tennis, pickleball, basketball, several pools, a fitness center, and Hi’ilani Spa, which features a lap pool, meditation garden, fitness classes, and a variety of facial and massage treatments.

The Details: 

• Location: Kauai
• Accessibility: ADA-compliant common spaces, rooms, and suites
• Loyalty Programs: None
• Parking: Valet and self-parking are complimentary for guests.
• Rates: Starting from about $1,000 for cottages and bungalows

Also available to book at Expedia.com

We love Kauaʻi’s sunnier south shore, often our first choice for vacations. We also enjoy the island’s lush green landscape, waterfalls, Princeville’s golf courses, and lovely Hanalei further north. This World’s Best Hall of Fame and 2024 World’s Best resort is a favorite for its intimate environment, exceptional service, and beachfront location. During a recent short stay, my husband and I loved the Red Salt Restaurant.

Our oceanfront room was modest in size but comfortable, and you can’t beat a lānaʻi with a breezy view of the sea. Larger suites are available, but we had everything we needed in our room, including a Nespresso coffee maker. There’s a fitness center, beachfront yoga, and a spa with an oceanfront cabana for a massage with ocean breezes and the sound of the waves.

The Details: 

• Location: Poipu, Kauai
• Accessibility: ADA-compliant common spaces, rooms, and suites
• Loyalty Programs: Stay Golden Rewards – Meritage Collection
• Parking: Valet parking is $40 per night
• Rates: Starting from about $684 per night

Also available to book at Tripadvisor.com

Luxury travel expert and Fora advisor Leila Najafi says, “I love this quaint hotel because it’s the only adults-only hotel on the island of Maui. All the guest rooms are spacious bungalows that feel very private. My favorite feature of this hotel is the breezy, open-air gym. It makes it really easy to work out when you’re staring at the beautiful ocean or watching a sunset.”

Suites have separate living and sleeping areas, king beds, Nespresso machines, soaking tubs and showers, and private lanaʻis. Garden, partial ocean, and ocean views are available. Dine in the open-air bar and lounge, The Birdcage, or The Restaurant at Hotel Wailea with panoramic ocean views. Guests can also opt for a private chef dinner in the custom-built ocean-view treehouse under a canopy of mango trees.

Hotel Wailea was named a reader favorite in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

The Details: 

• Location: Wailea, Maui
• Accessibility: ADA-compliant common spaces, rooms, and suites
• Loyalty Programs: None
• Parking: Valet and self-parking are complimentary
• Rates: Starting from about $1,100 per night

Also available to book at Expedia.com

I stayed at the resort a few years back with my sister, and we were pleasantly surprised to be in a two-bedroom residence with a gorgeous kitchen and sizeable furnished lanai where we had a lovely breakfast every morning. We took a short walk to the beach, swam, and snorkeled. There’s a cliff that attracts locals and guests for a daring dive off the rocks into the sea — my braver sister went for it and swam back to the beach.

Residences with three and four bedrooms and signature residences with features like private infinity pools, underground parking, expansive lawns, and more are available. Two championship golf courses, The Plantation and The Bay Course, are available for guests. During another visit, my husband and I played golf at The Plantation Course, the stunning and challenging course where the pros play the annual Sentry Tournament of Champions.

Spa Montage offers a whirlpool, cedar wood sauna, fitness center, and a variety of treatments, including a Hawaiian Lomi-Lomi massage in an outdoor hale. We enjoyed a delicious seafood dinner at Cane & Canoe and a cocktail at the Hana Hou poolside bar. There’s also the Hideaway for casual dinners. “This is one of my favorite hotels in Maui, especially when I’m looking to relax and escape the crowds,” Najafi says.

The Details: 

• Location: Kapalua, Maui
• Accessibility: ADA-compliant common spaces, rooms, and suites
• Loyalty Programs: None
• Parking: Valet parking is $55 per night
• Rates: Starting from about $1,200 per night

Also available to book at Tripadvisor.com and Expedia.com

My husband and I enjoyed visiting this Four Seasons resort, and we especially loved the restaurants, the serenity pool, and the golf courses. We played the Emerald Course, and there are two others, the Gold and the Blue, for our next visit. Guests who want to practice before hitting the course can get in shape at the resort’s Top Golf Suite. It’s no surprise that this resort is a T+L World’s Best Hall of Fame hotel, a reader favorite for at least 10 years, including the 2024 World’s Best Awards.

Guest rooms include premium suites, Club suites, and one-, two-, and three-bedroom accommodations. The hotel is built in a U-shape, and entry-level rooms have mountain or garden views. Oceanfront “Complete Suites” feature a Personal Assistant, welcome flowers and amenities, daily breakfast, complimentary Peloton bicycles on request, and luxury car transportation from the airport. My husband and I loved our suite, its comfortable furnishings, marble bath, and lanai.

The resort’s restaurants are a highlight. Chef Wolfgang Puck’s Spago combines Hawaiian and California cuisine with ocean views. DUO features steaks and seafood in a casual atmosphere. Ferraro’s offers Italian coastal cuisine in a lovely outdoor setting with — you guessed it — ocean views. Beachwalk Cafe offers poolside dining, and the Lobby Lounge offers nightly entertainment, cocktails, and pupus.

The Details:

• Location: Wailea, Maui
• Accessibility: ADA-compliant common spaces, rooms, and suites
• Loyalty Programs: None
• Parking: Valet parking is $50 per night
• Rates: Starting from about $1,100 per night

This 2023 World’s Best Award-winning resort is a favorite with travelers seeking a relaxing vacation or a few nights of respite after driving the famed 60-mile winding road to get there.

“The Road to Hāna leads directly to one of the most secluded, private, and exceptional resorts in Maui,” according to travel and culinary writer Paul Feinstein. “Hāna-Maui Resort is quiet and peaceful with individual bungalows that hover over the cliffs of Kaihalulu Beach and offer one of the best sunrise views on the planet.”

One of the resort’s many fans, Feinstein says, “If you really want to get away, and I mean really get away, this hotel provides in every way imaginable.” Guests can choose one of the resort’s 66 rooms, suites, or a one- or two-bedroom residence with a full kitchen and private lanai. The rooms are purposefully designed without clocks, radios, or televisions for a true unplugged escape, and ocean breezes and ceiling fans freshen the air rather than air conditioners.

There’s an onsite restaurant overlooking Hāna Bay, and in-room dining and poolside cocktails and meals are available. There’s a fitness center, spa services, two pools, a yoga pavilion, and an Exercise Fit Trail. Guests can arrange flights directly from Maui’s Kahului Airport or, for an additional fee, from Honolulu, Kona, or Kapalua Airports.

The Details: 

• Location: Hāna, Maui
• Accessibility: ADA-compliant rooms are available
• Loyalty Programs: World of Hyatt 
• Parking: Self-parking is included in the $45 daily resort fee
• Rates: Starting from about $550 per night

Also available to book at Tripadvisor.com

The original Kona Village, a favorite of visitors to the Big Island, was destroyed by a tsunami in 2011 and finally reopened in July 2023 to the delight of long-time fans. Travel + Leisure senior editor Maya Kachroo Levine was one of the first to visit the resort on its reopening and especially enjoyed a sailing canoe experience. There’s also snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and more.

Guests can dine at Moana, which serves Pacific Rim cuisine, or Kahuwai Cookhouse, which celebrates the Big Island’s cowboy culture and paniolo traditions. Sushi is served at The Shipwreck Bar, and Talk Story Bar is the perfect spot for a sunset cocktail.

Choose a garden-, mountain-, lagoon-, or ocean-view hale, a suite, or a residence with as many as four bedrooms. Signature suites include private pools, hot tubs, outdoor showers, and personalized butler services. The Rosewood Explorers Keiki Club provides entertaining and educational experiences for young visitors.

With its stunning location, restaurants, activities, and exquisite accommodations, it’s no wonder that Kona Village earned the top spot with T+L’s readers in the 2024 World’s Best Awards.

The Details: 

• Location: Kailua-Kona, Island of Hawaii
• Accessibility: ADA-compliant rooms are available
• Loyalty Programs: None
• Parking: Self-parking is complimentary; valet parking is $42 per night
• Rates: Starting from about $1,150 per night