28 Best Hotels in Hawaii, USA

If a taste of rural Hawaii life in plantation days coupled with quiet time and privacy is what you crave, you can find it at this 2-acre property: it's awash in tropical foliage, dotted with banyan trees, and has a 50-foot, saltwater pool and in-ground spa that afford views of Maui's northern coast and Molokai. The cottages (with granite-topped kitchenettes and private entrances) are simple and functional, but the gem is the 1927 plantation house, with its sprawling living and dining rooms, commercial-grade kitchen, and a lanai that will take you back in time.

If you are on a budget but still want to be near attractions such as Kealakekua Bay and Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park, this 42-room historical hotel is a good option. Don't let the dated front TV room concern you: it's by design and part of the authentic old Hawaii vibe. The restaurant serves great pork chops and other island favorites. Dwight Manago—whose grandparents, Kinzo and Osame Manago, built the main building in 1917—has maintained one Japanese-style room with tatami mats and a furo, a traditional Japanese bath, and this is the room to book. The other rooms are basic and clean, and those in the newer wing have great views high above the Kona Coast. They do not take same-day reservations. 

High on a ridge overlooking a favorite local surfing spot, Molokai's best condominium property has mature tropical landscaping, a nice pool, and barbecue grills. Elegant studios and one- or two-bedroom units have beautiful screened lanai, well-equipped kitchens, and washers and dryers; some also have spectacular ocean views.

This affordable property two blocks from Waikiki Beach appeals to the young (and young at heart) with surfer-chic rooms and suites, a cool blue-and-green color scheme, and lounge chairs throughout. Most accommodations have a lanai, mini-refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker. Note that although the resort fee includes beach towels and chairs, the hotel does not offer daily housekeeping services (and also charges a one-time cleaning fee); replacement bedding and towels are available upon request, however. There isn't any food at the hotel, but many dining options are just outside.

With a homey atmosphere and a vintage vibe, this small, low-rise complex—two blocks from the beach and close to the Waikiki Beach Walk entertainment, dining, and retail complex—transports its guests back to 1960s-era Hawaii. Six two-story, ranch-style buildings overlook flower-filled gardens and surround the pool area, which is also home to Wasabi Bistro, a popular Japanese restaurant. Although rooms are dated (and have bathrooms with showers only), they do have kitchenettes, as well as intriguing, Japanese-style shoji doors that open to the lanai.

If you're an outdoors enthusiast, you can appreciate Kauai's mountain wilderness from the dozen rustic cabins—of varying age and quality—that make up this lodge. Cabins are no-frills but more comfortable than a tent, and the mountain setting and proximity to some of the state's most beautiful trails are grand. Wood-burning stoves ward off the winter chill and dampness (wood is a few dollars extra), as it can get pretty cold at this elevation. Cabins sleep two to six and have full kitchens and bathrooms. Note that there's no Wi-Fi or cell service. The nearby restaurant serves breakfast and lunch, or you can bring up groceries from Waimea.

This landmark hotel has large bayfront rooms offering spectacular views of Maunakea and Coconut Island on Hilo Bay; street-side rooms overlook the golf course, and the hotel is within walking distance of Liliuokalani Gardens. Most accommodations have private lanai; kitchenettes are available in the Banyan and Ocean suites, and the custom-made furniture in every room evokes a feeling of Hawaiiana. More bay views are on tap from first-class WSW The Steakhouse, billed as Hilo's only authentic steak house. At the hotel's bar and lounge, you can get a grab-and-go lunch or enjoy cocktails and appetizers. Nearby parks, shops, and restaurants are easy walks.

Quirky yet upscale, this accommodation features four artistically distinctive rooms that unveil beautiful views of the rain forest from a great location five minutes from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The hotel offers imported linens, custom-made wooden bed frames, a garden gazebo, a koi pond, and a six-person hot tub. It's one of several properties under the umbrella of Kilauea Hospitality Group; another is Lokahi Lodge, which has cozy rooms with comfy beds and plenty of exposed beams and wood. The group's most reasonably priced lodge is the Volcano Hale, which dates to 1912 and has a communal kitchen and fireplace.

Units in this circa-1950s motor lodge are modest but charming, as well as clean and inexpensive; a glowing lava-flow sign marks the office and testifies to owner John Alexander's passion for the volcano. Stunning lava pictures adorn the common area, and Alexander is a great source of information for visiting the national park and for exploring the back roads of Hilo. Coffee and fresh fruit are offered daily with banana bread. Four blocks from downtown Hilo, in a historic residential area called Puueo, the hotel borders a verdant two-acre Hawaiian garden with jungle trails and shady places to rest. Guests of the hotel return repeatedly, and it's ideal for families who seek a home base. Six additional units across the street are for long-term stays.

On the ewa (western) end of Waikiki, a block from both the Ala Moana Center and Ala Moana Beach Park, this modern, family-owned, boutique hotel has a Hawaiian country theme that pays tribute to Hawaii's polo-playing history. All rooms have refrigerators and coffee makers; some have balconies and partial ocean views. On-site amenities include free Wi-Fi, a small swimming pool, and the Paniolo Bar & Cafe, which serves artisan coffees in the morning and craft cocktails in the evening. The front-desk staff is happy to assist with driving directions to the polo-playing fields at Mokuleia and Waimanalo, with free tickets for guests in season (April–September).

A handsome, 1924, Craftsman-style house in the heart of Makawao town is on both the Hawaii and the National Historic Registers, and provides a great base for excursions to Haleakala, Hana, or North Shore beaches. Owner Cherie Attix has furnished three pretty guest rooms with antiques and fine art, and she allows you to peruse her voluminous library of Hawaii-related books; all guests have access to the main kitchen for light meal preparation. The lush serene grounds have a gazebo and one of the biggest Norfolk pine trees in Hawaii. Discounts are offered to guests who participate in volunteer projects through Cherie's site (www.volunteer-on-vacation-hawaii.com).

In cool, upcountry Holualoa, Hale Hualalai offers two exceptionally large suites with exposed beams, whirlpool tubs, and private lanai, but perhaps most memorable are the breakfasts ($15 per person)—owner Ricky Brewster was a chef at Four Seasons Hualalai Resort's Beach Tree restaurant. These are as varied as they are delicious, reflecting individual guest preferences—from Italian margarita frittatas with tomatoes and herbs grown on-site to Punaluu sweetbread French toast with Tahitian lime gastrique and crushed pecans. Ricky even grows and serves his own Kona coffee. Each 650-square-foot suite has a private entrance, whirlpool tub, and sunset views, making it perfect for couples.

On a bluff above Honolii surfing beach, this modern, 5,400-square-foot home is 2 miles from downtown Hilo and features four rooms—each with patio, deluxe bedding, and grand ocean views within earshot of the surf. Fresh flowers and artful decor add a warm tropical touch. A continental breakfast is served every morning on an outdoor deck or in the kitchen's bay-window dining area. From their lanai, guests can watch spinner dolphins or migrating whales during the season. These are ideal accommodations for honeymooners and empty nesters.

Built in the 1930s by a Japanese doctor, this vintage home offers stunning views of downtown Hilo and the bay. The Zen garden on the grounds reveals three colossal stones weighing several tons each and installed by the home’s original owner. A total of four simply furnished rooms come with private baths, and two of the rooms offer panoramic bay views.

A charming old Craftsman home lovingly restored by a friendly and hospitable couple from North Carolina, the inn offers variety in guest room size and decor, though every room has a fridge. The Honu's Nest provides fantastic views of the sunrise from the comforts of a large bed. The larger Bali Hai Suite has a sitting room and a window seat that looks out on tree ferns, orchids, and anthuriums. Upstairs, the entire second floor is the Samurai Suite, furnished with traditional tatami mats and antiques imported from Japan. Breakfast is delicious and usually includes homemade baked goods. 

In business since 1956, this small three-story hotel is something of a Kauai beachfront landmark, with clean comfortable rooms, some with great ocean views, and a large pool that overlooks the water---expect great sunrises. All rooms have free Wi-Fi, mini-refrigerators, microwaves, air-conditioning, and flat-screen TVs. The two-room units are good for families; the oceanfront units are, unsurprisingly, the nicest. Conveniently located on the county bus line and a coastal path, the property is within walking distance of shops and restaurants.

Just a block from Waikiki Beach, this unassuming but stylish boutique hotel focuses on wellness and renewal, making it a calm alternative to the big, bustling resorts that dominate the area. The cozy rooms feature muted tones and mid-century modern furnishings. Perks include free Wi-Fi, morning coffee in the lobby, and yoga or other wellness programs. There's also a grab-and-go food station and a (very) small lobby bar.

Tucked away on a residential side street near Waikiki's Ala Wai Canal, this locally owned, 17-story, condo-style hotel is a throwback to old Waikiki, offering partially refreshed, large units that are ideal for families. The glass-walled lobby—with its koa-wood furnishings, original local artwork, and friendly staff—feels like a Hawaiian home-away-from-home. Rates are decent for the spacious, updated (2022) studios and one- and two-bedroom suites, all with full kitchens, Wi-Fi, and spacious lanai. Note: Bathrooms are dated and are scheduled for renovation in 2025. There's also an on-site coin-operated laundry room. It's a two-block walk to Waikiki Beach, shopping, and restaurants. Parking is free but limited; when the spots are full, you can sometimes find parking on the street. Every Friday morning, the Ilima Ohana Chorus performs in the lobby, and guests are invited to sing along.

It isn't easy to find good budget lodgings on the southwest side of the island, but this old-fashioned neighborhood inn with studios and one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites does an adequate job in cooler up-country Kalaheo Town. Suites have kitchenettes, and some have full kitchens. There's a great little hilltop park and nine-hole golf course just up the road, and it's an easy drive to West Side sights. The inn loans beach chairs and towels.

An old rock etched with kanji (Japanese characters) reminds you that the site of this condominium gem was once occupied by a Shinto temple. Today, it's home to studio and two-bedroom rentals—all equipped with full kitchens and private lanai—either oceanfront or with ocean views. Studios feature pull-down Murphy beds to create more daytime space. Air-conditioning is a pleasant new addition.

Not only is this low-cost alternative close to the airport, but it's also a great base for day trips to all sides of the island. Rooms are basic, well-worn, and small, with refrigerators, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Newly added studios and two-bedroom cottages have kitchenettes or full kitchens. In summer, it's worth the extra money to get a room with air-conditioning. Coffee is available in the lobby every morning.

These pleasant, spacious one- and two-bedroom condos near the beach—each with a washer, dryer, and a fully equipped kitchen—have ocean views and nicely maintained tropical landscaping. Look for bougainvillea-laden trellises and spacious interiors decorated with rattan and pastels. Amenities on the condo grounds include a nice pool with hot tub and tennis courts.

Many of the units in this three-story condominium complex have a view of the ocean and Lanai in the distance, and there's a chance to see whales in season. One-bedroom, one-bath units (some with lofts) or two-bedroom, two-bath units all have full kitchens and furnished lanai, which look out on 4 acres of lawn. There is a two-night minimum for most units.

An open-air lobby of Italian marble, a koi pond, hanging egg chairs, and a guava smoothie greet you on arrival at this hideaway a five-minute stroll from Kalakaua Avenue through one of the many public-access ways to the beach. The property's two towers offer nearly 100 standard rooms and junior or one-bedroom suites, some with small kitchen areas. All accommodations have a refrigerator, soaking tub, slick audio-entertainment systems, and free Wi-Fi. Request a room close to the top of the hotel's 11 stories if you want to see the ocean from your lanai. A limited continental breakfast on the lobby veranda is included. 

Close to Kailua Beach, this cozy bed-and-breakfast has been around since the 1990s and has two suites that are attached to the main house but have their own private entrances. The Garden Suite has a full kitchenette, while the Ginger Studio has a breakfast bar. Both have Wi-Fi, TV, air-conditioning, and beachy decor. The larger, open-air suite is spacious enough for a family of four. You can also reserve both spaces together. You can borrow bodyboards, beach towels, and beach chairs.

In the heart of cowboy country, this quaint ranch house–style lodge offers views of the green, rolling slopes of Waimea and a distant view of Maunakea. It's so quiet you forget you're close to busy Waimea. The rooms are large and clean, with Hawaiian quilts lending an authentic touch. A handful of studios with kitchenettes are also available, and the Paniolo Country Inn Restaurant is mere steps away if you'd prefer to eat out. Nearby shopping centers, farmers' markets, and cafés are just a short stroll down the road.

Nestled amid the avocado, mango, coffee, and kukui trees of a historical plantation estate (circa 1932), this serene home provides a retreat close to the Waipio Valley. Each room has its own character with touches like warm woods, Chinese antiques, or patchwork quilts. A sprawling garden has an orchid-covered deck, and a little gazebo has hammocks for indulging your lazy side. Many of the rooms have ocean views. A full organic breakfast is served in the dining room.

This 5-acre oceanfront condominium complex is convenient if you want to explore the east side of the island—it's 13 miles east of Kaunakakai, with access to a beautiful reef, excellent snorkeling, and kayaking. Individually decorated one- and two-bedroom units all have full kitchens and furnished lanai. Some have views of Maui and Lanai—be sure to ask for an updated unit when you reserve. The oceanfront pool has a covered barbecue area.