35 Best Hotels in Hawaii, USA

A stately and comfortable Queen Anne–style mansion, the Dillingham House is the centerpiece of the property and was built in the 1930s as a summer home for a wealthy Scotsman (the property is listed on the State Historic Register). There are three suites in the residence, two of which can be combined to create larger accommodations for families. The Grand Suite includes a fireplace, dining area, and two sitting areas. Also on the property tucked in near the rain forest, the Volcano Village Cottages offers six stand-alone cottages, some with full kitchens. Separate from the stand-alone cottages, there are five modern bungalows offering various luxury amenities including heated floors and towel racks. Continental breakfast is placed in your refrigerator while you're away in the afternoon so that you can enjoy it at your leisure in the morning.

Guests who return to this older property year after year appreciate its proximity to restaurants and shops and its easygoing "come as you are" vibe. It consists of a pair of buildings, one with standard rooms, the other with kitchenette-equipped one-bedroom suites. There are also connecting rooms available for larger groups. Most guest quarters have lanai, but only some rooms have been refreshed (ask when booking), and the views are more city-and-concrete than foliage-and-ocean. The lobby has an IHOP and a sports bar. Stops for the city bus and trolley lines are right outside the front door.

Nestled between Fort DeRussy Beach Park and the Outrigger Reef Resort, the only condo hotel directly on Waikiki Beach is beloved by some for its spaciousness and by others for its quieter, western-end location. Units, which are individually owned and have varying decor and amenities, include studios and one- or two-bedroom suites, each with private lanai and panoramic views. Some units have full kitchens; others have kitchenettes. All suites have washers and dryers in addition to a daily cleaning service (for an additional one-time fee). The property is overseen by two companies: Castle Resorts, which handles most of the rentals, and Outrigger, which manages about 30 units. Guests who book directly with Outrigger have access to the pool and fitness center at the neighboring Outrigger Reef and must check in at the Regency on Beachwalk Waikiki by Outrigger, about two blocks away.

Surprisingly luxe yet cozy and quaint, the three charming country cottages and one suite at this historical Hawaiian homestead are surrounded by flowering private gardens and a backyard stream. One cottage (Kohala) and the Ohana Suite include a full kitchen, and the others (Waimea and the Garden Studio) a kitchenette. Each is stocked with provisions, including fresh farm eggs from the property, for a generous and hearty self-serve breakfast. All have beautiful hardwood floors. The Kohala Cottage features a luxury bath with whirlpool soaking tub, and the Garden Studio is equipped with a rain showerhead. The grounds are teeming with birds and plant life that will make you want to move in for good. Inquire for seasonal specials. The physical address is given out only after a confirmed reservation.

Convenient, comfortable, and affordable, this Polynesian-style pole house provides a good base for exploring the area, as it's only a ½-mile from beaches, five minutes from golf courses, and close to restaurants and shopping. There's a feeling of old Hawaii here: the covered lanai is decorated with original tiki-style wood carvings by local artists, there are Hawaiian quilts on the beds, and stately palms shade the patio area, where you can barbecue or just relax next to a burbling fountain.