60 Best Hotels in Hawaii, USA

Disney's first property in Hawaii melds the Disney magic with breathtaking vistas, white sandy beaches, and sunsets that even Mickey stops to watch. The enchanting resort complex delivers with Disney characters and local cultural experiences that include everything from ukulele lessons to nature walks to storytelling around the firepit. The full-service, 21-acre resort offers both guest rooms and a large contingent of time-share units that are more like apartments. You won't be staying in your room: Aulani has four restaurants, two lounges, a man-made snorkeling lagoon, a luxury spa, a full-service fitness center, a large beach, and the Waikolohe Pool—complete with a lazy river for tubing, the Volcanic Vertical (a tunnel waterslide), and the heart-pounding Tubestone Curl that sends you twisting and turning before eventually launching you into the stream. For those seeking a little more relaxation, the adults-only Wailana Pool is just the spot.

Dramatically handsome, Kauai's best megaresort is this classic Hawaiian low-rise built into the cliffs overlooking an unspoiled coastline; it boasts mouthwatering restaurants and has taken great strides to reduce its carbon footprint. Five acres of meandering fresh- and saltwater swimming lagoons with a decent-size waterslide—a big hit with kids—are beautifully set amid lush landscaping. Adults enjoy golf, treatments at the luxurious Anara Spa, or workouts at the well-appointed gym. Breakfast packages are available. The business center here is open to all, not only guests.

Its name translates to the "house befitting heaven," and this beachfront haven does, indeed, seem like a slice of heaven thanks to impeccable service and spacious guest rooms that are artfully appointed with marble and wood, neutral color schemes, modern furniture, updated technology, and bathrooms with oversize soaking tubs as well as showers. The large heated pool features a stunning orchid mosaic, created using more than a million glass tiles, and there are jaw-dropping ocean views from a large lanai. Fine-dining options here include Orchids, which hosts a popular Sunday brunch, and the award-winning La Mer, with its beautiful Diamond Head views. Book a day of divine pampering at the SpaHalekulani, and settle in for sunset drinks, Hawaiian music, and hula at the House Without A Key or a handcrafted cocktail and live jazz at the chic Lewers Lounge.

Originally built in the early 1900s, these relocated and refurbished one- to five-bedroom sugar-plantation workers' cottages are tucked in a coconut grove along a lovely walkable stretch of beach on the sunny West Side. Swimming waters here are often murky, but morning and evening strolls on the black sand are special. Cozy homes of different sizes feature porches, plantation-era furnishings, full modern kitchens, Wi-Fi, and cable TV. Guests can use the swimming pool, barbecue grills, bocce court, and hammocks on the grounds, and eat on the wraparound porch of the family-style restaurant. This could be an excellent choice for informal destination weddings or family reunions. Waimea Town has limited shops and eateries, but it's close to Waimea Canyon and Kokee State Parks.

This swanky sustainable wellness resort—formerly the St. Regis Princeville—offers expansive views of the sea and mountains, including Makana, the landmark peak immortalized as mysterious "Bali Hai" in the film South Pacific. The reopening follows a $300 million overhaul that includes seven food venues, the Bamford Wellness Spa, a 1X Vitahealth Medi Spa program, a gym and fitness classes, on-site rooftop organic garden and apiary, a golf course, three saline pools (one adult-only), and kids' club. The overall design blends well with the natural setting of Hanalei Bay and honors the region's Native Hawaiian culture and history. The spacious guest rooms, many with private lanai, range from garden rooms to lavish suites with ocean views, all with furnishings made from recycled teak and local artworks; the neutral-hue decor uses textures and materials that evoke the natural world. 

Sophisticated travelers and romance-seeking couples will swoon at the sleek luxury of this eco-friendly, beachfront resort. Whitewashed rooms are on the small side; those seeking more space can opt for a suite or luxuriate in one of the 4,000-square-foot oceanfront villas. Amenities include three cascading infinity pools, an adults-only pool, apothecary spa, gallery and boutiques, and free cultural activities.

This first-rate resort overflows with tropical gardens, cascading waterfalls, a sandy beach cove, a meandering pool, a lagoon for the kids, and all the luxury amenities. All guest rooms have private lanai, and many have partial or full ocean views. Excellent on-site restaurants include the flagship Brown's Beach House, The Orchid Court, Hale Kai, Brown's Deli, and the outstanding Binchotan Bar and Grill. Guests enjoy the tennis center, the Spa Without Walls with private massage hales (houses) set amid waterfalls or on the oceanfront, and the largest and most impressive swimming pool among the resorts. The lavish Hawaii Loa luau is followed by a show that combines modern and Polynesian dance. There's lots of beach equipment to rent, plus rental bikes if you want to pedal to the nearby Shops at Mauna Lani. The beach has a protected cove ideal for swimming and wading, and the fitness center comes fully equipped.

Beautiful views everywhere, polished wood floors, custom furnishings and linens, and fine Hawaiian artwork make this oceanfront resort a peaceful, opulent retreat. Freestanding bungalows are large and luxurious, with spacious travertine and marble bathrooms as well as private outdoor showers. One of the five pools, King's Pond, is replete with thousands of tropical fish and a spotted eagle ray that guests have the opportunity to feed daily. The seashell infinity pool, family-friendly and surrounded by cabanas and palm trees, has a clear view to the ocean beyond. The on-site Hawaiian Cultural Center honors the property's spiritual heritage and sense of place, and the sports club and spa offer top-rate health and fitness options. The resort's on-site restaurants (ULU, Beach Tree) are world-class. Hualalai's golf course has hosted the PGA Tour Champions Tour and the Senior PGA Tournament of Champions. The resort is super kid-friendly, with a great activities and events program for all ages.

In addition to stunning views of Hulopoe Bay and the rocky coastline, this sublime retreat offers manicured grounds featuring native Hawaiian plants, as well as urban-chic interiors featuring meticulously curated art from Polynesia, Micronesia, and Hawaii. Adults can languish in the adults-only, lagoon-style pool, while children can enjoy the family pool, try their hand at sand sculpting, or explore tidal pools along Hulopoe Bay. It might be tempting to relax the day away, but the resort can arrange numerous activities, including horseback riding, UTV rides, evening astronomy experiences, and sporting clays.

"Impeccably stylish" and "extravagant" describe most Four Seasons properties, and this elegant one fronting Wailea Beach is no exception, with its beautiful courtyards and luxuries such as 24-hour room service, twice-daily housekeeping, excellent restaurants, on-site spa, and adults-only serenity pool with outstanding views. Most of the rooms have ocean views; cabanas, chaise lounges, and a car service transporting guests around Wailea are among the complimentary amenities.

At the first Four Seasons on the island, nearly every room or suite in the 17-story hotel offers floor-to-ceiling windows and a private lanai, all with an ocean view. The resort has an infinity pool, a tranquil garden with koi ponds, and private, beachside cabanas. It also offers five restaurants, including Mina's Fish House, a seafood restaurant, and the Italian-inspired Noe.

Splashing waterfalls, swim-through grottos, a lagoon-like swimming pool, and a 150-foot waterslide "wow" guests of all ages at this bustling Kaanapali resort, and spacious standard rooms are among the other draws. Complete your vacation fantasy by strolling through the lobby past museum-quality art, brilliant parrots, and South African penguins—yes, penguins—or unwind at the oceanfront Spa Kamahao. There's no shortage of food options here, from the trendy Japengo to the traditional Son'z Steakhouse, with Ululani's Shave Ice next to the pool for daytime treats.

Hidden away in the upscale residential neighborhood of Kahala (on the other side of Diamond Head from Waikiki), this elegant oceanfront hotel with top-notch service, opened in 1964 and one of Hawaii's first luxury resorts, has hosted celebrities, princesses, the Dalai Lama, and nearly every president since Lyndon Johnson. It's flanked by the Waialae Country Club's golf course and the ocean, surrounding it in natural tranquility—all just a 10-minute ride from Waikiki by free shuttle. A walkway has benches tucked into seaside nooks for lazy viewing, and the oceanfront fitness center offers outdoor yoga and Pilates. The poolside bar and grill will serve you at your lounge chair on the beach or by the pool, you can enjoy a casual meal at the Plumeria Beach House, elegant afternoon tea is offered on The Veranda, and fine dining is available at Hoku's or Arancino.

The reef just offshore makes the waters here calm enough for young kids. You can also sign up for dolphin interactions in the 26,000-square-foot lagoon or simply sit and watch the dolphins play throughout the day. The 550-square-foot guest rooms, decorated in an understated Islands style with mahogany furniture, are spacious though a tad worn; bathrooms have two vanities, and the lanai are big enough for lounge chairs. If you're a golf fan visiting the second week of January, ask for a room overlooking the course for a bird's-eye view of the PGA Sony Open from your lanai. If dolphins are your thing, request a room overlooking the lagoon.

Fronting an uncrowded stretch of beach, this three-story, primarily time-share condo resort is convenient and a bit more upscale than nearby properties. It's one of the better resort properties along this stretch of the Coconut Coast. The fully furnished one- and two-bedroom condo units, each with a private lanai, washer-dryer, and well-equipped kitchen, are housed in three buildings. They are decorated in rich woods, tropical prints, and Hawaiian-quilt designs. The 8-acre property looks out on the ocean and offers a heated pool with natural rock waterscapes, a day spa, a children's pool, an ocean-side hot tub, pool bar, and fitness center. It's within walking distance of shops and home to the excellent Hukilau Lanai restaurant.

This boutique property offers a stylish high-end experience without the bustle of many larger resorts, making it a great place to forget it all while receiving an outdoor massage or lounging by the pool. A resort-wide renovation in 2022 ushered in a garden-inspired color palette and works by Hawaii artists. The oceanfront rooms have gorgeous views of the surfers at Waiohai Beach, and the Red Salt restaurant is top-notch for breakfast or dinner.  Other resorts, restaurants, and beaches are within easy walking distance.

These modern, impeccably furnished condos offer far more high-end amenities than the average condo complex, including both an infinity pool and a sand-bottom children's pool at its oceanside Beach Club, a fitness center, and a hot tub. It's within walking distance of Anaehoomalu Bay and the beach and close to shopping.

Popular with honeymooners and anniversary couples for decades, this elegant Kohala Coast classic is still one of the island's most beautiful resorts, highlighted by a breathtaking, open-air lobby with cathedral-like ceilings, Zen-like koi ponds, and illuminated sheets of cascading water. Free cultural and educational programs include tours of the ancient petroglyph fields with the on-site cultural historian and enjoying an evening "Talk Story" session with a Hawaiian kupuna (elder). The hotel, recently renovated, also offers experiences for active guests, such as outrigger canoe paddling, beachside yoga, local mountain bike tours, and stand-up paddleboarding. Decorated in warm, contemporary organic tones reflecting the spirit of the island, the spacious guest rooms have ceiling fans, dimmer lights, and expansive private lanai; many have ocean views. The flagship CanoeHouse restaurant offers romantic dining by the sea, the Ha Bar and Grill serves light bites and cocktails, and Surf Shack dishes casual fare by the beach. Mauna Lani is known for its two golf courses (check out the iconic South 15th hole over the ocean) and award-winning spa.

Waikiki's oldest hotel (1901) is still a wedding and honeymoon favorite, with a sweeping main staircase and Victorian furnishings in its historic and expensive Moana Wing and more contemporary rooms in its 1950s-era Diamond Head Tower and refurbished Surfrider Tower, where oceanfront suites have two separate lanai—one for sunrise and another for sunset. Relaxation here involves lounging on the private beach or in a pool cabana, taking afternoon tea on the veranda, indulging in a treatment at the Moana Lani Spa, or enjoying beach or street views from rocking chairs on the main lobby's front or back porches. Enjoy live music and hula at the Banyan Court each evening, or dine at the oceanfront Beachhouse at the Moana. Don't miss the prized banyan tree, which dates from the hotel's early days. Note that rooms vary in each of the property's towers, so ask specific questions when booking. The hefty resort fee covers cultural activities, yoga classes, and Wi-Fi.

This luxury resort caters to well-heeled travelers who want the comfort and privacy of a residential-style suite combined with resort service and amenities—and here, the elegantly furnished one- to four-bedroom units include gourmet kitchens, in-unit washers/dryers, and the largest lanai to be found. Other attractions include a cascading lagoon pool, a no-cell phone serenity pool, multiple restaurants, and a 30,000-square-foot spa. The resort also offers unique experiences served up inside of your own space, including the Chef's Table in Your Residence program with a chef conducting—either in the residence's kitchen or outside—a heritage cooking lesson that demonstrates Hawaiian traditions. Also available are en-suite luau (with local food) and exercise equipment like Peloton bikes, Hypervolt massage tools, and weights delivered to the room.

Spread across 10 beautiful acres along one of Maui's best beaches, the family-friendly Napili Kai with its "old Hawaii" feel draws a loyal following to its island-style rooms that open onto private lanai. Studios and suites have kitchenettes, but for the most bang for your buck, splurge on the condo units at the western edge of the property, which have fully equipped stainless-steel kitchens and a wide lanai with views of Lanai and Molokai. Be sure to dine at the Sea House Restaurant with indoor-outdoor seating and a spectacular ocean view.

This notable hillside property features luxurious service and an enhanced Hawaiian sense of place, as well as upscale guest rooms and one- and two-bedroom condominium suites that incorporate the rich colors of the surrounding ocean, mountains, and rainforest. The multilevel pool and hot tubs are open 24 hours, and children have their own pool area. The Environmental Education Center features Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ambassadors of the Environment program, and a full-time cultural advisor instructs employees and guests in Hawaiian traditions.

There's nothing like the iconic "Pink Palace of the Pacific," which is on 14 acres of prime Waikiki Beach and which has held fast to the luxury and grandeur that first defined it in the 1930s, when it became a favorite of the rich and famous. Originally built for luxury-cruise passengers, it hosted galas in its early years and was later requisitioned by the U.S. Navy as a rest and relaxation center during World War II. Today, the property blends modern comforts with historic elegance. Guests appreciate the architectural detailing of the historic wing—with its canopy beds and earth-tone color schemes—but if you want a lanai for sunset viewing, opt for rooms in the oceanfront tower. As the original guests weren't interested in a water view after weeks on the high seas, the historic wing's garden-view rooms are the largest and can potentially be booked for a lower price. Ask about the fascinating (and free) historical tours offered weekly. The beachfront Mai Tai Bar is a local favorite for cocktails and sunsets, and the walk down the hotel's lovely foyer and onto the lawn is very grand indeed.

At this exclusive wellness retreat—the pinnacle of Hawaii luxury—you can create custom itineraries and experiences that might include spa services, wellness activities, and various island excursions. In addition to having one of the state's largest private art collections, the incredibly serene property has beautifully manicured grounds that include a mix of native and imported plants, a gorgeous pool complex, and private onsen hot pools. You can dine at Sensei by Nobu or the Koele Garden Bar or use signing privileges at restaurants in the nearby Four Seasons Lanai.

The Sheraton is a sprawling resort with lodging that offers views of the ocean or lovely landscaped gardens; it's worth splurging on the ocean-wing hotel rooms, which are so close to the water you can practically feel the spray of the surf as it hits the rocks below. By day, the real fun comes from renting a cabana, complete with a love seat, lounge chairs, side tables, a TV, and a ceiling fan; by night, relax under the stars by one of the firepits. RumFire restaurant on the point has panoramic ocean views, there's an oceanfront luau twice a week, and Lava's by the beach has daily specials and desserts brought in from Ko Bakery. Villa units have kitchenettes and laundry machines, and are within walking distance of many restaurants and shops.

Set among dense gardens on Kaanapali's best stretch of beach, the Sheraton offers a quieter, more low-key atmosphere than its neighboring resorts, and it sits near Puu Kekaa, the site of a nightly torch-lighting and cliff-diving ritual. All rooms have plenty of amenities, including 50-inch flat-screen TVs; the massive swimming pool resembles a natural lagoon, with rock waterways and wooden bridges; and the Spa at Black Rock offers oceanfront services. Dining options range from casual poolside drinks and light fare to upscale Japanese and farm-to-table cuisine. The lobby lounge bar has incredible property and ocean views. The newer Moana Oceanfront Wing sits atop Puu Kekaa and offers a more exclusive, adults-preferred resort experience.

Sprawling over nearly 1,300 acres of natural landscape on the edge of Kuilima Point in Kahuku, this resort has spacious guest rooms (averaging nearly 500 square feet) with lanai that showcase stunning peninsula views. In winter, when the big waves roll ashore, you get a front-row seat for the powerful surf. The 42 sumptuous oceanfront beach bungalows have private lanai and access to an exclusive pool area. Casual-chic Alaia, the resort's signature restaurant, showcases locally sourced ingredients in island-theme dishes. The resort also includes a collection of swimming pools and eateries, the 11,000-square-foot Nalu Spa, a Jamie O'Brien surf school, horse stables, 12 miles of nature trails, and the only 36-hole golf facility on Oahu.

This resort, which sits closer to the crashing surf than most in Wailea, delivers not only dramatic views but also luxurious amenities and spacious accommodations. Grown-ups can find peace and quiet at the adults-only Maluhia serenity pool, while kids can frolic at the Nalu Adventure Pool, which features four waterslides, including the longest in Maui at 325 feet. The resort also has the Mo Bettah food truck, a fun take on a local culinary tradition.

The grande dame of the Kohala Coast has long been regarded as one of the state's premier vacation resort hotels, and it borders one of the world's finest white-sand beaches, Kaunaoa. Bathrooms are large and luxurious and come with high-end bath amenities, and the beds are plush. But the resort outside the rooms has much to offer, too, including an 18-hole championship golf course, a top-rated seaside tennis club, and a fitness center. If all you want to do is relax, there's the Mandara spa, an outdoor swimming pool, and lots of comfy lounge chairs on the beach, a perfect crescent of sand and sea. You can also rent a stand-up paddleboard or canoe on-site. The hotel has two wings: the Main Tower and the Beachfront Wing. The latter's ground-floor units allow you to wake up and go right out to the beach. The oceanfront Manta restaurant is legendary, as is the signature Fredrico cocktail at the Hau Tree, which is steps from the beach.

Families and active travelers love the convenience and action of this high-rise hotel, often referred to as "the Banyan," just a block from Waikiki Beach, the aquarium, the zoo, and bustling Kalakaua Avenue. The lobby is decorated in warm tropical woods with plenty of seating to enjoy the trade winds. All the suites here are privately owned (some units are dated), and many have fully equipped kitchens, as well as lanai that offer Diamond Head or ocean views. The recreation deck also has fantastic Pacific vistas, as well as outdoor grills; a heated swimming pool; two hot tubs; a playground; a mini putting green; and volleyball, basketball, and tennis courts. There is also a koi pond and a mini waterfall. 

Villas with terra-cotta-tile roofs are set amid landscaped lagoons and waterfalls at the edge of the championship Waikoloa Village Golf Course. The spacious units—ground and upper floors are available separately—are privately owned, so furnishings vary from unit to unit. Sliding glass doors open onto a large lanai, and picture windows look out onto rolling green fairways. All units have full kitchens and washer-dryers. Check the website for separate online-booking rates and specials. There's also free access to tennis courts, a swimming pool, outdoor barbecues, and the fitness center. A daily $10 amenity fee includes Wi-Fi, newspaper, parking, coffee, and security safe.