46 Best Hotels in Hawaii, USA

Four beautifully restored ranch houses and bungalows occupy this historic country estate in Hawi, where guests enjoy their own private swimming pools, horseback riding, round-the-clock concierge availability, and plenty of fresh fruit from the orchards. Listed on the State Historic Register, Puakea Ranch pays homage to the four generations of cowboys and plantation workers who once lived on the property. The two-bedroom Yoshi's House sleeps six and has ocean views from the lanai, plus a lava-rock swimming pool. Cowboy House is a three-bedroom former bunkhouse that sleeps six, while the Miles Away bungalow provides two bedrooms and its own private dipping pool. A large studio, James Cottage shares a swimming pool with Cowboy House and also has its own private hot tub. Decorated with local art depicting the property, each home has its own kitchen, barbecue grills, and washer-dryer. It's 15 minutes to the closest public beach, and just down the road from the artists' town of Hawi. It's one of the few properties on the Kohala Coast that can also be entirely booked for weddings and events. 

The centerpiece of this modern, stylish high-rise, across the street from the beach in the middle of Waikiki, is the lobby's mesmerizing aquarium, filled with nearly 300,000 gallons of seawater and colorful marine life. There's something for everyone here, including airy guest rooms with private lanai and ocean views; an expansive, rooftop-deck infinity pool with a bar that serves small plates all day; and two of chef Morimoto’s restaurants—Morimoto Asia, which has stunning views, and the casual, street-level Momosan. The resort fee here includes the Beach Candy program, with a first-come, first-served array of beach toys and accessories. The exclusive Longboard Club, open to concierge-level guests, offers plenty of indoor-outdoor seating and a great selection of food and drink for breakfast and dinner.

A thatched-roof gate opens to the courtyard of this informal Balinese-inspired guesthouse, which has a sweeping view of Hana Bay, a ground-floor studio with a private outdoor shower, and two other units with private whirlpool hot tubs on second-floor decks. The upstairs units can be combined to house six, and all units have kitchenettes with limited cooking supplies. In keeping with the community's ecominded spirit, owner John Romain keeps it green with photovoltaic solar panels, nontoxic cleaning products, and recycling receptacles in each unit.

Perfect for a comfortable base in the country, think of these two oceanfront, plantation-style cottages as your own private beach home on Molokai's east end; each has a full kitchen, washer and dryer, and ocean-facing lanai. There are small beaches just steps from the front door, and the Pauwalu cottage is fronted by a fishpond, which is the perfect wading spot for families with young children.

The outstanding service and attention to detail at this high-rise boutique property are the same as what's offered at its elegant sister hotel, the Halekulani, but without the beachfront location and higher prices. Only rooms on upper floors have ocean views, but all rooms feature lanai, modern furnishings, sleek bathrooms, and upscale amenities. The sundeck, with an infinity pool, sun beds, and a full-service bar, is a sanctuary eight floors up. Check out the street-level restaurant, UMI by Vikram Garg, and visit the spa at the Halekulani across the street. Note, too, that your key card allows complimentary admission to several Honolulu museums.

This small, oceanfront, walk-up hotel about a mile south of downtown Kailua Village, with modest, pleasantly decorated rooms on the ocean, is probably the best deal in town. Some might call it dated or old-fashioned, while others would say it imbues a cool vintage Hawaiiana charm. All rooms have fridges, but the lack of TVs is a proud tradition the hotel has maintained since the 1950s. Who needs TV when you have the ocean this close? A deposit is required, and you will need to book well in advance to secure a room.

The Kaanapali Golf Course's fairways wrap around this fine, well-priced, two-story condo complex that has spacious studio, one-, and two-bedroom units with fully equipped kitchens and access to a stocked beach cabana on a semiprivate beach. The complex itself isn't exactly on the beach—it's a quick golf-cart trip away—but when you arrive, you will have beach chairs at your disposal, as well as a full kitchen and lounge area at the cabana, Maui's only beachfront clubhouse. Back at the condo complex, the style of the privately owned units may vary, but most are tastefully decorated and offer modern appliances and spacious bathrooms. There is no elevator.

Hospitality abounds at this luxurious B&B in a secluded rain forest, where the separate suites (connected by paths) offer amenities including fine furnishings, dining niches, jetted bathtubs, heated blankets, and private forest entrances. In the lobby, the friendly staff "talks story" with guests and shares complimentary coffee, tea, cookies, and baked goods. On cool Volcano nights, warm yourself in the hot tub set under the stars.

This B&B on the grounds of an old banana plantation past Oheo Gulch (about a 40-minute drive southwest from Hana town) is a simple, back-to-nature kind of spot that is "off the grid." Banana trees still populate the property, alongside mango, papaya, coconut, and avocado trees. There's also a Balinese garden, complete with a lotus-shaped pond. The single room has a private lanai with an outdoor kitchenette, shower, and tub (there's a regular shower in the room as well), and astonishing views of the coastline. Sam and Mercury, a mother-daughter team, live on-site in the main house and are available to give tips and advice about exploring the area. Note that the owners prefer not to host children.

A low-rise, Hawaii-plantation-style design gives this 6-acre beachfront property a pleasant relaxed feeling; the guest rooms are spread over eight three-story buildings, each with a lanai that looks out on lovely green lawns. The rooms are small, with showers and tubs, Wi-Fi, mini-refrigerators, coffeemakers, and microwaves. They are available oceanfront or with garden or ocean views. A free-form pool sits next to a golden-sand beach that's perfect for a quiet stroll, and there's a poolside bar and coffee shop on-site. It's located across the street from Coconut Marketplace, with its many shops and restaurant.

These slightly older condominium units, spread out among three low-rises on the ocean side of Alii Drive, are situated at Kona's most popular surfing spot, Banyans, and also just a couple of minutes' drive from Kailua Village and within walking distance of popular Laaloa (Magic Sands) Beach Park. Kitchens are fully equipped. Choose between the lower-priced mountain view, midrange partial ocean view, and more expensive oceanfront rooms; the rates are surprisingly decent. There's a great Hawaiian poke café (Da Poke Shack) nearby, plus a cash-only sundry shop across the street.

Perched on a rocky point above the pounding surf—perfect for whale- or turtle-watching—these three low-rise buildings have individually owned condos with full kitchens and washer-dryers. All condos have large windows, and many have bedrooms on the ocean side; each unit either shares a sundeck or has its own lanai. There's an oceanside pool, and weddings are sometimes staged on a little lawn beside the sea. A sandy swimming beach is a 10-minute walk away.

This property offers reliable and affordable accommodations close to the Polynesian Cultural Center and a short drive to some of the North Shore's most iconic beaches and surfing spots. Free Wi-Fi, daily newspapers, a fitness center, a pool, and proximity to the beach make it a welcome addition to the otherwise limited lodging options along the coast. The Bistro offers breakfast and dinner in the hotel, which houses the only 24-hour Starbucks on the North Shore. The Laie Foodland is close by for stocking up on essentials. Remember that Laie is a dry town, so buy beer, wine, and spirits in Honolulu or Haleiwa.

In a place where space is at a premium, this resort in the heart of the Waikiki Beach Walk dining and shopping area offers families and other groups spacious, one- and two-bedroom suites stylishly decorated in relaxing earth tones with splashes of color. In addition to amenities like pull-out sofas and wet bars with microwaves and mini-refrigerators, suites have at least two balconies—some with ocean views, most overlooking the 1,965-square-foot, open-air Grand Lanai with its heated pool, sundeck, and outdoor bar. Perks include a free (hot) breakfast daily and a free happy hour reception (with snacks) nightly. The hotel is steeped in Hawaiiana: not only does it offer cultural programs for adults and youth, but it's also home to famous chef Roy Yamaguchi's Roy's Waikiki restaurant.

These large and comfy town houses and condominiums, located just off the fairway of the Waikoloa Beach Course, are a short walk from Anaehoomalu Bay. Designed in the style of plantation-era homes, the villas are decorated with rattan furniture and tropical themes and come complete with top-notch appliances in fully equipped kitchens. A five-minute walk from the upscale Kings' Shops, the facility has its own infinity pool, a lava-rock whirlpool spa, and a small gym.

Nestled alongside Wailua Bay and the Wailua River, this low-key low-rise chain hotel is a convenient place to stay as it's within walking distance of Lydgate Beach, with its lifeguard and lawns, and also close to shops and a variety of restaurants. Rooms and suites, in two wings with a choice of beach, mountain, or ocean views, have mini- or full-size refrigerators, microwaves, and coffeemakers; two-bedroom cottages are also available. Complimentary Wi-Fi and cable TV are included, and the hotel has a modest fitness room, a business center, meeting rooms, and a swimming pool. The resort fee includes yoga classes, a cultural sunrise ceremony, and daily two-hour bike rental.

Location, location, location: this five-tower mega-resort sprawls over 22 acres on Waikiki's widest stretch of beach, with the greenery of neighboring Fort DeRussy creating a buffer zone between it and central Waikiki's high-rise lineup. The property's sheer volume of facilities and many free activities (lei-making, ukelele lessons, turtle feedings) make it a good choice for families. The grounds incorporate not only gardens, koi ponds, and waterfalls, but also an aquatic playground of pools and slides, a 5-acre lagoon for kayaking, a pier that serves as a docking point for the Atlantis submarine, a post office, an ABC Store, the large Mandara Spa & Fitness Center, 20 restaurants and lounges (featuring some of Hawaii's best musicians), and dozens of shops. Rainbow Tower, with its landmark 31-story mural, has knockout Diamond Head views. Separate facilities and concierge services make The Alii feel like a private "resort within the resort." The Grand Islander, an on-site 418-unit vacation-ownership property, has lovely suites and access to many amenities. Be sure to check on the status of the hotel's weekly fireworks show, a favorite Friday night event that draws big crowds.

There's no other resort between the ocean and this high-rise hotel, which is across the street from Kuhio Beach and features a lively, atrium-style lobby with three levels of shopping (including a farmers' market on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons), a two-story waterfall, gardens, and free live evening entertainment. Other amenities include the luxury Na Hoola Spa, with 16 treatment rooms and an array of specialty therapies; the street-level Kai Coffee; the SHOR breakfast restaurant; and SWIM, a casual poolside bar and lounge that serves sustainable seafood. Authentic on-site activities, such as lei-making and hula, are led by a native Hawaiian cultural practitioner. Aloha Friday events showcase Polynesian tattooing and feature a Samoan fire-knife performance.

At Waikiki's ewa (western) edge, overlooking Ala Wai Harbor and a five-minute walk from Ala Moana Beach Park, this high-rise resort is a Honolulu landmark—Jack Lord's character, Steve McGarrett, appears on a lanai here in the opening of the original Hawaii Five-O TV series. It's fun to ride the glass elevator to the top of the "I," and the IIikai has an open-air lobby, two pools, a fitness center, waterfalls, and a mix of individually owned condos and kitchen-equipped resort suites of various sizes. On-site dining options include Cinnamon's, a local favorite that serves food all day, and the iconic Chart House, Hawaii's longest-running individually owned and operated restaurant. At sunset, the lighting of the torches and blowing of the conch prepare you for a romantic evening in paradise. Special offers abound, so ask about them when booking.

You wouldn't expect to find a top-notch B&B in Kau, but this grand residence offers large private suites with locally harvested hardwood floors and private lanai with ocean and mountain views. Choose between a full hot breakfast or a farm-to-table breakfast that presents locally sourced fruits and baked goods—and comes with award-winning Kau estate coffee. For those who want to explore the area's green- and black-sand beaches, or hike to the Kahuku unit of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, hosts Kenny Joyce and Kilohana Domingo are happy to share their knowledge of the area. The inn prides itself on its programs involving Hawaiian cultural arts, and guests may take part in Hawaiian feather arts or weaving workshops.

This South Kihei property sits across the street from Kamaole III beach and is perfect for active families. Ten four-story buildings wrap around 15 acres of grassy slopes with a swimming pool, a small waterfall, tennis courts, and barbecues. Units include one-, two-, and three-bedroom options, and all units have two bathrooms, kitchens, laundry facilities, and private lanai.

With a prime location in the center of Waimea, this newly renovated boutique inn offers beautiful accommodations that feature Hawaiian-style bed linens and paniolo (cowboy) art, along with polished, upgraded decor such as barn doors, high-definition TVs, granite countertops, and rainfall showerheads. Some rooms even have kitchenettes, but a continental breakfast is included in the price. Baths are equipped with locally made, eco-friendly Hawaiian body products and plenty of fluffy towels.  

The 16-acre grounds provide a peaceful and verdant background for this low-rise condominium complex bordering the Keauhou-Kona Country Club and within a five-minute drive of the nearest beaches, Kahaluu and Laaloa (Magic Sands). The property has three swimming pools, two tennis courts, hot tubs, and barbecue areas. Large units have koa-wood cabinetwork and washer-dryers. Cleaning fees apply. The proximity of Keauhou Bay and Keauhou Shopping Center makes this complex an excellent choice for families.

The former home of the late legendary artist Herb Kane, this luxury boutique guesthouse occupies a 16-acre avocado farm overlooking the South Kona coastline. Internationally traveled proprietors Michael and David leave no stone unturned; amenities include fresh flowers, evening turndown, robes and slippers, Molton Brown products, and tropical fruit baskets. Kane's iconic artwork is displayed in all the suites. Detached from the main residence, the Kane and Kanaloa suites are spacious and private. The Kane Suite opens onto a water garden and porch, and includes koa furnishings designed by the artist along with a minibar, library, marble bathroom, and atrium Zen garden. Breakfast features ingredients grown on the property.

This longtime Kauai condo project consists of 42 plantation-style low-rise buildings with individually owned one- and two-bedroom units set on grassy fields leading to a lovely beach. The units vary in style, but all are clean, have lanai, and get lots of ocean breezes. Green-thumb visitors will enjoy wandering the Moir orchid and cacti gardens that surround the sugar plantation manager's home, which now houses the front office. Guests have complimentary access to the Poipu Beach Athletic Club, with its restaurant, pool, and fitness classes just across the way.

A mile from the entrance to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, this lodge built as a YMCA camp in the 1930s is now a pleasant inn, tastefully furnished with European antiques, photographs, and authentic Hawaiian quilts. Of the 12 accommodations on the property, all are heated and have private baths; seven have gas fireplaces, and one has a wood-burning fireplace (the Honeymoon Deluxe Room). The charming one-bedroom cottage on the property is perfect for romance. A central common room, the Hale Aloha Building, offers a wood-burning fireplace and library. For a quintessential Volcano Village experience under the stars, guests can use the covered outdoor hot tub, which seats seven. The Lodge's restaurant is open to the public and features island-inspired cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Located across the beach and in the quieter north end of Kihei, this relaxed, family-friendly property has 26 units—some with kitchens and kitchenettes—that range from standard rooms to three-bedroom, two-bath penthouses. There's a rooftop deck and various outdoor spaces that are nice for lounging and socializing in the well-maintained tropical garden.

Ruling Hawaiian chiefs once returned from ocean voyages to this spot, now host to comfortable condominiums, and OUTRIGGER has created attractive plant, water, and rock features. The one- and two-bedroom condominium units are all individually owned, so some are nicer than others. They all have a full kitchen and a lanai. Though there's generally no air-conditioning, there's typically a good breeze. The landscaped grounds include lighted tennis courts and a large pool. The beach is swimmable, and the property is near shops, restaurants, and a coastal walking and biking path. There is a three-night minimum stay.

Of the many condo complexes lining the ocean-side stretch of Honoapiilani Highway, this one offers friendly service, a saline oceanfront pool, and affordable units—some with million-dollar views. You won't be charged for parking or local phone calls, and most of the individually owned one- and two-bedroom units have been renovated to include flat-screen TVs and granite countertops in the kitchens. The interiors tend to be charming "old Hawaii" (lots of rattan furniture, silk flowers, and decorative items). This quiet older complex is a short stroll away from Honokowai's grocery store, beaches, and restaurants.

Budget-friendly rates and a central location amid the island's civic, transportation, and commercial hubs make this two-story bayfront hotel a solid choice. The rooms are basic, but it's an easy walk to malls, the University of Hawaii Maui College, a performing arts center, and restaurants.