When you dream of paradise, Hawaii probably tops the list. It’s not just the beaches—it’s the vibe, the people, and, honestly, the best hotels in Hawaii that can turn a simple trip into an unforgettable escape.
From Maui’s golden sands to the buzz of Waikiki, each island brings something different. Whether you crave oceanfront suites, world-class spas, or a taste of authentic Hawaiian culture, there’s a spot here for you.
I’ve spent hours digging into Hawaii’s top hotels—looking at service, location, and those little extras that make a place special. The best hotels in Hawaii blend luxury with true island hospitality.
You’ll find everything from exclusive Maui escapes to iconic Oahu beachfronts. Each one offers something unique, whether you’re with family, friends, or traveling solo.
Ho Olei at Grand Wailea
Ho Olei at Grand Wailea easily lands among the best hotels in Hawaii, especially if you’re after space and privacy. I honestly think it’s one of Maui’s top five-star resorts.
Each villa averages a whopping 3,500 square feet. You’ll get a full kitchen, walk-in closets, a private balcony, and even an elevator in some units.
Location & Access
- Wailea, Maui’s sunny south shore
- Just 30 minutes from Kahului Airport
- Directly connected to Grand Wailea resort
The amenities here really stand out. You’ve got championship golf courses nearby and tennis courts right on property.
Water sports are just steps away on the beach. For a quick bite, the Wailea Surf Haus serves up casual eats and drinks, while the beach bar is perfect when you want something fast.
A complimentary shuttle zips between the resort and Wailea Beach. The fitness center feels modern and includes saunas and full locker rooms.
Guest Reviews
TripAdvisor puts this property near the top for Wailea hotels. Most guests rave about the spacious villas and how family-friendly the layout feels.
Key Features:
- Villa Size: 3,500 sq ft average
- Check-in: After 4:00 PM
- Check-out: Before 11:00 AM
- Opened: 2007
- Pet Policy: No pets allowed
This place is ideal for families or groups who want room to spread out but still want luxury. Each villa really feels like a home—just with hotel perks.
Check Rooms & Prices if you’re thinking about staying at one of the best hotels in Hawaii on Maui.
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea is legendary. It’s one of the best hotels in Hawaii for travelers who want beachfront luxury with a side of celebrity treatment.
This resort sits right on Wailea Beach, offering a mix of elegance and tropical beauty. The rooms—383 of them—are spacious and come with private lanais, so you can soak up the views.
What Makes It Special
- Location: Prime spot on Wailea Beach
- Rooms: Huge, with balconies and plush linens
- Pools: Three outdoor pools, including a waterslide
- Dining: Three restaurants, like Ferraro’s Bar E Ristorante
Every room has Egyptian cotton sheets, plasma TVs, and either ocean or garden views. You’ll find watersports gear for snorkeling and paddleboarding, plus a top-notch spa and fitness center.
Three bars offer everything from swim-up cocktails to poolside snacks. Families love the kids’ club and game room, which keeps everyone entertained.
Practical Information
- Check-in: 3:00 PM – midnight
- Check-out: Until noon
- Pets: Dogs allowed (extra fee)
- Breakfast: 6:00 AM – 11:30 AM (extra charge)
The Four Seasons even starred as the backdrop for HBO’s “The White Lotus.” As a result, it’s become a bucket-list hotel for fans of the show—and honestly, for anyone chasing the best hotels in Hawaii.
Check Rooms & Prices to see what all the hype is about.
Halekulani
Halekulani is classic Waikiki—timeless, elegant, and right on the sand. It’s a favorite among the best hotels in Hawaii for travelers who want understated luxury.
With 453 rooms and suites, all recently renovated, you get modern touches like LCD TVs, mini fridges, and balconies with ocean views. The marble bathrooms come with deep soaking tubs and fancy toiletries.
Dining and Amenities
Three restaurants—including the iconic House Without A Key—bring local flavors to your plate. There are two bars with ocean views, plus a poolside bar for those lazy afternoons.
The resort also offers a full-service spa, a gorgeous outdoor pool, and a well-equipped fitness center. Concierge services and 24-hour room service are on hand to make your stay easy.
- Spa with massages and treatments
- Outdoor pool
- Fitness center
- Concierge
- 24-hour room service
Location and Access
Halekulani sits right in the heart of Waikiki on Kalia Road. You can walk to the Royal Hawaiian Center or Waikiki Beach Walk in five minutes. International Market Place is only half a mile away.
Practical Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Check-in | 3:00 PM |
| Check-out | 12:00 PM |
| Front Desk | 24/7 |
| Parking | Available (fee applies) |
| Pets | Service animals only |
Airport shuttle service is available for a fee. WiFi comes free throughout the hotel, which is always a plus in my book.
Check Rooms & Prices if you want to stay at one of the best hotels in Hawaii’s most famous neighborhood.
Espacio the Jewel of Waikiki
If you’re looking for exclusivity, ESPACIO the Jewel of Waikiki is in a class of its own. It’s not just one of the best hotels in Hawaii—it’s one of the most exclusive.
This boutique property only has nine suites, each with 2,250 square feet and an entire floor to itself. Every suite features a full kitchen, private balcony, and outdoor hot tub, which is pretty rare even among luxury hotels.
Location Benefits:
- Right across from Waikiki Beach
- Walking distance to International Market Place
- Near Royal Hawaiian Center
Opened in 2019, ESPACIO delivers resort-style amenities like an outdoor pool, spa services, and sauna. Mugen restaurant, located on-site, boasts a Forbes Five-Star rating, and the hotel itself has earned the same.
I’m honestly blown away by the residential vibe of these suites. You get Smart TVs, rainfall showers, deep soaking tubs, and kitchens equipped with everything from ovens to oversized fridges.
The hotel offers 24-hour front desk service and free airport shuttle. Breakfast runs daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM, and it’s continental style.
Key Features:
- Private entry to each suite
- Concierge
- Express check-out
- Room service
Check-in starts at 4:00 PM, and checkout is by 11:00 AM. The main guest needs to be at least 21 years old.
Check Rooms & Prices if you want to see what makes this one of the best hotels in Hawaii for travelers who want total privacy and luxury.
Key Features of the Best Hotels in Hawaii
What really sets the best hotels in Hawaii apart? For starters, you’ll notice prime beachfront locations, world-class amenities, and dining experiences that actually celebrate local flavors.
Oceanfront Locations
The best hotels in Hawaii usually sit right on the beach or offer jaw-dropping ocean views from most rooms. In my experience, properties with private beach access are worth every penny.
Many resorts have multiple pools placed to maximize those ocean vistas. Infinity edges are common, blurring the line between pool and sea.
Prime beachfront benefits include:
- Direct access to swimming and watersports
- Sunset and sunrise views from your room
- Falling asleep to the sound of waves
- Easy access to snorkeling and surfing
Some Maui resorts sprawl over 75 acres of oceanfront land. As a result, guests get plenty of room to roam, all while enjoying that exclusive beach vibe.
Book Now to lock in your spot at one of the best hotels in Hawaii and wake up to those killer views.
Luxury Amenities at the Best Hotels in Hawaii
The best hotels in Hawaii set the bar high when it comes to luxury amenities. Guests can expect sophisticated suites that blend premium furnishings with spacious layouts.
Most rooms feature private balconies or lanais, offering either ocean or lush garden views. For many travelers, that first morning coffee on a quiet lanai is pure magic.
World-class spas are a signature of the best hotels in Hawaii. These spas blend traditional Hawaiian treatments with modern wellness services, so you get a bit of both worlds.
Essential luxury amenities include:
- Full-service spas with island-inspired treatments
- Multiple swimming pools and hot tubs
- 24-hour fitness centers and yoga classes
- Concierge services for activity planning
- Premium bedding and bathroom amenities
In addition, many resorts offer putting greens, scenic fitness trails, and cultural programming like lei-making or hula lessons. Pet-friendly policies are showing up more often these days, which is a relief for travelers who can’t leave their furry friends behind.
On-Site Dining Options at the Best Hotels in Hawaii
The best hotels in Hawaii don’t just deliver on rooms—they also shine with their dining options. Most properties feature several restaurants, each with its own vibe and cuisine.
For example, destination restaurants often bring in celebrity chefs who build menus around fresh, local ingredients. If you’re a foodie, you’ll probably want to try at least one of these spots.
Most of the best hotels in Hawaii offer casual beachside dining alongside upscale dinner experiences. Room service is usually available 24 hours at luxury resorts, which is a lifesaver after a long flight.
Top dining features include:
- Farm-to-table restaurants using local produce
- Oceanfront dining with sunset views
- Poolside bars and casual lunch spots
- Traditional Hawaiian luau experiences
- Wine cellars featuring Pacific Rim selections
Moreover, many hotels partner with local farmers and fishermen to source the freshest ingredients daily. As a result, the flavors are authentic and reflect Hawaii’s unique food culture in a way you just can’t fake.
Tips for Booking the Best Hotels in Hawaii
Hawaii hotel prices change based on the season, and booking early saves money while giving you better room choices. Families need different features than couples, so knowing what to look for helps you pick the right place.
Understanding Seasonal Pricing at the Best Hotels in Hawaii
Hawaii has two main seasons that affect hotel prices. Peak season runs from December through April, when mainland visitors escape winter weather and fill up the best hotels in Hawaii.
Prices jump 30-50% during these months. Summer months from June through August also see higher rates.
Families book trips during school breaks, which drives up demand. The best deals happen during shoulder seasons, so May and September through November offer lower prices and fewer crowds.
You can save $100-200 per night during these times. Holiday weeks cost the most, with Christmas, New Year’s, and Easter seeing prices triple at popular resorts.
Book these dates 6-12 months ahead or consider alternative weeks. Weather stays warm year-round, and although rain season runs October through March, showers are usually brief.
Booking in Advance for the Best Hotels in Hawaii
Book Hawaii hotels 3-6 months ahead for the best selection and prices. Popular beachfront properties fill up fast, especially during peak times.
Early booking gives you better room categories. Ocean view and oceanfront rooms go first, so don’t wait too long if you have your heart set on a particular view.
Ground floor lanai rooms are popular with families and book quickly. Many hotels offer early booking discounts, and these rates are often 15-25% lower than last-minute prices.
Some properties also include perks like free breakfast or resort credits. Use hotel websites directly for the best deals, as they often match third-party prices and add extra benefits.
Call the hotel to ask about unpublished rates or packages. [Check Rooms & Prices] at multiple properties before deciding, and compare total costs including resort fees and parking charges.
In the end, finding the best hotels in Hawaii is a bit of a journey, but it’s worth it for that first glimpse of the ocean from your balcony. Isn’t that what you came for?
Considerations for Families and Couples: Best Hotels in Hawaii
Families usually want different amenities than couples. For example, the best hotels in Hawaii often offer kids’ pools, game rooms, and family-friendly restaurants.
Suites with kitchenettes can help save money on meals. In addition, many parents appreciate having extra space and the option to prepare snacks.
Beach access matters a lot for families. The best hotels in Hawaii often sit right on the sand, making it easier when you’ve got small children in tow.
However, you should always check if the beach has calm water so kids can swim safely. Safety and convenience go hand in hand, after all.
Couples might want to focus on romantic features instead. For example, adult-only pools, spa services, and fine dining can create a more intimate experience.
Moreover, higher floors usually offer better views and less noise. That little bit of privacy can make a big difference.
Resort fees usually add $25-50 per night to your bill. These fees typically cover wifi, pool access, and other services.
Therefore, it’s smart to ask about fees when booking so you don’t get surprised at checkout. No one likes hidden costs, right?
Location affects your daily plans more than you might expect. For example, Waikiki offers walkable dining and shopping, while resort areas provide more privacy.
However, staying in a quieter area often means you’ll need a rental car to explore. Think about what matters most for your trip.