Founder & certified Hawaii travel expert with 20+ years of experience in Hawaii tourism.
Five-Star Hawaii Hotels & Resorts
Hawaiian Luxury Accommodations
Hawaii offers the best surfing, the bluest water, the boldest rainbows, and incredible sunsets. It is far from a place to settle for anything but the best.
Mainlanders fleeing the harsher winter months and those just looking for a change of pace when the weather isn't a good enough excuse head to the Islands to experience what is truly a paradise in every sense. The Islands themselves are steeped in natural beauty and rarely disappoint in their role as hosts. But what about accommodations? Isn’t it fair to hold your hotel to the same standards?
With these high standards in mind, we're reviewing Hawaii's top five luxury hotels.
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Our Top 5 Statewide Hawaii Picks
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Big Island
You expect certain things from a Four Seasons hotel: Outstanding service, top-notch food, and a constant feeling that you're flirting with going over the top in your desire for a luxurious stay. The Four Seasons Hualalai does all that and then goes into territory that few hotels worldwide can follow. Follow the path from your bungalow-style room through the perfectly landscaped but distinctly Hawaiian grounds to one of the hotel's seven pools. Our favorite pool is "King's Pond," where guests can snorkel with tropical fish and an eagle ray and then hop out and drink a piña colada while the sun sets. Ideal is the word.
Hotel Wailea, Maui
It feels wrong to put Hotel Wailea in second place, but we committed to a numbered list. This hotel takes our vote for the most romantic Hawaiian hotel with 72 private one-bedroom suites spread across 15 acres overlooking the ocean. You can pick native fruit in the hotel's orchard or ride along the coast in a 1957 Porsche Speedster. And if you're looking for a day at the beach (that phrase makes a day at Wailea Beach sound regular, but trust that it's far from that), valet drivers will be happy to take you down the hill and pick you back up when you decide to call it a day. For couples looking to get away, it doesn't get much better.
1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, Kauai
We must start with the view: You may never leave if you wake up and look out over Hanalei Bay. Located on Kauai’s North Shore, the surrounding area is more rugged than you would typically find at other five-star Hawaiian resorts, making it all the more striking. There’s a world-class golf course, incredible food (of course), and suites with personal butler service. Head down to the beach and get your cabana, or stay on the deck and enjoy the view. Either way, we’re pretty sure you’ll be quite comfortable.
Grand Wailea Resort, Maui
We admit a slight bias to Wailea Beach. The Grand Wailea is the best Hawaiian luxury resort for the entire family. While the kids go for their thousandth run on the waterslide, you can do yoga on the beach or take in the view from your room's balcony. We should mention that the luxury style here is flashier than the more conservative St. Regis. Waterfalls meet you at the entrance, volcanoes explode in the pool, and the world's first water elevator (Hint: It's as amazing as it sounds). When it comes to a luxury Hawaii vacation where the kids can let loose and not worry about a dress code, the Grand Wailea is the best choice.
Halekulani, Oahu
We've reserved this spot for Halekulani and the Hawaii-goers who want to explore Honolulu and balance the getaway with some nightlife. Once again, the views are incredible. From your suite, you can stretch out, admire the sunset, and then watch the lights along the coast come on as the sun disappears. Spend the day on Waikiki Beach, then hit the city for a night out. Make sure you grab a Mai Tai at the bar, as well. The recipe returns to the hotel’s opening and has developed a bit of fame on its own.
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