Hawaii Resorts
Six islands, and the resort you want depends entirely on which one you choose. The Big Island's Kohala coast has lava fields and the calmest water in the state. Maui splits between Wailea's big beachfront properties and the quieter north end at Kapalua. Lanai is effectively two hotels on an island most people never set foot on. Oahu has the only real city, and Kauai has the rain that keeps it green. We rank on beach access and whether the sand is sheltered, how a property handles the trade winds, the food beyond the buffet, and what the resort fee and parking add to a week. Ownership changes hands often here, so we say who runs each one now.
- 1
A crescent of Hawaiian-style bungalows on the Kohala Coast, designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill with Jack Nicklaus golf, cultural classes, and no crowds.
- 2
A Four Seasons oceanfront resort on Oahu's leeward coast at Ko Olina, surrounded by four man-made lagoons with calm, sheltered water and positioned away from Honolulu's crowds and city noise.
- 3
An oceanfront luxury resort on Maui's quieter north end, with two championship golf courses, a spa rooted in Hawaiian tradition, and direct access to a sheltered bay ideal for snorkeling and swimming.
- 4
Intimate 81-acre oceanfront village on the Kohala Coast that reopened in 2023 after twelve years closed, with thatched hales, a cultural center, and beach access that feels genuinely private.
- 5
Modernist landmark on Hawaii's most famous golden crescent beach, designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, no resort fee, and newly renovated with an adults-only infinity pool and upgraded spa.
- 6
A century-old Waikiki institution known for refined service, zero resort fees, and direct access to Waikiki Beach with a rigorous design aesthetic.
- 7
Hawaii's only Relais and Chateaux property and an adults-only retreat on Maui's southern coast, with 72 suites, three chef-driven restaurants, and a reputation for intimate, personalized service at luxury scale.
- 8
A Waldorf Astoria property on Maui's southern coast with a Nobu restaurant, multiple pools, and championship-level spa facilities, designed for guests who want their luxury resort all-inclusive with amenities and scale.
- 9
An oceanfront collection of private residences and vacation rooms within the 450-acre Hōkūala resort community on Kauai's south shore, combining resort amenities with residential ownership and chef-driven farm-to-table dining.
- 10
A wellness-focused luxury resort on Kauai's North Shore at Hanalei Bay, emphasizing sustainability and all-around hospitality in an oceanfront setting known for calm summer waters and dramatic coastal scenery.
- 11
An intentionally isolated East Maui retreat without TVs, strong connectivity, or structured activities, built around connection to the landscape and silence.
- 12
A large-scale oceanfront resort on Kauai's south shore at Poipu, operated by Hyatt with a full spa, multiple pools, and access to one of Kauai's warmest, most reliably calm beach zones.
- 13
An Oahu beachfront resort in an exclusive residential neighborhood, known for its secluded sand and a private dolphin lagoon where guests see mammals in natural behavior.
- 14
A modern, adults-preferred resort on Maui's south shore with an emphasis on design, local culture, and innovative cuisine in the quieter Wailea area.