The Best Hotels in Hawaii Are Dreamy Inside and Out
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Courtesy of the Grand Wailea
Leave your winter doldrums at home by saying “Aloha!” to the best hotels in Hawaii for a beach getaway. Pretty much everywhere you choose to stay on the islands, there’s a desktop-worthy view waiting to greet you as a backdrop. But your beachside lodgings themselves can vary quite a bit, so we did the due diligence of digging up some of the most aesthetically pleasing places—inside and out—to post up on your stay. From impeccable architecture to swanky interiors to carefully curated decor (and, of course, private cabanas), these nine gorgeous properties rival the surrounding landscape for sheer visual appeal.
And with first-in-class service and posh amenities, these elevated Hawaiian hot spots will help you dodge winter’s chill and make the most of your New Year’s resolutions to relax more, sleep better, and live in the moment (you’re on island time now, after all). Below, some of our favorite hotels in Hawaii for soaking in some vitamin D and interiors inspiration.
Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort
Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort
Courtesy of Andaz MauiAndaz Maui at Wailea Resort radiates luxury at every turn, delivering world-class accommodations and outstanding service. Situated on 15 lush acres along Mōkapu Beach, this resort features 320 guest rooms, including 35 suites and 30 luxurious villas. Guests can enjoy five stunning ocean-facing pools, including an adults-only infinity pool; a 24/7 fitness center featuring Peloton bikes, TechnoGym equipment, free weights and a smith machine, and a serene salon and spa for moments of true relaxation. With four exceptional on-site dining options, including the farm-to-table Ka’ana Kitchen, you’re guaranteed to indulge in seasonal and locally sourced ingredients honoring the rich traditions of Hawaii. Rates start at $800/night.
'Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach
Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach
Courtesy of Alohilani Resort Waikiki BeachFollowing a $125-million redevelopment in 2018 and a facelift courtesy of award-winning architecture and design firm Rockwell Group, the 'Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach in Honolulu opened with 839 guest rooms and suites that reflect the tranquil setting and natural beauty of its Oahu surroundings. Each one comes furnished with balconies that offer gob-smacking views of the city, the Pacific Ocean, or the famed volcanic cone Diamond Head. Perks include a heated salt water infinity pool; two rooftop tennis courts; and a three-story saltwater aquarium in the hotel lobby that houses 1,000 indigenous sea creatures. Among the seven eateries on-site, the buzziest are the Morimoto Asia Waikiki and Momosan Waikiki—run by iconic iron chef Masaharu Morimoto. In an effort to restore its lush surroundings, the hotel also charges a resort fee of $5 per stay to donate to Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative, a nonprofit that plants indigenous trees across Hawaii. Rates start at $424/night.
Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani
This 288-room Honolulu oasis has managed to attract as many visitors from faraway places as it has locals. Though Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani features all of the luxe amenities expected of a AAA Four Diamond property, it also boasts a famed bakery and restaurant whose artisanal loaves of bread and decadent pastries where carb-loading is encouraged. Other highlights include the Urban Escape, a deck on the eighth floor where guests can dive into an infinity pool, hole up in a collection of private cabanas, and sip a tropical libation in a stylish bar. Rates start at $423/night.
Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
From the original outpost in New York to a dreamy offshoot in Amsterdam, the Waldorf Astoria has set the bar quite high for lavish accomodations, and the Wailea resort—on 40 lush acres—is hardly an exception. Notably, it features a 2,000-foot-long pool surrounded by Greek-inspired tented cabanas and seemingly limitless adjustable chaise longues. Plus, the private villas are next-level extravagant. The oceanfront Ho’olei villas, for instance, boast panoramic ocean views in all three bedrooms, a luxury kitchen, and three and a half bathrooms. There’s even a private lanai fitted with a grill. Rates start at $890/night.
Four Seasons Resort Hualālai
Idyllic waterfront retreats are getting a run for their money at the Four Seasons Resort Hualālai on the overwhelmingly blue Kona-Kohala coast. The stately 249-room hotel may sit on 865 acres of white-sand beaches and black-lava landscapes, but the pièce de résistance is easily King’s Pond, Hualālai’s iconic 1.8-million-gallon swimmable aquarium. The pond’s dramatic refresh includes an elevated swimming pool, lounge deck, and Kumu Kai Marine Center, where on-site marine biologists’ interactive programming will most definitely keep guests busy for the duration of their stay. Otherwise, spend a day working on your swing at the Hualālai Golf Hale or unwinding in one of the glossy wooden outdoor spa hales nestled within the resort’s tropical gardens. There is basically no way to go wrong at this luxurious choose-your-own-adventure resort. Rates start at $1,340/night.
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
The 383-room Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea completely elevates the concept of open-air beachfront resorts. No detail has gone overlooked—take, for one, the beautiful bushels of sweetly fragrant plumeria flowers flanking the adults-only infinity pool. There are also three delectable chef-driven dining concepts on the property: the sophisticated Ferraro’s Bar e Ristorante serving inspired Italian dishes, chef Wolfgang Puck’s famed Spago Maui, and the casual open-air Duo Steak and Seafood, which features an award-winning wine program. Rates start at $895/night.
Fairmont Orchid
Situated on 32 truly pristine oceanfront acres along the black-lava Kohala coast of Hawaii Island, the Fairmont Orchid has made a concerted effort to stay in lockstep with local culture. Upon walking through the heavy glass doors, guests are serenaded with traditional Hawaiian music, and the resort also hires expert cultural ambassadors who can teach Hala frond weaving, lei making, and net throwing or show you the best spots for stargazing and hikes to ancient petroglyphs.
Despite its sprawling size, the Fairmont Orchid maintains a relaxed, charming atmosphere. And with three bars and six eateries on the property—including a fine dining venue, a take on a traditional northern Japanese grill, and a casual thatched-roof hut—you’ll never have to wonder too far off the property for grub. Rates start at $866/night.
The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort
On the island of Hawaii, The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort and its Arnold Palmer–designed 18-hole golf course, sit along the shores of its namesake beach, Hapuna Bay. Though Hawaii’s Big Island may be the most popular tourist destination, this resort has a special draw: It features a 249-room hotel and a collection of one- to four-bedroom residences that range from 670 to 3,500 square feet. Guests opting out of a traditional resort stay in favor of the Mauna Kea Residences still get to enjoy every amenity available to hotel guests, including the 6,800-square-foot freeform pool, adult-only infinity pool, indulgent menus at the three restaurants (plus the Piko Coffee+Bar), fitness studio, and spa, to name a few. To appeal to locals, this hotel that’s part of the Marriott portfolio offers a special room rate to Hawaii residents. Rates start at $767/night.
Montage Kapalua Bay
From the Montage’s Deer Valley, Utah, lodge-inspired hotel atop a steep mountain to their picturesque locale in Palmetto Bluff, South Carolina, where Southern hospitality reigns, this brand’s line of sprawling resorts knows no bounds when it comes to luxury. Such is certainly the case at Montage Kapalua Bay. Most resorts tend to feel a bit grand, but the Montage’s Maui outpost has a more intimate vibe with its 50-plus residential-style lodgings (some of which are privately-owned Montage residences).
“Each apartment is huge,” says luxury travel advisor Cali Stein, a director at Four Hundred Advisor Network, of the Montage Kapalua Bay. “The three-bedroom product is perfect for families and even groups of friends. They are so spacious that you never have to even leave the apartment. But you should, because they have a beautiful and intimate luau with no more than six tables of guests. The dancers invite you up to dance with them for a really one-on-one experience.”
Though there are three restaurants and bars on-site, the Montage Kapalua Bay really excels at private dining: Guests are treated to an extravagant, personalized culinary experience with bespoke dishes and wine pairings. Rates start at $1,500/night.
Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
