The world has no shortage of beautiful places, but for many travelers, nowhere rivals Hawaii. It’s easy to see why: a six-hour flight from the west coast of the United States delivers you to a tropical Eden where emerald-green landscapes spread across eight main islands converge with dramatic volcanic peaks, shimmering turquoise waters, and wide, powdery beaches that invite hours of relaxation (and, depending on the season, endless entertainment in the form of migrating whales). Yet, the islands are more than their natural beauty. The preservation of Hawaii’s deep traditions and rich cultural practices is thanks to the Native Hawaiian community, which actively safeguards this knowledge and shares it generously with the millions who touch down each year.
Vogue’s Guide to the Best Hotels in Hawaii
- For a World-Class Wellness Break: Sensei Lānaʻi, A Four Seasons Resort
- For an Adults-Only Option: Hotel Wailea
- For a Beachfront Retreat Once Beloved by Steve Jobs: Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort
- For a Soulful, Budget-Friendly B&B: Historic Wailuku Inn
- For a Family-Forward Resort Minutes from the Airport: Timbers Kauaʻi
- For Longer Stays: Montage Kapalua Bay
Hawaii will always be my personal definition of paradise: I’ve been to the state more than 20 times, crisscrossing the archipelago in search of its lesser-known corners and staying at some of its most luxurious hotels—from the beloved Turtle Bay Resort on Oʻahu to the grand Spanish-style Fairmont Kea Lani on Maui. Beyond being fabulous places to spend the night, these legendary hotels bring Hawaii’s otherworldly landscapes, distinctive culture, and vibrant gastronomy into greater focus, helping travelers connect with a place that, while American, has an identity entirely its own.
Several of the best Hawaiian hotels are newcomers to the scene: places like the Four Seasons’ wellness-centric hideaway on Lānaʻi or Rosewood’s revamp of the iconic Kona Village. But most are classic hideaways that see the same loyal guests and families return year after year, proving just how powerful the spirit of aloha can be in beckoning travelers back.
Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort
Opened in 1965, the original Kona Village was widely considered the platonic ideal of a Polynesian resort—a relaxed, tropical escape that stitched together black lava fields, wildlife-rich lagoons, and a stunning swimmable beach. Its air of laidback luxury attracted VIPs like Steve Jobs, who loved it so much he even abided by its tech-free policy. In 2023, 12 years after tsunami damage forced its closure, Rosewood Hotels Resorts took the reins, working with San Francisco-based interiors firm NicoleHollis to reimagine the reborn 81-acre resort, now comprising 150 solar-powered hale (freestanding bungalows) done up in woven palm and carved wood accents, black stone surfaces, and nautical touches in homage to the fishing village of Kaʻūpūlehu that once occupied the site. Loyal guests say it’s never been better; some return visitors book years in advance to secure their favorite hale and a coveted perch at the old Shipwreck Bar, the open-air watering hole fashioned from the original owner’s schooner. Just when you think it couldn’t get any better, there’s the sublime Asaya Spa, embedded into the lava fields with views of the Hualalai volcano in the distance, offering Dr. Barbara Sturm facial treatments and Hawaiian healing rituals combining Taurami energy points and Pōhaku lava stone.
- Amenities: Restaurants, bars, gym, cultural center, in-room dining, butler service, pools, tennis/pickleball courts, children’s club
- Bonus Tip: From outrigger canoe excursions and petroglyph tours to beginner’s hula and ukulele classes, the resort offers a vibrant range of programming that will lure you away from your beach chair.
- Address: 72-300 Maheawalu Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Fairmont Kea Lani
Tucked on the quiet southern end of Wailea fronting the pristine Polo Beach, the Fairmont Kea Lani rises like a whitewashed, Spanish-style palace from within a dense canopy of towering Norfolk pines. Its newly renovated lobby creates an instant feeling of aloha: Domed ceilings look up toward the bluebird skies, vaulted archways reveal breathtaking ocean vistas, and trickling water features lend a Zen soundscape. Dreamed up by Mexican architect Jose Luis Ezquerra, who specialized in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean design, the 35-year-old property still feels unmistakably Hawaiian. This is especially true following the resort’s recent glow-up, which touched not just the lobby but also the restaurants, the reimagined suites and villas, and a brand-new Hawaiian cultural center dedicated to sharing ‘ike (knowledge) and mo’oleo (stories) through cultural activities and programming. Expect sunrise chants, makahiki ceremonies, and voluntourism opportunities such as reef and beach clean-ups.
Rise early to walk the manicured coastal paths that lace by the property before participating in a vinyasa flow or core workout; after, stretch out at the resort’s pristine beach or hit the spa to indulge in a holistic ‘Awa Remedy combining a citrus sugar exfoliation, an ‘awa (kava) and aloe body mask, and a full-body massage using Maui vanilla bean dry oil. The property’s new Pilina bar and lounge serves cocktails crafted from local spirits and an interactive “hot rock” culinary experience spotlighting Hawaiian ahi and Maui venison, among other cuts.
- Amenities: Restaurants, bars, pools, spa, gym, room service, shops, golf and tennis courts, cultural center
- Bonus Tip: Be sure to make dinner reservations at Kō, where Hawaiian chef Matt de la Cruz serves dishes inspired by the diverse cultures (Hawaiian, Chinese, Filipino, Portuguese, Korean, and Japanese) that shaped Maui’s plantation era.
- Address: 4100 Wailea Alanui Dr, Wailea-Makena, HI 96753
Sensei Lānaʻi, A Four Seasons Resort
In 2012, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison acquired 98% of Lānaʻi, a rural island off Maui known for its rural, upcountry vibe (there’s only about 30 miles of paved roads) and its two Four Seasons–operated hotels: the 213-room Four Seasons Lānaʻi and the 96-room, wellness-focused Sensei Lānaʻi. The latter, created in partnership with Ellison’s own hospitality brand, Sensei, is powered by the cutting-edge research of renowned oncologist and professor Dr. David Agus, whose philosophy centers on three pillars: Move, Rest, and Nourish. Surrounded by pine-covered mountains and blending Hawaiian and Japanese design influences, this adults-only retreat is conceived as a distraction-free sanctuary—a place to disappear for a few days and focus wholly on your health. “Where many resorts in Hawaii lean into beach fun or luxury indulgence, Sensei Lana’i positions itself as a deliberate ‘reset’ destination; which is exactly what I was seeking as part of a multi-stop itinerary on the islands,” says executive fashion director Lisa Aiken. “The inland retreat, surrounded by tropical gardens and forested ridges, is the most memorable wellness escape I have experienced—with an entirely non-intimidating and highly personalized approach to guided movement, mindfulness, and restorative spa treatments.”
The experience begins with a biomarker session, a body-composition analysis, and a one-on-one consultation with a nutritionist. Additional tech-driven assessments may follow, from thermal body scans to pinpoint inflammation to HRV monitoring for a closer look into a guest’s physiological state. “The consultation took place in one of the privates hales, and was followed up by a massage targeting the inflammation, and a soak in the private onsen pool,” shopping director Talia Abbas explains. “I’ve never felt more relaxed.” The “Move” component can take many forms: horseback riding through cook-pine forests, aerial yoga, tackling obstacles in the outdoor adventure park, or simply wandering the resort’s vast sculpture garden, dotted with large-scale works by artists like Fernando Botero and Jaume Plensa. Yet for many guests, the highlight is the spa. Ten standalone spa hales are each outfitted with ofuro soaking tubs, infrared saunas, and outdoor onsen pools—inviting hours of relaxation post-treatment day and night.
“Not only did I feel the most relaxed I have in years, I also actually learned techniques and routines I have implemented since getting home. The property and expansive gardens add to the sense of calm,” continues Aiken. “Time slows as you stroll through quiet garden paths and dip into onsen pools.”
- Amenities: Restaurant, bar, gym, pool, spa, room service, outdoor onsen baths
- Bonus Tip: Meals are balanced, nourishing, and conceived by world-renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa using locally grown ingredients—and yes, you can absolutely order a cocktail or glass of wine with dinner. For added variety, guests can hop over to the nearby Four Seasons Resort Lānaʻi—Abbas recommends the fish tacos for lunch by the beach followed by a sunset sail to catch the spinner dolphins rollicking in the surf.
- Address: 1 Keomoku Highway, Lanai City, HI 96763
Historic Wailuku Inn
While Maui has no shortage of sprawling beachfront resorts, it’s not always easy to find quaint B&B’s that offer style and service on a smaller scale. Enter the Historic Wailuku Inn, a soulful century-old home originally built in 1924 by well-heeled Maui banker Charles Dexter Lufkin as a wedding present for his son and daughter-in-law. The property, which is listed as a protected building by the Hawaii Historic Preservation Division, puts guests within strolling distance of the locally owned boutiques and art galleries in Historic Downtown Wailuku (which also serves as a popular jumping-off point for exploring the sacred ʻĪao Valley State Park). A renovation that concluded in winter 2024 brought new grandeur to the property’s crown moldings, antique furnishings, native Hawaiian hardwood floors and cabinetry while modernizing the 10 suites, where botanical wallpaper and jewel-toned furnishings evoke the lush gardens surrounding the home.
- Amenities: Parking, complimentary breakfast
- Bonus Tip: Guests rave about the daily breakfast, which might include fresh papaya and mango, macadamia nut-topped banana pancakes, and Belgian waffles with pineapple-infused caramel sauce (the menu is seasonal and changes regularly).
- Address: 2199 Kahookele St, Wailuku, HI 96793
The Ritz-Carlton O ahu, Turtle Bay
Far from the sunbathing crowds of Waikiki, Ritz-Carlton’s reimagined Turtle Bay Resort on Oʻahu’s verdant North Shore offers that rare combination of full resort amenities and access to quiet beaches, secluded nature trails, and surfer-favorite breaks. It still channels the same breezy, barefoot energy as its earlier incarnation—which was immortalized in the film “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”—but the 2023 renovation feels markedly more sophisticated. Interior designer Dianna Wong opened up the spaces with expansive windows and collaborated with Hawaiian artists and craftspeople to infuse the rooms and common areas with warmth and personality.
The most sought-after accommodations are the oceanfront bungalows, each with a private pool, lawn with loungers and hammocks, and a front porch that spills directly onto its own slice of sand. A private butler can arrange complimentary activities such as a tour of the hotel’s 25-acre Kuilima Farm, which grows native crops like ‘ulu (breadfruit), liliko‘i (passionfruit), and kalo (taro) for the resort’s restaurants—as well as healing herbs like māmaki for the spa. The 450-room resort is an excellent pick for families: while there’s no dedicated kids’ club, there are flexible room configurations for larger groups, a full roster of family-friendly activities including beginner surf lessons with the hotel’s instructor and his surfing dog, and access to four pools and a whopping seven beaches.
- Amenities: Restaurants, bars, pools, spa, gym, horse stables, farm
- Bonus Tip: It’s worth splurging on a room with outdoor space—particularly one with sea views—to glimpse the property’s 70+ bird species and protected animals up close, like Hawaiian monk seals and green sea turtles.
- Address: 57-091 Kamehameha Hwy, Kahuku, HI 96731
Timbers Kauaʻi
Kauaʻi is known as Hawaii’s Garden Isle for its rugged, almost otherworldly landscapes straight out of “Jurassic Park” (but really: Several scenes from the original trilogy were filmed here). And yet, connecting with the island’s wild side doesn’t require venturing far off the visitor trail. Case in point: Timbers Kauaʻi, set on 450 acres of oceanfront land just minutes from Lihue, the island’s second-largest town and the home of its commercial airport. When the team behind Timbers Resorts—the owners of Casali di Casole in Tuscany and The Sebastian in Vail—arrived in 2014, they saw promise in what was then an abandoned golf course. Their vision became Hōkūala, a sweeping community threaded with 13 miles of nature trails, a Jack Nicklaus–designed golf course, lagoons, an organic farm, tennis and pickleball courts, and, of course, the resort.
Unsurprisingly, it’s a top pick for active families, many of whom stay in the three-bedroom Lāola Nani Townhomes, complete with private pools, chef-grade kitchens with fully stocked fridges, and spacious lanais with BBQs for easy in-suite entertaining. A round-the-clock concierge can arrange island adventures for all ages—from leho shell-making workshops to helicopter flights over the Nāpali Coast, UTV tours through Kipu Ranch’s 3,000 acres, or kayaking through the property’s network of lagoons. The resort’s 16.5-acre Hōkūala Farm grows tropical fruits, vegetables, and traditional canoe plants like kalo, noni, and breadfruit. Visitors can tour the farm to learn about organic agricultural practices, then sample the harvest at the on-property restaurant, Hualani’s.
- Amenities: Restaurant, bar, pools, gym, in-suite spa services, golf course, kids club, tennis and pickleball courts, room service, organic farm
- Bonus Tip: While the property is oceanfront, accessing the beach requires a 7-minute stroll down to the water’s edge.
- Address: 3770 Ala’oli Way, Lihue, HI 96766
Hotel Wailea
Maui’s upscale resort community of Wailea is one of the most covetable zip codes in all of Hawaii, home to family-friendly beachfront resorts by the likes of Four Seasons, Andaz, and Fairmont. But adults-only bliss can still be found farther up Wailea’s verdant green slopes at this boutique Relais Châteaux hotel—one of the few independently owned hotels in the area. A former Japanese member’s club, the serene property takes residence inside 18 buildings spread across 15 tropical acres, with sweeping views of the Lanai, Moloka i and Kaho‘olawe islands in the distance. Dining is a highlight: at the main restaurant, chef Ryan Cruz serves three-course prix fixe menus incorporating Hawaiian-inflected dishes like ‘ulu gnocchi or hamachi crudo with liliko’i, paired with one of the largest wine selections in the state. Meanwhile, the Birdcage lobby lounge serves handrolls and inventive cocktails. During the day, stretch out on a poolside cabana, get your workout in at the stunning open-air fitness studio, or inquire about excursions like a luxe beach picnic or a complimentary ride to the luxury boutiques at the nearby Shops at Wailea.
- Amenities: Restaurants, bars, pool, room service, gym, in-suite spa treatments
- Bonus Tip: Hotel Wailea is geared towards couples as is, but for one of the island’s most romantic experiences, follow the lanterns all the way to the treehouse for a seven-course dinner amid a canopy of avocado and mango trees.
- Address: 555 Kaukahi Street, Kihei, Maui, Hawaii 96753
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
It’s impossible to talk about this iconic beachfront resort in Maui’s Wailea community without acknowledging its breakout role in season one of The White Lotus. But as Aiken—who also stayed at this Four Seasons outpost—recently discovered, the 380-room hotel has far more range than its on-screen persona suggests: “The property is so expansive that every day can be different,” she says. She recommends easing into island life on the resort’s pristine stretch of sand, staking out a sun lounger at the adults-only pool, and discovering the restaurants and boutiques of the nearby Shops of Wailea. Go a little off the beaten path with a detour along the island’s legendary Road to Hana—a serpentine, 64-mile route that ribbons past waterfalls, rainforest, and black-sand beaches. Still, the resort makes it tempting to stay put. You could lose an entire day at the spa, moving from classic lomi lomi massages to more futuristic offerings like stem-cell and exosome therapies, or even a transit chart reading with the property’s famed in-house astrologer. “Evenings are lively, with a buzzy, recently renovated cocktail lounge and numerous exceptional dining experiences,” continues Aiken—KOMO, which serves up hand rolls crafted by Tokyo-born chef Kiyo Ikeda, was her personal favorite.
- Amenities: Restaurants, bars, pools, spa, gym, room service
- Editor’s Tip: Forgot your cover-up at home? Shop resortwear by Ulla Johnson, Missoni, Loeffler Randall and Eres at the string of terrific on-site boutiques. The property also hosts a beloved open-air weekly market, bringing together local vendors and artists.
- Address: 3900 Wailea Alanui Dr, Kihei, HI 96753
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
For a Four Seasons retreat offering more castaway seclusion and paparazzi-free panoramas, there’s the brand’s lush, hibiscus- and plumeria-scented hideaway on the western side of the Big Island. Spread across 865 palm-studded acres fronting the kind of wild, undeveloped beach that’s worthy of a screensaver backdrop, the rambling property offers families and active travelers their choice of eight swimming pools, an award-winning 18-hole golf course and seven-court tennis club, and an endless array of watersports like snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, and outrigger canoe excursions.
Relaxation-seekers will find there are still plenty of quiet, intimate corners to retreat to: Follow the resort’s labyrinthine network of manicured, flower-lined pathways that wind toward the expansive suites, villas, and guest rooms, all of which have private lanais or balconies. Kickstart your day with a cup of locally roasted coffee, a smoothie, and a breakfast burrito at the trading-post style café; for dinner, standout options include the beachfront ‘Ulu, where 75% of the kitchen’s ingredients are sourced from 160 Hawaiian farms, or the new omakase menu at Noio, with signature dishes including the shore salad (blue ocean seaweed, sea grapes, sesame kombu dust, ponzu) or the Hamachi tartare with puff rice furikake.
- Amenities: Restaurants, bars, spa, pools, children’s club, gym, golf course, tennis and pickleball courts, in-room dining, butler service, cultural center
- Bonus Tip: The 28,000-square-foot Hualalai Spa features open-air treatment rooms and dozens of different styles of massage, plus “energy” medicine like cupping, reiki, and acupuncture. Guests can even visit a sandalwood forest on the slopes of Mauna Loa before returning to the spa for an immersive sound bath and body cocoon that incorporates the fragrant oil.
- Address: 72-100 Ka upulehu Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Halekulani
It’s not easy to conjure an atmosphere of calm and seclusion on Waikiki Beach, but Halekulani pulls it off with island style. Dating to 1917, the five-acre oceanfront icon (whose name translates to “house befitting heaven”) has welcomed royalty, presidents, and various celebrities over the decades. Today, it continues to shine thanks to thoughtful renovations (including a newly refreshed Japanese-style spa) and a longstanding commitment to community initiatives—for example, the hotel recently played a starring role in the 45th Hawai‘i International Film Festival.
The heart of the 453-room property is its show-stopping pool, lined with imported glass-mosaic tiles said to sparkle so brightly you can spot them from the sky. Most guests, though, find their gaze fixed on the shimmering Pacific and the silhouette of Diamond Head in the distance. Sunday brunch at Orchids is an island favorite (don’t miss the gluttonous coconut cake) and the oceanfront House Without a Key hosts nightly live music beneath a century-old kiawe tree. For many, the crowning experience is a meal at La Mer, the hotel’s refined French restaurant, which is widely considered one of the most romantic tables on O‘ahu.
- Amenities: Restaurants, bars, pool, spa, gym, room service
- Bonus Tip: Guests enjoy complimentary access to some of the island’s top cultural landmarks, including Bishop Museum, the Honolulu Museum of Art, Manoa Heritage Center, and ‘Iolani Palace. The property can also coordinate guided tours of the island’s iconic Liljestrand House, a dramatic hilltop home designed by the father of Hawaiian modernism.
- Address: 2199 Kālia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815
1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
Paradise is within reach at this beachfront resort overlooking Kauaʻi’s famed Hanalei Bay. Complementing the spectacular setting is 1 Hotel’s trademark serene, green-filled common spaces and rooms, where potted plants hang in woven baskets, ceilings are lined with reclaimed teak, and dried grass skirts and conch shells create an undeniable sense of place. With direct access to the beach—and a beloved surf break just a few breaststrokes from shore—the 252-room resort draws outdoorsy travelers. Yet it’s just as appealing to guests seeking deep restoration, thanks to its world-class Bamford Wellness Spa. Treatments extend well beyond classic coconut-oil massages into more biohacking-adjacent territory, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, Somadome meditation pods, cryotherapy chambers, and zero-gravity ocean float rooms designed to melt stress and reset the nervous system. Wellness credentials continue with a 10,000-square-foot gym outfitted with Pelotons, sleds, and a full roster of daily classes. Fuel up on fresh smoothies or supershroom lattes at Neighbors Café, or opt for a colorful, protein-forward salad at the signature 1 Restaurant—just be sure to save room for dinner at scenic, dressy Welina, where Japanese-inspired share plates are served with a side of ocean views.
- Amenities: Restaurants, bars, pools, gym, spa, kids club, shops, room service
- Bonus Tip: While it’s tempting to linger at the resort, there’s far too much to experience nearby to stay put. Wander through the boutiques and cafés in Hanalei and Kilauea, then make your way to Hā‘ena State Park to explore the legendary Nāpali Coast trail.
- Address: 5520 Ka Haku Rd, Princeville, HI 96722
Montage Kapalua Bay
Located on the far northern tip of Maui’s west shore, Kapalua was once home to the country’s largest pineapple growing operation. Today, it’s evolved into one of the island’s most sought-after resort communities, brimming with championship golf courses, upscale shops, and high-end resorts—the most luxurious of which is the Montage Kapalua Bay, which offers 70 residential-style accommodations conceived by the fifth-generation descendant of the pineapple plantation.
Boutique in room count but expansive in footprint, the 24-acre property unfolds across two golf courses, a nature reserve, and a protected marine sanctuary flush with sea turtles, white-tip reef sharks, and eagle rays. Its wealth of on-property amenities and residential-style accommodations—complete with full kitchens, marble bathrooms, and private lanais—make the Montage a favorite for families, groups, and anyone looking to stay a while. To that end, guests can swing by the on-property Mahana Market to stock up on provisions like organic produce, ice cream, and wine and spirits to enjoy back in their suites; still, it’s worth checking out the property’s range of stand-out restaurants and bars, such as the stunning open-air Cane and Canoe or the Champagne Hale cliffside bar serving Veuve Clicquot and a menu of lobster rolls, oysters, and artisanal cheese. And no stay is complete without a visit to the 40,000-square-foot spa for treatments like a body scrub infused with tropical fruit enzymes and Maui-grown liliko‘i.
- Amenities: Restaurants, bars, spa, gym, kids club, golf courses, shops, pools
- Bonus Tip: This side of Maui gets a bit more wind and rain, but with fewer resorts and developments, it has a relaxed, refined feel.
- Address: 1 Bay Drive, Lahaina, Hawaii 96761