10 Resorts in Hawaii That Everyone Should Try

Planning a vacation to Hawaii? There’s a reason why it’s such a popular vacation destination.

Each island has its unique beauty – lush green mountain tops, oceanfront views, and volcanos. The culture is fascinating, the food is delicious, the weather is great, and the shopping scene is bustling.

Now to pick somewhere to stay.

If you’re looking for the right place to lodge, look no further than this list. We’ll break down the best destinations in Hawaii. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly vacation or a romantic getaway, we have you covered.

Look them over and pick your favorite:

1. Fairmont Orchid Hawaii

Fairmont Orchid Hawaii hugs Kahala Coast on the Big Island. This stunning property offers a wide variety of activities. Guests can play volleyball in the sand, visit a golf course next door, rent a poolside or beachside cabana, or take a culture hike.

Their Spa Without Walls offers massages near waterfalls or in lush gardens. If you're feeling indoorsy, you can always head to one of their saunas or steam rooms. All of their 500 rooms have lanais (roofed porches) with an ocean view, marble tubs, and 42-inch flat-screen TVs.

Their Brown's Deli offers house-made pizza, salads, and sandwiches. And their Kahiki bar offers drinks just a few steps away from the ocean.

Location: 1 North Kaniku Drive, Kohala Coast, HI 96743

2. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

This ultimate resort sits on the Kona-Kohala coast and offers incredible luxury accommodations. Two-story bungalows with guest rooms are decorated with Hawaiian inspired art and decor. They offer rooms with beautiful views of the ocean and suites that have private outdoor showers.

Guests can take advantage of their concierge services, which can arrange an outing to explore Hawaii's volcanoes or a round of golf on the prestigious Hualalai Golf Course.

The Four Seasons Resort Hualalai offers guests unique experiences with nature. You can tour their Herb Garden, where a chef helps guests catch shrimp. You can learn how salt was harvested by Hawaiians in the past on a Salt Harvesting Experience. Or take advantage of the Hawaii Island Coffee Experience, where you tour a coffee farm and end with a coffee tasting

Location: 72-100 Ka’upulehu Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

3. Hotel Wailea

Hotel Wailea is the perfect location for romantic getaways. Their entire property was created with exclusivity and privacy in mind. They have over 70 luxury suites spaced apart next to the ocean. Each suite has oceanfront lanais and comes with plush bathrobes, deep soaking tubs, and luxury linens.

Their fun activities were created with couples in mind. For example, the hotel offers a map with X’s, which guests use to explore the island’s best spots for beaches, sea turtles, and snorkeling. Their restaurant, The Treehouse, offers private dinners in a secluded bungalow surrounded by fruit trees.

Hotel Wailea is the perfect place for a honeymoon.

Location: 555 Kaukahi Street, Wailea, Maui, HI 96753

4. The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua

You could spend a month at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua and every day would look different. Nearby you can go horseback riding, explore waterfalls, visit local beaches, tee off at one of two championship golf courses, and even get a tour on a helicopter. You can go scuba diving, take fishing trips, enjoy a sunset cruise, and have the staff organize a luau.

If you want to go all out, the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua offers Club Level access. This gives you access to a private lounge, where hors d'oeuvres, light snacks, and beverages are offered throughout the day. Club Level access also comes with a concierge dedicated to your needs. These extra services and amenities make the Club Level an upgrade on top of an already ultimate getaway.

Location: 1 Ritz-Carlton Drive, Kapalua, HI 96761

5. Turtle Bay Resort

Turtle Bay Resort sits on Oahu's North Shore and offers a wide range of unique services and activities. Guests can head to Turtle Bay Spa for seaweed body wraps or aromatherapy immersion. Guests can take advantage of wave therapy, which is a massage table that rocks gently and feels like you’re floating in water.

Guests have the opportunity to kayak, paddleboard, snorkel, take surfing lessons, and enjoy a helicopter tour. You can also swim underwater with the mythical sea turtles that are famous in the North Shore. If you're not feeling adventurous, you can always go for a massage on the beach.

Not far away, guests can practice their swing at two premier golf courses. Turtle Bay Resort has miles of beautiful beaches lined with palm trees. Their coastline receives powerful waves making it an ideal place to go surfing.

Location: 57-091 Kamehameha Highway, Kahuku, HI 96731

6. Disney Aulani

Disney lives up to its reputation again with this ultimate family-friendly getaway. Disney Aulani offers fun activities for kids and relaxing alternatives for parents. Families can hit their amazing beach or one of their three pools. You can drift down their Lazy River while kids play around in their Splash Zone.

Inside their Laniwai Spa, you will find mineral pools, family treatments, vitality pools, and a hydrotherapy garden. There are plenty of eating options, including a cafe, a shaved ice hut, a snack stop, a pool bar, and a beachside restaurant that offers modern Hawaiian cuisine.

Location: 92-1185 Ali'inui Dr, Kapolei, HI 96707

7. Halekulani

Halekulani incorporates serenity and elegance into all they do. Their spacious rooms offer ocean views and are shaded gray, which gives them a sense of sophistication. Their Waikiki spa combines modern products and techniques with local therapeutic rituals.

Their “For You, Everything” program gives guests access to cultural and fine arts events on the island. You can visit Bishop Museum, which displays artifacts from Hawaii’s royal family as well as ancient Hawaiian items. The program also grants guests access to the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, the Iolani Palace, and the Honolulu Museum of Art.

Location: 2199 Kalia Road, Honolulu, HI 96815

8. Ko’a Kea Hotel & Resort

Ko’a Kea Hotel and Resort sits on Kauai’s south shore and has over 100 rooms. This is the perfect getaway if you’re looking to stay physically active on your vacation.

Close-by is the Poipu beach center where guests can snorkel, paddleboard, surf, and kayak. Their staff offers various lessons and rentals. Guests can also explore Old Koloa Town, play a round of golf, or go for a cliff-top hike.

If you’d rather stay indoors, the resort has a saltwater pool with a poolside bar and grill, a fitness center, and a full-service spa. All rooms have amazing views of gardens or the ocean, and have outdoor spaces and balconies.

The restaurant Red Salt offers fresh seafood and a sushi bar on some nights. The Red Salt has an ocean view lined with palm trees and pampers guests with breakfast dishes like lemon-pineapple souffle pancakes.

Location: 2251 Poipu Road Koloa, HI 96756

9. The Royal Hawaiian

The Royal Hawaiian is located in the capital city of Honolulu, on the famous Waikiki Beach. It's known as the Pink Palace of the Pacific for its beautiful color and structure. They have over 500 rooms and three towers.

Guests are treated like royalty, receiving a Hawaiian garland upon arrival. The Royal Hawaiian offers massages in a tropical garden at their Abhasa Spa. Every night, live entertainment is provided at the Mai Tai Bar. Guests can even order pastries and morning coffee in bed.

The resort offers many interesting activities such as lei-making and a Hawaiian sunrise ceremony.

Location: 2259 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815

10. Andaz Maui at Wailea

The Andaz Maui sits on Wailea Beach, giving guests access to a white sand experience. This oceanfront resort has over 300 rooms, each with a lanai overlooking an ocean or garden. If you want an upgrade, look into their villas, which come with a private tropical garden, a gourmet Miele kitchen, and an outdoor Viking Grill.

Their Ka’ana Kitchen offers farm-to-table Maui dishes ideal for a family outing. Couples can take advantage of a customized six-course meal paired with wine in an open-air style kitchen.

You can start the morning at Bumbye Beach Bar, where you can lounge in the lagoon pool, sipping on cool cocktails. In the evening, check out Lehua Lounge, which offers delicacies and cocktails next to crystal clear waterfalls.

Location: 3550 Wailea Alanui Drive, Wailea, HI 96753

How to Choose

There are a lot of great options to choose from, so how do you pick? The question you should ask yourself is: what do you want to get out of your visit?

If you're interested in exploring the local culture and art, consider going to Halekulani, which offers a program for access to museums and events. If you want to stay active on your vacation, check out Ko’a Kea Hotel and Resort, which offers a wide range of activities to keep you busy.

Then you have to consider who you're bringing along. If you're taking the whole family, consider going to Disney Aulani. They crafted their property and activities with children in mind.

But if you and your significant other are looking for a romantic getaway, then Hotel Wailea could be the choice for you. They tailored their secluded property and activities specifically for couples.

After thinking through your decision, pick your favorite spot, and then happy vacationing!