Best Luxury Hotels in Hawaii
This Pacific island idyll has perfect beaches, dramatic surf, colourful flowers, rugged rainforests and soaring volcanoes – it’s the stuff of movies (and has been the backdrop for blockbusters including Jurassic Park, Jumanji and Pirates of the Caribbean). Hawaii has certainly attracted its fair share of stars over the centuries having famously been a favourite of Elvis Presley. Warm all year round and easy to access from the US mainland, it’s packed with rich culture and delicious food. Rather than a single destination, Hawaii is an archipelago, offering a range of different experiences and activities across its eight main islands, so you can pick the spot that suits you best.
Hawaii, Kauai, Poipu
Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu, Autograph Collection
(4 stars)Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu, Autograph Collection occupies a 25-acre setting on Kauai’s sunny southern coast, close to the dining, shopping and beaches of Poipu. The resort comprises 298 accommodations, split between deluxe studios and expansive one to four bedroom villas, including a 3,600 square foot penthouse. Interiors are shaped by island-inspired design with rich woods, natural textures and breezy open-plan layouts, all with private lanais and generous living space. The fully equipped kitchens, in-suite laundry and multi-bedroom layouts cater well to families and longer stays.
Dining is focused around Holoholo Grill, a casual open-air venue led by celebrity chef Sam Choy, while a gourmet market and poolside bar cover quick meals and essentials. Wellness is delivered through The Spa at Koloa Landing, featuring Hawaiian-inspired therapies, alongside a modern 24-hour fitness centre.
The resort’s highlight is its 350,000-gallon lagoon-style pool, one of Hawaii’s largest, complemented by two additional pools, waterslides, hot tubs, fire pits and cabanas. There is also a soccer field, putting green and volleyball court, with concierge services supporting excursions to nearby Poipu Beach, Lawai Beach, golf courses and Napali Coast boat tours. This is a resort that balances villa-style independence with the scale and service of a full-featured luxury property.
Hawaii, Maui, Wailea
Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
(5 stars)Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort occupies one of Wailea’s most coveted stretches of coastline, its seven hundred and seventy six rooms and suites arranged across forty acres of gardens, ponds and palm lined pathways that flow toward the curve of Wailea Beach. The scale is impressive yet the atmosphere remains warm and distinctly Hawaiian, framed by natural textures, contemporary island design and a steady interplay between quiet corners and the resort’s sociable heart.
Days unfold between lagoon side dining at Humuhumunukunukuapuaa, the sculpture dotted Botero Lounge and the relaxed rhythm of Wailea Surf Haus, each offering a different lens on the property’s indoor outdoor lifestyle. Kilolani Spa brings a thoughtful wellness thread with hydrotherapy, treatment pavilions and restorative rituals, complemented by a spacious fitness centre and daily classes.
Families are drawn to the famed canyon pools with their slides, rapids and rope swing, while those seeking a more measured tempo find calm at the adults pool or within the Napua Lounge, reserved for guests of the Napua rooms. With tennis, pickleball, cultural activities and easy access to Wailea Golf Club, the resort delivers a broad, experience rich stay, moments from boutique shopping, coastal trails and Maui’s celebrated snorkelling reefs.
Hawaii, Maui, Wailea
Wailea Beach Resort Marriott Maui
(5 stars)Wailea Beach Resort Marriott Maui presents 547 rooms and suites beside Maui’s south shore, positioned between two crescent beaches with wide open views across the Pacific. The setting places guests close to the Wailea coastal path and moments from luxury shopping, golf and water based adventures. Interiors lean towards a clean, modern Hawaiian style with light woods, soft blues and an easy indoor outdoor rhythm that suits the island’s warm climate.
Dining spans relaxed poolside venues and ocean facing restaurants serving fresh seafood, Pacific Rim flavours and cocktails. The resort features a spa offering island sourced treatments a private Olakino wellness oasis, a 24 hour fitness centre and multiple outdoor pools including an adults only infinity pool with sunset views. Families benefit from dedicated areas, splash pool, two waterslides and seasonal kids programmes, while recreation includes snorkelling, cultural activities and cinema nights under the stars.