Readers' Choice Awards - Best Hawaiian Resorts

Whether you're looking for the ultimate island adventure, a luxurious escape worthy of your Instagram feed, or the opportunity to experience another culture, Hawaii's resort scene has you covered. Each island adds its own flavor to the mix, with volcanic cliffs, swaying palm trees, and the turquoise waters of the Pacific to look forward to. Scattered amidst these lush surroundings like jewels, you'll find the state's many incredible vacation hubs.

Islands curated a list of the top Hawaiian resorts based on location, amenities, reputation among travel media, recent guest experiences, and overall review scores. To help us narrow down these selections to the best of the best, Islands looked to you in our latest round of Readers' Choice Awards. Using your votes, we've identified the 10 standout picks, including the resort that snagged the No. 1 spot. From spa sanctuaries to award-winning dining, these destinations represent the pinnacle of island indulgence.

For an adults-only wellness retreat, you'll find the Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort set in the pine-covered mountains of Lānaʻi. In this magical setting, guests can find their inner peace in private spa hales with bathtubs and infrared saunas and get personalized consultations, spa treatments, fitness and mindfulness classes, and inspirational lectures.

There are also plenty of outdoor activities, such as sailing, scuba diving, horseback riding, and golf. Dining options include Sensei by Nobu, which is housed in a glass pavilion set over a reflecting pond with indoor and outdoor seating. You can also enjoy poolside dining, in-room meals, romantic picnic lunches, and drinks at the Koele Garden Bar or around fire pits in the evening.

You can book packages with your room, and they typically include guided sessions, custom plans, and access to daily lessons. A minimum stay of two nights is required, which you'll need if you plan to include a Sensei experience. Rooms typically start at around $1,100 for a Koele room, while a Sensei Experience for One will add on around $360, which you can double for a Sensei Experience for Two.

The Ritz-Carlton O'ahu, Turtle Bay is a high-end escape for anyone seeking to explore Mother Nature's wonders. The property is surrounded by beaches and nature trails, and there are an abundance of family-oriented activities such as horseback rides, kayaking adventures, turtle spotting, and bird-watching, as well as thrilling helicopter tours. However, it's not all about the great outdoors. The resort also offers therapeutic spa treatments and fitness classes.

The relaxation carries over into social spaces, where you'll find premium poolside cabanas and daybeds, or you can enjoy refreshing cocktails at the Beach Club. Cuisine is farm-to-table, and there is themed dining on the cards, such as the Paniolo Lūʻau Nights that highlight Hawaii's cowboy heritage. Then, there are the sweeping ocean views, colorful sunsets, and live music at the Sunset Pool Bar, as well as casual spots for coffee, drinks, and light bites dotted throughout.

Accommodation choices include the resort's ocean bungalows, which feature a dedicated host, private tranquility pool, and direct beach access. Then there are the ocean front suites, with their modern decor surrounded by tropical foliage and wide ocean vistas. Nature is emphasized in all of the rooms, and prices can be found for about $800 but generally start at around $1,000 and go up to over $4,000 for the Ali'i Suite.

If it's luxury on the iconic Waikīkī Beach you seek, the Halekulani Hotel in Honolulu is the one for you. As it has been in operation for over a century now, you can consider it one of the finest and oldest hotels in Hawaii. It was even immortalized in literature when Earl Derr Biggers wrote "The House Without a Key" while staying at what would eventually be renamed the Halekulani Hotel.

The property boasts 453 rooms and suites of the highest standard. Rooms are spacious, and many feature ocean views, while suites come with dedicated sitting areas and two private balconies. Full-size suites feature separate powder rooms and walk-in closets, while the six premier suites overlook Waikīkī Beach and come with a distinctive design with stunning views of the Pacific and the island's premier attraction: the iconic Diamond Head volcanic tuff cone. Garden courtyard rooms overlook the historic main building and tropical gardens and start at around $900. Suites can go up to $2,000 per night, although a premier suite can cost in excess of $5,000. 

The hotel offers several upscale dining options. For casual, outdoor fare with Hawaiian music and cultural performances under a century-old Kiawe tree, the novel-inspired House Without a Key is the spot. Orchids serves up sumptuous Italian meals all day, while La Mer provides the establishment's finest dining, holding both AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five-Star ratings.

If you're all about the pool, then why not enjoy your Hawaiian stay at a resort that has won USA Today's "Best Pool in America" award more often than not in recent years? Situated on the south coast of Kauaʻi, the Kōloa Landing Resort at Po'ipū, Autograph Collection features a main pool that's as much about fun as it is relaxation. With its infinity edge, waterslides, grottos, splash pad, Jacuzzis, and private cabanas, good times are there to be had by the whole family. More aqua-ventures are on offer in the three expansive lagoon pools, while there's also easy ocean access via two walkways. But don't worry if it's peace and quiet you seek, as there's an adults-only swimming sanctuary surrounded by lush tropical foliage and soothing waterfalls.

The resort isn't just about splashing around, however. The Spa at Koloa offers a range of restorative treatments. Then you can let the "Godfather of Poke," Chef Sam Choy, woo you with his island-inspired delectable dishes. There are a range of accommodations to retire to at the end of a hard day's indulgence. Options include island view studios starting at around $550 to three-bedroom villas at $1,400. Or, if you need 3,600 square feet of opulence, the penthouse has four bedrooms, five bathrooms, and three balconies with expansive views of the Pacific Ocean.

The Montage Kapalua Bay located on the island of Maui and is all about dramatic views over Namalu Bay, a scenic stretch of rocky coastline, and Kapalua Bay with its crescent-shaped, golden-sand beach and clear, calm water. The resort promotes itself as a wellness-focused center with its award-winning Spa Montage, while its residential-style accommodations overlook tropical gardens and the Pacific Ocean.

The residential rentals include one-, two-, and three-bedroom villas, with rates starting at approximately $1,500 to $2,000 per night and going up to over $6,000 for the four bedroom signature residences. The larger villas are ideal for families, and the resort showcases its family-friendly facilities through the Paintbox Children's Program for themed daily activities, as well as the Children's Night Out program that gives parents the chance to unwind.

Golfers have access to the Plantation Course, which consistently ranks among Hawaii's best and is designed by renowned course architects Coore & Crenshaw. After a few holes, you can enjoy dining in a variety of settings, including the Cane & Canoe for oceanfront meals with views of the Pacific and the Molokai Islands and the Beach Club for casual poolside dining.

For some unparalleled luxury, the Four Seasons Resort Lanai offers a 5-star, 5-diamond haven on the dramatic southeastern coast. It's surrounded by some of Hawaii's most scenic landscapes, with access to the uplands and the sweeping arc of pale-white sand edged by calm turquoise waters at Hulopo'e Bay. However, with tranquil lagoon-style pools, meticulously maintained botanical gardens, and the rejuvenating Hawanawana Spa, you may not want to leave the pristine oasis of the Four Seasons.

There are a range of dining options, including Japanese cuisine at the cliffside Nobu Lana'i. This restaurant is led by celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa, and he offers guests the chance to indulge in a world-class 15-course teppanyaki dining experience. Afterward you can relax in any of the hotel's bars, with indoor and outdoor options offering carefully curated international wines and signature cocktails.

Room rates range from approximately $1,500 for a garden view room all the way up to almost $25,000 for the top-tier Alii Royal Suite, with plenty of choices available in between. All bookings include a round-trip luxury flight from Honolulu and shuttle service, with other complementary benefits on offer depending on your room choice.

Set high up on the cliffs along Kauaʻi's rugged northern coast, 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay offers unrivaled views and a front-row seat to the island's lush natural beauty. Interior spaces are open to the native Hawaiian greenery that fills the grounds, and the hotel guarantees that sustainability touches everything. From rainwater-fed gardens to electric Audi e-trons, this is eco-luxury at its finest. On top of this commitment, wellness is also a core focus. The spa blends natural Hawaiian medicine with cutting-edge treatments like hyperbaric oxygen and meditation pods. Guests also have the welcome choice of a range of traditional massages, facials, and body therapies, with all promoting balance and renewal in a setting that's deeply connected to the natural rhythms of Kauaʻi.

Cultural experiences like lei-making and hula lessons are there for all the family, or you can simply relax by the cliffside infinity pool with its plush cabanas and seascape views. Dining spans across six locally inspired venues, with options including farm-to-table Hawaiian cuisine and sustainable seafood that skillfully reflect Kauaʻi's seasonal ingredients and cultural traditions. Guests have direct access to the beach and scenic ocean-facing holes at the Princeville Makai Golf Club, and rooms start at around $1,100 for a mountain view king. Larger ocean-facing suites and penthouses can reach well over $20,000 a night, although discounted rates are often available.

The Fairmont Orchid is situated on the northwestern coast of Big Island on its own private bay and is the place to stay if it's seclusion and unique marine activities you seek. You won't be sharing the bay with hordes of day-trippers, you won't be fighting for snorkel spots, and you won't be doing the regular water sports everyone else is doing. On top of the excellent snorkeling in the protected lagoon, where you'll see Hawaiian green sea turtles comfortably swimming without the crowds, guests can also take part in some other interesting activities. You can learn how to paddle traditional Hawaiian canoes while discovering the history behind them and go on fishing trips where you can try out local techniques. The orchid's Hui Holokai beach ambassadors also offer stand-up paddle boarding lessons, a must-do in the place where the sport was invented, and surfing.

If you're not so keen on ocean activities, you can try your hand at some land-based Hawaiian cultural programs like lei-making classes, hula lessons, bamboo stamping workshops, and even basic Hawaiian language learning. And, once you have worked up an appetite, the AAA Four Diamond restaurant Brown's Beach House serves up fresh island cuisine right on the sand. After dining, the resort's open-air Spa Without Walls has sublime views overlooking the bay for signature treatments and wellness sessions. Room rates start at around $700 for a garden view room and go up to approximately $4,000 for the Fairmont Gold Presidential Suite.

Spanning 81 acres along Kahuwai Bay on Big Island's northwestern coast is Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort. It's set on land that was once an ancient fishing village but is now a place where thatched-roof hales sit amongst lava rock formations and restored Hawaiian flora. Everything exudes grandeur, from hales with garden, mountain, lagoon, or ocean views that start at around $1,700 to oceanfront sanctuaries at over $8,000. The Ohana Pool Four Bedroom Kauhale with pools and a butler service, however, can go for over $16,000 per night.

Dining is nothing short of exceptional, with five gastronomic venues including Moana with its Pacific Rim cuisine and the Kahuwai Cookhouse with its wood-fired smoker and paniolo-inspired dishes. You can enjoy expertly crafted cocktails at any of the multiple bars, and you may even get to experience the unforgettable sight of a breaching whale at sunset.

The Asaya Spa is another unique experience at Kona Village. It's built directly into the black lava flow and features open-air treatment rooms that foster a strong connection to the natural surroundings. There are dramatic views of Mauna Kea, the 13,803-foot dormant volcano, and therapies are rooted in traditional Hawaiian healing practices. If you can pull yourself away, organized family activities include open-air movie nights and cultural sessions with local watermen who are keen to help you explore the bay's history.

Ka La'i Waikīkī Beach is part of Hilton's LXR Hotels & Resorts and is another to offer residential-style suites a short jaunt from the iconic Waikīkī shoreline and Luxury Row's high-end shopping. Suites are kitted out with full kitchens, and rooms start at around $470, with the premium 3 bedroom ocean front suite going for nearly $2,000. If you're traveling with your cat or dog, there are also pet-friendly rooms for a small surcharge, making the Ka La'i Waikīkī Beach, LXR Hotels & Resorts a place where you can truly bring the whole family.

Dining options are first-class, with sushi and seafood sourced from local ingredients and served together with postcard-perfect views over Waikīkī at the Wai'olu Ocean Cuisine restaurant. But one fascinating option that really makes this property stand out is the opportunity to have a private chef put together a multi-course meal in your kitchen. It's a great way to celebrate a special occasion, a family gathering, or a romantic dinner you'll never forget. You can also enjoy the property's infinity-edge lap pool, which includes shallow areas for the young ones and a heated whirlpool, or soak up city and ocean views from private treatment rooms at the Spa Ka La'i.

Spanning opulent retreats, secluded hideaways, and more, Hawaii's world-renowned resorts cater to multiple types of travelers. Each of the properties highlighted here has consistently earned high marks from guests, ensuring visitors create lasting memories and often inspiring repeat stays.

To determine which of our original Hawaiian resort picks rises above the rest, we invited readers to cast their votes for their favorites. Based on the results of the poll, we pinpointed the 10 choices that had received the most votes. The resulting list is organized from least to most votes received, with Ka La'i Waikīkī Beach, LXR Hotels & Resorts taking the No. 1 spot. Thank you to all of our readers who participated, and keep an eye out for more Readers' Choice polls in the future.

View the Islands Contest Rules for more information.