Hawaii

Although Halekulani has prime real estate in downtown Waikiki, it does not have its own beach, except for a pocket formed at low tide in front of a coastal walkway for public access. However, being right on the waves has its perks, with all but a few rooms overlooking the tropical blue-green sea.

The cool open-air lobby may not have the impressive wow factor of other high-ceilinged spaces, but it does have a lovely tropical centerpiece, updated and arranged by its own florist.

The immaculate green central lawn and garden can host weddings all year round. The property serves as a safe and blissful haven, a world away from the masses that throng Waikiki.

Poolside staff offer sunscreen and towels under shaded umbrellas by the pool. There is a business center with a full range of services for working guests, a state-of-the-art gym with equipment and views of the pool and ocean, water aerobics classes and a spa center.

More than 400 rooms feature seven shades of white, red wood accents and occasional blue cushions. Discreet rooms let striking views out the window dominate the color palette: blue skies, green palms, blue-green seas, and in some, the dusty brown monolith of Diamond Head Crater. A plate of seasonal tropical fruits awaits each guest in the room, as well as a turndown service each night with their own chocolates. All rooms have balconies, separate showers and baths, and fluffy bathrobes.

Some on-site restaurants, such as La Mer French Restaurant, have a dress code. Downstairs on the Orchid veranda, there’s afternoon tea (starting at 3:00 p.m.), and the Open-Air Keyless House, “reminiscent of a time when Hawaiian homes didn’t need locks,” is the place to have sunset drinks (come early) . The wood-paneled Lewers Lounge is buzzing late into the night with live jazz playing every night.

Away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki, it sits opposite a quiet sandy strip and is just over a mile from the Kahala Mall with shops, restaurants, a movie theater and an organic food store.

From the ventilated lobby with tall shutters and colorful chandeliers, to the huge tastefully decorated rooms, the Kahala is luxurious without feeling pompous. There’s afternoon tea and evening turndown with Hawaiian salt chocolates, as well as hula lessons, free daily surf lessons and sand fun for the kids.

Guests are greeted with chilled towels and flower lei. The valet staff will remember your name and ask if you need any advice..

Around the hotel is a lagoon with a waterfall, which has become a home for turtles, rays and dolphins, with which you can swim if you wish. The on-site spa offers a massage menu, as well as facial and body treatments. The state-of-the-art fitness center and outdoor sauna offer regular stand-up paddle board yoga classes.

Decorated in soft colors with sophisticated island prints and chic striped bedside tables, the rooms are spa-like oases. From the top floors of the Cajal Towers (which are 10 stories high) you can enjoy views from Diamond Head to Coco Head Crater, and at night you can hear the mesmerizing sound of the waves.

All rooms have a separate bathtub, rain shower and Japanese multifunctional toilet, while some have sun loungers and balconies.

The hotel has four main dining establishments. All of them are quite expensive, but with delicious food and a comfortable environment. Hoku’s glass restaurant serves sushi and steaks for dinner, as well as a great Sunday brunch with king crab legs.

Seaside Grill serves al fresco dining, while Plumeria Beach House with indoor and outdoor seating serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. The Arancino Restaurant serves gourmet Italian cuisine.

The resort is located above the turquoise lagoon of Oahu, 38 km from downtown Honolulu. The concierge can arrange private transfers by car, yacht and helicopter. Uber and Lyft also operate on the island.

This southwest coast, known as Ko-Olina (“place of joy” in Hawaiian), is generally warmer and drier than the open east coast. It includes the state’s only private deep water marina and 1.5 miles of seaside walkways, as well as restaurants, shops and helicopter tours.

The resort is adjacent to a 40,468 m² nature reserve called Lanikuhonua (where sky meets earth). Once it was a place of refuge for the royal family. It overlooks three ocean bays where rock formations trap spring water. Its spiritual leader offers a learning experience, and great grounds can be rented for events or weddings.

Four Seasons Oahu is all about unexpected delights, whether it’s outrigger canoeing, craft beer while getting a haircut at the barbershop, or a “tanned butler” reminding guests to slather up with SPF.

Its chic, light-filled interiors unfold flawlessly with the soft mountains of Wayana and the shallow, sheltered, man-made lagoon. The décor is based both on local traditions and on a chic, minimalist design that perfectly supports the guest experience, but without focusing on design. This allows you to draw attention to the authenticity and beauty of nature.

Four Seasons offers all the luxury resort offerings – an excellent SPA center, a golf course, tennis courts, a 24-hour gym. Employees believe that real luxury lies in unique experiences that evoke emotions, broaden minds and expand horizons. That is why the resort is launching the Wayfinders program. Local experts lay out lessons on everything from dyeing sarongs to playing the ukulele to stargazing – and how the latter guided the ancient Polynesian travelers who settled the archipelago.

Other attractions include a wedding chapel and a deep-sea freediving center led by one of the masters of the sport, Daniel Koval.

Spacious rooms create a peaceful island atmosphere. Reminiscent of local wood, banana leaf headboards and tropical print pillows. Each has a furnished veranda (patio or balcony) and spa-like bathrooms with double sinks and soft white marble. Each room also has an iPad, allowing guests to order room service and communicate with staff in over 100 languages.

Book a Four Seasons Signature Bed with your choice of pillow and mattress topper, then tuck into 300-thread-count Dobby Sateen cotton sheets under your duvet (allergy-free options available). Kettle, tea set and coffee maker in the room will help you get out of this comfortable cocoon every morning.

There are 5 restaurants here. The surf-style Waterman Grill serves microbrags, shrimp specialties and thin fries with parmesan, cherry tomatoes and arugula. But the highlight is Noe, a South Italian al fresco restaurant that once won the Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence.

Some packages include breakfast, but most guests dine from the menu. Grab a bite to eat at Hokulea Lounge or head to La Hiki Restaurant for main courses.

Nestled amongst tropical palm trees between the lava-blackened volcano of Haualalai and separated white sands by the ocean, Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is a unique destination.

From the tropical juice and sunglass cleaning offered by the pool to the blissful aloha as you pass people on the garden paths and greetings by name from staff you’ve never met, the service here is top notch. Add to that amazing amenities, including an outdoor gym with a 25m swimming pool, a garden spa with innovative treatments that combine excursions to nearby salt marshes or natural forests with local healing treatments, access to a team of experts nautical sports, complimentary golf course consultations, daily traditional Hawaiian activities and talks at the cultural center, and phenomenal herbal drinks to sip from your floating chair in the saltwater infinity pool—and you may never want to leave. from here.

More than 20 categories of rooms, suites and villas. All of them face the ocean and include lightweight kimono-style robes, the use of Kona coffee burlap beach bags, granite tiled showers with incredible tropical heads and separate soaking tubs, verandas and modern Hawaiian decor with bladed ceiling fans, light cooling fabrics and warm wood. Down pillows and fluffy duvets aren’t too heavy against the slight chill of the air conditioner or the sea breeze with the doors open at night. The ground floor suites have their own outdoor shower.

ULU Ocean Grill Beach Restaurant serves a phenomenal Sunrise A la carte menu. At night, ULU transforms into a trendy sushi bar and lounge. Quick bites and takeaway sandwiches are available at the trendy mini market, which also sells a variety of island products, wine and fresh juices.

While many choose to dine by the sea at ULU or Beach Tree, Hualalai Grille is not to be missed. The steakhouse also serves on-site oysters, delicious Maui venison with homemade chimichurri sauce, and Maine-raised Keahole lobsters from deep sea ponds along the road. Eighty percent of the menu items at all of the resort’s restaurants come from water and farms around Hawaii.

At the northern end of the Waikoloa seaside, 35km north of Kona Airport, the Fairmont Orchid sits right in front of a small bay. The hotel offers short routes to high-end shops and restaurants, as well as to two nearby golf courses.

The cool patio and open-air lobby are a constant reminder of your arrival in the tropics. Behind the main building, palm-shaded waterfalls flow into ponds, and long grassy clearings extend to a small sandy beach. The scenery in all directions is amazing: if your room does not face the ocean, you will see the island’s magnificent volcanoes instead.

All the staff seem to genuinely care about the happiness and comfort of the guests. Don’t miss a late night excursion to a hidden lava rock whirlpool amidst a palm grotto, a morning yoga session on the water in the bay, or a traditional Hawaiian lomi-lomi massage with aromatherapy in a carefree hale (cabin) at the top of a garden waterfall.

The Grand Hyatt rises above the white sands overlooking Keoneloa Bay, wedged off Poipu Bay’s easternmost coastline by the 18-hole Poipu Bay golf course. The rocky outer edges of the bay isolate it from other features, but include a nearby beach, dangerous for swimming, but quite a popular place for surfing. Luckily, the resort boasts many alternatives to the ocean, including a sheltered seawater lagoon for kayaking and snorkelling.

Guests will feel special in many small ways: the wow factor of the lobby overlooking the ocean, the huge palm-lined pool system that snakes along the great coastline, and the Anara Spa with its mint scent and volcanic lava rain shower. Unique touches like carved wooden Kauai pineapple sculptures in the lobby and environmental initiatives like in-room recycling, take-out refillable water bottles, and hydroponic lettuce grown on an old tennis court give the corporate resort a distinct flair.

The smiling and courteous staff at the reception will do their best to make your stay unforgettable. The bread and butter of the Grand Hyatt is its unrivaled amenities: a multi-room gym, lazy river dueling pools open 24 hours a day, and scheduled kids activities, from ukulele lessons to water races, and even evening entertainment by the sea during season time.

The Stevenson Library, a wood-panelled converted cigar lounge overlooking the sea, is the place to go for pre- and post-dinner drinks, as well as an evening sushi menu, dinner buffet, open bar and hula dancing.

Patient guests can order room service (dinner can be delivered in almost an hour), but it’s much better to descend into the splendid setting of Tidepools’ signature restaurant. It serves modern Hawaiian cuisine.

Most guests choose breakfast at Seaview Terrace, which serves Starbucks and light bites (toasted sandwiches, pastries, and yogurt parfait), or buffet breakfast at Ilima Terrace. You can also order hot à la carte dishes and alcoholic drinks for breakfast.

The Westin stands on top of a cliff in the northernmost part of the island and overlooks nothing but the ocean. The breathtaking shores of Hanalei Bay and the quaint town of Kapaa are within easy reach of the hotel (15 and 30 minutes by car respectively). The hotel is secluded and serene. Lihue Island Airport is a 45-minute drive away.

The resort has a cozy yet modern and fresh atmosphere, sometimes reminiscent of a country house. The lobby is decorated with blooming orchids, pendant lighting, a low ceiling with wood beams and hints of local heritage, such as a replica of the kahili (a feather standard used by Hawaiian chiefs) located in one corner. The torches, tropical plants and palm trees that dot the vast landscaped grounds create a strong sense of place.

From the effortless, natural warmth of the staff, which exudes the much-touted “spirit of Aloha”, to the clever handling of guest inconveniences (a post-check-in text messaging service that allows guests to contact staff at the touch of a button).

The resort also excels when it comes to on-site amenities, with four swimming pools, free shuttle service, restaurants and bars, a mini supermarket, self-guided nature walk cards and a poolside barbeque for guests. The only major drawback is the lack of direct access to the beach – from the resort you can walk 10-15 minutes on a steep (and sometimes slippery) dirt road to the neighboring Anini beach or drive to the more attractive sandy crescents of the island.

Nanea Restaurant serves a regular breakfast buffet. The restaurant caters for those who are vegans, vegetarians and those who prefer gluten free food. Nanea’s dinner menu plays with Italian and Asian classics, often adding a twist.

The poolside Wailele Bar offers cocktails, light lunches and pupus (small snacks). If the timing is right, guests can also enjoy the hotel’s twice-monthly Farm Lunch, which includes a farm tour and a three-course dinner with wine.

Surrounded by palm trees and a central pool with a fountain dotted with bright white cabanas, Four Seasons Resort Maui exudes an aura of sophisticated class even on the busiest days. The open-air lobby offers great ocean views and nightly hula shows at sunset.

Premium retail boutiques, a spa center with cutting-edge relaxation and aesthetic treatments (such as facials using real crushed black diamonds or cryotherapy) and specialized staff (20 sommeliers, aesthetic and longevity specialist, chiropractor and nutritionist) make the resort a place well resourced for a restorative luxury getaway.

It’s the little touches that make this hotel truly great – tropical fruit baskets in the room; game room with billiard tables; Complimentary poolside snacks and triple SPF sunscreen; and for SPA visitors – chilled towels and a tray of cucumbers outside the eucalyptus steam room. Options for hotel-unique experiences, such as a helicopter tour of a ranch with a farm on the table, put the resort at the forefront.

The rooms and suites are some of the largest resort accommodations on Maui; many have ocean views. Most rooms feature cream walls, white and navy accent prints, marble bathrooms with bathtubs and separate rain showers, hidden wardrobes and reading lights built into the headboards. Colorful prints of women swimming underwater by Hawaiian artist Carol Bennett add a sense of place. Lanais are open room extensions with rugs, outlets and chic furniture.

Site-specific details that embrace the local environment and Hawaiian culture, such as tropical decor in the room, hula lessons in the Hawaiian garden, Hawaiian mo’olelo postcards, (stories) with nightly turndowns, and family ocean explorations through the outpost Environmental Ambassadors Jean-Michel Cousteau – make this hotel one of the most exciting luxury hotels in Hawaii. For all its exterior and architectural sophistication, the hotel thankfully doesn’t take itself too seriously. The outlandish and nostalgic milkshakes served at the seaside Burger Shack can only be described as entertainment, and its annual Kapalua Wine & Food Fest – one of the longest-running food and wine events in the US – is an excuse for weekend fun , drink fine wine and enjoy fine cuisine.

The service is top notch from front desk to housekeeping, especially in the club lounge where the staff knows guests by name. Even the CEO communicates with hotel guests on a regular basis. The property has taken advantage of its privacy and the highlight is the easy access to the hiking trail through the coastal dunes. There are also great on-site restaurants, as well as fitness classes and cultural history tours, a spa with Hawaiian herbal treatments and hidden grotto hot tubs, and a huge sparkling 24-hour outdoor pool.

The rooms and suites are categorized according to the type and size of the room. All rooms have indoor and outdoor seating, parquet floors, chic Hawaiian-inspired art, marble bathrooms with separate rain showers and oversized soaking tubs, 55-inch TVs, and incredibly cozy (and not too hot) down duvets.

Grand Wailea retains its classic hotel luxury: golden messenger carts, domed chandeliers and artwork throughout, the beauty of a breezy sea garden resort, popular with visitors from all over the world.

The upscale resort area of Wailea in southwest Maui boasts independent shops, restaurants, a golf club and tennis court, and more.

Pedestrian paths wind along the coastal area. Water is a central feature, from the carp ponds below the island-style signature restaurant on stilts to the long fountain pools that extend from the lobby and the six-level activity pool.

The romantic resort is a popular destination for weddings (about 150 weddings took place in 2018).

The central bar in the courtyard of the main building features nine original works by renowned Colombian artist and sculptor Fernando Botero. Guests can enjoy bi-weekly art tours, morning sunrise cultural walking tours, and a native plant tour with the hotel’s landscape director.

All guests are greeted with leis, and taking pictures in front of the mermaid statue at the entrance is a rite of passage.

The huge spa has several lounge baths filled with local plants and minerals. Yoga classes are offered daily on the beach, and guests can enjoy snorkelling and scuba diving (all included in the resort fee).

The huge hotel has 776 rooms, 100 of which belong to the Napua Club, “an exclusive boutique hotel in the resort.” They have a gated entrance, private baths and showers, breakfast and daily snacks, and their own concierge.

The hotel has seven separate bars and restaurants. Named after the Hawaiian state fish, Humuhumunukunukuapua’a’s signature restaurant is a series of round, tropical-style grass-topped huts on stilts above shallow saltwater pools. The setting is incredible, the food is innovative.

Breakfast is best served as a buffet in the Grand Dining Room.

Molokini Bistro, which overlooks the sunken volcanic crater of the same name on the shore, is the place to go for pau hana (happy hour).

Unlike other hotels in the upscale resort area of Wailea, Fairmont Kea Lani is the only hotel on the beach with two crescents. Despite the seclusion, all shops, restaurants, golf and tennis courts are within a radius of one and a half kilometers. Maui’s main airport at Kahului is a 30-minute drive away.

At first glance, the resort doesn’t seem like Hawaii; Norfolk pines line the portico, while the vestibule’s patterned tiles, geometric fountain pools and vaulted arches seem almost Moorish. But somehow it works—these elements blend seamlessly with the hotel’s finely crafted amenities, turning it into a unique Hawaiian resort. The architecture exudes a quiet sophistication and there is something soothing about a perfectly manicured setting. It’s calm and secluded here, even around the 24-hour pool, which fills with families during the day.

The amenities are top notch. The incredible onsite spa features a wave table, a Maui Mud Bar, and four rain showers that mimic Hawaiian storms (one even makes sounds of thunder and lightning). Tours are offered weekly to experience Hawaiian culture and native plants, including canoe trips and language lessons, as well as hula and ukulele lessons.

The main pool has a Jacuzzi, a lagoon with a swim-up bar and a waterslide. And no need for an Uber: the hotel offers convenient free transportation to shops, restaurants and golf courses in the Wylie area.

The hotel features the flagship restaurant Kea Lani, a popular tropical poolside breakfast spot.

For dinner, opt for Hawaiian fusion restaurant Kō, whose cuisine celebrates the vibrant international culture of Hawaii’s sugar plantation heyday.

Casual food is also available at Ama Bar and Grill by the pool. If you’re lucky enough to stay on a Tuesday, Luana Lounge hosts a tiki and taco event from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The lounge also hosts the best sunset parties and nightly entertainment with double sets on Fridays and Saturdays. There is a 24-hour room service for food and drinks.