15 of the best · Hawaiʻi, USA
The Royal Hawaiian of 1927, Halekulani and the Moana Surfrider on Waikīkī Beach, the Kahala beneath Diamond Head, the Ritz-Carlton on the North Shore and the resorts of Maui, Kauaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island.
Our 15 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated November 2026
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Three Hawaiʻi moments we keep going back to: Diamond Head at opening time, sunset on the terrace of House Without a Key, and a morning at Pearl Harbor.
For more than a century
One of the first and finest hotels in Hawaiʻi, on beachfront grounds beside Diamond Head’s view, with La Mer, Orchids and House Without a Key.
The Pink Palace, 1927
The pink hotel of 1927 on Waikīkī Beach, with the Mai Tai Bar and the Surf Lanai on the sand.
East of Diamond Head
The resort on its own beach east of Diamond Head, with Hoku’s, the Plumeria Beach House, the Kahala Spa and Dolphin Quest.
Waikīkī’s grand hotels and the island resorts, explained.
The back story
The Royal Hawaiian of 1927 and Halekulani on Waikīkī Beach, the Kahala beneath Diamond Head, the North Shore’s Ritz-Carlton and the resorts of Maui, Kauaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island: where to stay in Hawaiʻi.
On the sand.
For more than a century
One of the first and finest hotels in Hawaiʻi, on beachfront grounds beside Diamond Head’s view, with La Mer, Orchids and House Without a Key.
On Kalākaua Avenue
The historic beach hotel on Kalākaua Avenue, on the sand of Waikīkī.
The Pink Palace, 1927
The pink hotel of 1927 on Waikīkī Beach, with the Mai Tai Bar and the Surf Lanai on the sand.
Behind the beach.
The Oceanarium
Two towers of 839 rooms on the beachfront at 2490 Kalākaua Avenue, with an infinity pool, the Oceanarium and Morimoto Asia.
2490 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815Explore View on map
Halekulani’s sister
Halekulani’s younger sister on Helumoa Road, with Umi by Vikram Garg and the Halekulani Bakery.
2233 Helumoa Road, Honolulu, HI 96815Explore View on map
Every room faces the sea
Waikīkī’s only oceanfront hotel where every room and suite has an ocean view, in its own words, by the Ala Wai harbour.
Mid-century, two blocks back
A mid-century boutique hotel on Lewers Street with a swim club, Mahina & Sun’s and Arvo’s coffee.
412 Lewers Street, Honolulu, HI 96815Explore View on map
On Kūhiō Avenue
A boutique hotel on Kūhiō Avenue with the Hideout restaurant and bar.
2299 Kuhio Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815Explore View on map
Diamond Head, Kāhala, the North Shore.
At the quiet end of Waikīkī
A small oceanfront hotel on Sans Souci beach, by Kapiʻolani Park, with views to Diamond Head.
East of Diamond Head
The resort on its own beach east of Diamond Head, with Hoku’s, the Plumeria Beach House, the Kahala Spa and Dolphin Quest.
On the North Shore
The North Shore resort that replaced Turtle Bay Resort, with the Beach House and Alaia restaurants and a Ritz-Carlton Club.
Maui, Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi Island.
Above Hanalei Bay
252 rooms, 51 of them suites, above Hanalei Bay on Kauaʻi’s north shore, with a Bamford wellness spa.
On the Wailea coast
The great beachfront resort of Wailea, with Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa, its restaurant on the water.
Adults only, 72 suites
An adults-only hotel of 72 suites on 15 acres of gardens above the Wailea coast.
On the Kohala Coast
The resort on the Kohala Coast of Hawaiʻi Island, with its manta-ray evenings, a luau, golf and an art collection to tour.
16 of the best Restaurants
6 of the best Cafés
6 of the best Bars12 of the best Sights17 of the best Arts & Culture
8 of the best Parks5 of the best Walks
6 of the best Shopping
8 of the best Health5 of the best Real Estate5 of the best Developments5 of the best Cars & drivers6 of the best Getting Around