Hawaii’s Best Beach Resorts: Our Top Picks Across Every Island

Hawaii is renowned for its lush tropical scenery and year-round warm, sunny climate with sandy beaches ideal for swimming and snorkeling. The islands offer varied experiences, from more bustling spots like Waikiki with its sprawling resorts and family-friendly hotels to secluded, romantic spots such as Hana at the end of the famous road in Maui, offering intimate stays in boutique properties.

Why we love it: The Four Seasons Resort Hualalai not only offers easy access to the white sands of Kukio Beach, but it has eight pools, including the King’s Pond snorkel area, an Insta-worthy ocean-edge saltwater pool, and a tranquil adults-only pool. 

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Accommodation includes ocean view and oceanfront bungalow-style rooms, suites, and luxury villas with private patios and balconies. Many have outdoor lava-rock showers, while the three-bedroom specialty villas are ideal for families and larger groups, complete with direct beach access and private plunge pools. Guests can spend their days flowing to and from the beach and shared pools, indulging in decadent spa treatments, and dining on gourmet fare with a spectacular sunset view.

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Why we love it: There’s something for everyone at Wailea Beach Resort, from floating cabana dinners and private candlelit oceanfront experiences to a kids’ club, a splash zone, and a pool with four waterslides. 

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The resort offers two-bedroom suites that are perfect for families, and all accommodations include a patio or balcony, with most featuring ocean views. While it’s not right on the beach, it’s nestled between two of the area’s best, Wailea and Ulua. The Nalu Adventure pool with its waterslides is sure to thrill the kids, while grown-ups can enjoy the serene, adults-only infinity pool. 

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Why we love it: Hana-Maui Resort is far from the sprawling resorts, providing a peaceful destination for disconnecting from electronics at the “end” of the famous Road to Hana, complete with breathtaking ocean views.

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Overlooking Hana Bay on the east coast of Maui, the Hana-Maui Resort hosts luxurious rooms designed for privacy and seclusion away from the chaos of the outside world. Ideal for couples who want to reconnect and leave stress behind, the views from this boutique property are stunning. That includes the vista from the beautiful infinity pool looking out to the sea. Swimming (and snorkeling) can also be enjoyed from the black sand beach at Hāna Bay Beach Park, a short stroll away. On-site, you’ll find a spa with indoor and outdoor treatments, a yoga pavilion, and two restaurants highlighting the island’s ingredients.

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Why we love it: While it’s just a short walk to the heart of Kailua-Kona for shopping and dining, the Royal Kona Resort boasts spectacular oceanfront views and a private cove for swimming and outstanding, uncrowded snorkeling. 

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Nestled among lush gardens along the oceanfront, The Royal Kona Resort offers rooms with private lanais. Cultural activities, daily yoga and fitness classes, welcome mai tais, bottled water, reef-safe sunscreen, and a spa credit are all included in the rates. While award-winning cuisine is served on-site, it’s just a short walk to the seaside village of Kailua-Kona for shopping and dining.

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Why we love it: The Four Seasons on Lanai offers a truly secluded retreat on what’s often called Hawaii’s last unspoiled island. A stay here feels as if you’re on your own private island, with accommodation in suites that have 1,200 to 4,000 square feet of living space.

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Enjoy a unique blend of tropical paradise, authentic Hawaiian culture, and the chance to create your own adventure from a menu of activities at the Four Seasons in Lanai. Guests enjoy everything from enhancing wellness through a curated experience that includes using data from wearable technology and swimming in free-form pools surrounded by palm trees to forest bathing, golfing, and pampering treatments in a private spa hale. Dining options include steak and seafood in an idyllic beachfront setting. 

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Why we love it: Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu, Autograph Collection is particularly ideal for families with a massive, 350,000-gallon main pool that’s been named the country’s best multiple times, an ideal location near Poipu Beach, and spacious villa accommodations with full kitchens.

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The luxurious Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu sits along the sun-soaked southern shore of Kauai. While it isn’t right on the beach, Poipu Beach Park is just a short stroll away. Its most iconic feature is what’s been voted the “Best Pool in America,” a 350,000-gallon, three-tiered lagoon-style pool, although there are three on-site, including one that’s adults-only. Accommodation is in some of the most spacious villa-style rooms in Hawaii, ranging from one-bedroom apartments to four-bedroom penthouses spread over 3,600 square feet. All feature large lanais, full kitchens, dining, and living areas.

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Why we love it: The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas offer a home-like stay and panoramic ocean views. While it enjoys a honeymoon-worthy setting along the North Shore near Kilauea Lighthouse, it’s also well-suited for families seeking luxury.

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The cliffside Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas sits on a 20-acre property along Kauai’s North Shore, providing a serene setting with accommodation in studio, one- and two-bedroom villas with kitchenettes, and washer/dryers. While the main pool has a water slide, there are also cliffside plunge pools for romantic dips. The spa offers a full menu of decadent services, including couples’ rituals combining body scrubs and massages, while the multiple dining and drinking venues include the chic Makana Terrace. A complimentary shuttle is provided operating within a two-mile radius, including stops near world-famous Hanalei Bay and other idyllic beaches like Pu’u Po’a.

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Why we love it: The Surfjack is not only located in the heart of Waikiki, but it also has a trendy retro design and a swim club that frequently hosts movie premieres.

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The Surfjack is one of the top hotels in Honolulu, particularly popular among the young and hip, with its retro design and Insta-worthy pool featuring an iconic “Wish You Were Here” mural. The pool serves as the hub of social activity with poolside dining, daily live music, and occasional movie premieres. The on-site restaurant, Mahina & Sun’s, has attracted VIPs like the Obamas, helmed by Oahu native chef Ed Kenney. The rooms are vintage-style and include all the necessities, but for the very best, book the mid-century penthouse suite that has a large outdoor terrace with a cityscape view.

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