The 8 Best Luxury Resorts in Hawaii

We analyzed all the options and found the best luxury resorts in Hawaii for travelers looking to truly experience paradise in full, elevated comfort.

best luxury resorts in hawaii

These Hawaii luxury resorts offer top-of-the-line hospitality, beachfront access, expansive suites, and personalized amenities that make the islands feel even more exclusive than they already are.

We made sure to verify that these 5-star properties actually deliver an opulent experience for even the most discerning traveler.

Table of Contents

Methodology

To curate this list of the best luxury resorts in Hawaii, we relied on a combination of detailed online research and review analysis. Specifically, we studied user-generated ratings and detailed feedback from Google Reviews, TripAdvisor, and Expedia.

We also examined recent renovations, average nightly rates, dining experiences, and beachfront quality. Only properties that consistently deliver an upscale experience and rank high on traveler satisfaction made the cut.

Please note that some links below are affiliate links, which means that we receive a small commission if you make a purchase through our links, but at no extra cost to you. Thank you in advance for your support!

The 8 Best Luxury Resorts in Hawaii for 2025

8. 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay

City: Kauai
Key Highlights:

Steps from Hanalei Bay’s white sand coastline
Incorporates reclaimed teak, natural stone, and native greenery
Seven wellness-focused venues including rooftop pool and spa

This north shore Kauai resort is almost like a tropical sanctuary that has been molded to blend seamlessly with its lush setting.

It’s the kind of place where everything from the stone-and-wood lobby to the nature-based wellness programming feels a little more holistic and high-touch than expected. There are about 252 rooms, including suites with panoramic bay views and soothing, earth-toned interiors that lean heavily into sustainable design.

The oceanfront is practically your backyard here—Hanalei Bay is, in fact, just steps away and is often named one of the most stunning beaches in all of Hawaii.

They’ve got an entire wellness wing, by the way, with a medical-grade recovery center, infrared therapy pods, and personalized treatment rooms. Meanwhile, the food is very garden-to-table, often showcasing local farms and regional seafood in beautifully plated dishes across three on-site dining spaces.

It’s also surprisingly suitable for families, offering a few larger suites, guided nature hikes, and even tidepooling adventures for kids.

Overall, it’s a property that could be described as utterly calming, but also really intentional—designed for those looking for a mix of eco-luxury and deep rejuvenation.

Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor

7. The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua

City: Maui
Key Highlights:

54 oceanfront acres tucked into West Maui’s coastline
6 tennis courts, 2 golf courses, 3-tiered pool layout
466 rooms, including Club Level with private concierge

The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, is where elevated tradition meets the rugged natural beauty of West Maui.

It’s got that classic Hawaiian grandness—a lobby with dark wood beams, native artwork, and sweeping views of the ocean that more or less command you to take a breath and slow down. This resort is nestled across 54 acres, and while it’s totally luxurious, it never tries too hard—it kind of just knows it’s iconic.

Rooms have marble bathrooms, soaking tubs, and many offer wrap-around lanais with a view that stretches all the way to Molokai.

The beach, DT Fleming, is just a short walk away and it’s got this wild energy—ideal for surfers or beachcombers. Meaawhile, there are three interconnected pools that sort of cascade down the property, with tons of space to relax.

Families are usually pretty happy here too, with nature-based kids’ programming and easy access to gentle hikes and tidepool explorations.

Multiple on-site restaurants include Banyan Tree, where the seafood is always incredibly fresh and the cocktails feel a bit more thoughtful than usual.

The Ritz brand always delivers and this property has truly emerged as one of the best Hawaii luxury resorts.

Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor

6. Montage Kapalua Bay

City: Maui
Key Highlights:

Sprawling 24-acre resort on Kapalua Bay
All-suite accommodations with gourmet kitchens
Massive 8,500-sq-ft spa and wellness center

Montage Kapalua Bay delivers a slightly quieter brand of luxury, tucked into a prime piece of Maui shoreline that often feels more like a high-end neighborhood than a resort.

Every suite here is enormous—starting around 1,250 square feet—and fully equipped with chef-ready kitchens, multiple bedrooms, and lanais that open out to tropical gardens or ocean views.

The location, right on Kapalua Bay, means that beach days are easy, calm, and almost always framed by clear turquoise waters and palm silhouettes.

Even the resort’s multiple pools feel like little private enclaves—quiet, well-spaced, and shaded in all the right places. Additioanlly, the spa, which is more like a wellness village, offers treatments infused with Hawaiian botanicals and deep-tissue techniques that have earned them high praise.

Food at the Montage Kapalua Bay is pretty elevated and well-praised—Cane & Canoe serves modern Hawaiian cuisine with an open-air ambiance that pairs ridiculously well with sunset.

Montage Kapalua Bay is an ideal choice for those wanting a low-key, high-comfort stay at one of the best luxury resorts in Hawaii. Multi-generational travelers also tend to love it for the residential vibe and generous room layouts.

Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor

5. Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui – Best-Seller

City: Maui
Key Highlights:

All-suite and villa resort on Polo Beach
Three pools, including adults-only serenity pool
New $70M renovation completed in 2024

Fairmont Kea Lani is one of those properties that somehow feels both big and intimate at the same time. It’s set on the quieter southern coastline of Wailea, hugging Polo Beach with soft white sand and soft-rolling waves that make it wildly family-friendly.

The resort just finished a complete refresh that added more polished design elements, from sculptural light fixtures to vibrant native flora woven into every courtyard. The suites and villas are all spacious—think private lanai, oversized soaking tubs, and some with full kitchens for longer stays.

The pools are layered—one for families with a waterslide, one quieter option, and one that’s adults-only and honestly pretty serene. Also, the on-site Willow Stream Spa is centered on Hawaiian healing practices and offers rooftop cabanas for post-massage wind-downs.

Ko Restaurant features a really unique menu with global fusion that guests can’t stop raving about.

It’s a great option for couples or families wanting easy beach access and upscale features, which is also why it’s one of the most booked luxury resorts Hawaii has to offer.

Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor

4. Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

City: Maui
Key Highlights:

383 rooms, many with panoramic ocean views
Three saltwater pools including adults-only infinity
On-site Spago by Wolfgang Puck

There’s a reason Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea keeps popping up on lists of the best luxury resorts in Hawaii.

It’s got that rich-and-relaxed feel nailed down, thanks to pristine beachfront access, top-shelf service, and expansive open-air spaces that let the breeze just kind of guide your day. The suites are outfitted with everything from marble bathrooms to private balconies, and many overlook the resort’s crescent-shaped beach.

The expansive pools are designed for everyone, with one dedicated to adults that offers underwater music and cabanas with misting fans. Meanwhile, the spa treatments are borderline legendary—try the Hawaiian lomi lomi massage or their post-sun body wrap.

Food-wise, you’ll find options like Ferraro’s for coastal Italian or Spago for that iconic fusion take on island flavors.

Families get plenty of love too, with a kids’ club, babysitting services, and kid-friendly menus almost everywhere.

Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor

3. Halekulani Hotel – Top Value Pick

City: Honolulu
Key Highlights:

Located on Waikiki Beach with iconic Diamond Head views
453 rooms and suites, all with lanais
La Mer: Hawaii’s only AAA Five Diamond restaurant

Halekulani Hotel, situated in the heart of Waikiki, brings a classic sense of elegance that feels timeless. It’s also a property where service is always crisp, from turndown to beachside drink delivery.

The rooms are bright and airy, styled in crisp whites with just a few touches of understated blue—kind of like they know you’ll be looking out at the ocean anyway.

The beachfront here is prime, with direct access and views of Diamond Head that make morning coffee on your lanai feel cinematic.

The resort’s signature pool, tiled with 1.2 million glass tiles in a signature orchid mosaic, is something people come just to see.

Food here is a serious affair—Orchids for brunch, House Without a Key for sunset cocktails, and La Mer if you’re feeling especially refined.

For those wanting to stay central in Honolulu without giving up exclusivity, the Halekulani is one of the best luxury resorts Hawaii has to offer, especially for the value it delivers.

Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor

2. Hotel Wailea

City: Maui
Key Highlights:

72-suite adults-only retreat
Ocean-view dining and private chef experiences
Winner of Forbes Travel Guide 5-Star Award

Hotel Wailea is unlike most other Hawaii luxury resorts because it’s adults-only and purposefully intimate. There are only 72 suites here, each designed with open layouts, warm woods, and oversized lanais that peer out over the Pacific.

Instead of beachfront access, you get cliffside privacy—but don’t worry, a quick ride takes you to Wailea Beach with complimentary gear included.

The expansive pool is calm, surrounded by gardens, and rarely busy—a spot to actually recharge.

Food is hyper-local, served at The Restaurant at Hotel Wailea, where nearly everything is grown on the resort’s own farm or caught fresh that day. They also offer mixology workshops, treehouse dinners with private chefs, and partnerships with nearby outrigger clubs and yoga studios.

Overall, the Hotel Wailea is ideal for honeymoons, anniversaries, or just getting away without the distraction of large crowds.

Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor

1. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai – Top Overall

City: Kailua-Kona, Big Island
Key Highlights:

865 acres on the Big Island’s Kona-Kohala coast
7 pools including a 1.8M-gallon swimmable aquarium
Championship golf course and 15,000-sq-ft spa

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is the most comprehensive, luxurious experience you’ll find in the Hawaiian Islands, making it the best luxury resort Hawaii has to offer.

It sits on a massive stretch of prime Kona coastline where lava rock meets soft sand, creating a vibe that’s both rugged and refined. Rooms are spacious and surrounded by tropical gardens, with outdoor showers, soaking tubs, and some of the plushest bedding in Hawaii.

There’s an actual aquarium pool where you can swim with native fish, plus six other pools for different moods—including a quiet adults-only haven and a family-friendly splash zone. Likewise, the spa is expansive and focuses on ancient Hawaiian healing techniques combined with modern science.

Of course, dining options here are sublime, from the beachfront Ulu Ocean Grill to the elevated sushi counter at ‘Ulu Sushi Lounge.

It’s hard to imagine a more complete resort experience—so this one earns the top spot without question.

Reviews & Latest Price on TripAdvisor

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