Luxury Hotels in Hawaii

This chain of volcanic islands, slung out across the center of the vast Pacific Ocean like a series of jewels, has been capturing the imagination of travelers and writers for hundreds of years. With captivating scenery, erupting volcanoes, and beaches of pure white sand overhung with palm trees, Hawaii epitomises the image of a Pacific paradise. It goes without saying that five star hotels occupy pride of place on Hawaii’s beach fronts. But these jewels of Polynesia offer holidaymakers of all budgets a chance to relax in style. From the balcony of your luxury hotel or resort apartment, you can watch those big Pacific rollers breaking on the encircling reefs, where expert surfers ride pipes of translucent green water. Virtually every hotel has a blue chip swimming pool where you can float your days away. Hawaiian nights are warm and balmy, and there’s nothing more romantic than relaxing at a restaurant with a loved one, while gentle Pacific breezes rustle the leaves of the palm trees, bringing with them the scent of the ocean. If you are planning a Pacific island getaway, we’ve put together a selection of the best Hawaiian hotels. Aloha.


The Kahala Hotel & Resort – Honolulu

Rating: 8.7

The Kahala Hotel and Resort was built on the beachfront of Kahala Beach in 1964. If you want to follow in famous footsteps, this luxury hotel has played host to a wide range of Hollywood and other famous names. Once, it was Henry Fonda and Elizabeth Taylor, more recently Angelina Jolie and The Dalai Lama.

The Kahala Hotel and Resort has a clean, contemporary design that takes its inspiration from all over the world. The parquet floors are Thai teak and Italian glass is in the beautiful chandeliers in the lobby. If you have one of the luxury suites, you can enjoy hand-carved items.

You can choose from a range of rooms or suites featuring either inland or sea views. A dining highlight at the hotel is Hoku’s which features an award-winning blend of French and Hawaiian cuisine. The Dolphin Quest adventures, in which you can spend time with or even feed Dolphins, help support local conservation and research.

Located south-east of Honolulu, this hotel is an ideal place to explore the quieter side of this Hawaiian island. You could head inland to the Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve or perhaps venture east down the coast road. There, you can find lagoons on your way to Koko Head District Park.

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Aston Waikiki Beach Tower – Honolulu

Rating: 8.7

Aston Waikiki Beach Tower puts a new spin on luxury hotels by combining condominium privacy with resort service and facilities. So you don’t need to worry about the lobby, just head straight to your condo. If you’re a beach lover, it’s directly opposite the famous Waikiki beach.

The design of Aston Waikiki Beach Tower is thoroughly modern while drawing upon local Hawaiian culture for its details. The condos feature clean, contemporary designs, but also make great use of vivid colours to bring flavours of Hawaii into your home away from home.

Drawing upon condo living, the facilities are somewhat different here. Each condo has its own kitchen complete with appliances. There’s a pool available along with barbecue stations. While there’s no bar here, that just encourages you to go out and enjoy the nightlife of Hawaii or find a great Hawaiian wine to bring ‘home’.

Aston Waikiki Beach offers complimentary tickets for two at the Bishop Museum and the Honolulu Museum of Art. There are also several golf courses nearby. But if you prefer your walks unspoiled, the waterfalls of the Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve and a volcano crater complete with walking trails are a short way inland.

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Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach – Honolulu

Rating: 8.7

Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach has panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Dedicated to Queen Lili’uokalani, the last queen of the Hawaiian kingdom, this luxury hotel borrows the name of one of her beachside cottages. Committed to reforestation, the hotel offers guests the opportunity to plant a tree that they can track through its life.

The thoroughly modern design of ‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach came through an incredible $125 million redevelopment by the Rockwell Group. The hotel draws upon local materials, pairing neutral colours with green and blue details. The suites also offer marble in the bathrooms.

The hotel’s restaurant is led by the experienced chef Masaharu Morimoto of the Iron Chef TV show. The restaurant offers a blend of Hawaiian and Japanese food, with other options at the bar. There’s an oceanarium with Hawaiian reef fish, a pool and a range of activities you can enjoy.

If you want to head out into Hawaii, the hotel is right next door to a regional park that includes the Waikīkī Aquarium. The Diamond Head volcano is just beyond. Or you could head north up the coast roads into Honolulu’s Art’s District with its many restaurants and neighbouring harbour right next door.

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No matter where your luxury hotel in Hawaii is, you’ll undoubtedly want to explore the unique charm of each of the major islands. Hawaii is one of the most enjoyable places to visit, and with its stunning beaches, beautiful nature, and fun activities, you’ll never be bored. Here are a few recommendations for how to make the most of your Hawaii vacation. 1. Take a private whale watching boat trip. If you’re in Hawaii between May and November, don’t miss the opportunity to see the magnificent display of North Pacific Humpback whales swimming freely in the ocean during their annual winter migration. However, many whale watching boat tours can be pretty crowded, which can ruin the experience somewhat. Therefore, book a private charter to take you out to the best and most quiet spots. 2. Eat the freshest cuisine at the award-winning Merriman’s Kapalua restaurant. The elegant Merriman’s Kapalua restaurant on the west side of Maui is renowned for its “farm-to-table” concept, using 90% locally sourced ingredients. If you’re a seafood lover, Merrimans is where you will find the freshest fish on the island. Plus, this upmarket restaurant is in the most idyllic setting on the tip of Kapalua bay, making it a memorable oceanfront dining experience. 3. Play golf with a view. With such an array of luxury golf results, Hawaii is a haven for golf enthusiasts. If you fancy a game while you’re here, head to Wailea Golf Club in South Maui. Wailea is one of Hawaii’s most famous golf spots, thanks to its panoramic vistas and well-maintained courses. There are two courses here to choose from; the Gold Course and the Emerald Course. The Gold Course is a challenging par-72 course ideally suited for the pros. In contrast, the Emerald Course is a fun, tropical playground for all levels. 4. Go on a private volcano tour. The Volcanoes National Park in Kau is home to two of Hawaii’s active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa. Seeing these natural wonders in action is a must-do experience on any Hawaii trip, so book a private tour with a local guide. Your driver will pick you up from your luxury hotel in Hawaii and show you the highlights of the park, such as the Thurston Lava Tube, a 500-year-old cave formed by flowing lava. 5. Explore the ocean on a private Catamaran yacht. Make the most of the turquoise waters by hiring a private yacht for a fun and memorable day at sea. Hawaii is full of secret coves, secluded beaches and snorkelling spots such as Oahu’s Turtle Canyon, where you can swim with green sea turtles. Royal Hawaiian Catamaran is one of the fanciest sailing options, with two or three-hour private trips available. 6. Pamper yourself at SpaHalekulani SpaHalekulani in Honolulu is a luxurious yet expensive spa, but the treatments here are totally worth splashing out on. The award-winning spa blends tradition with innovation, resulting in treatments using organic, wildcrafted and locally sourced ingredients. While all the massages and treatments will leave you feeling a million bucks, I particularly recommend the 100-minute Halekulani Supreme body treatment. This complete head-to-toe package includes a full-body exfoliation, soothing soak, moisturizing wrap and massage. 7. Attend a traditional Hawaian feast A Luau is an old Hawaiian tradition that celebrates food and life and includes a magnificent feast, live music, and cultural performances. Attending a Luau is one of the best ways to learn more about Hawaiian culture while having an awesome party. One of the biggest Luaus on the island takes place at Paradise Cove in Waikiki. There’s a whole range of ticket prices to choose from, including front row or VIP Royal box seats.