Most Romantic Hotels in Hawaii
Thanks to gorgeous beaches, amazing food, stunning scenery, and excellent hiking, it’s no surprise Hawaii is a prime pick for celebrating an anniversary or honeymoon. But knowing exactly what hotel or resort is perfect for your romantic getaway can be hard. After all, Hawaii has several beautiful islands to choose from, and not every hotel is primed for cuddling with your partner. But over the past decade, we’ve spent plenty of time in Hawaii and have found everything from adults-only escapes to jaw-dropping suites and picture-perfect beaches for sunset viewing. So if you’re taking a trip with your sweetie, here are our expert picks for the most romantic hotels in Hawaii.
Travaasa Hana, Maui
Hana, Maui
Tucked away from the crowds and commercial activity in northern Maui, this romantic resort that's at the end of the famous Road to Hana features beautiful, rustic-chic bungalows and fantastic views over Hana Bay. It's a popular honeymoon spot, and wedding packages are available for up to 200 people. Rooms here are outfitted with contemporary, elegant decor and have patios with lounge chairs and day beds for an evening cozy-up session with sea views. There are also plenty of activities at Travaasa Hana, from lei-making to lounging at the sea-facing Wellness Pool. Meals take place at The Preserve Kitchen Bar, which offers breezy outdoor seating and a menu that focuses on local ingredients. While a stay here certainly doesn't come cheap, all-inclusive packages with perks such as spa treatment credits help lighten the blow, and some room rates come with free flights right into the resort.
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
Wailea, Maui
This gorgeous, 380-room luxury property fronting Wailea Beach is one of the top resorts on Maui. It's incredibly romantic — couples and honeymooners are primed for pampering here, whether it's at the spa or the spectacular adults-only infinity pool. Rooms are spacious, and feature perks like soaking bathtubs. If you're after peak romance, make sure you request one of the rooms that has outstanding views of the Pacific Ocean. Dining like Spago by Wolfgang Puck all help contribute to the exclusive vibe, making this a special-occasion kind of place.
Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui
Maui, Hawaii, United States
Spread over 22 acres of prime beachfront real estate in Wailea, this gorgeous property is one of the swankiest spots around. In fact, if you’re trying to decide where to stay, you’ll likely be weighing the Fairmont vs. Four Seasons Maui next door (which we've detailed just above). The suites and villas here are huge (bigger than the Four Seasons), and the Deluxe Ocean View Suite — with its floor-to-ceiling windows and private lanai — is particularly impressive. Facilities score high marks, too, with three outdoor pools, a large fitness center, and nightly entertainment. The Fairmont Kea Lani's bars and restaurants are excellent as well, and the resort offers everything from romantic dining at Nick's Fish Market, which offers a seafood-dominant restaurant menu, to Hawaiian cuisine at the open-air Ko. However, the star feature is the on-site Willow Stream Spa, with its beautiful spa facilities and mix of traditional and innovative treatments.
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua
Kapalua, Maui
Set on a beautiful stretch of secluded beach, this luxurious resort offers tons for romancing couples, from an impressive three-level pool with gorgeous coastal views to a host of romantic dining options, including the fine-dining Banyan Tree Restaurant, which offers organic dishes paired with biodynamic wines. The spa is among the best on the island, spanning 17,500 square feet and offering everything from microdermabrasion to traditional massages. Rooms and suites are luxurious, with furnished balconies and gorgeous marble bathrooms with separate showers and tubs, and the resort offers larger units known as Residences with kitchens and up to two bedrooms. It's an isolated property, and you'll want to have a rental car if you want to explore, but that all helps make this an exceptionally romantic spot.
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
Kailua-Kona, Island of Hawaii
One of the best honeymoon resorts in Hawaii, this beautiful beachfront luxury hotel offers everything you could possibly think of for a romantic getaway, plus plenty for those who like to stay active while on vacation. Highlights include seven pools, one of which is right in the ocean, a beautiful spa with a garden, a Cultural Center with classes, and even an 18-hole golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus. The three restaurants here are fantastic, with room service and romantic beachfront dining options for those who'd rather stay out of sight from other guests. The rooms here are equally lovely, with romantic touches such as deep soaking tubs with bath salts and aromatherapy candles; the Four Seasons Hualalai Oceanfront rooms even have outdoor lava rock showers.
Andaz Maui At Wailea Resort
Wailea, Maui
Located right on Mokapu Beach, this ultra-luxurious design hotel offers beautiful rooms, suites, and villas, great dining options, and gorgeous facilities, including a four-tiered infinity pool with views out over the ocean. Foodies rejoice: the restaurants are particularly fantastic, with menus developed by Iron Chef's Masaharu Morimoto, and even the breakfast service—while expensive—gets rave reviews. If you’re more about pampering, the `Āwili Spa and Salon offers customized treatments, many inspired by local wellness traditions. Other highlights include a large fitness center, wedding packages, and even special events—if you’re staying here on New Year’s Eve, expect a special luau and fireworks just for the occasion.
Hotel Wailea
Wailea, Maui
Set on 15 beautifully landscaped acres overlooking the southern coast of Maui, this Relais & Chateaux property is all about tranquil, adults-only luxury. All of the suites here feature kitchenettes, sit-out areas, and romance-inspiring bathrooms, complete with soaking tubs and rainfall showerheads. While it's not on the beach, guests can take a free shuttle straight to the resort's beach club, and there's a pretty pool with a whirlpool, plush cabanas, and a firepit. The restaurant at Hotel Wailea is particularly impressive, with a chef's table and artisanal cocktails.
The Kahala Hotel & Resort
Honolulu, Oahu
A 10- to 15-minute drive from Waikiki Beach, on the nearly isolated beach of a posh Honolulu suburb, the intimate Kahala Hotel has been Oahu's premier romantic choice since it opened in 1964. Even Liz Taylor and Richard Burton honeymooned here, hiding from the paparazzi in a private cabana. And if you're not sold on the side-by-side massages, just take a look at "Kissing Point."
Princeville Resort
Princeville, Kauai
Easily one of the most luxurious options you'll find on Kauai, the sophisticated Princeville Resort is overshadowed only by the natural beauty that surrounds it, with lush grounds and views out over Hanalei Bay. Rooms are contemporary, but feature plenty of locally inspired decor, and all have big marble bathrooms. One of the most stunning features here is the infinity pool, with views out over the bay, and the huge spa, which offers romantic perks such as couples treatment rooms and oceanfront cabanas.
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection
Puako, Kohala Coast, Island of Hawaii
Situated right on a gorgeous stretch of secluded white-sand beach, this luxury property offers elegant rooms and great facilities. The restaurants are particularly enticing, with a mix of casual and swankier spots, and most have ocean views. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel also has a number of special events every week, from brunch buffets to clambakes; plus a traditional luau. While the resort attracts everyone from families to honeymooners, it's also popular for weddings, with gorgeous grounds that make for some exceptionally romantic backdrops. And if you want to get a chance to see what the place looks like ahead of time, they even have a live webcam that looks out over the beach. The closest airport to the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is in Kona, about a 40-minute drive away.
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa
Poipu, Kauai
This massive resort is a great option if you don't want to stray far, with tons to do right on the property. All of the Grand Hyatt Kauai's rooms are well-maintained and beautifully furnished, with private lanais and marble bathrooms. Opt for the Ocean Suite, with its ocean views and four-poster bed, if you want a little extra romance. The spa here, Anara, is the largest on the island and boasts an incredible spa menu with all sorts of treatments. It even has its own lap pool and is attached to a huge fitness center. Other facilities include three pools, including a lazy river with a waterslide and an adult-only option, and a variety of restaurants and bars serving everything from fine-dining Italian to local Hawaiian fare. The resort also hosts a luau with entertainment and an all-you-can-eat buffet twice per week.
Halekulani Hotel
Waikiki, Oahu
If you're in search of romance but also love the energy of being in a city, consider Halekulani Hotel in the heart of Waikiki. Rooms here are bright and have their own furnished lanais, plus deep soaking tubs in the bathrooms. Dining options abound here, with multiple watering holes (including a wine bar) and an all-day restaurant, Orchids, which offers afternoon tea and a Sunday brunch service. For something extra special, Halekulani's La Mer offers fine-dining at dinner (just bring a dinner jacket — it’s one of the more formal spots on Oahu). Other features include a pretty outdoor pool with direct beach access and a lovely spa that focuses on Polynesian-inspired treatments. And if you want to really up the romance factor, you can get married here; the resort offers custom wedding packages across a variety of venues.
Four Seasons Hotel Lanai at Koele, A Sensei Retreat
Lanai City, Lanai
Formerly known as The Lodge at Koele, this luxurious resort is excellent for active and relaxed romance alike. The overall vibe is peaceful and casual, though there's plenty to keep guests busy. Amenities include a Greg Norman-designed golf course and horseback riding. Guests can also access all of the facilities, including the beach, at the resort's sister property at Manele Bay, and a free shuttle service connects the two resorts, alleviating the need for a rental car. In the true Four Seasons spirit, dining options here are upscale and elegant, with two restaurants plus room service for those who don't want to get out of bed. The spa here is equally fantastic, with a variety of treatments plus Japanese ofuro tubs.
Ho’oilo House
Lahaina, Maui
With just six rooms arranged around a beautiful common area that’s decked out in lavish Balinese decor, the Ho'oilo House is the exact opposite of a generic mega-resort. And, in our opinion, that makes finding romance all the easier. This adult-only bed-and-breakfast offers an intimate alternative to travelers who don't need a ton of features. Although amenities are limited to a great continental breakfast and a small, lovely pool, the experience here less about action and more about relaxing and enjoying the great views of the ocean below (though note there is no beach here). Worth noting? This is the only upscale bed-and-breakfast in Lahaina.
Ko’a Kea Hotel & Resort
Poipu, Kauai
Located right on Poipu Beach, this quiet, elegant resort is ideal for travelers looking for a restful and romantic getaway. Rooms are sleek and elegant, with light furnishings, soft lighting, and glorious ocean views in many. Features are low key, without loud entertainment or animation, and include a small pool, a stone-encircled whirlpool hot tub, and high-end dining at the on-site Red Salt restaurant. However, it's the beach that's the real draw here, with soft sands and good snorkeling.
Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii
Puako, Kohala Coast, Island of Hawaii
Located on 32 acres on the Kohala Coast of the Big Island, about a half-hour drive from Kona, this is certainly one of the larger properties on this list, but it's nonetheless incredibly romantic. Rooms feature private balconies, many with views over the ocean, plus marble bathrooms with separate WCs. It’s the facilities that really stand out here, with an elegant spa complete with outdoor treatment huts and multiple restaurants, plus lots of event space (if you’ve dreamt of a destination wedding in a coconut grove, this is your place). If you’re here on a Saturday, don’t miss the weekly luau, which includes a huge buffet and traditional entertainment.
Turtle Bay Resort
Kahuku, Oahu
This Oahu all-inclusive has long been a popular destination for wedding groups and honeymooners, owing to its beautiful North Shore location, great restaurants, and ample on-site activities. The rooms and villas here offer calming, light decor with lots of natural materials and pastel hues, and most open out onto patios, many with ocean views. On-site amenities are extensive, with a spa, horseback riding, saltwater pools, and surfing lessons, for something extra romantic, helicopter tours are available for a fee. And if you live in Hawaii, note that they offer special Kamaaina discounts for residents.
Waimea Plantation Cottages
Waimea, Kauai
Housed in what was once a sugar cane plantation, this historic property features an elegant, classic alternative to the newer purpose-built resorts found across Kauai. Its history is most evident in the main house, which features a dark wooden sitting area and a lobby filled with antiques and old photos. Guests stay in cottages here, complete with kitchens, that are scattered throughout the expansive property. It's a particularly popular wedding spot, with indoor and outdoor ceremony and event space. Other amenities include a simple pool and a restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating.
Huelo Point Lookout
Haiku, Maui
If you'd prefer the intimacy of a cozy bed-and-breakfast over the facilities of a mega-resort, this little Maui property is a great choice. There are only four cottages here, all situated in a lush, tropical forest, and while it's a trek to get to the nearest beach, there is a small pool area with lounge chairs. And while you won't find any restaurants at the hotel or in the immediate area, all of the cottages have kitchens, and the staff can do the grocery shopping for you so that you need only sit back and enjoy the peaceful seclusion.