There isn't a “best” Hawaiian island because each has its own unique charm and personality. Planning your perfect Hawaii trip is all about finding the right island for your travel style.
Ready to find out which Hawaiian island you should visit? Here’s a complete rundown that’ll give you the lay of the (is)land!
Known For: Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, being the cheapest Hawaiian Island, world-class surfing.
Come Here If You Want To: save money, stay on the beaten path, surf, hike, and geek out on history.
Top Activity Recommendations: hike the Diamond Head Summit Trail, tour the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, visit the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden, do at least two activities at Kualoa Ranch, and go on a scenic drive along the North Shore.
Known as the “cosmopolitan jewel of Waikiki,” the ’Alohilani is on the beach. This hotel has a 200,000-gallon oceanarium, a saltwater infinity pool, two restaurants by Masaharu Morimoto, and a beer garden. Plus, every room has either ocean or Diamond Head views.
With "Four Seasons" in its name, you know this hotel will provide you with an over-the-top luxurious stay. If you want to be on the island's quieter, less-crowded West Side, then this hotel is for you. The property has a protected beach that'sperfect for water activities, a rothere'sart display, and a Michael Mina Fish House.
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Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach
If you want glitz and glam, you’ll love this hotel’s old Hollywood vibes. There’s a spa, on-site dining, event spaces, and an oceanfront pool that you’ll never want to leave.
Located on Oahu’s more remote and less-visited North Shore, this hotel is perfect for getting off the beaten path. This resort has a beach, pools, hiking trails, horseback riding, restaurants, a spa, and golf courses.
Known For: whale-watching, surfing, golf, The Road To Hāna, beaches, world-class resorts, and being the most expensive Hawaiian island.
Come Here If You Want To: stay on the beaten path, go on a road trip, be a beach bum, splurge on a resort, swim, embrace the crowds, and snorkel.
Top Activity Recommendations: go on a boat tour to snorkel at the Molokini Crater, see a luau, drive The Road To Hāna, visit Haleakalā National Park, do a helicopter tour (my favorite is a no-doors helicopter), and go outrigger canoe surfing.
This hotel has some of the most spectacular pools you’ll ever find. The four main pools are tiered beneath each other with waterfalls, and there’s an adults-only pool. Plus, some rooms have swim-out pools, and there are villas with private pools. Andaz Maui is also beachfront; you’ll love the five on-site restaurants.
Most people only visit Hāna as a day trip, but this hotel is reason enough to stay on the off-the-beaten-path Hāna side of the island. This hotel has vintage bungalow and cottage-style rooms, two pools, on-site bike rentals, and one of the best restaurants on the island.
With ‘Four Seasons’ in its name, you know you can expect the epitome of luxury at this resort. You’ll love this property’s pools, spa, beach, restaurants, open-air design, and incredible views. Plus, this hotel is one of the only resorts in Wailea that doesn’t charge a resort fee.
This hotel gives you access to the facilities and dining at the nearby Grand Wailea. You’ll have a private villa with views of the ocean, two or three bedrooms, at least two bathrooms, a lanai, a patio, a full kitchen, an elevator, a washer and dryer, a garage, and a private outdoor grill.
Known For: the Nā Pali Coast, being one of the wettest places on Earth, 80% of the island only being accessible by air and water, being the second most expensive Hawaiian island.
Come Here If You Want To: sail, dive, or snorkel, do a helicopter ride, get off the beaten path, and escape the crowds.
Top Activity Recommendations: hike a portion of the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail, do the scenic drive through Waimea Canyon State Park, take a Zodiac or catamaran cruise along the Nā Pali Coast, do a helicopter ride (my favorite is a no-doors helicopter), and visit Secret Falls.
This hotel is ideally located on Hawaii’s world-famous Poipu Beach – a golden sand beach sprinkled with the island’s iconic volcanic rocks. There are three on-site restaurants, multiple pools, and every room has a garden or ocean view.
If you want to stay in the island’s most exclusive resort community, then The Lodge at Kukui’ula is for you. This resort has stand-alone villas with private pools and stunning views. Plus, you’ll have access to The Club at Kukui’ula.
Located on Kauai’s sunny south shore, this luxury resort combines classic Hawaiian architecture with open courtyards and lush gardens. This hotel is known for its “water wonderland” because it has so many pools, including an adults-only pool, lava-rock river pool, waterslide, and saltwater lagoon. There’s also a championship golf course, six restaurants, and a spa.
Known For: volcanoes, diving, waterfalls, black sand beaches, being the second most budget-friendly Hawaiian Island, and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.
Come Here If You Want To: see lava, go on a road trip, dive or snorkel, hike, escape the crowds, get off the beaten path.
Top Activity Recommendations: swim with manta rays, do a sunset and stargazing tour, hike to Akaka Falls, drive the Chain of Craters Road, hike through the Pu’u Loa petroglyph field, and walk through the Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube).
Picture yourself in this magnificent open-air hotel on the best beach on the island. There’s a spa, two pools, a tranquility pond, lush gardens, four on-site restaurants, a fitness center, and incredible views from every room.
If you want a truly luxurious resort, Mauna Lani is for you. This hotel sits on 32 oceanfront acres with royal fish ponds, natural lava plains, lush tropical gardens, beaches, multiple pools, on-site dining, and cultural activities.
You’ll love the oceanfront setting of this resort. There’s on-site biking, kayaking, surfing, snorkeling, a championship golf course, a tennis club, five restaurants and bars, a spa, and a stunning pool.
Lanai is the most remote and expensive Hawaiian island, and there's really just one place to stay here - Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort. Most people who come here never leave this property, but the hotel can arrange off-site activities.
Set on 90,000 acres of the remote island of Lanai, this is the place to come if you want to escape it all. You’ll be immersed in an ultra-luxe retreat focusing on customized wellbeing plans with the hotel’s on-site ‘Sensei Guides.’
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