From ‘ohana’ friendly trips in Maui to transformative wellness journeys in Lanai, here are Hawaii’s best five-star resorts.
There’s no shortage of exceptional resorts dotted across the Hawaiian Islands, each offering their own version of beachfront massages, fine dining and dazzling infinity pools. But that warm aloha feeling comes from more than a long list of award-winning and renowned facilities set amongst lush mountains, active volcanoes, and secluded beaches. Whether you seek a blend of adventure and relaxation, an insider’s look into Hawaii or a romantic sojourn, these five stars shine brighter than the rest, and for good reason.
Scroll on for our list of Hawaii’s best five-star resorts.
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Turtle Bay Resort
Best resort for: A blend of eco-friendly adventure and relaxation
Sitting on the North Shore of Oahu, the five-star hideaway is surrounded by the big blue on three sides and occupies a grandiose 1,300 oceanfront acres. Tranquil relaxation is the order of every day here, with the hotel’s decadent facilities offering the opportunity to be as busy or leisurely as you like. Enjoy a relaxing amble between the resort’s eight pools or a spa treatment at Nalu Spa – then find all the adventure to be had in the surrounding areas.
From five-mile beach snorkelling adventures to horse riding and hiking experiences, you’re never far from lush, historic land waiting to be explored. This eco-friendly resort also offers guests to delve deeper into their sustainability with tours to their onsite Kuilima Farm, supplying fresh produce to their eight onsite dining experiences. End your days at the Sunset Bar, where live music is your soundtrack to spotting pros hang ten on the crashing waves.
Montage Kapalua
Best resort for: Multi-generational family escapes
Spread across 24 acres of Maui's Namalu Bay, the Montage Kapalua’s five-star suites (with many multi-bedroom options) allow for ample bonding time, while providing enough space for all three generations of your family. Kids aged 5 to 12 can be chefs one day, or turtle conservationists and scientists the next, while teens will love standup paddleboarding, hiking or snorkelling adventures.
Those young at heart might like more relaxing activities – practicing your swing on the two award-winning championship golf courses (The Bay Course and The Plantation Course), hitting up the fully-decked out spa or enjoying a meal at Cane & Canoe. Bring the whole family back together for days blissing out on the private beach, or for the ultimate family memory, book a snorkelling session in the marine reserves – it’s sure to have you believing ‘the more the merrier’.
Four Seasons Resort Lanai
Best resort for: Loved up honeymooners wanting to get away from it all
Turn on your out-of-office because the five-star Four Seasons Resort Lanai lets you and yours hole up in remote luxury from its spot on a cliff high above Manele Bay. The Lanai region is one of the most exclusive and least developed islands in Hawaii, making this five-star resort the perfect place to live out all your romantic holiday dreams. Indulge at the serene spa and wellness centre, stargaze with an expert and dive into a private marine reserve to explore technicolour coral gardens. When hunger strikes, make your significant other’s heart flutter with a fine dining experience at Nobu Lanai. Peruse the menu’s local offerings, which champion the island’s produce and seafood, or opt for the interactive 15-course Teppanyaki experience, paired with a sake bottled exclusively for Nobu.
Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort
Best resort for: A fully personalised wellness journey
Whatever your passion or intention for this getaway, the adults-only Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort is bound to have the perfect wellness package to soothe your mind, body and soul. As Hawaii’s first high-end wellness retreat, this five-star resort hides inland, 1,800 feet above sea level and 20-minutes’ drive away from the nearest beach.
After check-in, guests meet their Sensei guides for a functional movement screen and bioelectrical impedance analysis. This data is used to customise every part of your transformative journey, down to the type of foam roller you use. With 10 treatment hales (houses in Hawaiian), each holds an ofuro hot tub, steam shower, infrared sauna and relaxation area. Two even have watsu pools, where aqua therapists massage and stretch as you float in a pool set to your core temperature.
Timbers Kaua'i Ocean Club & Residences
Best resort for: Sustainability and organic experiences
The luxurious Timbers Kaua'i Ocean Club & Residences sits on 450 acres on the southeast coast of Kaua’i, boasting sweeping views of the azure ocean juxtaposed against the emerald Hau'pu mountains in the distance. Explore nearby beaches and untouched forests, float away the day in the two-tiered infinity pool or tee off at The Ocean Course, a Jack Nicklaus Signature that also happens to be the longest stretch of oceanfront golf in Hawaii.
Known as Hawaii’s Garden Isle, Kaua’i is relatively under-developed compared to Oahu, making it the perfect spot for the sustainably minded. The Farm at Hōkūala is the property’s fruit orchard and organic vegetable garden, supplying not only Hualani's Restaurant, but treatments at the rejuvenating Nanea Spa as well.
Hotel Wailea
Best resort for: Adventurous couples or couples celebrating a special anniversary
Perched on a lush tropical hillside, Hotel Wailea – the USA’s only Relais & Chateaux property – offers the perfect setting for an adults-only playground. This five-star property is geared towards grown-ups – hop on an electric bike or rent a vintage Porsche Roadster convertible, then get hands on with a mixology or poke making class, experience sound healing or travel in style to the beachfront in a Tesla Model X. Back at the resort, enjoy complimentary on-site aerial silk yoga classes, or laze about in a lavish poolside cabana. Want to ramp up the romance? Customise your own seven-course private dining experience for two in a Brazilian wood treehouse as you gaze at jaw-dropping views over the ocean below.
1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
Best resort for: A visit to the world-renowned day spa
1 Hotel Hanalei Bay is nestled in the idyllic Hanalei Bay on Kauai’i’s North Shore, boasting postcard-perfect scenes of both the spectacular beachfront and the Hihimanu, Nāmolokama, and Māmalahoa mountains. But the real drawcard is the renowned Bamford Wellness Spa, where transcendent experiences can be found in their extensive menu of decadent treatments. From incorporating native Hawaiian medicinal plants, to massages on quartz beds and floating in a sensory deprivation tank, this cutting edge-spa is a one-way ticket to cloud nine. After top-to-toe pampering, take a beachfront dip, paddle to the nearby surf break, or explore the cute town nearby.
Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection
Best resort for: A real taste of Hawaii
If you prefer fewer tourists and a laid-back atmosphere, the Island of Hawaii (affectionately called The Big Island) is the place to be. Occupying prime real estate just north of Hualalai, the Mauna Lani offers an opulent take on a Hawaiian getaway. Take your pick of the spectacular guestrooms and expansive lanais, then spend your time flitting between all the lavish amenities and experiences, including whale watching, an award-winning golf course and the 3900-foot resort pool. However, the true standout is how the Mauna Lani brings the true spirit of Hawaii to life. The Living Culture team shares tales, songs, and educational insights, immersing you in the rich history of the islands – leaving you with a genuine connection to Hawaii that lingers long after you’ve returned home.
Feature image: Turtle Bay Resort, Oahu, Hawaii. Source: Supplied.
Looking for more inspiration? Check out Top Hawaii Resorts for Wellness Enthusiasts
