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The 15 Best Resort Hotels in Hawaii in 2017

The 15 Best Resort Hotels in Hawaii in 2017

By John Wogan

July 11, 2017

Courtesy of Fairmont Kea Lani

When travelers think of the perfect tropical vacation — white-sand beaches virtually on your doorstep, verdant, manicured gardens framed by swaying palms, multiple swimming pools from which to choose — Hawaii immediately comes to mind. The sheer number of options spread across its six main islands makes it ideal for any family or couples getaway, and with nonstop flights to the state from every corner of the continental U.S., it’s more convenient than ever.

Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as City or Resort based on their locations and amenities.

The Big Island has three properties on the list, including the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, which continually offers new activities for guests — like an “Ultimate Pop-Up Volcano Adventure” program that whisks visitors off on an aerial tour of a volcano before bringing them to a private cottage near Volcanoes National Park, where chefs prepare the night’s dinner (complemented by a hula performance).

Maui had the most properties on the list with seven, including the runner-up, Hotel Wailea. Our readers were fans of the “restful, quiet location,” as well as the “contemporary yet comfortable décor,” with one respondent proclaiming, “I wish I could go to Maui more often, mostly so I could stay here and chill.”

Related: The Best Time to Visit Hawaii for Low Prices and Great Weather

Although the small island of Kauai had only two properties on the list this year, one of them took the No. 1 spot. The beachfront Koa Kea Hotel & Resort snagged top billing for its service and personal touches.

“This will be the only hotel we stay in on Kauai from now on,” said one reader. “The valets were all happy to direct us to their local beach hangouts and steer us off the beaten path. On top of that, it was so clean we felt like we were the first occupants in our ocean view room.” For the full list of Hawaii’s best beach retreats, read on.

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15. Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, Big Island

Credit: Courtesy of Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows

Score: 88.38

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14. Fairmont Orchid, Big Island

Credit: Courtesy of Fairmont Orchid

Score: 88.48

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13. Travaasa Hana, Maui

Credit: Courtesy of Travaasa Experiential Resorts

Score: 88.52

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12. Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina

Credit: Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina

Score: 88.55

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11. Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa

Credit: Courtesy of Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa

Score: 89.21

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10. Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, Maui

Credit: Courtesy of Ritz-Carlton Kapalua

Score: 90.29

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9. Halekulani, Honolulu

Credit: Courtesy of Halekulani

Score: 90.45

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8. Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

Credit: Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Maui

Score: 91.04

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7. Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui

Credit: Courtesy of Fairmont Kea Lani

Score: 91.09

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6. Four Seasons Resort, Lanai

Credit: Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Lanai

Score: 92.10

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5. Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort

Credit: Courtesy of Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort

Score: 93.17

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4. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Big Island

Credit: Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

Score: 93.39

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3. Montage Kapalua Bay, Maui

Credit: Courtesy of Montage Kapalua Bay

Score: 93.46

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2. Hotel Wailea, Maui

Credit: David O. Marlow

Score: 94.67

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1. Koa Kea Hotel & Resort, Kauai

Credit: Courtesy of Ko'a Kea Hotel & Resort

Score: 96.30

On the sunny southern shore of Hawaii’s “Garden Isle,” the low-slung Koa Kea has been on our World’s Best list since 2012. Though it sits on popular Poipu Beach, this intimate, 121-room resort is a foil to the area’s mega properties and has an appeal all its own. One couple responded that “the staff was consistently professional, helpful, and engaging, and included an outstanding sommelier who delighted us with a tour of the cellar.” Another stated simply that “it is one of our favorite places to celebrate life’s good times as a couple.”

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The 15 Best Resort Hotels in Hawaii in 2017

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15. Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, Big Island

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14. Fairmont Orchid, Big Island

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13. Travaasa Hana, Maui

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12. Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina

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11. Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa

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10. Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, Maui

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9. Halekulani, Honolulu

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8. Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

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7. Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui

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6. Four Seasons Resort, Lanai

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5. Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort

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4. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Big Island

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3. Montage Kapalua Bay, Maui

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2. Hotel Wailea, Maui

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1. Koa Kea Hotel & Resort, Kauai

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