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Hawaii boasts spectacular beaches, a laid-back vibe, and tons of outdoor activities, like surfing, hiking, snorkeling, and whale watching. Plus, the scenery in Hawaii is awe-inspiring, from the famous Nā Pali Coast to the lush mountains of Maui. The state is also home to some of the best Hawaii honeymoon resorts, making it a popular destination for newlywed couples.
We rounded up the nine most exclusive hotels and resorts in Kauai, Maui, Oahu, and the Big Island. These stand-out properties include adults-only pools, impressive spas, beachfront accommodations, and romantic guest rooms, complete with signature amenities. So if you're planning a honeymoon trip to paradise, consider our award-winning picks.
Best Hawaii Honeymoon Resorts in 2023
- Best Overall: Four Seasons Resort Hualālai
- Best Almost All-Inclusive: The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua
- Best Luxury: Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa
- Best Beachfront: Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort
- Best Boutique: Ko’a Kea Resort on Poipu Beach
- Best Historical: Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa
- Best for Romance: Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
- Best for Foodies: Hotel Wailea, Maui
- Best for Activities: The Royal Hawaiian Waikiki in Oahu
Best Overall : Four Seasons Resort Hualālai
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Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
- Rates: Start at approximately $1,600 a night (based on double occupancy)
- Location: On the Kona-Kohala Coast of Hawaii Island, surrounded by black lava landscape features
- Accommodations: 243 rooms, including private suites and villas
Situated on the lava-filled Kona-Kohala coast, Four Seasons Resort Hualālai delivers the ultimate in Hawaiian luxury. The remarkable landscape, the intimate pools, and the abundance of activities makes for an unforgettable honeymoon experience.
Beachfront
Five restaurants and bars
18-hole Jack Nicklaus championship golf course
On-site swimmable aquarium with snorkeling
Expensive
Beach is rocky
Free parking requires a walk
The Four Seasons Resort Hualālai promises oceanfront splendor with a focus on sustainability. An array of exclusive suites and villas—including the Makaloa Villa and the Ho'onanea Villa, both of which feature private beachfront access—deliver optimal privacy for newlywed couples. Five restaurants and a snack bar serve a regional menu of seafood, sushi, steak, pastries, and ice cream. King’s Pond, Hualālai’s signature 1.8-million-gallon swimmable aquarium, offers a protective cove for snorkeling lessons. And the resort's stunning beach, with its white sand and lava rock outcroppings, is the perfect place to relax, explore, and swim in the sheltered coves.
Best Almost All-Inclusive : The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua
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- Rates: Start at $759 a night (based on double occupancy)
- Location: On the island of Maui, north of Kaanapali Beach and Lahaina Town
- Accommodations: 466 rooms and suites, including a few private residences
The Ritz-Carlton's vacation packages include four days and three nights, complete with a continental breakfast, a light lunch, heavy early evening appetizers, and free alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages all day long. You also get private concierge service, access to a private lounge, and complimentary newspapers and internet.
Secluded beach
Six restaurants
Two championship golf courses
Not completely all-inclusive
Remote location
Daily resort fee
Maui's Ritz-Carlton Kapalua sits on 54 lush acres and overlooks the Pacific Ocean. It features an array of meandering pools that offer the perfect place to relax and unwind. Couples seeking luxury can book the 2,560-square-foot Ritz-Carlton Suite, which boasts a large bedroom, two balconies, and a separate living space. The hotel's secluded beach offers breathtaking mountain views, and on-site gourmet dining at six distinctive restaurants makes it possible to enjoy your luxury getaway without leaving the resort.
Best Luxury : Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa
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- Rates: Start at $900 a night (based on double occupancy)
- Location: On the south shore of Kauai, near Poipu Beach
- Accommodations: 602 guest rooms and suites
With its world-class Anara Spa, Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort is one of the most exclusive resorts on Kauai. The hotel's superb poolside service and spacious suites—complete with refined furnishings and premium bathroom amenities—make it the most luxurious of the bunch.
Beachfront with private beach
Seven restaurants
Has the largest spa on Kauai
Water can be rough for swimming
Daily resort fee
Can be crowded at peak times
The island of Kauai is as exclusive as it gets, and the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa has an ideal location with lush, tropical grounds and gorgeous views from every direction. Several room options are ideal for a luxury honeymoon, from the posh Presidential Suite to the 1,500-square-foot Royal Suite with an oversized bathroom, a wine chiller, and a cozy reading nook. Honeymooners can spend time relaxing in the saltwater lagoon, play a round of championship golf, or book any number of couples treatments at the resort's upscale Anara Spa.
Best Beachfront : Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort
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- Rates: Start at $950 a night (based on double occupancy)
- Location: On the island of Maui, with direct access to Mokapu Beach
- Accommodations: 320 guest rooms and suites, and 30 two- to four-bedroom villas
Andaz Maui's private beach cove on the famous Mokapu Beach has crystal blue waters, perfect for swimming and snorkeling, and a wide swath of sand on which to sunbathe. The property is also the start of the Wailea Beach Walk, a coastal trail that extends south to Polo Beach.
Beachfront with private beach
Hip, design-concept guest rooms
Multi-level infinity pool
Not very service-oriented
Some rooms face the parking lot
Daily valet parking fee
With a spectacular location in South Maui, the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort offers the perfect spot for couples celebrating their happily ever after. Private oceanfront villas are available, as well as the 1,500-square-foot Premier Suite with a separate living area and kitchenette. The hotel itself sits on 15 beachfront acres with direct access to Mokapu Beach, a stunning mountain backdrop, farm-to-table dining, and an on-site spa. Couples who crave privacy can rent a poolside cabana or unwind at the adults-only tranquility pool.
Best Boutique : Ko’a Kea Resort on Poipu Beach
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Ko'a Kea Hotel & Resort
- Rates: Start at $699 a night (based on double occupancy)
- Location: On the south shore of Kauai on Poipu Beach
- Accommodations: 121 boutique-style guest rooms
The comparatively small 121-room Ko’a Kea Resort delivers an intimate experience with its boutique-style accommodations and amenities, including a pool and tiki bar, beachside yoga, and an on-site adventure center.
Quiet and intimate
Upscale furnishings and decor
Great snorkeling
Only one small pool
Swimming beaches require a walk
Kauai's Ko’a Kea Hotel & Resort sits along Poipu Beach in Kauai and features an array of rooms and suites primed for romance. Options include an oceanfront suite with a separate living area and an enormous soaking tub, as well as custom robes and slippers. On-site dining features fresh, local favorites, like vanilla bean seared mahi and ahi tuna, and the on-site spa has a romantic couples suite you can book to escape the world while you enjoy lavish treatments.
Best Historical : Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa
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Moana Surfrider
- Rates: Start at $299 a night (based on double occupancy)
- Location: In Honolulu, just steps from Waikiki Beach
- Accommodations: 793 rooms, including 46 suites
The Moana Hotel, which opened in 1901, was the very first hotel on Waikiki Beach. Over the years, and with the addition of the Surfrider Hotel property, the resort has experienced several renovations, expansions, and restorations.
Central location
Historic charm
Several beachfront dining options
Rooms are small
Area is busy
Daily resort fee
Couples who want to explore Honolulu and Waikiki during their special trip should check out the Moana Surfrider, a Westin Resort & Spa. This iconic beachfront property is home to Waikiki's only oceanfront spa, as well as the renowned Beach Bar. Rooms geared to couples include the Tower Ocean Suites, which boast a separate bedroom and living area and extraordinary ocean views. The property's location along the main drag, Kalākaua Avenue, makes it ideal for couples who want to enjoy nightlife and the city's best dining as they celebrate their big day.
Best for Romance : Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
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Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
- Rates: Start at approximately $2,200 a night (based on double occupancy)
- Location: On the island of Maui on Wailea Beach
- Accommodations: 383 guest rooms and suites
You'll never want to leave your romantic room at the Four Seasons Resort Maui, with its customizable mattress, private lanai, and sunken bathtub. The adults-only serenity pool also offers couples a romantic reprieve.
Beachfront location
Indoor and outdoor fitness center with beach yoga
Three restaurants and access to many more
Daily parking charge
Some rooms have sub-par views
This five-star luxury resort is home to giant suites and guest rooms which often come with upgraded amenities like air purification systems, marble bathrooms, and 180-degree oceanfront views. Couples can also choose to rent 81 different cabanas—some oceanfront and some poolside—or enjoy watersports, like stand-up paddleboarding, on the adjacent white sand beach. The adults-only serenity pool also provides a respite from the rest of the resort, as well as a spot for quiet romance and bonding.
Best for Foodies : Hotel Wailea, Maui
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- Rates: Start at $999 a night (based on double occupancy)
- Location: On the island of Maui in Wailea, on top of a 300-foot hill above the ocean
- Accommodations: 72 guest rooms
Executive chef Bryan McMahon, who runs the acclaimed The Restaurant at Hotel Wailea and The Treehouse, worked with Wolfgang Puck's Fine Dining Group for a decade. The resort's dining focuses on fresh, organic, and "hyper-local" ingredients, and the food is directly inspired by the seasonal offerings of the island’s farms and fishermen.
Small and intimate
Posh pool area with free cabanas
World-class dining at two restaurants, one bar, and poolside cabanas
Not located on the beach
Small fitness center
Daily resort fee
Maui's Hotel Wailea is Hawaii's first and only Relais & Châteaux property, and its adults-only environment is perfect for couples who want to get away from kids. A total of 72 suites are spread across 15 rolling acres with tropical greenery and mountain views galore. Guests celebrating a honeymoon can book a Celebration Suite with panoramic ocean views and vaulted ceilings. You can also reserve a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience in an open-air treehouse, where a private chef will cook a seven-course tasting menu with expert wine pairings.
Best for Activities : The Royal Hawaiian Waikiki in Oahu
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The Royal Hawaiian Waikiki in Oahu
- Rates: Start at $450 a night (based on double occupancy)
- Location: In Honolulu on Waikiki Beach
- Accommodations: 528 rooms, including 34 suites
The Royal Hawaiian Waikiki offers free activities, like surf lessons, lei making, guided historical tours, and hula lessons. You can also use one of the resort's Go-Pro cameras for free to document your adventures throughout the day.
Beachfront location
Historic property
Oceanfront pool
Free Go-Pro camera loans
Historic rooms need renovated
Daily resort fee
Pool and hot tub close early
Honeymooners who want to be close to the action should consider booking their trip at the "Pink Palace of the Pacific," also known as The Royal Hawaiian. This luxury resort is located in stylish Waikiki, which puts it in close proximity to award-winning golf, hiking, shopping, and some of the best dining in all of Hawaii. Couples should consider booking a Historic Ocean Deluxe Suite, which is lavishly appointed with fine amenities like crisp luxury linens and a separate living area. Sample world-class dining at the award-winning Azure Restaurant or experience a Royal Hawaiian Luau for the most authentic and delicious dinner money can buy.
Final Verdict
Out of the nine resorts reviewed, the Four Seasons Resort Hualālai is our best overall pick due to its private beachfront access and 1.8-million-gallon swimmable aquarium. The landscape is unique, set among lava rock and crystal blue waters, and the on-site restaurants offer regional fare suitable for any honeymooner's tastes. The private snorkeling option and the Jack Nicklaus championship golf course help deliver a once-in-a-lifetime couple's getaway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place in Hawaii for a honeymoon?
Maui is the best Hawaiian island for a honeymoon. It's considered the most romantic of all the islands. Its northernmost beach, Kaanapali Beach, hosts a nightly tiki torch lighting that ends with a spectacular sunset.
What is the most romantic place in Hawaii?
Lanikai Beach on Oahu is considered one of the most romantic spots to be at sunrise. The sky comes alive in a pastel of colors, with the offshore Mokulua Islands as a backdrop. Go early and enjoy the nice walk to the white sand beach.
How much is a typical honeymoon in Hawaii?
An average seven-day honeymoon trip to Hawaii costs approximately $7,000, which includes an average of $1,200 in airfare, $500 a night in accommodations, $1,800 for food and drink, and about $500 for additional activities. Of course, depending on the time of year, you can shop around and pull it off for less.
What’s the best time of year to go to Hawaii?
The best time to visit Hawaii is April through September. November and March are the rainiest months, and hurricane season lasts from June through November.
Methodology
When reviewing the best Hawaiian honeymoon resorts, we looked for properties with amenities suited specifically for couples. We took into account the resort's location, size, and room types, choosing a sampling of those that offered rooms, suites, and villas. Our pick for best overall is set in a striking landscape, and includes the most unique lineup of property amenities. We also considered resorts with luxury accommodations, world-class restaurants, upscale spas, and adults-only pools, all in an effort to deliver the most romantic experience for couples celebrating their new marriage.
Brides / Designed by Amelia Manley