Hawaii honeymoon destinations: where to go for a romantic Hawaii getaway

Waikiki Beach in Honolulu is one of the most – if not the most – popular tourist destinations in Hawaii. While some won’t like the large number of hotels overlooking the beach, others (like me!) love their time here as it’s a beautiful, safe and clean beach.

‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach is one of my top picks in this area for couples as it boasts modern accommodations, ocean views, direct beach access and a heated saltwater infinity pool overlooking the bay. There’s even an enchanting double-storey saltwater aquarium in the hotel’s lobby, which is full of brightly coloured Hawaiian reef fish.

I implore you to make the most of the hotel’s rooftop sunset yoga experience for an uplifting and totally zen way to start your Hawaii honeymoon. Also, rise early on most days to claim one of the hotel’s poolside cabanas. These are perfect for private honeymoon kisses and offer a simple way to escape the outside world together.

Another top Hawaii honeymoon resort in Honolulu is Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa. Although the building dates back to 1901, the hotel has done a fantastic job of merging its elegant Victorian roots with today’s modern luxuries. Most of the guest rooms have private ocean view balconies, which are simply perfect for toasting your newly-wedded bliss together at sunset.

The resort also boasts a stunning ocean view spa, which they say is the only beachfront spa in all of Waikiki. Sink into the relaxing bubbles of the jacuzzi, detox in a steam room or dry sauna or head to one of the couples suites to indulge in traditional Hawaiian treatments like Lomi Ho’okipa massages, ‘Awa mud wraps and wild Lehua honey scrubs.

Once all those wedding stresses have melted away, it’s time to take advantage of the hotel’s water sports activities like snorkelling, parasailing and scuba diving for a thrilling end to your honeymoon.

Located in the popular district of Lahaina and along the beautiful Kaanapali Beach, Honua Kai Resort & Spa offers stunning luxury suites that are perfect for couples.

All of the suites come with equipped kitchenettes and separate seating areas so there’s no excuse not to cook up a Hawaiian feast together for a few romantic nights in during your trip. Private balconies also promise stunning ocean, mountain or garden views; perfect for delicious cocktails in the evenings or late-morning breakfasts of tea and pastries.

Away from your room, you’ll relish that you’ve got three swimming pools to choose from, as well as the chance to have a relaxing hot tub session together. And the onsite Ho’ola Spa offers honeymoon packages involving a side-by-side couples massage, as well as scalp, hand and foot treatments. Ahh such romance and bliss all in one.

On the other side of Maui, along the Hana Highway itself, sits the stunning four-star ocean view bungalows and spacious suites of Hotel Travaasa Hana. Surrounded by the hotel’s lush tropical gardens and with the Maui mountains as a breathtaking backdrop, this resort promises the ultimate tranquil island getaway.

When I heard that guests are welcomed with a basket of banana loaf, I was sold on this hotel’s unique approach to hospitality. Not to mention the charming onsite spa offers a huge variety of massages, hot stone treatments and other wellness packages to truly enable you to relax after a stressful few months.

There is no rushing around allowed here. Every guest is encouraged to take their time and truly immerse themselves in their surroundings whether you choose to watch the world go by from your private lanai, take part in a mixology class together or chill on the grass and make traditional Hawaiian leis to wear.

Downtown Hilo isn’t where you come for the glitz and glamour of somewhere like Lahaina in Maui or Waikiki in Honolulu; it’s where you come for a more local and low-key experience.

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel is one of the larger hotels in this area and boasts one of the best locations in Hilo; just a four-minute walk from the stunning Liliuokalani Park and Gardens. I’d recommend a Deluxe Ocean View room as the views from your private lanai across Hilo Bay will be incredible; perfect for sunrise breakfasts and sunset cocktails.

The hotel’s freshwater swimming pool, large sun deck and Queen’s Court Restaurant, which serves traditional Hawaiian dishes like blackened ahi tuna, ulu hummus and steamed opakapaka (pink snapper fish), mean you can truly relax at this hotel, Big Island-style.

On the other side of The Big Island in the Kailua-Kona region, the bright and colourful rooms of the charming guest house, Big Island Retreat, await. Each of the seven rooms on offer here are decorated with a different theme.

No matter whether you’re staying in the king Bamboo room, ocean view Orchid room, garden view Pineapple room or otherwise, your stay is guaranteed to be tranquil, cosy and laidback. Not to mention each of the rooms has its own private lanai for al-fresco breakfasts.

This guesthouse can be found within a small Hawaiian neighbourhood so your stay is all about doing things “the local way”. Snorkelling, swimming and surfing at Kahalu’u Beach Park are all must-dos; you can hire most of this equipment for free at the guest house.

Found on the sun-drenched southern tip of Kauai, the Wyndham Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu Beach promises a tropical paradise getaway and four-star luxury.

This most fabulous of all Hawaii honeymoon resorts boasts floor-to-ceiling windows and large sea-view balconies in the bedrooms, as well as lagoon-style pools and palm tree shades throughout the hotel’s 25 acres of grounds.

This is a Kauai honeymoon for total recuperation and relaxation, which is why it shouldn’t come as a surprise that this resort also has a large spa onsite. Boasting five private treatment rooms including two couples suites means you can lie back and enjoy a side-by-side massage together, followed by tea on your private lanai and a soak in the spa’s Japanese Ofuro tub. Pure bliss.

And when it’s time for something a little more adventurous? Head to the hotel’s activity hut to arrange anything from hiking and surfing to a helicopter ride over the Napali rainforest.

Also found on the southern coast of Kauai is the stunning and luxurious four-star resort, Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa. Here, you can once again enjoy sea views and tropical landscaped gardens, as well as saltwater pools, lazy river lagoons and secret caves. There’s even an adults-only pool for all those romantic moonlight dips you’ll want to have together.

The resort is also home to the championship-sized 18-hole Poipu Bay Golf Course in case you’re after something a little different on your Kauai honeymoon. And as this part of Kauai is known for its lack of light pollution, you can also enjoy romantic beachside dining under the stars from one of the resort’s seven restaurants.

For a traditional Polynesian cultural experience, be sure to book a table at the resort’s luau and buffet, which happens twice weekly. However you choose to spend your Kauai honeymoon here, it’s sure to be both magical and unforgettable.