Say Aloha in Style: 8 Resorts in Hawaii for All Styles and Budgets

Located in the Ko Olina region on the leeward coast of Oahu, Aulani Disney Resort And Spa offers a range of activities to keep children of all ages entertained. While the little ones learn to play the ukulele and make new friends at Aunty’s Beach House, parents can unwind in one of four whirlpool spas surrounded by rustling palm trees and sparkling ocean views. 

After a soothing night’s sleep in the secluded bedroom of your parlour suite, get ready for the day with a refreshing rain shower. Squeaky clean, head down to the Makahiki breakfast buffet and see the delight on your children’s faces as they spot Mickey Mouse behind the omelette station. For lunch, try fish tacos or plant-based pasta at the resort’s own ‘Ama’Ama restaurant. 

With views over the Koolau Mountain range and Chinaman’s Hat, Paradise Bay Oahu is the ideal resort for a rejuvenating vacation in tranquil surroundings. Book a waterfront cottage and sip your morning coffee on the private lanai patio overlooking glistening Kaneohe Bay, then fuel up for the day with a complimentary continental breakfast. 

Whether you’re here to do as little or as much as possible, you’ll find an activity to suit your pace. Greet the day with a morning Aloha Flow Vinyasa Yoga group practice, learn to stand-up paddleboard or hop on board the sea turtle adventure excursion. Guided by friendly crew, you’ll snorkel through a private reef or just sit back and breathe in the ocean and mountain views. At night, watch a fire knife performance while you dig into a buffet dinner with a complimentary Mai Tai in hand. 

You’ll find Aston at Kaanapali Shores in West Maui set on 10 acres of white sand, tropical gardens and flowing waterfalls. Check in to find everything from a kids’ camp to yoga classes and tennis courts. There’s a range of value rooms and suites to choose from as well: two-bedroom, two-bath suites are ideal for families, with a fully equipped kitchen and private lanai to soak up those ocean views. 

After a day of splashing in one of the two freshwater pools, spend some quality time together over dinner at the Beach Club restaurant and bar. Tuck into Hawaiian classics like the Ahi Poke Tower or Maui onion rings with Lilikoi mustard, and be sure to order the signature cocktail, the Lava Flow. 

Be the first to greet the rising sun at Hotel Travaasa Hana on the eastern tip of Maui. As your first tea of the day brews, lie back on the private lanai of your Ocean Bungalow and watch the waves roll across the Pacific Ocean. This mindfully low-tech resort (free from radios, TVs and clocks) takes relaxation and wellness to a whole new level. 

Choose the all-inclusive package to enjoy generous credits at the resort spa, where muscle tension and fatigue will melt away under the hands of experienced therapists who use only organic, bioenergetic products. You can also tailor your vacation experience by choosing one of five pathways—adventure, culinary, culture, fitness or spa & wellness—giving you access to trail rides, lei-making, yoga and more.

Golf lovers rejoice— Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu’s north shore offers a Stay and Play package with unlimited access to its championship golf courses and practice range. If golf isn’t your thing, there is plenty more to keep you entertained: you can meander through the trails of this 800-acre resort on foot, bike, Segway or horseback. Just here to chill out? Rest up in your oceanside beach cottage with Brazilian walnut floors and crisp cotton bedding before relaxing those hardworking muscles in the marble soaker tub. 

In the evening, stroll down to Pa’akai restaurant for organically grown produce and sustainable seafood. While you tuck into seared sea scallops with bacon jam, try to leave some room for the coconut crème brûlée with Grand Marnier berries. 

You’ll be sipping your sundowners on a private lanai overlooking white sand and rolling waves at Royal Lahaina Resort. For a sweet treat, swing by the Royal Scoop for handmade ice-cream or pull up a seat at Beach Bar, where the cocktails and craft beers are served ice-cold. Big Braddah’s Nachos pair nicely with the house’s Put the Lime in Don Coconut specialty drink, finished with lemon-lime effervescence! 

As the sun sets, immerse yourself in the spirit of Polynesia with a luau. You’ll witness a traditional shell lei aloha greeting, live music, a Pua’a Kalua (roast pig) feast and—most importantly—an open bar. You can work off any over-indulgence the next day with a game of tennis, or just stay cool in one of the resort’s three swimming pools. 

Be welcomed in style at Kahala Hotel & Resort with a cool oshibori towel and Aloha Lei greeting. Whether you’ve chosen a beachfront lanai room or tower suite, you’ll immediately feel soothed by the neutral tones and a cooling ceiling fan. If swimming with dolphins is on your bucket list, check out the resort’s natural ocean water lagoon, home to a family of playful Atlantic bottlenoses. All ages can touch, feed and play with the dolphins for an experience you’ll be talking about long after you return home. 

After a day of adventure, you’ll be eager to relax at one of the four on-site restaurants. Chef Eric Oto creates delicious nature-to-table specialties at Hoku’s, such as the charred octopus with turmeric soubise. Finish with a crisp glass of chilled white wine before retiring to your room to admire the ocean view by moonlight. 

The Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort is for those seeking a luxury experience in jaw-dropping surroundings. Families and those who enjoy a little extra space should book a suite with ocean views and separate bedroom. After a morning on your intimate lanai, spend the day hopping from pool to beach and back again. 

Take a ride in the world’s first water elevator at the Canyon Activity Pool, or float down the river from one jungle pool to the next as you pass by waterfalls, Jacuzzis and a swim-up bar. A kids’ camp and teen zone will keep the children busy while grown-ups indulge in spa treatments or take a botanical tour of the gardens. For lunch, try the Vegan Life Burger with mango sauce on a gluten-free bun from the vegetarian menu at Bistro Molokini.