Our Readers' Favorite Resorts in Hawaii in 2022

The best resorts in Hawaii, according to Travel + Leisure readers, pair a wealth of amenities with unforgettable views.

By

John Wogan

Updated on October 11, 2022

Aerial view of the pool and property at Hotel Wailea — Photo: John Russo/Courtesy of Hotel Wailea

Note: If you’re looking for our most recent recommendations, check out the 2023 list of our favorite resorts in Hawaii.

After the Aloha State lifted COVID-19 restrictions, Travel + Leisure readers — particularly families and couples looking for a solid yet remote vacation destination — eagerly returned. The best resorts in Hawaii have kept pace with renovations and updates, making this famous archipelago in the Pacific more appealing 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 (including safari lodges) were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as city or resort based on their locations and amenities.

Oahu, Hawaii's most populous (and popular) island, is home to seven properties on this year's list, including Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani (No. 2). Still fresh off its opening in 2019, it features a neutral, calming design scheme that provides a serene retreat from the frenetic atmosphere of its Waikiki location. Its sister hotel, the iconic Halekulani (No. 9), debuted its own refurbishment in October.

Over on the Island of Hawaii, the Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection (No. 6), impressed readers with its "gorgeous remodel," referring to the hotel's reopening in 2020 after a massive overhaul. "The staff are attentive and gracious," one voter added. "The views are spectacular, and the resort amenities are plentiful, so you don't feel the need to leave the property."

Kauai, meanwhile, had three hotels on the list, including Ko'a Kea Hotel & Resort (No. 7), on the island's famed Poipu Beach. "This is our favorite place in Kauai, if not all of Hawaii," enthused one reader. "The location is beautiful, the team is amazing, and the food is incredible. The Lomilomi massage in the spa should not be missed."

It was Maui's Hotel Wailea, though, that earned the top spot. Read on for more about what made it the favorite, as well as the full list of the best resort hotels in Hawaii.

1. Hotel Wailea, Maui

Aerial view the property at Hotel Wailea — Elliott Chau/Courtesy of Hotel Wailea

"Hotel Wailea is heaven on Earth," according to a reader. The 15-acre, adults-only property is unique among the nearby resorts in that it's not beachfront — but that's a good thing for guests who prefer the quiet that comes with a location high on a hill, overlooking the sea. Because there are no children, the atmosphere leans toward the "relaxing and romantic," as one reader described. Others loved the oversize guest rooms, which come with big balconies and are "nicely furnished, with a clean, contemporary feel that's also cozy." While the huge pool deck (fringed by cabanas, lush greenery, and the poolside café) is a big draw for hanging out, beach access is available anytime during the day via the hotel's shuttle, which can whisk guests to Maui's picture-perfect shores in just two minutes. Several readers also mentioned the outstanding service: "Every member of the staff makes you feel at home."

Score: 94.86

Our Readers' Favorite Resorts in Hawaii in 2022

1. Hotel Wailea, Maui

2. Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani, Oahu

3. Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Maui

4. Prince Waikiki, Oahu

5. Montage Kapalua Bay, Maui

6. Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection, Island of Hawaii

7. Ko'a Kea Resort on Po'ipu Beach, Kauai

8. The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach, Oahu

9. Halekulani, Oahu

10. Four Seasons Resort Lanai, Lanai

11. Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii, Island of Hawaii

12. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Island of Hawaii

13. Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, Oahu

14. The Kahala Hotel & Resort, Oahu

15. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection, Island of Hawaii

16. Hanalei Colony Resort, Kauai

17. Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, Kauai

18. Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort, Maui

19. The Laylow, Autograph Collection, Oahu

20. Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui

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