Here Are The 15 Absolute Best Places to Stay in Hawaii
Lauren
Author
As local travel experts, we know what travelers are looking for when it comes to finding the perfect accommodations for their next trip. To compile our lists, we scour the internet to find properties with excellent ratings and reviews, desirable amenities, nearby attractions, and that something special that makes a destination worthy of traveling for.
Hawaii is undoubtedly one of the most special places on Earth. If you’ve been dreaming of an island getaway, it doesn’t get much better than the Aloha State. But in such a uniquely beautiful archipelago, it can be hard to choose where to stay- especially if you’ve never been. That’s why we’ve put together a list of 13 of the best places to stay in Hawaii rentals perfect for various special occasions, budgets, and more.
Best Affordable Places to Stay in Hawaii
Hawaii travel isn’t known for isn’t really known for being cost-effective; airfare, accommodations, food, and activities quickly add up. But you can still have an amazing time without breaking the bank! The three options are a bit more affordable, but certainly won’t leave you feeling like you’re missing a thing.
- Location: The Big Island
- Size: 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms
- Price: $169/Nightly
- Amenities: Oceanview
- Ratings: 4.8 stars
This picturesque home is nestled in a lush, tropical landscape and offers breathtaking views of the ocean. Moana Imaku is a spacious and airy home that is wheelchair accessible delightfully decorated. The kitchen is fully equipped with new appliances, and the space provides internet, an entertainment center, and beach towels. What makes this property special, however, is the newly furnished lanai (pictured above). While the ocean close by is not how you'd access the water, the beach and other attractions are nearby. This is the perfect place to stay and make new memories on the Big Island.
- Location: Kuai
- Size: Studio, 1 Bathroom
- Price: $199/Nightly
- Amenities: Pool, Mountain Views, Near Beach
- Ratings: 4.2 stars
This charming studio in Kuai offers some stunning views of the mountains, while also having many resort amenities that will make the experience even more enjoyable. The large pool and hot tub feature waterfalls throughout the property, and the BBQs can be utilized as well. This spacious studio can accommodate four guests- perfect for a small family on a budget! But this resort-style experience definately won't feel like a "budget" experience- it's a great deal for a visit to the beautiful Garden Island.
- Location: Maui
- Size: 1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom
- Price: $179/Nightly
- Amenities: Resort Pool, Mountain Views, Near Ocean
- Ratings: 4.8 stars
This adorable condo is a perfect spot to explore the beauty of Maui. Offering resort style amenities, this Maui rental is located in walking distance to Kama’ole Beach, one of the best beaches for swimming on the island. The bedroom features a king-sized bed, and the sofa pulls out into a queen. There's also even more fun to be had in the water further down the road at Makena, where you can experience the gorgeous blue waters of South Maui, as well as snorkel with sea turtles. This location is also nearby historic Lahaina, as well as the charming town of Pa’ia, where you start the journey to the Road to Hana. If you're coming to Maui, this is an amazing place to stay while you explore the island. And as Maui is the most expensive island, this is a great way to do it without breaking the bank (and also getting great views and resort style amenities).
Best Places to Stay in Hawaii for Families
There is so much fun to be had in Hawaii, which makes it difficult to find the best spot to bring the family. Throughout the islands, however, there are so many wonderful vacation rentals that are perfect for a tropical getaway. Whether you’re looking for ocean views, nearby beach access, or a private pool, we’ve made a list of three incredible options that offer everything a family could want.
- Location: Maui
- Size: 2 Bedrooms, 1 Bathroom
- Price: $360/Nightly
- Amenities: Close proximity To Nearby village; short drive to the beach
- Ratings: 5 stars
Haiku Surf House is a newly remodeled house near Maui's less touristy North Shore. The property is surrounded by a surfboard fence, as well as murals created by the owner, Amy! This home will comfortably hold six people- perfect for families with children, couples, or a group of friends. This spot was featured in Hawaii Magazines Favorite Places To Stay for a reason- if you've already experienced the resorts of the island and are looking for something quieter, this is a great option. The home is walking distance from a coffee shop and natural grocery store, and it's not too far from anything else by car. Maui's North Shore is a tropical paradise, and this accommodation is a wonderful way to experience it.
- Location: Kauai
- Size: 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms
- Price: $350/Nightly
- Amenities: Close proximity to the beach
- Ratings: 4.5 stars
This home on Kauai's North Shore is located in one of the most beautiful regions in all of Hawaii. With spectacular views of the ocean and the lush, tropical environment that surrounds, The Wainiha Beach House is a picture-perfect experience in every way. Perfect for families or groups of 6, the home features 1960s Polynesian design. There are three bedrooms- two of them have a King Size bed, and one has a Queen. The home is located near many swimming beaches and beautiful hikes. For a memorable experience that's reminiscent of "Old Hawaii", The Wainiha Beach House is perfect.
- Location: The Big Island
- Size: 4 Bedrooms, 4 Bathrooms
- Price: $625/Nightly
- Amenities: Private pool, oceanfront, fire pit
- Ratings: 4.9 stars
On The Big Island, this unique property is an absolute paradise. Offering incredible ocean views, this waterfront home is a luxurious place to make memories without going to a resort. Newly remodeled, the space features hardwood floors throughout, as well as four bedrooms, a gorgeous lanai, and a private pool that faces the water. There is also a fully equipped kitchen and a downstairs loft, and everything has been delicately furnished to create the perfect vacation home. Aside from the property being a dream come true, it's close to The Big Island's Black Sand Beaches, Volcanoes, and more. At $650 a night, this one is a bit more expensive, but it's certainly not the most pricey for a Hawaiian getaway, and it offers everything you could want.
- Location: Waa Waa, HI
- Size: 3 bedrooms (sleeps 6), 2 full baths
- Price: $312/night
- Amenities: WiFi, swimming pool, washer & dryer, full kitchen, air conditioning, snorkeling gear, beach items
- Rating: 5.0 stars
This beautiful oceanfront home is a true island getaway completely powered by solar energy! Your family will love the swimming pool with incredible views of the ocean. The house is fully stocked with everything you need for a fun Hawaiian vacation: beach gear, snorkeling gear, fishing poles, and plenty of Aloha spirit. Nearby attractions include Kapolho Beach, the Lava Tree State Monument, Kilauea Caverns of Fire, and more. This is definitely one of the best vacation rentals in Hawaii for a family getaway.
Best Romantic Places to Stay in Hawaii for Couples
Hawaii’s beauty is unlike anything else on Earth- there’s a reason newlyweds jet off to the Aloha State for their honeymoon! Whether you’re just had a wedding or you’ve been married for 50 years, a visit to Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places to celebrate your love. Here’s a list of three places that are perfect for a romantic getaway.
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- Location: Maui
- Size: 2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms
- Price: $345/Nightly
- Amenities: Oceanview, beach access, resort amenities
- Ratings: 4.8 stars
Featuring gorgeous views of Haleakala and Maalaea Bay, this condo is perfect for a romantic getaway to Maui. The peaceful lanai offers a shady place to relax and take in the stunning scenery, and the condo features two bedrooms. The master bedroom and guest room are completely separate, making it perfect for two couples traveling. The unit has been recently remodeled and is very comfortable- it also provides beach towels, umbrellas, and more. There's a resort style pool on the property, but the condo is located in a spot that's close to many nearby attractions.
- Location: Maui
- Size: 1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom
- Price: $252/Nightly
- Amenities: Heated pool, hot tub, sauna, ocean views
- Ratings: 5 stars
Located in walking distance from the famous Waikiki Beach, this unit on the 36th floor of The Waikiki Banyan, and offers stunning views of the ocean. The South facing lanai is the perfect place to watch the sunset, and the bedroom features a King Size bed. On the sixth floor, there's a heated pool, hot tub, BBQ, and more. This property is in close proximity to the beach and other Waikiki attractions, making it the perfect stay for a couple's getaway to Oahu.
- Location: Maui
- Size: 1 Bedroom, 2 Bathrooms
- Price: $379/Nightly
- Amenities: Tropical landscape, ocean views
- Ratings: 5 stars
Nestled in the tropical countryside of Haiku, this cottage is the perfect place for couple's looking for a more secluded experience. The beautiful interior of the house is immaculately decorated- it looks like something from a magazine! The spacious outdoor patio has lots of seating as well as a BBQ, and the ocean views from the cottage are spectacular. While this property is sort of tucked away from it all, its also a short driving distance from many of the attractions on the island, making it the perfect place to visit for couples who are looking to get away.
- Location: Kapalua, HI
- Size: 1 bedroom (sleeps 4), 1 full bath
- Price: $576/night
- Amenities: WiFi, community swimming pool, full kitchen, air conditioning, patio
- Rating: NEW!
A Hawaii vacation is one of the most romantic getaways you can imagine. Just look at the bedroom views you get of Molokai and Makaluapuna Point as a gentle morning breeze slowly wakes you up. With multiple beaches and a swimming pool within a few minutes walk this elegant oasis is perfectly located. This delightful condo is part of the Ritz-Carlton and Montage Kapalua Hotels so you have easy access to all the amenities, restaurants, golf, and spa services you need. But then again, you may never want to leave this charming home with all the views you'll get. If you are wondering where to stay in Hawaii for a romantic getaway, this is it.
Best Places to Stay in Waikiki
Waikiki is known for its gorgeous white sand beaches and blue water and is the most famous beach in the world. In Oahu, also known as “The Gathering Place” Waikiki is sometimes considered the Manhattan of the Pacific. If you’ve never been to Hawaii, you’ve probably seen pictures of Waikiki’s famous hotel-lined beaches. There’s a reason that roughly 71,000 people visit Waikiki every day! If you’d like to be one of them, here are two options that are amazing options for a first visit.
- Location: Oahu
- Size: Studio, 2 Bathrooms
- Price: $548/Nightly
- Amenities: Beachfront, ocean views, pool, spa, resort perks
- Ratings: 5 stars
If you're going to Honolulu, chances are you'll want to experience the famous Waikiki. This accommodation in Hawaii offers absolute luxury- the modern amenities include an on-site fitness center, restaurants, bars, markets, two pools with lawn chairs and umbrellas, and more. Oahu is one of the least expensive islands to visit, so $548 a night is on the pricier side for this area. But out of all the accommodations on this page, the grounds and landscaping at this location are the most sleek and luxurious. With access to the beach and a peaceful swimming lagoon, this spot is one of the best ways to experience Waikiki in Honolulu.
- Location: Oahu
- Size: 2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms
- Price: $707/Nightly
- Amenities: Ocean Views, Downtown, Heated Pool
- Ratings: 4.8 stars
Another wonderful option in Waikiki, this rental property is a part of the Ilikai , which was made famous by Hawaii Five-O. The best of Waikiki beaches are in walking distance, including a salt water lagoon that is perfect for swimming. The interior of the unit features mango wood floors throughout, offering two bedrooms and breathtaking views from every angle. The condo is also in close proximity to some of Honolulu's best eateries and shops, making it a perfect spot for a first time to Waikiki. On Oahu, this unit is definitely on the pricier side, but it's definitely one of the best places you could stay when visiting the island.
Best Places to Stay in South Maui
Maui is a popular island for families, as it offers a bit of everything: beautiful swimming beaches, incredible scenery, and more. On the island, however, South Maui tends to be the most popular. The beaches in this area are beyond breathtaking, which is probably why so many luxury resorts are in this area. But if you’re looking for a Verb rental, there are still some amazing options. Here are two of the best we found.
- Location: Maui
- Size:2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms
- Price: $499/Nightly
- Amenities: Pool, waterfront, oceanview
- Ratings: 4.9 stars
This waterfront rental in Island Sands offers is located in one of the best spots in the island. Not only are there incredible ocean views from this comfortable, recently updated unit- it's also a short distance from some of the best swimming beaches in all of Hawaii. If you love snorkeling, this unit is also close to Maalaea Harbor, which is where you would leave on an excursion to Molokini Crater. This area is also a wonderful place for dinning and shopping! When you're done enjoying the island activities, the unit is the perfect place to come back to. With two bedrooms, a fully stocked kitchen, and unobstructed views of the Pacific, this spot is a great "home base" for a trip to beautiful Maui.
- Location: Maui
- Size: 1 Bedrooms, 1 Bathrooms
- Price: $310/Nightly
- Amenities: Pool, beachfront, hot tub, sauna, golfing
- Ratings: 4.9 stars
Located near the beautiful beaches of Wailea, Makena, and Kihei, this Sugar Beach property offers incredible beachfront views for a great price. The detailing of the interior is stylish and comfortable, and the resort style amenities are great. From the lanai, you can sometimes spot whales in the winter months, as well as sea turtles throughout the year. This one bedroom accommodation can hold up to four people, so it's perfect for families or a couple. South Maui is the most expensive for a reason- if you're looking for a resort experience in one of the most beautiful places in the world, this location is hard to beat.
Are you planning a trip to the Aloha state? Be sure to research before you visit- Hawaii has a very unique history, and as visitors, we have a responsibility to be respectful of Hawaii’s people and land. To learn more about the incredible beauty of this state and plan your trip, check out this list of places in Hawaii that are must-see destinations.
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More to Explore
Best Places To Stay In Hawaii
What are the best unique hotels in Hawaii?
There are many luxury resorts in Hawaii, which is probably what comes to mind when you think of visiting. But there are also several unique stays that are definitely worth exploring. These three options will provide a memorable experience:
- At The Crater's Edge, near Volcanoes National Park
- Ma'ukele Lodge, Kalapana
- Hotel Lahaina, Historic Lahaina
Where are the most unique getaways in Hawaii?
Hawaii is simply phenomenal throughout, but there are some spots that are particularly special. Here are some areas that are unique in the Aloha State:
- Hana, Maui
- Wailua Falls, Kuai
- Koki Beach, Maui