Best Places To Stay In Hawaii

Published January 1, 2023 · Updated January 1, 2023

Hawaii offers one of the best travel experiences in the world. The Hawaiian archipelago is famed for its tranquil beauty, stunning sunsets, volcanic mountains, crystal clear waters, and a whole bunch of activities to do. It is, therefore, no surprise, you will find some of the best Hawaii places to stay. But zeroing in on a place can be a bit tricky with so many choices.

The islands of Hawaii are tropical paradise for tourists. There are luxury hotels, resorts, middle-range accommodations, and budget stays also. Are you also one of those who are looking for the answer to the question “where to stay in Hawaii?” if you want info about which are the best places to stay in Hawaii, this can be an ideal guide for you.

The following guide covers everything from the best places to stay in Hawaii big island, top places to stay in Hawaii Maui, unique places to stay in Hawaii Oahu and budget places to stay in Hawaii Honolulu:

Big Island – This is the main island in the Hawaiian archipelago. It is also the biggest of all the islands in the archipelago. Big Island has a diverse landscape and tourists find so many activities to do here and also so many accommodation options to stay.
Kauai Island – This island is also called the ‘Garden Isle’ as there are lush green rainforests on this island. Hollywood loves this island due to its scenic beauty and filming locales. This beautiful island of Kauai has hiking trails and trekking routes that take tourists deep into the island’s natural formations.
Oahu Island – This island is more touristy than the other islands. There are many museums and galleries on Oahu Island. Tourists can do so many cultural activities on this island. Oahu Island is also a party destination in Hawaii.
Molokai Island – This island is home to many Hawaiians who stay here. There are easy laid back vibes to this island that attract tourists.
Lanai Island – This is the smallest of the Hawaiian Islands. Lanai Island is perfect for a romantic holiday and is among the top places to stay in Hawaii for couples.
Maui Island – There are many luxury hotels and resorts here. Maui Island has much-varied accommodations to offer.

Big Island

The main island of Hawaii is the Big Island. You will probably come here and find the best places to stay in Hawaii first time on Big Island. You can make plans to stay on the Big Island for a variety of reasons. The main is the presence of so many hotels and luxury resorts. The main areas to check out in Big Island are the Hilo, Kona Coast, and Kohala Coasts. Hilo is a highly commercial area with urban properties. The Kona Coast is in the western part of the island and is famous for its sandy beaches, and greenery. Kohala Coast is in the northern part of the island where there are tropical rainforests, waterfalls, and budget places to stay in Hawaii.

Kona Coast region has luxury hotels and resorts. Although there are more expensive hotels here, you will find budget places to stay in Hawaii, such as hostels and Bed & Breakfast options here. The town of Keauhou has many lodging places that offer budget stays. If you want more luxury then turn to Gold Coast which has more extravagant options. The Kailua-Kona region is a more practical place to live on Big Island as it has the biggest airport in Hawaii.

Hilo region is less touristy but just as incredible. Rainforests and hidden waterfalls are the main attraction of the Hilo region. The greatest attraction, however, is the Hawaii Volcanoes, National Park. This is a massive place to explore and it can take days to do so. It is also the place where you will find two of the most active volcanoes in Hawaii. There are rugged and rocky coasts dotted with jagged cliffs. Staying in the Hilo region gives a sense of authenticity to your stay. Being away from the crowded areas, it feels isolated and a more relaxing way to spend your days in Hawaii.

You can find some of the top Hawaii places to stay in Volcano Town if your main intention is to explore the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. You can spend a whole week just exploring the incredible national park. But consider two or three weeks to fully satiate yourself with the many sights and sounds of this wonderful national park. You will not feel exhausted if you stay for this long on the Big Island. It will also not drain your wallets, but you will boast of seeing the wildlife and have done enough activities to keep you fulfilled.

Best places to stay in Big Island Hawaii

Luxury: Fairmont Orchid, Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection
Mid-range: Waikoloa Beach Marriot Resort, Kings’ Land by Hilton Grand Vacations Club
Budget: Sea Mountain, Big Island Hostel

Maui Island

Every island in the Hawaiian archipelago is beautiful in itself. But none has captured the imagination of tourists more than Maui Island. Famed for its scenic views, beaches, and lush tropical rainforests, Maui Island is the second-largest island of the Hawaiian archipelago. It is famous for its extravagant hotels and resorts of the famous. Maui Island is famous as the Valley Isle, and the volcano called Haleakala and the coastal road called Hana are the main attractions of Maui Island.

Maui Island has some of the best places to stay in Hawaii for honeymoon. The main places to stay, or rather regions to stay on Maui Island are East Maui, West Maui, South Maui, and upcountry Maui, which is the central part of Maui Island. Kahului is a small town and the busiest place on Maui Island. You will find restaurants, shopping districts, and bars here. If you want to see the nightlife on Maui Island, you should visit Kahului. Another town is called Lahaina and is more of a beach town with small shops and beachside restaurants to check out.

South Maui is more popular as it is a short distance from major beaches here. West Maui is more of a golf country and nature reserve region. It is a more secluded area and if you want more secluded holidays in Hawaii, you can go for rentals here. East Maui is a region that is remote and is more of a nature reserve. It is more popular as there is the Road to Hana, which goes right through this region. This coastal road is the best road trip you can take in Hawaii Islands. You will encounter many viewpoints, black sandy beaches, forests, and wildlife spotting. Upcountry Maui is a more budget-friendly region and you will find many budget homestays and other options to stay in.

The best thing to do on Maui Island is to trek up the Haleakala Crater. It takes 2 hours to hike up the volcano. Discovering the manufacturing of coffee is another thing to do here. You can also taste freshly brewed wines at Ulupalakua Vineyard. The small towns of the upcountry Maui are a great place to find budget accommodation. There are not much of amenities but you can set up a camp and explore the wilderness and natural beauty of this region. Kihei is another place you can check out for budget and mid-range accommodation on Maui Island. Kihie is in the south of the island and is a fairly large tourist place.

Best places to stay on Maui Hawaii

Luxury: Montage Kapalua Bay, The Ritz-Carlton Maui.
Mid-range: Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, Napili Shores Maui by Outrigger.
Budget: Tiki Beach Hostel, Aloha Surf Hostel.

Kauai Island

Also known as the ‘Garden Isle’, Kauai Island is like a virgin island with hidden wonders such as waterfalls, bays, creeks, and coves to explore. Besides, there is always the central part of the island that is even more fascinating. You can go on trails such as the Kalalau Trail, which is a 22-mile of secluded beaches, beachside cliffs, bays, and rugged shores dotted with coves and tiny inlets. You will find plenty of adventurous things to do on Kauai Island. One such thing to do is to ascend to the top of Mount Waialeale. You can always rent a car and drive on scenic roads. There are wonderfully scenic places such as Waimea Canyon and Waipoo Falls.

As most tourists do, you will find accommodation in Hanalei Bay. Cruise ships make a stopover at Hanalei Bay before they resume their seaward journey. You will most certainly find your budget type of accommodation at Hanalei Bay. You can choose between hotels, beachside resorts, hotel chains, and cottages, among others. The south part of the island has some urban touristy towns such as Kalaheo, Koloa, and Lihue. You will find museums, shopping centers, restaurants, and bars here. Check out some of the top places to vacation in Hawaii here. They are more budget-friendly options to stay on Kauai Island. The south of the island has the gardens which give the popular name to this island. Allerton Garden, Poipu Beach, and McBryde Garden are popular tourist places in the southern part of Kauai Island.

In the northern part of Kauai Island, the main places to stay are Princeville and Kalihiwai. You can find budget hostels, vacation rentals, and bed and breakfast options here. There is more expensive and luxury accommodation also available likes resorts, condos, lodges, etc. You can explore the Halelea Forest Reserve and also go to the very famous Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park. Reserve at least an entire day if you are planning to go on a hiking trip through the Kalalau Trail that passes through the Na Pali Coast State Park. It is an unforgettable adventure with myriad experiences such as hiking through cliffs, and rainforests, standing on viewpoints and admiring the ocean views. You can also enjoy a helicopter ride and have an aerial view of the lush greenery and oceanic views. But exploring by foot is always a much more fulfilling experience.

Best places to stay on Kauai Hawaii

Luxury: Royal Sonesta Kaua’i Resort Lihue, Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, Koloa Landing Resort.
Mid-range: Kauai Shores Hotel, The ISO.
Budget: Hotel Coral Reef, The Kauai Inn.

Oahu Island

One of the best urban centers in Hawaii is on the island of Oahu. Oahu is one of the best islands in Hawaii to explore the nightlife and urban culture. The southeastern coast of Oahu has famous urban centers such as Waikiki and Honolulu. These are the places where you can spot the rich and the famous. Oahu Island is one of the islands where you will find residents who live permanently here for generations. Honolulu might seem like a miniature Miami. Waikiki Beach is glitzy and glam with skyscrapers, catamarans, and beach bums enjoying the sands and the shores.

The most famous place in Honolulu is Diamond Head. You will find luxury hotels and residential homes here. Waikiki Beach is the most popular place to stay here. The sandy beaches are great for beach games and fun. You will find museums, art galleries, shopping districts, restaurants, bars, bakeries, and other cultural attractions in Honolulu. You will find all types of hotels, beachside resorts, bed and breakfast options, luxury resorts, budget hostels, and the best places to vacation in Hawaii with friends here. Almost all the famous luxury hotel chains can be found here. Waikiki is a class in itself and boasts world-class luxuries and amenities for luxury-class travelers. It is needless to say, it has quite a vibrant nightlife.

The northern part of Oahu Island is more of a laid-back place with more surfing and snorkeling options. It is best for backpackers and is one of the unique places to stay in Oahu Hawaii with family. Oahu is famous for the WWII bombings and here you will find museums and memorials dedicated to the Pearl Harbour bombings.

Best places to stay in Oahu Hawaii

Luxury: Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina, The Kahala Hotel & Resort
Mid-range: Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki Beach
Budget: Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Waikiki, The Beach Waikiki Hostel by ALOH.

Final Words on Best Places To Stay In Hawaii:

If you are planning to find accommodation for your holidays in Hawaii Islands, you will surely find one that suits your budget. Many famous hotel chains will offer you world-class amenities and luxuries here. But you can also find cheap and budget-friendly hostels, resorts, and hostels to stay in. A vacation in Hawaii need not be so expensive. The natural beauty of Hawaii, the hiking trips, the volcanic mountains, and the beachside adventures, can make your holidays exciting and memorable. It is for this reason that you should make Hawaii your next travel destination. You do not have to worry about finding a hotel that suits your preferences. You will always find one in Hawaii.

If you are looking for information on the best places to visit in Hawaii and the top things to do in Hawaii then don’t forget to check our other travel guides.