The Best Honeymoon Hotels & Resorts in Hawaii

With its towering cliffsides, garden-green landscapes, and wide, crescent-shaped beaches, the appeal of a honeymoon in Hawaii is undeniable. But while each of the eight main islands is as gorgeous as the next, they all have their own unique identities. As do the resorts you'll find scattered across the state—and where you choose to stay will impact what kinds of experiences you can have. For example, to get at Oahu's beach-meets-city vibes, you'll want to post up on famed Waikiki Beach, near downtown Honolulu.

But if you're looking for a more remote escape, choose the island's less-traveled western coast. Or better yet, head to Hawaii (a.k.a. the Big Island). The largest island in the state has some of the most diverse landscapes, including black- and green-sand beaches, lush rainforests, and two still-active volcanoes. Couples who want uncompromising seclusion should stay on Lanai, a near-private island. If you're looking for top-notch resorts with every amenity at your fingertips, Maui is the spot. The resort area of Wailea Beach has every name-brand hotel chain you can think of (from the luxe to the more affordable), all within walking distance of one another. (There are also championship golf courses and beginner surf breaks.) For total pinch-me beauty, few places can top Kauai, nicknamed "the Garden Isle" for its dense tropical rainforests and dramatic Napali Coastline.

No matter which island you choose, you'll have no shortage of great accommodation options; here, a few of our favorite resorts and hotels on each of Hawaii's islands.

The newest resort to land on the shores of iconic Waikiki Beach takes its Hawaiian name, 'Alohilani—meaning "heavenly brightness"—literally. The open, airy rooms with Diamond Head views, swanky second-floor pool deck overlooking the ocean, and light, Japanese flavors at the two flagship restaurants by world-famous chef Masaharu Morimoto are enough to make any couple think they've died and gone to heaven.

Every honeymooning couple deserves their own secluded slice of paradise. The resort is one of just two on Lanai—the island owned by billionaire Oracle founder Larry Ellison—so you can expect top-notch amenities like spacious, modern suites, a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, an adults-only pool, and five restaurants, including outposts of buzzy Nobu and Malibu Farm.

The dramatic garden-green landscapes of Kauai's North Shore have remained unchanged for centuries. Head to this luxury resort to soak in it's untouched panoramic oceanfront, crescents of golden sand, and picture-perfect sunsets over Hanalei Bay.

When American billionaire Laurance S. Rockefeller opened the Mauna Kea in the '60s, he probably didn't imagine Hawaii would become the resort-packed honeymoon haven it is today. But this historic hotel is perfectly suited to today's travelers: It's set on a beautiful crescent-shaped shoreline; it has its own Robert Trent Jones, Sr.-designed golf course; each of the 252 recently renovated rooms has a spacious lanai (Hawaiian for "veranda"); and there are multiple restaurants serving different island-inspired cuisine.

Some of Hawaii's best resorts are located on Maui's southwestern shore, and this could be its crown jewel. That's thanks to a recent multimillion-dollar renovation that updated all 383 guest rooms, added new oceanfront sundecks and Missoni-decorated pool cabanas, and offered YOLO experiences (like a private chef's dinner beside the adults-only Serenity Pool).

There's a reason big names like the Obamas and Mark Zuckerberg have swung through the Surfjack since it opened in 2016: It's got laid-back midcentury Aloha vibes. Translation? The design is retro, the staff is hip, and the restaurant is helmed by Oahu-born top chef Ed Kenney.

The Ritz-Carlton is set on 54 acres of lush coast along Maui's northwestern shore, including the Honokahua Preservation Site, one of Hawaii's largest nature preserves. Even though there are 463 rooms and suites, couples will find plenty of space to spread out—and tons of amenities to choose from. The one you should check out first: The spa, where couples' massages can take place in private outdoor cabanas. (The masseuse uses oils with local plants, flowers, fruits, and herbs cultivated in the resort's own organic garden.) 

Few resorts in Hawaii are more Insta-ready than this swank retreat on the Kona-Kahala Coast. Not only is the hotel itself a stunner (we dare you to find a more gorgeous infinity pool), but it's also the perfect jumping-off point for trips to the island's famed black-sand beaches, natural hot springs, adorable farmers' markets in the town of Hilo, and the iconic Volcanoes National Park, where the Kilauea Caldrea still spews lava.

With its white-on-white décor, Diamond Head views, and first-rate spa, Halekulani really is a "House Befitting Heaven" (the hotel's name in Hawaiian). It'll feel like just that after you check into your suite overlooking Waikiki Beach. And eat a delicious Hawaiian seafood dinner at La Mer. And sip cocktails under the romantic kiawe tree at House Without a Key.

Looking back on your honeymoon at the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort, you'll be hard-pressed to decide which was more memorable: the orange-and-pink watercolor sunsets or watching whales swim by directly from your oceanfront room. (Request one on a high floor for the best views.) Other memorable moments: paddle-boarding on tranquil waters in the morning and dining on crispy whole fish with spicy tofu sauce and papaya salad at the Morimoto-branded restaurant by night.

Oahu's western coast was once inhabited by Hawaiian royals, who sought out the region for its peaceful, quiet vibes. That's exactly what you'll get at the newest Four Seasons in the state. The beaches are secluded, 80 percent of the rooms have ocean views, and the adults-only pool has butler-serviced cabanas. If you really want a moment alone, head out on the water by outrigger canoe straight from the shore.

If you're looking for special honeymoon-worthy experiences, book a private dinner at the resort's Cliff House, a former plantation home built in 1940 that's perched on a—you guessed it—cliff overlooking the ocean. But you won't really need to seek out special treatment here; top-notch amenities are a given at this residence-style hotel. Case in point: the award-winning golf course, horseback-riding trails, complimentary guided hikes, crescent-shaped golden-sand beach, and multiple infinity pools.

If millennial pink is your color, the Royal Hawaiian is your resort. This brightly hued Honolulu hotel opened in 1927 on famed Waikiki Beach and is still going strong today, thanks to updated accommodations, beachfront restaurants, regular live music performances, and access to activities like parasailing, catamaran cruises, and surfing right at your doorstep.

This all-suite property on Maui's Wailea coast never feels crowded, even when it's sold out. That's because there are multiple pools, a wide stretch of beach, and six different restaurants. And forget about renting a car: The resort has a chauffeur service that will take you anywhere in Wailea when you want to play golf, book a snorkel excursion, or walk around town.

Couples who like to travel with all the same amenities as at home should try this apartment-style resort near the famed Napali Coast. Rooms have full kitchens and washer/dryer units, so you can stock your pantry from the Gourmet Marketplace and make your own meal. Work up an appetite first swimming in the new 350,000-gallon saltwater lagoon pool—complete with waterfalls, a grotto, and a waterslide. (Who said waterslides were just for kids?)