5 Best Hotels to Stay at in Hawaii

This is a sponsored post but all opinions expressed within are my own.

Hawaii is one of my favorite places to visit. Fortunately, it’s only a five-hour flight from my hometown of Los Angeles so it’s an easy hop across the Pacific for me and anyone on the west coast. But no matter where you hail from, Hawaii is appealing to anyone and is worth the flight to get there! Whether you’re planning an action-packed vacation to Oahu and are looking to stay on the shores of Waikiki, one of the most famous beaches in the world, or if you’re looking for something more laidback on Kauai or the Big Island, here are some of the best hotels to stay at in Hawaii. I love them all for different reasons!

5 of the best hotels to stay at in Hawaii

1. Sheraton Waikiki
With 1,636 rooms the Sheraton Waikiki is the second-largest hotel on the island of Oahu. It’s a sprawling complex with lots of dining and shopping options and it’s usually buzzing with people. This hotel is a great family-friendly option. You can find laundry facilities on the fifth floor and they offer child care through their Poppins Day Care center, which is open in the Sheraton Waikiki Suite 435 for children up to 12 years in age. But my favorite things about this hotel? Up on the 30^th floor is the Leahi Lounge, with food and beverage presentations throughout the day. But the real star of the show is the incredible view of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head. If you ask me, it’s the best view in all of Waikiki and is the island’s best kept secret. (Now you know!) The pool is also another big asset to this property. It’s a beautiful infinity pool (the longest infinity edge pool in North America, in fact) that was named by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the best hotel pools in all of Hawaii. The photo above was taken looking down from the balcony of our hotel room – what a view!

2. Moana Surfrider
The Moana Surfrider is known as the ‘First Lady of Waikiki’. That’s because it’s the oldest hotel on the island. It opened in 1901 and for over a century, it has retained its status as one of the most grand and historic hotels in Waikiki. From the charming porte cochere at the hotel’s entrance and the wooden rocking chairs that line the verandah (the perfect spot to sip a coffee and people watch) to the historic banyan tree in the hotel’s backyard and the airy white cabanas, this hotel oozes with style and charm. Ideally situated in the heart of Waikiki Beach, it offers easy access to everything in the area … if you can drag yourself out of the hotel. With a focus on restoration and rejuvenation, the hotel offers lots of ways to help you relax – from the Moana Lani Spa to the fitness studio. They also offer guests New Balance clothing and running shoes to use during their stay for just $5, as part of their New Balance Lending Program. It’s a great way to stay fit while you travel but not have to cart heavy workout gear in your suitcase. Once you’ve worked up an appetite (whether from your invigorating workout or from lazing around the pool!), dine on the Veranda at the Beachhouse for breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea. It’s one of the most picturesque spots you’ll find in all of Waikiki.

3. Royal Hawaiian
The Royal Hawaiian is the iconic pink palace, the Grand Dame of Waikiki and one of the most famous hotels on the island. Beautifully merging modern amenities with authentically Hawaiian design and history, this luxurious beachfront property is a really great place to stay. I love the décor – it just feels really traditionally Hawaiian and I love the sense of history you feel there (the hotel opened in 1927!) When you’re booking your stay, it’s good to know that the Royal Hawaiian has the Mailani Tower (each room has a lanai for a soothing ocean view), the Historic Wing (gorgeous rooms; I love the signature pink and platinum wallpaper) and Prestige Suites. When it comes to dining, the Mai Tai bar is a great place to enjoy lunch, dinner or cocktails (a Mai Tai, of course!) and there’s often local live entertainment.

4. Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas
Oahu might be the most popular Hawaiian island but it’s only one out of Hawaii’s eight gorgeous islands to visit. The Westin Princeville is situated on the north shore of Kauai and overlooks the Pacific Ocean. It has 346 studios and one-bedroom villas and offers incredible views wherever you are, whether it’s of Anini Beach, the nearby mountains or the Kilauea Lighthouse, located in the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, which was established in 1985. Besides the accommodations that are designed to feel like a home away from home with granite-countertop kitchens and laundry facilities, the location of this property is pretty and picturesque. It’s home to championship golf courses and award-winning botanical gardens. Plus, it’s a great family-friendly hotel and has a Westin Kids Club for children so Mom and Dad can take a break.

5. Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
The Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa is situated on the other side of the Big Island from where the Kilauea Volcano is and it’s open for business. The hotel has recently been redesigned and the rooms are decorated in a soothing palette of blues and creams that reflect the colors of the ocean and the sand outside. There’s a spa on-property (choose from Eastern- and Western-inspired treatments) as well as two championship golf courses, two outdoor pools plus a waterslide, and three restaurants that serve Hawaiian and American cuisine. But the highlight for me is the beachfront shave ice stand. You can’t go to Hawaii and not have shave ice! More: What travelers need to know about the Hawaii volcano

Where are your favorite places to stay in Hawaii? Share your suggestions in the comments below!