We Love These 15 Ultra-Romantic Hawaii Resorts for Couples

Hawaii has long been associated with romance, and for good reason. This collection of islands in the Pacific Ocean about 2,000 miles from the U.S. mainland is home to secluded beaches, dramatic natural scenery, and all kinds of ways for couples to connect and escape from everyday life. The best Hawaii resorts for couples are popular for honeymoons and anniversary trips. And it’s where I went myself for my honeymoon 20(!) years ago.

When my husband and I returned to Hawaii in 2023, we had our teenage daughter in tow. Hawaii had long been on her vacation bucket list, and she indulged our stories about what we did during our previous trip to Maui and Kauai and what had changed since our last visit. (We visited before the tragic wildfires in Lahaina.)

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What hadn’t changed: Hawaii’s escape-from-it-all feeling. For American travelers, there’s no passport or currency exchange needed, but it still feels like you’ve traveled beyond the U.S. Hawaii’s rich cultural history helps set it apart, and its other-worldly natural scenery continues to inspire awe among visitors and has even played roles in movies like Jurassic Park and Avatar.

Best Hawaii Resorts for Couples

For couples in search of a romantic getaway, choosing the right resort in Hawaii is a huge part of the experience. Soothing spas, serene pools, out-of-the-ordinary amenities, delicious dining options, and guest rooms designed for rest and relaxation can all add up to a special trip. Spectacular settings are of course a given, and it’s even possible to find spots without any kids nearby for a complete escape. Here are 15 Hawaiian resorts that offer all the ingredients for an ideal couples getaway.

For the latest information about traveling to Maui after the Lahaina wildfires, visit gohawaii.com/maui-travel-updates.

Oahu

The Royal Hawaiian, Waikiki, Honolulu

• Why We Love It: It’s elegant, iconic, and in the heart of the action on Waikiki Beach.
• Book It: Royal Hawaiian, Kayak

Part of Marriott Bonvoy’s The Luxury Collection, The Royal Hawaiian is known as the “Pink Palace of the Pacific.” First opened in 1927, the elegant spot sits on the shores of Waikiki and overlooks iconic Diamond Head. The hotel’s 528 guest rooms reflect its past but in a modern way, and weekly historical tours of the property share stories from its earlier days. 

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Pink-cushioned lounge chairs surround the relaxing Malulani Pool overlooking Waikiki Beach, where guests can reserve private beach setups for lounging under the sun. Take part in cultural activities like lei making and a twice-weekly luau, and plan some time at the resort’s Abhasa Waikiki Spa, the only spa in Honolulu where massages, facials, and other treatments can be enjoyed in a tropical garden setting. Start the day off with an order of Signature Royal Hawaiian Pink Palace Pancakes at the hotel’s Surf Lanai restaurant, enjoy a namesake cocktail at the Mai Tai Bar, or savor a four-course dinner by the sands of Waikiki Beach at Azure.

Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki, Honolulu

• Why We Love It: Its historical-but-luxe feel and it’s truly incredible banyan tree
• Book: Moana Surfrider, Kayak

Known as the “First Lady of Waikiki” and dating from 1901, Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa sits nearly next to the Royal Hawaiian and rates as another sophisticated spot for couples along Waikiki Beach. Choose a guest room in the historic Banyan Wing for a sense of the hotel’s past or opt for a more contemporary room or suite in the 21-story Tower Wing, where you can take in the views from your private lanai.

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Biweekly history tours, a museum, and afternoon tea keep the hotel’s heritage alive, and guests can take surfing lessons or experience outrigger canoeing right from the hotel’s 600 feet of beach. A century-old banyan tree shades the pool area, while the Moana Lani Spa ranks as the only oceanfront spa in Waikiki and offers treatments inspired by Hawaiian healing traditions. Enjoy a romantic meal made with ingredients from Oahu at Beachhouse at the Moana or sip a glass of wine at the Vintage 1901 lobby bar, where a live pianist provides the soundtrack.

Halekulani

• Why We Love It: Its mix of upscale serenity and proximity to buzzy Waikiki Beach.
• Book: Halekulani | Kayak

Set on five acres along Waikiki Beach, Halekulani offers 453 sophisticated guest rooms and spacious suites all done up in the hotel’s signature “seven shades of white” to showcase the natural beauty right outside. The hotel is close to all of the activity of Waikiki and Honolulu but also provides opportunities for rest, relaxation, and tranquility.

An oval heated pool overlooks the beach; don’t miss the impressive orchid mosaic on the bottom made from more than a million pieces of glass tiles. Morning stretching classes and surfing demonstrations take place on the beach; for more vacation self-care you can book a treatment at SpaHalekulani, which also offers educational events focused on wellbeing.

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Head to the hotel’s popular House Without a Key restaurant for its signature mai tai, Hawaiian music, and gorgeous sunsets under a 130-year-old Kiawe tree; or enjoy French cuisine at La Mer, Hawaii’s longest consecutively ranked AAA Five-Diamond Restaurant. 

Prince Waikiki

• Why We Love It: Dramatic ocean views from every room plus plenty of activities
• Book: Prince Waikiki | Kayak

Panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows frame views of the Pacific Ocean in all 563 guest rooms and suites at Prince Waikiki in Honolulu. They’re an ideal spot for winding down after a full day at the resort, where a regular schedule of fun events and activities (think live DJs, art workshops, and fitness classes) adds to the array of appealing amenities.

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Reserve a cabana to lounge away the day at the adults-only infinity pool overlooking the harbor, where guests can book a coffee or sunset cruise aboard The Vida Mia, a restored antique 61-foot wooden yacht that made an appearance on The White Lotus. Naio Bliss spa offers treatments inspired by its island location, and a fitness center makes it easy to keep up with your workout schedule. Browse the hotel’s collection of contemporary artwork in the lobby before dinner with a view at 100 Sails Restaurant & Bar or a cocktail at the lively poolside Hinana Bar.

The Island of Hawaii (Big Island)

Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort

• Why We Love It: Its gorgeous (solar powered) surroundings that pay tribute to the land and the culture.
• Book: Kona Village | Kayak

Opened in July 2023, this reimagining of the original 1960s-era Kona Village Resort pays tribute to its past and reflects an appreciation of the land it inhabits and the region’s culture in every element of the property. Set on 81 acres on Kahuwai Bay on Hawaii’s Kona Coast, Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort features 150 guest hale that feel like elegant beach bungalow versions of the traditional Hawaiian structure. Large windows, outdoor showers, and lanais help draw guests outside, while sustainably sourced and other eco-friendly building materials bring sophisticated Hawaiian style to the lodging spaces.

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Completely powered by solar energy, the resort practices a zero-waste program, serves Hawaiian-inspired dishes made with ingredients sourced from the Big Island at its five restaurants and bars, and boasts an on-site cultural center offering immersive programming like guided archeological tours and wildlife walks. Two pools, a beautiful stretch of beach, complimentary bicycles, tennis and pickleball courts, and a soothing spa with open-air treatment rooms help turn a stay into a true vacation.

Mauna Kea Resort

• Why We Love It: The architecture, the incredible stretch of coast, and the fact you get access to two resorts.
• Book: Mauna Kea Resort | Kayak (Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Westin Hapuna Beach Resort, Mauna Kea Residences)

Located on 1,800 acres on Hawaii’s Kohala Coast, Mauna Kea Resort provides couples with a variety of lodging options to match their interests and vacation styles. A 100% ocean-facing property and the first resort built on the Kohala Coast, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection offers guest rooms done up in sunset hues, a white sand beach on Kauna’oa Bay, and an impressive collection of art from Asia, Oceania, and the Pacific Rim.

The resort is also home to the The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort, which features all-ocean-facing guestrooms, an award-winning 18-hole golf course, and an adult-only infinity pool overlooking scenic Hapuna Beach. And for even more privacy and seclusion, couples can opt for the resort’s Mauna Kea Residences, where accommodations range from oceanfront studios to private estates.

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Resort guests have access to both hotels and their amenities during a stay, where they can enjoy multiple casual and fine dining restaurants serving locally inspired cuisine; lei making, Hula lessons, and other cultural activities; tennis and pickleball courts; beach and water activities like a Manta Ray Night Swim; and access to Tesla Model 3 rentals for exploring the island. 

Mauna Lani

• Why We Love It: Its chic vibe, adults-only areas, and farm-to-spa experiences.
• Book: Mauna Lani | Kayak

Modern luxury meets Hawaiian heritage at Mauna Lani, part of the Auberge Resorts Collection. A $200-million reimagining of the Kohala Coast property in 2020 created a luxury escape where couples can lounge on daybeds set inside beachside huts, shop at Hawaii’s only goop store (Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle brand), and sip Lani Tai cocktails at the open-air Hā Bar.

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Guest rooms and suites are done up in contemporary, understated island style with hardwood accents and natural fabrics plus furnished lanais for alfresco relaxation. Snag a lounge chair under the palms at the resort’s tranquil 2,000-square-foot Adult Pool, then schedule some time at the Auberge Spa, where treatments offer a “farm-to-spa” experience. There are all kinds of ways to explore the ocean and the island and indulge in active pursuits like tennis and golf, and a sunset dinner at the oceanfront CanoeHouse is an ideal end to any day in paradise.

Fairmont Orchid

• Why We Love It: Its personal service, open-air spa, cultural activities, and romantic restaurants
• Book: Fairmont Orchid | Kayak

Indulge in some couples time at the Fairmont Orchid, set on 32 acres on the Big Island’s black-lava Kohala Coast. Start by booking one of the 45 Fairmont Gold luxury rooms and suites, which provide access to a personal concierge and a lounge serving breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails. Then plan a visit to the open-air Spa Without Walls, where island-inspired massages, facials, and other treatments take place in oceanfront cabanas or private waterfall huts surrounded by tropical greenery. 

Reserve a private daybed or cabana for relaxing at the beach or by the oceanfront pool that’s a massive 10,000 square feet, and take part in cultural experiences like storytelling sessions, outrigger canoe excursions, and the evening Hawai’iloa Luau. For a romantic meal, head to the AAA Four Diamond Brown’s Beach House for Hawaiian cuisine, live music, and gorgeous sunset views.

Kauai

1 Hotel Hanalei Bay

• Why We Love It: Its fresh look and nature-inspired wellness focus on the North Shore of Kauai
• Book: 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay | Kayak

The former St. Regis Princeville has been transformed into the new 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, a luxury property on Kauai’s North Shore that offers a nature- and wellness-focused escape. Endemic and indigenous wildlife-friendly plants like white hibiscus and gardenias add beauty along with cultural significance; birds and bees flit about the kukui, breadfruit, and banana trees; and green roofs filter stormwater, improve air quality, and provide ingredients for the resort’s seven sustainable restaurants, bars, and eateries. 

The 252 guest rooms and suites feature nature-inspired design elements like hand-crafted floors made from local black basalt and reclaimed teak and abaca furnishings, along with dramatic views of the Pacific Ocean, Hanalei Bay, and nearby mountains.

Visit Bamford Wellness Spa for treatments incorporating Hawaiian traditions and ingredients, or head to Anatomy fitness studio for a group class or some time on the cardio equipment. Couples can lounge at the adults-only infinity pool or book a surf lesson or kayak tour to connect with the outdoors. Finish the day with a beachfront bonfire for two on the sand.

Ko’a Kea Resort

• Why We Love It: Private lanais! Pool bar! Oceanfront yoga! Plus onsite car rentals (if you can tear yourself away from the resort)
• Book: Ko’a Kea Resort | Kayak

Situated on the shores of Poipou Beach, Ko’a Kea Resort offers spacious guest rooms and suites with private lanais and lots of ways for couples to relax and reconnect. A tranquil pool sits at the center of the resort in sight of the sand, and a pool bar means refreshments are never far away. For a romantic dinner, reserve a table at the hotel’s award-winning Red Salt restaurant to enjoy sushi and locally sourced Hawaiian seafood along with excellent ocean views.

Start your day off with a sunrise oceanfront yoga session, or head to the resort’s on-site adventure center for snorkeling, surfing, paddleboard, and outrigger canoe rentals and lessons. Treatments at The Spa at Ko’a Kea incorporate Hawaiian ingredients like Kauai clay and locally grown coffee and sugar, and Tesla rentals are available for exploring the island. The hotel is within walking distance of a number of restaurants and bars for watching the sunset at a different spot each night. Be sure to stop by Poipu Beach Park afterward to see the Hawaiian green sea turtles that come ashore to rest in the evening.

Waimea Plantation Cottages

• Why We Love It: Its serene, secluded, and off-the-beaten-path vibe and location close to Waimea Canyon.
• Book: Waimea Plantation Cottages | Kayak

Get a sense of Hawaii’s earlier days with a stay at Waimea Plantation Cottages. Set on 43 acres on Kauai’s southwest coast, the resort provides a sense of seclusion you won’t find in busier tourist areas on the island. Charming cottages built from the late 1880s to the 1930s blend historical elements with modern conveniences, with each featuring fully equipped kitchens and private lanais and some situated oceanfront or within view of the water.

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The private beach here isn’t swimmable, but strolls on the black sand make for a peaceful and pleasant way to enjoy the scenery. Take a dip in the oceanfront pool, relax with a good book in one of the hammocks found around the property, admire the resort’s tropical greenery, or test your game play with a little bocce or shuffleboard. When you’re ready to explore, you’re not far from the scenic vistas at Waimea Canyon, the town of Hanapepe with its appealing shops and historic swinging bridge, and the Kauai Coffee Estate, where visitors can enjoy tours and tastings.

Maui

Hotel Wailea

• Why We Love It: It’s Hawaii’s only Relais & Châteaux property, and is an all-suite, adults-only haven.
• Book: Hotel Wailea | Kayak

Luxuriate in island style at Hotel Wailea, the first and only Relais & Châteaux property in the state of Hawaii. This elegant, all-suite, adults-only hotel sits on a verdant hillside 300 feet above the Pacific Ocean, offering 180-degree views of its scenic setting. There are just 72 one-bedroom suites here, all done up in beachy modern style with soaking tubs, high-end kitchenettes, and private lanais, and some with sweeping ocean views.

Guests have access to luxury house vehicles for transportation around the Wailea resort area, concierge service for arranging dining reservations and excursions, a peaceful pool with private cabanas, and beach valet service for some truly stress-free time on the sand. The hotel also has an array of one-of-a-kind experiences that can be added on to all of that, including a jaunt in a 1957 Porsche 356 Speedster reproduction, a journey in an outrigger canoe, couple’s surf lessons, in-room spa treatments, and an unforgettable private sunset dinner in a treehouse set among mango trees.

Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

• Why We Love It: Beach attendants that bring luxury to the water’s edge, plus a spa featuring traditional Hawaiian therapies.
• Book: Four Seasons Resort Maui | Kayak

Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea makes for a true escape from everyday life, offering not only standard hotel guest rooms but also a number of premium accommodations. Located in a private, keyed-off section of the resort, Club Floor rooms and suites include private balconies with ocean views, amenities including all-day refreshments at the Club Lounge, and dedicated concierge services. Or opt for a Complete Suite Experience and enjoy a private suite overlooking Wailea Beach that comes with a dedicated personal assistant, round-trip airport transfers in a private SUV or Tesla, complimentary in-suite Peloton bikes on request, and other amazing amenities. 

Three saltwater pools can be found throughout the resort, including an adults-only infinity pool with an underwater music system and freestanding swim-up bar; and beach attendants help guests claim their spot on Wailea Beach. Traditional Hawaiian therapies and other spa treatments can be enjoyed oceanside or at the spa, and dining options include a range of on-site restaurants, in-room dining, and private dining experiences with ocean views.

The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua

• Why We Love It: A recent update that brings in plenty of locally inspired design and art, plus a magnificent three-tier pool ringed with cabanas and daybeds.
• Book: The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua | Kayak

The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua takes inspiration from both its natural setting and Maui’s cultural heritage throughout the entirety of its 54 acres. Its 466 guest rooms have been recently redone with Maui-inspired design features, local artwork on the walls, and private lanais for admiring the views and the lush landscape of the resort. At the center of it all, cabanas and daybeds surround the three-tier pool that draws the eye down to the golden-sand beach below.

At The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua Spa, ancient Hawaiian traditions serve as the basis for the spa’s design and treatments, which can be enjoyed in couples hale (cabanas) or treatment rooms with private outdoor shower gardens. A visit there would be an ideal finale to a day spent on one of Kapalua’s two 18-hole championship golf courses, hiking nearby trails, or exploring what’s under the sea. Head to the resort’s Banyan Tree AAA Four-Diamond restaurant for modern takes on Hawaiian-inspired recipes or The Alaloa Lounge and Bar to toast the sunset (or look for whales from December to April).

Lanai

Four Seasons Resort Lanai 

• Why We Love It: It’s a luxurious option on the very special—and less visited—island of Lanai.
• Book: Four Seasons Resort Lanai | Kayak

You’ll feel like you’re on your own private island during a stay at Four Seasons Resort Lanai. All 213 guest rooms here feature private lanais, many of which overlook Hulopo‘e Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Hawaiian artwork and lush greenery set the scene at the resort and pay homage to the island’s natural beauty and heritage (including its nearly century-long stint as the home of Hawaii’s largest pineapple plantation). 

Guests can be as relaxed or adventurous as they want here. For a more restorative stay, spend time at the adults-only pool (where pool attendants make sure you’re comfortable), stretch during a class at the resort’s dedicated yoga pavilion, book a couples treatment at Hāwanawana Spa, and visit the Lanai Observatory for a tour of the night sky. For a little more activity, test your skills on the cliff holes at the Jack-Nicklaus–designed Manele Golf Course, take a guided horseback ride to some of the island’s scenic spots, or rent a jeep for some off-road exploration.

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