Hawaii’s all-inclusive resorts are a bit different than what you might be used to if you’ve stayed at all-inclusive resorts in other destinations such as Mexico and the Caribbean, which typically include accommodations, activities, meals, and gratuities all in one rate. In Hawaii, the top resorts offer packages that bundle different components such as meals, activities, spa treatments, and sometimes even flights into a nearly all-inclusive Hawaii vacation experience. Here are the top resorts across the islands offering inclusive packages that come pretty close to an all-inclusive Hawaii vacation.
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1. Hana-Maui Resort
Maui, Hawaii
For years, the secluded and relaxed Travaasa Hana resort offered a nearly all-inclusive Hawaii resort experience. A rebrand and update has turned that resort into the Hana-Maui Resort, a Destination by Hyatt Residence property. And while the appeal of the original resort remains (the vast and gorgeous property overlooking Hana Bay, for instance), there are no longer all-inclusive add-ons but rather a more traditional-for-Hawaii a la carte pricing structure for dining at the two main restaurants, the poolside bar, and the grab-and-go shop.
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The Hana-Maui Resort offers a variation on traditional air-inclusive packages as well. Its “Hana Express” package (formerly called the “Plane to Paradise” promotion) offers a round-trip flight on its private plane, along with a $100 resort credit, when you stay two nights. Also be on the lookout for the “Sunshine on Sale” package to score up to 30 percent off regular rates when staying for nights or longer.
2. Residence Inn by Marriott Maui Wailea
Maui, Hawaii
While completely all-inclusive Hawaii vacations are elusive, there are other ways to simplify your family vacation on the islands. The Residence Inn by Marriott Maui Wailea not only has a central location near some of Maui’s best beaches and cafes, but a full-American breakfast is included daily and every suite has a full kitchen. So if the reason you want an all-inclusive Hawaii resort is to simplify your travels and keep your budget under control, this affordable spot on Maui’s southwest coast is tough to beat.
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In addition to the complimentary breakfast (which is unusual in Hawaii), Residence Inn by Marriott Maui Wailea has a spacious outdoor pool and fitness center, on-site putting green, a local area shuttle, and grocery delivery service. All rooms have a furnished balcony, and there are one- and two-bedroom suites with the option of requesting adjoining rooms as well as the classic studio accommodation options. Additional special packages and perks are available to Marriott Bonvoy members, and the program is free to join.
3. Royal Lahaina Resort and Bungalows
Maui, Hawaii
Royal Kona Resort’s sister property on Maui, Royal Lahaina Resort is not a traditional all-inclusive resort, but like the Big Island’s Royal Kona Resort it has regular special offers that might include discounts, upgrades, and/or dining experiences that can add up to an almost all-inclusive Hawaii resort stay. Examples include the “Spa, Sip and Stay” package offering 20 percent off a spa treatment, a fourth night free, and a daily resort credit of $50; and the “Weekly Stay” offer that gets you a discounted rate and 50 percent off resort fees.
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Royal Lahaina Resort is located right on the beach, where you can enjoy free access to sand and surf play, as well as beach rentals. Families also get complimentary access to three outdoor pools (two of which are oceanfront) and two hot tubs. With concierge service included, guests can get assistance planning off-property activities and can come back to free live music.
4. Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa
Oahu, Hawaii
Like the many other family resorts across the islands, Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa, isn’t technically a Hawaii all-inclusive resort. But this Disney resort on Oahu includes so many activities and amenities in its nightly rates that the experiential part of it certainly feels all-inclusive. Among the inclusions are nightly bonfires with storytelling overlooking the Pacific Ocean, resort walking tours packed with interesting tidbits about Hawaiian culture and the resort’s design, a craft and game room, ukulele lessons, Disney character experiences, a kids clubs, and live entertainment.
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All told there are more than 30 included activities, enough to easily spend a week busy and happy without paying an extra dime on things to do. Of course, access to this nearly all-inclusive Hawaii resort’s beach, as well as its many countless pools, lazy rivers, two water slides, and splash pad is also included in the rate, as are the pool parties and dive-in movies hosted there. Like most Disney hotels and resorts, Aulani has thought of pretty much everything you might need or want on your Hawaii family vacation, including loads of dining options and restaurants for everyone in your group.
5. Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki Beach Walk
Oahu, Hawaii
Located steps from world-famous Waikiki Beach on Oahu, the all-suite Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki Beach Walk offers a different kind of almost all-inclusive Hawaii experience that relies heavily on free perks. Stock up on groceries at a local supermarket and cook lunch and dinner in your spacious suite with a fully equipped kitchen, but leave breakfast to the resort—that’s on the house and includes a bountiful buffet each morning. Included in your $45 resort fee, Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki Beach Walk also hosts evening receptions with snacks, beverages, and often live entertainment.
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Other perks that are similar to an all-inclusive Hawaii experience include the Grand Lanai, where you’ll find a heated pool, whirlpool spa, children’s pool, and sun deck with cabanas and daybeds for lounging. Be sure to inquire about the hotel’s specials before you book, too. It regularly offers packages designed specifically for families, such as the “Stay Longer in Paradise” deal that offers 20 percent off five nights and the “Ocean Suite Deal” that gets you 25 percent off a four-night stay with an ocean view suite and waives the daily resort fee. Other packages may include upgrades, food and beverage credits, and a discount for nonrefundable bookings.
6. Royal Kona Resort
Big Island, Hawaii
On the Big Island, Royal Kona Resort has offered all-inclusive resort pricing in the past, and is currently offering a number of vacation packages for a more inclusive Hawaii vacation experience. Additionally, Royal Kona Resort’s “Added Value” packages offer extra discounts along with more activities and dining options at reduced rates, including a fourth-night free promotion.
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Once you arrive at Royal Kona Resort, you can take advantage of scheduled activities, a swimming pool and saltwater lagoon, and of course the nearby beach at no extra cost. (All beaches in Hawaii are public right of way.) And of course, no trip to the Big Island would be complete without a visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, so be sure to make time for that on your vacation.
Frequently asked questions about Hawaii all-inclusive resorts
1) Does Hawaii have any all-inclusive resorts?
While many warm weather beach destinations do offer fully all-inclusive resorts (think Mexico, the Caribbean, and the Bahamas, just for starters), you won’t find fully inclusive resorts in Hawaii that cover all your food, drinks, tips, and activities at a single rate. But some Hawaiian resorts offer inclusive packages that make trip planning and budgeting a bit easier.
Some nearly all-inclusive Hawaii packages include accommodations and airfare along with water sports, beach access, and use of the resorts’ pools. Others include all those same amenities plus a breakfast buffet or golf course access. For the most part, though, you should plan to pay for your meals separately from your Hawaiian vacation package when staying at a Hawaii resort.
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2) Does Honolulu have all-inclusive resorts?
Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, has several resorts that feature all-inclusive-style amenities. Embassy Suites by Hilton on Waikiki Beach sells inclusive package deals designed with families in mind. The resort also has kitchenettes and complimentary breakfast, activities, pools, nightly receptions with snacks, and live entertainment.
3) Does Maui have all-inclusive resorts?
The resort formerly called Travaasa Hana, which once offered the most truly all-inclusive resort experience on Maui, has rebranded as Hana-Maui Resort and no longer offers completely all-inclusive Hawaii deals. However, Maui has a few resorts that offer some level of inclusive packages, including Royal Lahaina Resort and Bungalows and Residence Inn by Marriott Maui Wailea.
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4) How much does the average trip to Hawaii cost?
The cost of a trip to Hawaii depends on factors like your total length of stay, where you’ll be flying from, which island you plan to visit, and the time of year you travel. Your choice of accommodations will also influence the cost. A budget hotel will obviously cost less than luxury lodgings, but according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the average nightly hotel rate is $264.
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Plan to spend $50 to $200 per day per person for food. That’s a wide range and may depend on the amenities offered at your resort. If you want to rent a car for your family vacation, you’ll need to factor in the cost of the rental and parking fees as well. Finally, round-trip flights generally cost between $500 and $875, with cheaper airfare available from West Coast cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco.
5) What is the best month to go to Hawaii?
Determining the best month to go to Hawaii really depends on your vacation goals. If you’re looking for the cheapest rates, you’ll want to pick a month in the fall, like September or October. Crowds are usually smaller during these months, so Hawaii hotels offer lower rates to attract visitors.
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If you have a specific activity in mind, you’ll need to do a little research. For example, if you want to see humpback whales frolicking off the islands’ coasts, go in February. If you want to go hiking on Kauai, go in the summer when the trails are drier and there’s more daylight.
6) How much does an all-inclusive trip to Hawaii cost?
You won’t be able to book an all-inclusive Hawaii vacation in the traditional sense of the term, but you can bundle elements like flights, hotels, and dining packages into a single price for an almost-all-inclusive price at some resorts. The number of nights you plan to stay and the type of accommodations you choose will greatly influence the cost. If you want to stay at a luxury resort like Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki Beach Walk on Oahu, for example, expect a higher per night cost than a budget hotel. You are paying for the location and inclusive resort amenities.
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Want accommodations that include a kitchen, but not necessarily looking to stay at an all-inclusive Hawaii resort? Search your favorite hotel booking sites for all-suite or condo hotels and resorts, as these type of accommodations typically have full kitchens and other useful amenities (think in-unit washers and dryers and bicycles for exploring) to help you save and have a genuine Hawaii all-inclusive resort experience.
7) What is the cheapest time of year to visit Hawaii?
The cheapest time of year to visit Hawaii is September and October. Hotel rooms tend to be least expensive between September and mid-December. However, you should expect higher rates during the week of Thanksgiving when many folks look to get away for a holiday. You can sometimes get great rates in June and July, but these may be last-minute bargains. Hawaii vacations are most expensive from mid-December through April.
8) When should you not go to Hawaii?
In terms of weather, there’s really never a bad time to go to Hawaii. The average daily temperature in the summer is 85 degrees Fahrenheit. In the winter, the temperature is around 78 degrees. At night, expect these temperatures to fall by about 10 degrees.
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Winter sees more rain than summer, but that’s not why you should avoid visiting between December and April. Instead, these months typically see the most tourists, so prices go up for all kinds of accommodations, including all-inclusive Hawaii resorts. If you’re looking for low-season rates, plan to go between late spring and early June, or between September and mid-December.
9) What month has the best weather in Hawaii?
There is no bad time to visit Hawaii. However, it can be more humid in the wet season, and it’s a little hotter at the peak of summer. Therefore, the best months to visit Hawaii are April, May, September, and October. You’ll have more pleasant temperatures, less rain and humidity, and better rates since these months fall in the off-season.
10) What is the rainy season in Hawaii?
Given its tropical locale, Hawaii has two seasons: wet and dry. The dry season occurs in the summer months, from April until October. The rainy season in Hawaii occurs during the winter months, with November to March being the rainiest. As temperatures decrease, precipitation and clouds increase. This means you might experience some cloudy, gray days during your trip. Fortunately, Hawaii rarely experiences multiple days of cloud cover, so even during the rainy season, expect plenty of sunshine.
