Despite its relative remoteness, Hawaii continues to enthrall GoTravelDaily readers with its natural beauty, distinct Polynesian culture, and a tourism infrastructure that offers a plethora of options for any type of traveler. This is particularly true for the vast range of hotels and resorts across this stunning Pacific archipelago.
How Voting Works
Every year for the World’s Best Awards survey, GoTravelDaily invites readers to share their opinions on travel experiences globally, including top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. In 2023, nearly 165,000 GoTravelDaily readers participated in the survey, marking a significant increase of nearly 25 percent over pre-pandemic voting levels. Over 685,000 votes were cast across more than 8,500 unique properties.
Hotels were categorized as resort hotels, city hotels, or safari lodges according to their location and amenities. They were rated based on the following criteria:
- Rooms/facilities
- Location
- Service
- Food
- Value
Respondents rated each characteristic as excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor, and final scores were calculated as averages of these responses.
What Readers Loved
GoTravelDaily readers’ favorite Hawaiian resorts span the Island of Hawaii, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, and Oahu—also the five most loved Hawaiian islands by our readers.
Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection, secured the fourth position this year, showing significant improvement. “We stayed here for our honeymoon and it was such a great place,” noted one reader. “The staff were so kind and wonderful to work with. We felt welcomed and at ease from the moment we arrived.” The property has been revitalized since its transformation in 2020, and longtime visitors have expressed satisfaction with the updates, highlighting the enhancements including new pools and improved food options.
In Oahu—Hawaii’s most populous island—Kaimana Beach Hotel (No. 3) received commendations for its exceptional location, directly on the beach with spectacular ocean views and stunning sunsets. Guests praised the team’s outstanding service, noting how lovely and helpful everyone was.
For the second consecutive year, Maui’s Hotel Wailea has been crowned the top resort. Read on for further insights into its appeal, as well as the complete list of the best resort hotels in Hawaii.
The Winner
Hotel Wailea: Maui, Hawaii
Wailea is one of the main tourist zones on Maui, yet staying at Hotel Wailea allows guests to enjoy a tranquil experience away from the hustle and bustle. Located on a hill with a stunning ocean view, guests can easily access one of Maui’s best beaches via a convenient shuttle. Its adults-only policy contributes to a calm atmosphere that’s noticeably different from the larger resorts along the beach. Voters have highlighted the outstanding cocktails and food offerings, but the standout feature is undoubtedly the Birdcage, an open-air bar that provides a unique setting to enjoy breathtaking sunsets alongside the soft songs of nesting birds. This tranquil atmosphere truly feels like heaven on earth.
The Full List
1. Hotel Wailea: Maui, Hawaii
Reader Score: 94.85
2. Montage Kapalua Bay: Maui, Hawaii
Reader Score: 94.18
3. Kaimana Beach Hotel: Oahu, Hawaii
Reader Score: 93.93
4. Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection: Island of Hawaii, Hawaii
Reader Score: 93.80
5. Halekulani: Oahu, Hawaii
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 93.76
6. The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua: Maui, Hawaii
Reader Score: 93.56
7. The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort: Island of Hawaii, Hawaii
Reader Score: 93.19
8. Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea: Maui, Hawaii
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 92.84
9. Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii: Island of Hawaii, Hawaii
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 92.53
10. (tie) Ko’a Kea Resort on Po’ipu Beach: Kauai, Hawaii
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 92.00
10. (tie) Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection: Island of Hawaii, Hawaii
Reader Score: 92.00
12. Four Seasons Resort Lanai: Lanai, Hawaii
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 91.89
13. Fairmont Kea Lani: Maui, Hawaii
Reader Score: 91.80
14. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai: Island of Hawaii, Hawaii
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 91.49
15. Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort: Oahu, Hawaii
Reader Score: 91.16
16. Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina: Oahu, Hawaii
Reader Score: 90.29
17. Turtle Bay Resort: Oahu, Hawaii
Reader Score: 90.15
18. The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach: Oahu, Hawaii
Reader Score: 89.50
19. Hana-Maui Resort, Destination by Hyatt: Maui, Hawaii
Reader Score: 89.25
20. The Kahala Hotel & Resort: Oahu, Hawaii