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If you’re looking for a relaxing getaway and to experience island life then Hawaii should definitely be on your radar. This chain of islands is incredibly popular with surfers, hikers, beach-lovers and anyone looking for a tropical getaway mixed with plenty of outdoor adventure.
With several islands to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which island you want to visit. Each island has its own vibe so you may want to consider where you want to stay first.
Personally I love boutique hotels just because they’re a little more unique than the big chains and tend to offer a more personalized experience. This list of the best boutique hotels in Hawaii covers a range of accommodation options across the islands of Maui, O’ahu, Big Island, Kauai and Lanai.
Best Boutique Hotels in Maui
Paia Inn
Located in the surf town of Paia, Paia Inn offers beachside suites and rooms with open-air entry, private beach access, and Bali-inspired architecture + design.
The hotel’s restaurant Vana Paia features four unique dining areas and serves Japanese-inspired dishes made from locally grown ingredients. On the menu you’ll find fresh sushi, tapas and Prohibition-style cocktails made by expert mixologists.
A wide range of activities can be booked through the hotel, including snorkeling, whale watching, surfing, stand-up-paddle, windsurfing, kitesurfing, massages and helicopter tours.
Check prices on Booking.com
Hotel Wailea, Relais & Châteaux – Adults Only (Wailea)
Hotel Wailea is an intimate 5-star resort perched 300 feet above the sea within a lush tropical hillside. The property features 72 suites set amongst 15 acres of Zen-inspired gardens and boasts breathtaking views of the ocean.
Highlights of the hotel include an ocean-view restaurant, an open-air cocktail lounge, a 24-hour Fitness Studio, and a gorgeous pool with hot tub. Guests can also take advantage of the hotel’s luxury shuttle service within the Wailea area and beach valet service at nearby Wailea Beach.
Suites have garden or ocean views and boast design details such as coral and limestone walls, bleached white oak floors and sustainably-farmed Ohia wood from Hawaii’s Big Island.
Room features include separate bedroom and living areas, luxury linens, deep soaking tub, kitchenette,plush bathrobes, flat screen TVs, and private lanai with chaise lounges and chairs.
Check prices on Booking.com
Best Boutique Hotels in O’ahu
The Laylow, Autograph Collection
Every room at The Laylow features a lanai and one or two king beds, as well as unique mid-century modern furniture. Additional features include welcome baskets, “rubbah slippahs” and high-tech amenities such as device-enabled TVs and integrated USB ports.
The hotel’s nightly amenity fee covers a range of perks including free Wi-Fi, nightly live entertainment, daily newspapers, complimentary beach towels and complimentary cruiser bicycles.
Food-wise there are a number of on-site restaurants, including Seoul Tofu House, which serves authentic Korean cuisine and Paia Fish Market, which serves fish and seafood caught by local anglers.
The hotel also features a stylish pool area set in tropical surroundings, where guests can enjoy a cocktail or a complimentary shaved ice.
Check prices on Booking.com
The Surfjack
Definitely one of the best boutique hotels in Hawaii, The Surfjack gets rave reviews. It boasts a gorgeous swim club with adults-only swim time from 6pm to 9pm and a variety of activities such as poolside films, talk story sessions and Aqua Zumba fitness classes.
Accommodation-wise the hotel features a variety of bungalows, suites and penthouses featuring flat-screen TVs, BYRD bath products and carefully curated artwork by local artists. If you’re traveling with your pooch, you’ll also be pleased to know that rooms are dog-friendly.
Whenever you’re feeling peckish, you can head to the hotel’s restaurant, Mahina & Sun’s, which serves island cuisine in a hip atmosphere.
If you book directly with the hotel you’ll enjoy no amenity fees plus free on-site parking.
Check prices on Booking.com
Shoreline Hotel Waikiki
Decorated in bright, bold colors, the Shoreline Hotel has a fun, tropical vibe and is conveniently located for exploring Waikiki. Nearby you’ll find plenty of shops, bars, restaurants and nightlife as well as the famous two-mile Waikiki Beach.
Rooms have private balconies and amenities such as local coffee and tea, complimentary WiFi, 32” flat-screen TVs, irons, hairdryers and towels for the beach.
If you’re feeling hungry after a day exploring Honolulu, the hotel features an on-site restaurant called Heavenly Island Lifestyle, serving healthy foods, fruit bowls and delicious cocktails.
Check prices on Booking.com
Best Boutique Hotels on Big Island
Holualoa Inn
Located on the slopes of Mount Hualalai in the heart of the Kona Coffee belt, Holualoa Inn is set amongst a beautiful estate that offers sweeping coastal views everywhere you turn.
The estate features 30 acres of lush gardens, rooftop and garden gazebos, 5,300 Kona coffee trees, and a custom-tiled mosaic pool with hot tub.
Each morning guests are treated to estate-brewed Kona coffee and delicious breakfasts made with ingredients from the surrounding gardens.
The hotel features a choice of four romantic guest rooms, two suites and two standalone units – Darrell Hill Cottage and Red Barn.
All rooms feature Comphy brand bed linens, ceiling and tower fans, hair dryers, irons, pocket flashlights, island-style cotton robes, fleece socks, alarm clocks with USB chargers, filtered water carafes and beach towels.
Check prices on Booking.com
Aloha Boutique Hotel
This eco-boutique bed and breakfast is based in the peaceful town of Hawi, inside a large,130 year-old estate home. The B&B is alcohol-free and meat-free, and a complimentary vegan breakfast is served to guests each morning.
If you’re looking for a peaceful getaway far from the hustle and bustle of city life, this Big Island hotel might be just what you’re looking for. You’ll hear roosters crowing at dawn and see hens roaming freely during the day. Coconut trees, orange trees, banana trees and other fruits grow in abundance on the estate.
The hotel has 5 cozy guest rooms, 2 royal suites and 3 private guest homes featuring turn-of-the-century style decor, tropical bouquets, mini fridges and Ayurvedic organic body care products.
Check prices on Booking.com
Mauna Lani
Next up on the list of best boutique hotels in Hawaii is Mauna Lani. Situated on the Kohala Coast, this 5-star hotel was name #1 Resort on the Island of Hawai’i by Travel + Leisure 2022. Guest rooms boast Lanai balconies with mountain or ocean views and are furnished in understated, neutral colors with natural fabrics and plenty of hardwood.
If you’re traveling with family and friends, you may want to consider one of the hotel’s residences, which feature their own gated driveways, private access to the beach and 4,000 sq ft of indoor and outdoor living space. Each residence boasts two bedrooms, three baths, a private swimming pool and spa.
Mauna Lani resort boasts 3 swimming pools, including a 3,900-square-foot Resort Pool, a 2,000-square-foot Adult Pool, and a Keiki Pool, which is suitable for little ones. The hotel also has its own private beach and Surf Shack, where guests can rent snorkels or sign up for adventure activities such as paddleboarding lessons or outrigger canoe excursions.
Check prices on Booking.com
Best Boutique Hotels in Kauai
Koa Kea Resort at Poipu Beach
Situated alongside Poipu Beach, Ko’a Kea Resort offers oceanfront rooms and suites that reflect the lush, exotic nature of Kaua`i.
Rooms have ocean or garden views and are decorated in vibrant colors and rich textures. Amenities include marble bathrooms with rain-showers, Island Botanicals bath products, custom luxurious linens, plush bathrooms and Nespresso coffee makers.
Book one of the Deluxe Oceanfront Guest Rooms and you’ll also have your own private balcony where you can relax and soak in the views with a drink in hand.
On-site facilities include a Hawaiian spa, tiki-style pool bar and two restaurants. Red Salt serves modern Hawaiian cuisine while the sushi restaurant serves sashimi, nigiri, and rolls with a Hawaiian flair.
Check prices on Booking.com
1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
Set on Kauai’s stunning Napali Coast, 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay is coming in 2023 and is set to become one of the best boutique hotels in Hawaii.
The hotel will feature seven restaurants serving farm-to-table cuisine and a wellness spa where guests can indulge in a selection of holistic treatments. It will also be pet-friendly, although it’s important to note that Hawaii requires a quarantine for pets being brought into the state.
Rooms will feature plenty of greenery, reclaimed materials and organic cotton linens to bring guests as close to nature as possible. Some will have views of mountains and the hotel’s lush gardens, while others will have ocean views of beautiful Hanalei Bay.
Check prices on Booking.com
Best Boutique Hotels in Lanai
Hotel Lanai
This plantation-inspired retreat is located in the heart of Lanai City and offers just 11 rooms.
Set amongst lush, tropical gardens, each room is decorated in a modern, rustic style with warm wood walls, natural grasscloth wallpaper and wicker accents. Rooms also feature flat-screen TVs plus lights, blinds and air conditioning that can be controlled at the touch of a button.
Guests of Hotel Lanai enjoy complimentary continental breakfast and can enjoy a range of activities nearby, including snorkeling in Hulopoe Bay.
Check prices on website
A Final Word…
So there you have it, some of the best boutique hotels in Hawaii! When visiting Hawaii it’s best to research each of the islands and think about the kinds of activities you’d like to do. Id it’s your first time in Hawaii I’d suggest visiting O’ahu and then perhaps a second island such as Maui.
When it comes to booking, I prefer to book all my hotels with Booking.com just because they have a great loyalty program. At level 1 members receive 10% discount, at level 2 it’s 15% discount and at Level 3 it’s 20%. Plus they offer perks such as cashback on stays and free upgrades on certain properties. Hotels.com also offers a loyalty program which offers 1 reward night for every 10 nights you stay.
