Planning a honeymoon in Hawaii? Look no further for my list of most romantic Hawaii honeymoon resorts!
This list of romantic Hawaii honeymoon resorts was written by Marcie Cheung (a Hawaii travel expert) and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Quick take: If you want one all-around pick, go with the Grand Hyatt Kauai. I’ve stayed there myself and it nails the balance of romance, resort amenities, and easy access to the rest of the island. For a splurge with zero regrets, Four Seasons Hualalai on the Big Island is worth every dollar. For adults-only quiet, 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay on Kauai’s North Shore is hard to beat.
- Best overall: Grand Hyatt Kauai
- Best splurge: Four Seasons Hualalai
- Best adults-only escape: 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
- Best for Waikiki energy: Halekulani
INTRODUCTION
My mom officiates weddings on Kauai. I’ve spent more than 20 years dancing hula.
And I’ve been back to Hawaii over 40 times, for research trips, family visits, and my own honeymoon planning process with clients who trust me to steer them right.
So when someone asks me where to stay on a Hawaii honeymoon, I don’t send them to a generic “top 10” list scraped from a hotel chain’s press release. I send them what I’d tell a friend over coffee.
This guide covers 11 resorts across all four major islands, split up by island so you can match the resort to the trip you want.
Some of these I’ve stayed at myself. Others I’ve researched extensively and cross-checked against recent guest reviews, because I’d rather tell you a place is good based on real information than pretend I’ve slept in every bed in Hawaii.
I’ll tell you which is which as we go, and not in the same canned sentence every time.
Quick note before we start: two of these resorts are mid-rebrand right now, which is exactly the kind of thing that trips people up when they’re booking off an old blog post (including, frankly, my own old version of this one). I’ve updated both below.
If you’re still deciding which island fits your trip, that’s worth sorting out before you pick a resort.
My Hawaii island hopping guide walks through Maui vs Oahu vs Kauai vs Big Island for couples specifically, and it’s one of the most useful things I can point you to before you book anything.
OAHU: FOR ENERGY, HISTORY, AND CONVENIENCE
Oahu works well if you want a mix of romance and things to do off the resort. It’s also the easiest island to fly into, which matters if your travel budget is tight.
The Ritz-Carlton O’ahu, Turtle Bay (formerly Turtle Bay Resort)
If you’ve seen this place recommended under its old name somewhere else, that’s a sign the post you’re reading hasn’t been touched in a while.
Turtle Bay Resort was purchased by Host Hotels & Resorts and officially rebranded as The Ritz-Carlton O’ahu, Turtle Bay in 2024, after a $250 million renovation.
Same secluded five miles of North Shore coastline, but a real step up in service and polish.
I haven’t stayed at the Ritz-Carlton version myself, though I’ve tracked the renovation closely and the reviews since the rebrand have been consistently strong.
The oceanfront rooms and villas still deliver the private, tucked-away feel that made the original resort popular for honeymoons in the first place.
Several come with a private lanai, and the higher-tier suites add soaking tubs and outdoor showers.
For dinner, Pa’akai does an ocean-to-table menu, and Sunset, a cliffside bar above the surf break, might be the best seat on the island for watching surfers with a cocktail in hand.
Couples who want quiet and nature without giving up five-star service will do well here. Just know it’s a 45-minute drive from Waikiki, so this isn’t the pick if you want to walk to dinner somewhere new every night.
You’ll want a car regardless. I book through Discount Hawaii Car Rental for stays out here since North Shore exploring eats up more miles than people expect.
Halekulani Resort
Halekulani sits right on Waikiki Beach with a clear view of Diamond Head, and its “seven shades of white” design still feels calm rather than dated, which is no small thing for a hotel this established.
The premier suite is worth the upgrade if your budget allows: deep soaking tub, kitchen, personal butler.
La Mer, the resort’s signature restaurant, is still Hawaii’s longest-running AAA Five Diamond restaurant, open Tuesday through Saturday evenings with a rotating tasting menu. It’s worth booking a table even if you’re staying somewhere else.
I’m working from research and current reviews here since I haven’t checked into Halekulani myself, but I’ve followed the property for years and this reflects where it stands now, not an old press kit.
If total seclusion is what you’re after, skip this one. Waikiki is busy no matter how nice the hotel is.
Royal Hawaiian Resort
Nicknamed the “Pink Palace of the Pacific,” the Royal Hawaiian is one of the most photographed hotels in Waikiki, and it earns every one of those photos.
Book the historic Mailani tower for the most character, with wide oceanfront lanais and spacious suites.
Good for: Couples who want a landmark property with real history and don’t mind being in the middle of Waikiki’s action.
The resort still hosts its ‘Aha’aina luau every Monday and Thursday evening, honoring Helumoa, the land the resort sits on.
Skip if: You’re sensitive to noise. The resort is under renovation ahead of its February 2027 centennial, so ask about construction schedules before you book.
MAUI: FOR SUNSETS, WHALES, AND RESORT LUXURY
Maui tends to be the go-to for couples who want that classic postcard Hawaii honeymoon, with big resort pools, oceanfront dining, and easy day trips to Haleakalā or the Road to Hana.
Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort
I’ll be specific about what I have and haven’t done here, because it matters. I attended the resort’s luau, the Feast at Mokapu, myself, and it’s my favorite luau in all of Maui, no contest.
It’s plated family-style instead of buffet, the storytelling is well done, and the sunset setting on the beach makes the whole thing feel more like a private dinner than a tour group show.
The rooms themselves are a different story since I haven’t spent a night in one, so take the property details below as research, not a personal review.
Andaz Maui has direct beach access to Mokapu Beach and villas with gourmet Miele kitchens if you want more space and privacy than a standard room.
Ka’ana Kitchen is the top dining pick on property for a farm-to-table dinner, book ahead, especially in peak season.
The luau books out fast too. I’d reserve it through Viator as soon as your hotel dates are set.
Good for boutique intimacy over a massive resort footprint. Less good if you want a huge property with tons of on-site variety, since this one is smaller and more focused by design.
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa
This is one I’ve stayed at myself, and it’s stuck with me for reasons that have nothing to do with the marketing brochure.
The Hyatt Regency Maui grounds are enormous, there’s a grotto bar tucked between waterfalls, and the resort has a resident African penguin colony that somehow doesn’t feel gimmicky once you’re there.
The Drums of the Pacific Luau has been running for more than 45 years and is still one of the better big-production luaus on the island, ending in a fire-knife finale.
It’s popular enough that I’d book it through Viator well before your trip rather than assume you can walk up.
Japengo is a solid dinner option for sushi and Asian fusion, and Son’z Steakhouse covers a classic surf-and-turf night if that’s more your speed.
Good for: Couples who want resort amenities galore and don’t mind a livelier, more family-present atmosphere during the day.
Skip if: You want an adults-focused property. This one leans family-friendly outside of the evening luau crowd.
The Resort at Kapalua Bay (formerly Montage Kapalua Bay)
Here’s the other rebrand worth knowing about. Montage Kapalua Bay transitioned to Marriott management in March 2026 and is now called The Resort at Kapalua Bay, with a full conversion to St. Regis planned for 2027.
The beach, the residences, and the spa are all still there. What’s changing is the flag, and eventually, the finishes. Nobody has really stayed here “as a St. Regis” yet, so I can’t speak to that part.
The resort sits on Kapalua Bay, consistently ranked among the best beaches in America, and the residential-style suites come with full kitchens if you want the option to cook in during your stay.
The restaurant long known as Cane & Canoe has been renamed under the new management, though you’ll still see the old name floating around in older reviews.
If brand consistency matters to you, or you’d rather not book a property mid-transition, this isn’t the one.
If you want a residential, all-suite feel with serious privacy and don’t mind a little uncertainty about what changes next, it’s still a strong pick.
KAUAI: FOR QUIET, GREEN, AND OLD HAWAII
Kauai is where my own family roots are, through my grandmother, and where I’ve been visiting for 25-plus years. If you want a honeymoon that feels slower and less crowded than Oahu or Maui, this is your island.
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa
This is my personal favorite on this entire list, and I’ve stayed at the Grand Hyatt Kauai myself more than once.
The pastel-toned suites with private lanais feel calm the moment you walk in, and Tidepools, the resort’s signature restaurant, is still one of the most romantic dinner spots I’ve found anywhere in Hawaii.
You eat in a thatched-roof bungalow floating above a koi pond at the base of a waterfall, with produce grown in the resort’s own hydroponic garden.
The resort’s luau runs twice weekly, Wednesday and Saturday evenings, following a journey through Tahiti, Samoa, New Zealand, and Hawaii, ending with a fire dance.
It’s not the flashiest luau on the island, but it’s consistently good, and I’d rather send you somewhere reliable than somewhere flashy but hit or miss.
Good for: Couples who want a true resort experience without Oahu’s crowds or Maui’s price tags.
Skip if: You want nightlife or a wide variety of off-property restaurants within walking distance. Kauai is quiet after dark, and that’s true here too.
Koloa Landing Resort
Koloa Landing is built around one of Kauai’s best pool complexes: a 350,000-gallon setup with waterfalls and multiple zones, including an adults-only pool.
The villas have full gourmet kitchens if you’d rather cook some meals in during a longer stay.
Holoholo Grill, the poolside restaurant, is a collaboration with James Beard Award-winning chef Sam Choy and worth a meal even if you’re staying elsewhere on the island.
I stayed here with my kids and it’s pretty amazing, especially the pool area.
It’s also a Marriott Autograph Collection property with a strong reputation for exactly this kind of trip: longer stays, villa-style space, less need to leave the property.
The one catch is that it’s about a five-minute walk from Poipu Beach, not right on the sand, so skip it if direct beach access is a dealbreaker.
1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
I’m adding this one because it’s one of the strongest honeymoon picks on Kauai right now, and it wasn’t around when this list was last written.
Set on Hanalei Bay on the North Shore, 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay has earned a Michelin Key and landed on Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List.
The adults-only infinity pool overlooking the bay is the feature that keeps coming up in couples’ reviews specifically.
The resort leans hard into sustainable, wellness-focused luxury, with a couples’ getaway package that includes a private oceanfront dinner and a couples massage.
This one’s built on research and current reviews rather than a stay of my own, but it’s a strong newer entry to Kauai’s honeymoon scene that’s earning real attention fast.
One practical note since this resort leans so eco-conscious: pack reef-safe sunscreen before you go. Hanalei Bay’s reef doesn’t need the regular stuff washing off you.
Good for: Couples who want an adults-only pool, a wellness-forward vibe, and Kauai’s lush North Shore scenery.
Skip if: You’re watching your budget. This is one of the pricier picks on the whole list.
BIG ISLAND: FOR VOLCANOES, STARS, AND SPACE TO BREATHE
The Big Island tends to surprise honeymooners. It’s less about beach time and more about dramatic landscape, from lava fields to snow-capped Mauna Kea, and the resorts here lean into that.
Fairmont Orchid
I’ve personally stayed at the Fairmont Orchid, and it’s one of my top picks for couples on the Big Island for a simple reason: it feels grown-up.
The 32 acres of oceanfront grounds and muted, natural room design give it a calm, unhurried atmosphere that a lot of louder resorts don’t manage.
The Hawaiʻi Loa Luau now runs weekly on Saturdays, with seasonal Wednesday dates added around the holidays.
It’s held at the Plantation Estate, once a gathering place for Hawaiian royalty, and I attended it myself. Worth doing, especially for the setting.
Good for couples who want oceanfront luxury with a quieter, more mature atmosphere.
Less good if you want a wide variety of on-site restaurants and nightlife, since this is a low-key property by design.
Four Seasons Hualalai
If you’re going to splurge anywhere on this list, put the money here.
Four Seasons Hualalai just marked its 30th anniversary and has been actively expanding its dining lineup, with new venues including Miller & Lux (a steakhouse from chef Tyler Florence), ULU, and NOIO.
My budget hasn’t quite caught up to my taste on this one, so I’m working from research and reviews rather than a stay of my own.
But it’s consistently one of the highest-rated resorts in Hawaii, and the reasons show up in the same details across nearly every review: service, privacy, and a private Dinner Under the Stars experience set right on the sand.
Good for: Couples who want the best of the best and have the budget to match.
Skip if: You’re watching your spending. This is the priciest resort on this list by a wide margin.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What’s the best island in Hawaii for a honeymoon?
How to choose a Hawaii island really depends on what kind of trip you two want, and I’d be skeptical of any resort blog that gives you one universal answer. Oahu is best if you want energy and convenience. Maui is best for classic resort luxury and sunsets. Kauai is best for quiet and greenery. The Big Island is best for dramatic landscape and stargazing. If you’re torn, my Hawaii island hopping guide breaks this down further.
How far in advance should we book a Hawaii honeymoon resort?
I usually tell couples to book six to nine months out if they want their pick of rooms and dates, especially for peak season (June through August, and mid-December through mid-January). Luaus and specialty dinners like Dinner Under the Stars book up fast too, so reserve those as soon as your hotel is locked in.
Is it worth splurging on a honeymoon resort in Hawaii, or should we save the money for activities?
This depends on how you two like to travel. If you’ll spend most of your trip out exploring, a mid-range resort with a great location makes more sense than a five-star property you barely use. If in-room time and resort amenities matter more to you, splurge on the resort and trim the activity budget instead.
FINAL THOUGHTS
My mom has married a lot of couples on Kauai over the years, and if there’s one thing all those weddings have taught me secondhand, it’s that nobody remembers the thread count.
They remember the sunset, the terrible pun the officiant made, the mai tai that was a little too strong. The resort sets the stage. It doesn’t write the story.
Every property on this list can host a great honeymoon. The differences come down to the kind of trip you want, not which hotel has the fanciest lobby.
As a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert who’s built this list out of actual stays and ongoing research rather than a single trip, that’s the kind of practical Hawaii travel advice I try to give every couple I work with.
If you’re still stuck between two or three of these, that’s exactly the kind of decision I help couples work through in my one-on-one Hawaii travel consultations.
One more tip before you book: whatever resort you land on, consider setting aside an hour for a professional photo session.
Your phone camera will not do a Hawaii sunset justice, and you’ll want proof beyond the resort’s stock photography. I point couples to Flytographer for this, and that link also gets you $20 off your session.
I also cover honeymoon planning regularly on my podcast, Hawaii Travel Made Easy, if you’d rather listen through some of this on your commute.
And if you’re building out the rest of your trip, check out my full Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Big Island travel guides for more on what to do once you check in.
Congratulations. I hope it’s everything you’re hoping for, and then some.
 | About the author: Marcie Cheung is a Hawaii travel expert who has visited Hawaii more than 40 times. She is the founder of Hawaii Travel Spot and host of Hawaii Travel Made Easy. She plans Hawaii vacations for couples, honeymooners, families, and other travelers. |
