Planning a honeymoon in Hawaii? Look no further for my list of most romantic Big Island Hawaii honeymoon resorts!
This list of the most romantic Big Island 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.
My mom officiates weddings on Kauai, so I hear a lot of “where should we stay for our honeymoon” questions from couples planning trips to Hawaii.
When it’s the Big Island, the answer almost always starts in the same place: the Kohala Coast.
I’ve visited Hawaii more than 40 times, and after 20+ years as a professional hula dancer and working as a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert, I’ve spent a lot of that time on this exact stretch of coast.
The Big Island’s west side is where I send couples who want the classic honeymoon fantasy: private lanai, ocean view, a pool you never have to share with anyone under the age of 21. It’s out there.
You just need to know where to look, because “luxury resort on the Kohala Coast” describes more than a dozen different properties, and they’re not interchangeable.
Knowing the difference up front is exactly how you avoid Hawaii travel mistakes that cost you money on a trip this important.
I’ve stayed at three of the resorts on this list myself, Fairmont Orchid, Royal Kona Resort, and the Courtyard King Kamehameha’s, and I have strong opinions about what makes a resort work for couples versus families.
The rest of these picks come from digging through current rates, recent renovations, and what guests are saying about their stays right now, so this doubles as a real Hawaii trip planning guide and not a list recycled from a decade-old vacation.
Quick Verdict: Want the most storied, view-first resort on the island? Mauna Kea Beach Hotel just finished a $180 million renovation and sits on arguably the best beach in Hawaii. Want full luxury with zero effort? Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is the splurge. Want beach, romance, and a real cultural experience without the top-tier price tag? The Fairmont Orchid is my personal pick. Watching your budget? Royal Kona Resort gets you an oceanfront stay and a real luau for a fraction of the Kohala Coast rates.
Why the West Side Wins for a Big Island Honeymoon
The Big Island is enormous, over 4,000 square miles, larger than all the other Hawaiian islands combined. That means where you stay matters more here than it does anywhere else in the state.
Hilo and the east side get real rain, and I mean real rain. Beautiful for waterfalls and rainforest, rough for a resort pool day.
Puna and Ka’u are remote and interesting, but they’re not honeymoon resort territory.
The west coast, Kohala down through Kona, is where the sun is, where the beaches are, and where nearly every honeymoon-worthy resort on the island sits.
If you’re still deciding between the Big Island and another Hawaiian island entirely, that’s a bigger question than resort picks alone, and it’s worth sorting out before you book anything.
The Best Honeymoon Resorts on the Big Island
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection
This is the original. Laurance Rockefeller opened Mauna Kea in 1965, and it’s spent six decades as the benchmark other Kohala Coast resorts get measured against.
The hotel just wrapped a $180 million, multi-phase renovation that finished up its final piece, a brand-new spa, in early 2026, timed to the property’s 60th anniversary.
Every room, the lobby, the restaurants, and the golf course have all been refreshed too.
What hasn’t changed is the setting. Kauna’oa Bay is a near-perfect crescent of white sand, protected enough for calm swimming, and it’s regularly ranked among the best beaches in the state.
At night, you can watch manta rays feed from the Manta Ray Point deck without booking a tour.
The golf course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., is one of the most scenic on the island, and there’s a new adults-only infinity pool if you want quiet away from the family pool.
Good for: couples who want history, an unbeatable beach, and a resort that just got a top-to-bottom refresh.
Skip if: you’re set on something ultra-modern. Mauna Kea’s charm is more midcentury-elegant than sleek and new.
Check current rates on Expedia.
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
If money isn’t the deciding factor, this is the one. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai in Kaupulehu is the only Forbes Five Star, AAA Five Diamond resort on the island.
Rooms are spread across low, two-story bungalows instead of one big tower, so it feels more like a private village than a hotel, and there are seven pools, including a saltwater lagoon stocked for snorkeling right on property.
Beyond the pools, there’s an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus course, an excellent spa, and a short walk to Kumukea Beach.
The resort also runs its own Kaupulehu Cultural Center with classes on lei making, ukulele, and Hawaiian history, a nice way to build in a little culture between pool days.
Good for: couples who want to disappear into a resort for a week and never think about logistics again.
Skip if: you’re watching your budget. This is the priciest option on this list by a wide margin.
Check current rates on Expedia.
Fairmont Orchid
I stayed at the Fairmont Orchid, and it’s still the resort I recommend most for honeymooners looking for that mix of beach, culture, and relaxation.
The private beach at Pauoa Bay is small and protected, which makes it one of the calmest swimming and snorkeling spots on this whole stretch of coast, and it’s common to see green sea turtles there.
The Hawai’i Loa Luau happens every Saturday evening right on property, so you don’t have to arrange transportation for a proper luau experience.
As of 2026, adult tickets run around $214 and kids are around $110, and I’d book the VIP Ali’i package if you can swing it, worth the extra cost for the seating alone.
For a spa day, the Spa Without Walls sets you up in a private oceanfront cabana instead of an indoor treatment room, one of the more memorable spa experiences I’ve had anywhere in Hawaii.
Good for: couples who want beach, luau, and spa all handled without leaving the resort.
Skip if: you’re hoping for a party scene or a ton of nightlife. This resort is quiet.
Check current rates on Expedia.
The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort
Hapuna Beach is one of the most beautiful stretches of white sand on the entire island, and this resort sits right above it.
It’s a newer build than its Kohala Coast neighbors, with a clean, contemporary look and two pools, including an adults-only infinity pool that’s ideal if you’re specifically hoping to avoid families with young kids.
A daily activity hut on the beach hands out free gear for surfing, snorkeling, and kayaking, and the resort’s Mediterranean restaurant is a solid choice for a romantic dinner without leaving the property.
Good for: couples who want beach access as the main event, with resort comforts as a bonus.
Skip if: you want an all-inclusive, do-everything-here resort. Westin Hapuna is simpler than Four Seasons or Mauna Kea.
Check current rates on Expedia.
Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
Good middle ground if one of you wants luxury and the other wants convenience.
This resort runs its own Sunset Luau on the lawn overlooking Anaeho’omalu Bay every Monday and Wednesday, current pricing is around $117 for adults, and you don’t need to book a separate excursion or arrange transportation.
You’re also a short walk from Waikoloa’s shopping centers, so if you want a night out that isn’t dinner at the resort, it’s an easy stroll.
Between the beach, the luau, and the shops, it’s a solid pick if this is a first Hawaii trip together and you’d rather not overthink logistics.
Good for: first Hawaii trip together, or couples who want resort amenities plus easy access to shops and restaurants nearby.
Skip if: you’re after something more secluded and boutique.
Check current rates on Expedia.
Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa
Set on the lava cliffs above Keauhou Bay, this resort recently went through a $60 million renovation and picked up a Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award in 2026.
The Feast & Fire Luau here is one of the better luau shows on the island, and the resort also runs manta ray night snorkel trips that leave right from the property, a rare perk that saves you a separate booking.
Rooms and suites have been refreshed, and there’s a keiki pool with a 200-foot waterslide if you’re planning a babymoon rather than a straight honeymoon.
It’s also further south than the Kohala resorts, which puts you closer to Kona town for dinner options.
Good for: couples who want an active, activity-packed stay with easy access to Kona town.
Skip if: you want total quiet. This resort books a lot of groups and events.
Check current rates on Expedia.
Royal Kona Resort
Not every honeymoon budget stretches to the Kohala Coast, and that’s exactly why Royal Kona Resort belongs on this list.
I’ve stayed here myself, and what stuck with me most was how intimate it feels for a resort right in the middle of Kona town.
It’s oceanfront on Kailua Bay, and it’s been named Hawaii Magazine’s Readers’ Choice for Best Value Resort five years running, including 2026.
The private saltwater lagoon is quiet in a way I didn’t expect from a resort in the heart of downtown, a real spot to sit with a drink and not feel like you’re in the middle of a busy street.
The food at Don the Beachcomber, the resort’s oceanfront restaurant, was better than I was expecting for the price point too.
On top of that, the resort runs its own oceanfront luau, Voyagers of the Pacific, right in a coconut grove overlooking the bay, so you still get the classic Hawaii honeymoon moment without paying Kohala Coast prices for it.
Because it’s walkable to downtown Kona, you also save on the cost of driving somewhere for dinner every night.
Good for: couples who want an oceanfront honeymoon and a real luau without the luxury resort price tag.
Skip if: you want resort grounds to feel secluded. This one is in the middle of town, with all the walkability that comes with it, though the lagoon area is quieter than you’d expect.
Check current rates on Expedia.
Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel
This one has an interesting backstory: this resort sits on the historic site where King Kamehameha I lived out his final years. I’ve stayed here too, and the biggest difference from Royal Kona is scale.
This is a much bigger property, and it sits at the opposite end of Ali’i Drive, so you’re getting a different feel even though both are technically in the same stretch of Kona town.
The lagoon area here is a highlight, bigger and more of a centerpiece than Royal Kona’s, and it’s the kind of spot you’ll end up spending a lot of your downtime at.
There’s also Ululani’s Shave Ice right on property, which is a fun, low-effort treat to grab between beach time and dinner.
Rooms come with private lanais and ocean views, there’s a full spa, and the hotel hosts its own seasonal Island Breeze Luau.
It’s a Marriott, so you also get the predictability of a familiar brand if that matters to you on a trip where you’re already juggling a lot of new decisions.
Good for: couples who want beachfront, a bit of Hawaiian history, and a bigger resort feel without a resort-level price tag.
Skip if: you’re picturing something small and quiet. This is the larger, busier of the two Kona budget picks on this list.
Check current rates on Expedia.
Big Island Honeymoon FAQ
Is the Big Island a good place for a honeymoon?
Yes. It has serious resort variety, from an ultra-luxury property like Four Seasons Hualalai to budget-friendly oceanfront stays like Royal Kona Resort. You also get more landscape diversity here than anywhere else in the state, lava fields, rainforest, snow-capped mountain, all reachable in a single day trip.
What is “the Big Island” really called?
Locals and most travelers call it the Big Island to avoid confusing it with the state of Hawaii itself. Its official name is Hawai’i Island, but “Big Island” is what you’ll hear used everywhere, including by the resorts themselves.
Where should honeymooners stay on the Big Island, Kona or Kohala?
Kohala has the bigger, more secluded luxury resorts and a quieter overall feel. Kona has more variety in price point, plus easier access to restaurants, coffee farms, and the airport. Choosing the right Hawaiian island for your honeymoon in the first place is its own decision, and my Hawaii island hopping guide breaks down how Maui, Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island compare for couples.
Planning the Rest of Your Big Island Honeymoon
Picking a resort is just one piece of realistic Hawaii trip planning.
If you’re still working out how many days to spend here, whether to split your trip with another island, or what a fair honeymoon budget looks like for the Big Island specifically, that’s exactly the kind of thing I cover in one-on-one consultations.
It’s also a regular topic on my podcast, Hawaii Travel Made Easy, where I recently covered the best areas to stay on the Big Island in more depth.
A few things worth handling before you land:
A rental car is close to mandatory on the Big Island since the resorts are spread out and public transit is limited. I book through Discount Hawaii Car Rental for better rates than what you’ll find booking directly with the big brands.
If you want your honeymoon photos to look like a honeymoon and not just phone selfies by the pool, a local photographer makes a real difference.
Flytographer sets up a short photo session with a local photographer at your resort or a nearby beach, and that link saves you $20.
And pack reef-safe sunscreen. Hawaii law requires it now, so grab a bottle before you fly since it’s easier to find and often cheaper on the mainland than once you land.
The Bottom Line
There’s no single “best” honeymoon resort on the Big Island. There’s a best one for your budget, your idea of romantic, and how much you want to leave the property.
My honest take: Fairmont Orchid gets my personal recommendation for the best mix of beach, culture, and romance without going all the way to Four Seasons pricing, Mauna Kea is the pick if you want history and that beach to define the whole trip, and Royal Kona Resort or the Courtyard King Kamehameha’s prove you don’t need a Kohala Coast budget to still get an oceanfront honeymoon and a real luau.
Wherever you land, you’re choosing between some of the most beautiful coastline in Hawaii, so it’s hard to get this one wrong.
Stay at One of the Best Big Island Hawaii Honeymoon Resorts
Set the mood for a romantic getaway by booking one of the best Hawaii honeymoon resorts. They offer settings that are perfect for relaxing, lounging, and enjoying the beauty and luxury all around you.
There’s a reason Hawaii is one of the top honeymoon destinations, with historic sites, tropical settings, and white sand beaches. Attend a luau or enjoy a glass of wine in your poolside cabana while you listen to the waves.
Whether you plan on exploring the Big Island or never leaving your resort, you’ll find everything you need conveniently located at the resorts on my list.