While every Hawaii honeymoon can deliver majestic sunrises, lazy days on the sand, and that warm Aloha feeling, some islands may speak to you more than others.
20 June 2023
Snorkeling in Maui
Maui
Island vibe: All-in-one island adventure
Island details: Maui ticks all the boxes for first-time visitors – five-star resorts, excellent snorkeling, epic surf breaks, delicious restaurants, and even a (dormant) volcano you can hike to see the sunrise. However, it also has a few remote hideaways if you and your partner want to go off the grid.
Maui tends to be popular with families (especially around spring break and the holidays); therefore, be sure to seek out a few adults-only excursions like a helicopter ride over the island, a couples massage in a beachfront hale, or the Road to Hana – a winding road trip along the island’s eastern coast, stopping for waterfalls, forest hikes, and secret beaches.
Where to stay: Some of the island’s best resorts are found along the beach in Wailea like the Four Seasons Maui (splurge for a club floor room for more dedicated service) and the Andaz Maui (book a suite as the starting room category is small). Since the resorts along Wailea’s beach are close together, it makes it easy to hotel hop for drinks and dinner. If you want to check out of the resort life for a few days, head up the hill to Hotel Wailea, an adults-only hotel with ultra-private accommodations.
Over on Maui’s North shore where the vibe turns from resort-y to local living is the adorable Inn at Mama’s Fish House. Twelve small cottages and suites overlook the peaceful Mama’s Beach and the island’s favourite restaurant; it’s not the most secluded spot, but it feels more like the real Maui.
If the Road to Hana is on your honeymoon wish list, then you’ll want to crash for a few nights at the Hana Maui Resort, an off-the-grid escape perched on the edge of Hana Bay, where newly renovated rooms offer prime views of the sunrise but thankfully, no TVs. There is WiFi though.
Four Seasons Hualalai
Hawaii: The Big Island
Island vibe: Fewer tourists, more Hawaii
Island details: The Island of Hawaii – affectionately called The Big Island – has a considerably more laid-back vibe than Maui and Oahu and is far less crowded too. It also looks a bit different. Since The Big Island still has two active volcanoes, it’s common to see lava rocks instead of green fields, which only adds to the allure of the island. With smaller beaches, great hiking trails, and a handful of luxury resorts, it’s actually perfect for couples who want to retreat from the world for a while without going completely off the grid.
Some activities to consider when you’re ready to leave the resort? Snorkeling in Kealakekua Bay in Kona, walking through lava tubes at Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park, and a drive out to the eastern side of the Big Island, which is rainier and rather remote, but still full of stunning only-in-Hawaii sights.
Where to stay: To hibernate in a serene setting with your partner, check into the Four Seasons Hualalai. Each room at this beachfront resort is its own little paradise of relaxation, with deep soaking tubs and outdoor showers. (Just be sure to book a room in the adults-only wing.) There’s so much to indulge in on-property from drinks and meals to wellness activities and water sports, including snorkeling amongst fish in the resort’s saltwater aquarium pond.
Sunset in Kauai
Kauai
Island vibe: A little wild, a little sweet
Island details: Kauai is Hawaii’s Garden Isle, known for its lush forests, winding rivers, and waterfalls. It’s also not as developed as other Hawaiian islands making it an ideal spot for sustainable-minded couples. However, this lushness comes with a price as Kauai is Hawaii’s rainiest island, particularly from November to March. Even in the drier months, it’s common to see rain overnight.
Two of the island’s most beloved areas for exploring and hanging out are Poipu on the south shore and Hanalei on the north shore. Since they are only about an hour apart, it’s possible to enjoy lunch in Poipu, then drive to Hanalei for a sunset swim, followed by a walk into town for dinner and drinks.
If you want to see more of the island, consider chartering a boat to explore more of Kauai’s shores or booking a helicopter flight to get spectacular views of the waterfalls. Tubing down rivers, zip-lining through forests, and surfing are other ways to take in Kauai’s beauty.
Where to stay: The eco-minded 1 Hotel brand has transformed the former St. Regis Princeville into 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, a sexy sustainable resort overlooking the idyllic Hanalei Bay, complete with a Bamford Wellness Spa and an infinity pool just for adults. Choose a room with an ocean view terrace to maximize the edge-of-the-world feeling that Hanalei Bay is known for.
Nearby is the Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas, where the guest rooms have plenty of space and small kitchens, which is convenient for making small meals and storing snacks, especially since the on-site dining options are limited.
If you want a traditional resort loaded with amenities and services, The Grand Hyatt Kauai in Poipu delivers on all of that, with one of the best beaches on the island. Yet part of the charm of Kauai is its DIY-style; consequently, booking an Airbnb for your stay might be the better way to experience the island.
Turtle Bay Resort
Oahu
Island vibe: Life in the Big City
Island details: You can feel the energy of Oahu from the moment you touch down in Honolulu. Even if you’re dreaming of relaxation, two nights in Honolulu can be a lot of fun. Hike to Diamond Head for panoramic views of the city, take surf lessons on the famous Waikiki Beach, visit Pearl Harbor, and explore the wide-ranging culinary scene from hole-in-the-wall spots to glamorous fine-dining establishments. After that, you can head out to other parts of the island for some rest, relaxation, and romance.
Where to stay: In Waikiki, there are many options from hip boutique lodgings like The Shoreline Hotel to the luxurious ESPACIO, The Jewel of Waikiki hotel with only nine full-floor suites. However, the Ritz-Carlton Waikiki hits the sweet spot with deluxe ocean view suites that also come with kitchens, washer and dryer units, and private lanais.
Oahu’s North Shore is a surfer’s paradise, especially when Pipeline waves are firing, but Haleiwa town is a fun, low-key place to hang out with food trucks, shaved ice shops, and stores. Nearby is the Turtle Bay Resort, fresh off a major renovation, with private oceanfront bungalows and dedicated personal hosts available during your stay.
Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort
Lanai
Island vibe: Out-of-office, indefinitely
Island details: Lanai is a tiny island off the west coast of Maui. It’s about a 45-minute ferry ride from Lahaina or a 45-minute flight from Honolulu. For a long time, it served as a pineapple plantation for the Dole company. Moreover, in 2012, billionaire Larry Ellison acquired almost all of the island and has gone about improving the island’s infrastructure to create one of the most magnificent island getaways. The usual Hawaiian activities are done here – hiking, sailing, snorkeling, and beaching but within an almost unspoiled part of Hawaii. If you’re looking for something remote, rare, and memorable, look no further than Lanai.
Where to stay: There are two Four Seasons resorts on this island, The Four Seasons Resort Lanai on the beach and the Sensei Lanai, a Four Seasons Resort up in the mountains. Sensei is an adults-only property focused on wellness with daily exercise classes, meditations, massage treatments, and a Nobu restaurant. Since the two properties aren’t interchangeable, most guests book a few nights at each resort to get the full experience.
Northeast coast of Moloka’i
Moloka’i
Island vibe: Adventure & the Hawaii of yesteryear
Island details: Another island as remote as Lanai is Moloka’i, off Maui’s northwest coast. Its history is complicated, having served as a leper colony for a hundred years. However, because Molokai is so underdeveloped (the town has no traffic lights), a visit here gives you a good look at how Hawaii used to be. Therefore, this is not an island for tourists and there aren’t any big resorts. This is a better fit for couples who have been to Hawaii before and don’t mind hiking, kayaking, or exploring on their own, or for couples who want to learn more about the island and its community.
Where to stay: Hotel Molokai is a small but friendly inn on Kamiloloa Beach with Polynesian-style bungalows and its own waterfront restaurant, Hiro’s Ohana Grill, where guests can end a day of adventure with cocktails and Hawaiian cuisine.
This article was first published by Condé Nast Traveler US.
