The Best Hotels on Hawaii’s Big Island, Where Luxury Meets Adventure |
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The Best Hotels on Hawaii’s Big Island, Where Luxury Meets Adventure
Hawaii’s Big Island is shaped by its striking lava rock landscapes, endless outdoor adventure, and a fine dining scene that keeps getting better.
The namesake island of Hawaii, affectionately known as the “Big Island,” is defined by its surreal lava rock landscape, historic fishing village culture, and wide open spaces. More wild and rugged than the resort-heavy Maui and far less developed than the Honolulu high-rises on Oahu, dormant volcanoes that occasionally still erupt are just one of many noteworthy natural features. Iconic ‘60s-era hotels like Mauna Kea, the original high-end resort on Hawaii, and Kona Village, now reopened under the care of Rosewood, have long been luxury outposts for visitors.
But other contenders have emerged over the years, as well. The Big Island, now arguably in its most impressive phase as a destination, is always welcoming to visitors who appreciate the locale’s coastal beauty and want to dive deeper into island culture. In tandem, the fine dining scene, complete with fantastic wine programs, has developed substantially, and considerable fitness offerings that work with the weather and ocean setting are another draw. Here’s our guide to a few of the best places to stay that are sure to inspire return visits.
The Most Noteworthy Luxury Hotels on Hawaii's Big Island
Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
Mauna Lani, Auberge Collection
Four Seasons Hualalai
Westin Hapuna Beach Resort
Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort
72-300 Maheawalu Drive, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
One of the original resorts on the island, this low-key oasis was an iconic “if you know, you know” stay on Big Island until a tsunami hit in 2011 and destroyed the property. Painstakingly restored and reopened in 2023 by Rosewood, it’s now an ultra-luxe haven that honors the spirit of the 60s-era trailblazer. Built on the grounds of a historic fishing village and run entirely on solar power, the current owners have gone above and beyond to make the resort sustainability-focused. Additional initiatives to reduce the resort’s overall footprint include a private power microgrid with 8,000 solar panels, environmental stewardship to protect endangered species, plus reverse osmosis treatment to clean and reuse wastewater.Those who value privacy will love the personal space afforded by the standalone, thatched-hut guest rooms, or “hales,” while those who value aesthetics will be delighted by the all-wood interiors and black-stone soaking tubs that echo the lava-rock landscape. Much of the wood used in rebuilding the 150-room hotel was salvaged from the wreckage of the previous iteration, and........