Where to Stay in Hawaii: Costs, Activities, and How to Save
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After you pick the Hawaiian island(s) to visit, your second major decision will be where to stay in Hawaii. We have stayed in dozens of hotels and vacation rentals in Hawaii and walked through a similar number. While I’m not proud of spending that much on hotels, we are confident we can help you find the best hotel for your trip to Hawaii.
Figuring out where to stay in Hawaii is a big deal, and we often get emailed this question.
When someone asks, “Where should I stay in Hawaii?” an elephant appears. In the corner, by the antique lamp from your mother-in-law. Price is the crux of the response.
Should I recommend the hotel that doesn’t say “thank you” but “It is my pleasure”?
Or the value hotel that may forget to mention the hidden housekeeping fee (+ towel fee + taxes + service)? “Here are your towels; it’s no problem.”
Maybe they have a budget or propensity for camping, like at the best campsites on the Big Island.
“Where should I stay in Hawaii?” is such a loaded question that Erica and I wrote an entire Where to Stay Directory as a deflection maneuver. Mom thought we wrote it to earn a small commission on hotel bookings. That is nice when it happens, but it is really to let people filter by price without us asking, “What is your budget?”
I will share our favorite hotels on each island, discuss vacation rental legality, share details on where to stay on each Hawaiian island, and share a lot of cost data along the way.
All the cost data is from the Hawaii Tourism Authority and Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT).
We Might As Well Discuss Money First
Since I mentioned your budget, let’s set expectations on where to stay in Hawaii.
- The four major islands rank in the top 10 in the world for the most expensive average daily hotel rate.
- A hotel in Maui will cost you twice as much as visiting Cancun.
- Hawaii has the most expensive hotel rooms in America.
Hawaii is expensive is an understatement. But, we find it worth it!
How We Manage Costs on Hawaii Accommodations
Our family manages costs on our frequent trips to Hawaii by splitting our time between a vacation rental and a fancy hotel. That way we also don’t have to choose between staying in a hotel or a vacation rental.
We are out and about all day exploring the island because we (1) enjoy finding new things to do, (2) love the adventure, and (3) are constantly improving our famous Wayfinder Itineraries.
We received an email recently that said, “We just got back from an epic 3 weeks in Hawaii, and we used your guides for a lot of it to make it a dream come true bucket list vacation for us.” Thank you, Janet!
The point of that pitch for our itinerary is to say that staying at a luxury resort is pointless if you’re gone all day. We get a clean and comfortable vacation rental in a central location to explore, and still have a place for the kids to play in a pool. Plus, we can have some meals at the vacation rental. We don’t like to cook on vacation, but breakfast, snacks, and takeout save us a few dollars.
My wife, Erica, then explains why spending $800 a night on a luxury hotel would be good for our business. “We’ll make a video,” she says.
I pretend to fuss over costs, but my hidden agenda is to go on the waterslides.
Free Nights with Points
Erica will justify the luxury resort by using reward points to book a free night. Credit card reward points are not for everyone. We find travel rewards to be a great way to save money on our trips to Hawaii. Hyatt continues to offer the best deals for free nights on points in Hawaii.
Erica will walk you through how we get free nights at luxury resorts in Hawaii: Travel to Hawaii for (almost) Free.
Your answer to “Where to stay in Hawaii?” might be a Hyatt property. Hyatt Hotels in Hawaii offer the best point redemptions and the best value! See here for our full list of the Best Hawaii Hotels with Points.
Here is another article to help you get free nights in Hawaii: The Best Credit Cards for Hawaii Travel.
Booking with points is one way to avoid resort fees in Hawaii!
Vacation Rentals in Hawaii
FYI, vacation rentals are far from cheap in Hawaii. You will save a little on the daily rate, but make sure you understand the fees. We got hit with a $360 cleaning fee when we checked into Kiahuna Plantation on Kauai. That doesn’t happen with every unit, but it did with the property manager who managed that one bedroom unit.
Source: Hawaii Tourism Authority
Main Takeaways on Where to Stay in Hawaii
Lodging will be your most expensive line item on a trip to Hawaii. Generally speaking, you’ll find the highest prices in June through August and December through March. Visit during the shoulder seasons of September to just before Thanksgiving and April through May for the lowest rates.
Source: Hawaii Tourism Authority
In Hawaii, you get what you pay for in terms of hotel quality and service. A value hotel will be a good price, clean, comfortable, and lack luxuries. You may sometimes feel a bit nickel-and-dimed, but they are a good place to stay.
A luxury hotel will be modern and fancy, have great restaurants, and offer impeccable service.
In order from the most expensive to the least expensive of the major Hawaiian Islands to stay on: Maui, Kauai, Big Island, and Oahu. Sure, I’ve spoiled the answer for you, but you can dig into just how much cheaper Oahu is as the Cheapest Hawaiian Island to Visit.
See our How to Have a Luxury Hawaii Vacation for Less for 12 ways to save on lodging.
Where to Stay in Hawaii: Vacation Rentals
Short-term vacation rentals are legal in Hawaii. A permit from the county government is required to rent for less than 30 days (short term). All the islands, including Lanai and Molokai, allow vacation rentals.
We like to find vacation rentals on Vrbo or Airbnb. If you know the websites of owners and property managers, you can also find rentals directly from them. We always recommend checking reviews and looking at pictures so you have the best chance of finding the right rental for you.
Vacation rentals in Hawaii are a good option for families of four and above who need the extra space, those who like to cook on vacation, or those looking to save a little money.
We share our favorite legal vacation rental communities in our Where to Stay Directory. However, there are still illegal vacation rentals out there, and as a visitor, it is hard to know what is legal and what isn’t.
Most vacation rentals must be in the major resort areas that we share below. However, numerous rentals have grandfathered permits or special permits to operate anywhere on the islands.
The rules on vacation rentals are in flux as the local governments balance property rights with a massive housing shortage. Maui, for example, is planning to reduce the number of rentals available to help the victims of the Lahaina Fire.
Read our Is Airbnb Legal in Hawaii? for more information on vacation rentals in Hawaii.
Our Favorite Places to Stay in Hawaii
It helps to share the places that we find ourselves returning to over and over again when we visit Hawaii. See if our interests align with your own, and maybe this will help your search for where to stay in Hawaii.
We stay at these places for the following reasons:
- The price is worth the experience
- They have a historical and vintage charm. A bit unique
- Good Hawaii vibes in the form of design, landscaping, and cultural activities
- Overall: Our kids are happy with the pool, the amount of luxury is adequate, and the beds are comfortable
Here are our favorite places to stay. Click the links for our full review of each hotel. You can also book the hotel through our website, which helps us out at no cost to you. We have direct bookings with Marriott properties.
On Maui, we divide our time between South Maui and West Maui. In South Maui, we love the Wailea Beach Resort. It is a Marriott property with an epic pool and wonderful cultural activities that are included in the resort fee. Plus, a kids club.
In West Maui, we stay at the Westin Maui Resort and Spa (aka, Westin Kaanapali). It is located next to Whalers Village shopping center and beach loading tours, has good pools, and has the big part of Kaanapali Beach out front. Get answers to all your questions with our Kaanapali Guide.
On Oahu, we love The Royal Hawaiian. While I foresee room remodels in their future, we love the historical wing for the Hawaiian atmosphere. The location in Waikiki is ideal for the beach and enjoying all the things to do in Waikiki. Turtle Bay Resort is our splurge when we stay on the North Shore.
On Kauai, the best hotel is definitely The Koloa Landing Resort. It is a Marriott Autograph Collection property. It isn’t on a beach, but it is a short walk to Kiahuna Beach. The pool is great for all people, and the rooms range from studios to villas (big families!).
On the Big Island, I reluctantly must say we love the Mauna Lani Resort. I am reluctant because it is expensive—the epitome of Kohala Coast luxury. But the beachside location is wonderful, there are good restaurants to choose from, lovely rooms, and a great design. For a better price and a similar feel, the Fairmont Orchid is the runner-up. All the Fairmont hotels in Hawaii are fantastic.
Where to Stay in Hawaii: The Most Expensive Island
We always talk about Maui as the most expensive island to visit. Maui will cost you a pretty penny when compared to the four major Hawaiian islands. But, the true winner for the most expensive island is Lanai.
If the answer to “where to stay in Hawaii?” is a private jet (they actually offer this) and a secluded island, then this is for you.
Lanai is located off the coast of Maui. Nicknamed the Pineapple Isle for having the largest pineapple plantation in the world in the 20th century, it is now a retreat for the rich and famous. The founder of Oracle, Larry Ellison, purchased 98% of Lanai in 2012. He went on to turn the two resorts on the island into true 5-star Four Seasons.
You can stay at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai where rooms start at about $1,300+ per night. The resort is on the cliffs over Hulopoe Beach, one of our favorite Hawaii beaches.
You can also stay at Sensei Lanai, a wellness resort located inland at Lanai City. Adults only at the Sensei.
Erica and I have not stayed at either resort but visited Lanai numerous times on day trips from Maui. Visit Lanai for your honeymoon or special anniversary, or enjoy a more plebian visit by taking a day trip from Maui.
- 22 Things to Do on Lanai (including the Lanai Cat Sanctuary)
- Is Lanai Worth a Day Trip?
- 6 Best Lanai Snorkel Tours (departing from Maui)
Where to Stay on Maui
Ideally, we split our time between West Maui and South Maui on our trips. West Maui is home to Ka’anapali Resorts and Napili Bay value hotels. South Maui is home to Hawaii’s most luxurious row of resorts: Wailea. South Maui also has abundant, affordable vacation rentals along the beach in Kihei.
We share more on these Maui resort areas here: Best Area to Stay on Maui.
See our Kaanapali vs Wailea article for details. Lahaina was the lively, entertaining place to go in West Maui. It will be rebuilt, but until then, Wailea and Kihei offer more restaurants and shopping options.
Things to Do in West Maui: Olowalu to Kapalua
- The Old Lahaina Luau (see all our Maui luaus)
- Incredible whale watching December – March
- Watch our West Maui Vlog day for a whale tour, stargazing, an easy coastal hike, and things to do in Kaanapali. It was a busy day!
Things to Do in South Maui: Kihei and Wailea
Central Maui is between West and South Maui. Head out on a day trip to Lanai from Ma’alaea Harbor. Grab our FREE Lanai Wayfinder Itinerary before you go. It is our sample itinerary.
Maui Hotel and Vacation Rental Prices
Wailea’s luxury resorts are some of the most expensive in Hawaii. Wailea has an AC Marriott and a Residence Inn, but they are still expensive! Hence, South Maui’s hotel data is skewed on the high side, thanks to Wailea.
Average hotel prices by area:
- Maui County: $453 – $701
- West Maui: $380 – $519
- South Maui: $623 – $1,054
Average vacation rental prices by area:
- Maui County: $352 – $440
- West Maui: $451 – $543
- South Maui: $292 – $381
Source: Hawaii Tourism Authority
Hotels and Vacation Rentals on Maui
- Maui Hotels and Vacation Rentals at a Range of Prices
- 12 Best Maui Beachfront Hotels (+5 beachfront condos)
- 7 Best Maui Honeymoon Resorts
- Top Maui Camping Sites
- 10 Best Maui Resorts for Families
Where to Stay on Kauai
Kauai is the least visited of the major Hawaiian islands. Therefore, there are fewer hotels and vacation rentals. This causes higher prices for the smallest island with the least tourism infrastructure.
The North Shore is the Kauai of your dreams: lush scenery, waterfalls, mountains, and beaches. With less development, it has the adventure and the romance of Six Days, Seven Nights (filmed on Kauai). Note, unfortunately, there are no pirates on Kauai.
The South Shore is your dependable yet fun cousin: sunny, good ocean conditions, great restaurants, and down to do anything. Anything.
We like to stay in Princeville on the North Shore because it is easy to get into Hanalei Town, explore the Kuhio Highway, and head to the East Side and South Shore. However, Erica gets nervous about staying on the North Shore during the winter months because the windward side experiences high surf and strong currents, plus more rain.
We will stay in Poipu on the South Shore during the winter months. Note that we are risk averse about the weather, as our goal is to film videos on our trips, and we prefer a higher probability of sunny weather. Lots of our newsletter readers stay up north during all seasons, as it is gorgeous.
See our Princeville vs Poipu to help you decide.
Our friends at the Hawaii Tourism Authority don’t differentiate their hotel and vacation rental survey data between the North and South Shores of Kauai, but we can tell you from experience that the North Shore tends to be more expensive than the South Shore. This is due to fewer hotels and vacation rental options on the North Shore.
You can stay on the East Side in Kapa’a. Kapa’a has a good selection of value hotels and vacation rentals. It is also a good central location for exploring the south and north shores. We enjoy Kapa’a, as shown in our video below, which shows things to do in Kapaa.
Kauai Hotel and Vacation Rental Prices
The lowest rates are seen in November for both hotels and vacation rentals. Hotels are the priciest in June, and vacation rentals are tied for the most expensive month between July and December.
Average hotel prices in Kauai: $364 – $459
Average vacation rental prices on Kauai: $368 – $410
Source: Hawaii Tourism Authority
Hotels and Vacation Rentals on Kauai
- Where to Stay on Kauai: Best Hotels and Areas to Stay
- Kauai Camping: Reservations and Campsites
- The 7 Best Kauai Hotels for Couples
- 7 Best Resorts on Kauai for Families
Where to Stay on the Big Island
There are three main areas to stay on the Big Island, but really, we only count two main areas to stay.
In our opinion, the best place to stay on Hawaii is between Kona and the Kohala Coast.
Kona has more hotels and vacation rentals at affordable prices. Our problem with Kona is that quality, value hotels are hard to find. The Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa is good, but the rooms and hotel need more of a remodel. The Marriott in Kailua-Kona is practical but far from exceeding expectations with their average daily rate.
You will find luxury resorts and lovely vacation rentals on the Kohala Coast. The Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is the southernmost location. As you drive north, you will find the sprawling Waikoloa Resorts with big hotels, like the Marriott and the Hyatt, plus vacation rental complexes. At the top is the famous Mauna Kea Resort. Famous for the beach it sits on.
I’ll be honest as I always am: We love the activities in East Hawaii, but we don’t love staying in Hilo. We love that Hilo has a rainforest climate as it makes for all the Big Island waterfalls and fun hikes. Check out all the fun things to do in Hilo.
Our issue is that there are few places to stay in and around Hilo. The Grand Naniloa by Hilton Double Tree is your best option, but it needs a remodel.
Read more about Kona vs Waikoloa and Kona vs Hilo.
Wonderful Things to Do Near Kona
- Manta Ray Night Snorkeling Tours
- Captain Cook (Kealakekua Bay) Snorkeling
- Sip and indulge on a 100% Kona Coffee at a farm tour
- 21 Things to Do in Kona
Big Island Hotel and Vacation Rental Prices
We don’t get prices for Kona hotels, but island-wide hotels are the cheapest in September and most expensive in December (the Big Island is the most popular island for a Hawaiian Christmas). Vacation rental rates don’t follow the same pattern, so the least and most expensive months vary by area.
See our Kona vs Waikoloa to help you decide where to stay!
Average hotel prices:
- Hawai’i Island: $348 – $538
- Kohala Coast: $449 – $737
Average vacation rental prices:
- Hawai’i Island: $241 (Sept) – $290 (Dec)
- Kona: $233 (May) – $271 (Feb)
- Kohala Coast: $145 (Jan) – $164 (Dec)
Source: Hawaii Tourism Authority
Hotels and Vacation Rentals on the Big Island
- Where to Stay on the Big Island: areas to vacation rentals
- The 6 Best Luxury Resorts on the Big Island
- 9 Big Island Resorts for Families
- Unique Stays on the Big Island
- Where to Stay in Kona: 7 Hotels and Vacation Rentals
Where to Stay on Oahu
Oahu has three resort areas for you to consider. Waikiki is by far the largest in terms of hotel and vacation rental options. It is also the cheapest due to competition. Then you have Ko Olina Resorts on the West Side. Head to the North Shore for Turtle Bay Resort with the Ritz-Carlton hotel and vacation rentals around it. There is a Marriott at the Polynesian Cultural Center, but that is more for visiting the PCC than exploring Oahu.
Waikiki is a big city wrapped up in 3.4 square miles on the southern coast. Technically, it is not a tropical climate as it doesn’t get enough rain. You will see rain coming out of Moana Valley, but it won’t make it to Waikiki Beach!
Waikiki is a neighborhood in the City of Honolulu and is only about three blocks deep, so you’re never far from the beach. Waikiki is terrific for anyone prioritizing convenience and affordability.
Waikiki gets a bad rap for being touristy and crowded. Yes, Waikiki is full of concrete high-rise hotels on the beach, but we enjoy staying here. You will find us at a beachfront hotel in Waikiki during the year. Waikiki provides a Hawaiian experience with the comforts of a fantastic beach, delicious food, and nightlife. Hence, about 50% of all visitors stay in Waikiki.
Here are things to do near Waikiki:
- Pearl Harbor with a guided tour or DIY Pearl Harbor
- Turtle Canyon Snorkeling to swim with turtles
- Oahu Luaus in and around Waikiki
Ko Olina is located on the West Side of the island and is upscale and luxurious. You may not think “romantic retreat” and “family-friendly” should go together, but Ko Olina strikes that balance. Couples will love the sunsets and the luxury vibe of the area. Families will love the Disney resort and manmade lagoons with gentle waters for the kids.
See our Ko Olina Guide (video is included) for details on staying in Ko Olina.
The North Shore’s location speaks for itself and has a laid-back surfer vibe. This isn’t the place for a beach day in the winter, but all year round, you can go hiking, shop in Haleiwa, and enjoy the food truck scene. Our favorites for shrimp are Jenny’s and Romy’s.
Things to Do on Oahu’s North Shore
- 21 Things to Do on Oahu’s North Shore
- Waimea Valley for a waterfall swim and the Toa Luau
- Polynesian Cultural Center
Read more about the differences between Waikiki, Ko Olina, and the North Shore.
Oahu Hotel and Vacation Rental Prices
Waikiki is the only location-based category for price from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, but they give us luxury hotel pricing, which will be close to what you’ll pay in Ko Olina or on the North Shore. December wins the seat for the most expensive month across every category.
Average hotel prices:
- Waikiki: $246 (Nov) – $307
- Luxury: $624 (Sept) – $904
Average vacation rental prices:
- Oahu: $250 (Apr) – $294
- Waikiki: $201 (Nov) – $233
Source: Hawaii Tourism Authority
Hotels and Vacation Rentals on Oahu
- Where to Stay on Oahu: The Best Locations and Hotels
- 7 Best Luxury Resorts on Oahu
- 8 Best Beachfront Hotels in Waikiki
- Where to Stay on Oahu with Kids
- Best North Shore Oahu Hotels and Vacation Rentals
- Oahu Camping Guide
Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Hawaii
Now that you have read this long article on where to stay in Hawaii, our Where to Stay Directory is the place to go. You can filter by island, price, and hotel or vacation rental. We share our favorite spots with honest reviews.
We will include a video if the place really got us excited. Not one of those lame hotel walk-through videos but an exciting video showing and telling you how to enjoy the hotel’s amenities. Like the video below on staying at The Grand Wailea on Maui. Yeah, that is me on the Tarzan Swing.
Book that hotel or vacation rental. Then finish your Hawaii trip planning by purchasing one of our Hawaii Wayfinder Itineraries. We include excursion days across the islands, our favorite places to eat, and the best beaches. Your travel partners will call you a Rock Star!
