2 Best Hotels in Mauna Kea and Hapuna, Big Island

The grande dame of the Kohala Coast has long been regarded as one of the state's premier vacation resort hotels, and it borders one of the world's finest white-sand beaches, Kaunaoa. Bathrooms are large and luxurious and come with high-end bath amenities, and the beds are plush. But the resort outside the rooms has much to offer, too, including an 18-hole championship golf course, a top-rated seaside tennis club, and a fitness center. If all you want to do is relax, there's the Mandara spa, an outdoor swimming pool, and lots of comfy lounge chairs on the beach, a perfect crescent of sand and sea. You can also rent a stand-up paddleboard or canoe on-site. The hotel has two wings: the Main Tower and the Beachfront Wing. The latter's ground-floor units allow you to wake up and go right out to the beach. The oceanfront Manta restaurant is legendary, as is the signature Fredrico cocktail at the Hau Tree, which is steps from the beach.

Known for its direct access to the Big Island's largest white-sand beach, this massive hotel has enormous columns and a terraced, open-air lobby with a rotunda ceiling, curved staircases, and skylights. All rooms face the ocean, creating an expansive property with long walking distances. At night, understated lighting transforms the hotel into an architectural showplace. Rooms are large, with marble bathrooms and plenty of in-room amenities like coffeemakers and robes, and the staff is exceedingly helpful. The spa offers both Balinese and Hawaiian therapies. The resort offers excellent cuisine—the Naupaka Beach Grill serves casual lunch and dinner daily, while Meridia features gourmet dining from its ocean-view perch. There's also a breakfast buffet each morning at Ikena Landing. An on-site deli-café provides affordable options for light meals on the go for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The 18-hole golf course, designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay, has topped many a "best courses" list.