Best Beach Hotels in Hawaii - The Big Island

The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii is all about immersing guests in a serene atmosphere. It's located on 32 acres of carefully crafted grounds and pristine beaches along the Kohala Coast. Families, in particular, will find reasons to love this Fairmont property with the Keiki Aloha program for kids ages 5 to 12 and on-site babysitting services. No matter why you're visiting or who you're visiting with, recent guests say that you'll find many of the makings of a five-star hotel here. The Fairmont Orchid's 540 guest rooms and suites all feature private lanais (balconies), as well as marble bathrooms, flat-screen TVs and Wi-Fi access. But don't plan on spending the whole trip inside: The Fairmont boasts opportunities to golf, play tennis and simply kick back by the pool. You'll also find the relaxing Spa Without Walls and several restaurants, bars and lounges to choose from.

The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection is one of the Big Island's more historical properties: In the 1960s, the site was hand-picked by founder Laurance S. Rockefeller specifically for its beautiful crescent-shaped shoreline. Although most of the original architecture was battered in 2006 by an earthquake, the modern and sweeping redesign lends a sense of fresh and airy luxury to the hotel. Each of the 252 spacious rooms and suites comes appointed with minifridges, flat-screen TVs and your very own lanai (Hawaiian for "veranda") off of the bedroom. Although this hotel may not be as flashy some of the Big Island's other luxury resorts, it does boast a Robert Trent Jones, Sr. golf course, the full-service Mauna Kea Spa by Mandara and seaside tennis courts. The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel also boasts several restaurants, all of which serve up different island-inspired cuisine, but note that some require advanced reservations. Recent guests offered glowing praise for the adjacent beach, one of the island's best, though the service throughout the hotel received mixed reviews. Keep in mind that Marriot Bonvoy members can use or redeem points by choosing to stay here.

Like its name implies, the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort is adjacent to one of best beaches on the Kohala Coast, offering easy access to aquatic activities like bodysurfing and snorkeling. The hotel also offers visitors access to an 18-hole championship golf course, as well as the soothing treatments offered at the Hapuna Spa. The property's guest rooms and suites are outfitted in understated island decor and come with private furnished lanais (balconies). By far, guest's favorite part of their experience was the close proximity to the beach and the service didn't hurt either. Many guests say the staff they encountered were both friendly and helpful, but the on-site restaurants get mixed reviews.

Sprawling across 62 acres of the Big Island's coveted Kohala Coast, the Hilton Waikoloa Village can sometimes feel more like a theme park than a luxury hotel. The property boasts a variety of activities to keep visitors – particularly families – entertained, including dolphin encounters, three pools (one adults-only and one with a 175-foot waterslide) and evening luaus. And for a more relaxing getaway, this Hilton property features a 25,000-square-foot full-service Kohala Spa, as well as two championship golf courses. But despite everything this massive hotel has to offer, not all visitors are impressed. On one hand, visitors appreciate that every room here comes equipped with the Hilton brand's signature Serenity beds and private lanais (balconies). Guests also praise the hotel employees for their friendly demeanor. On the other hand, some travelers felt that because this is a megaresort, they didn't feel special and instead just one of the masses staying there. Others also complained of the high prices at the on-site restaurants. However, members of the Hilton Honors rewards program can save by using points to pay.