The Ultimate Hawaii Honeymoon Guide [ 2023 ]

The Ultimate Hawaii Honeymoon Guide [ 2023 ]

April 21, 2022

hawaii, hawaiian islands, honeymoons, kauai, maui, travel, Wedding planning

Hawaii for a honeymoon is easily one of the best honeymoon destinations within the USA, and the world. Between luxe Maui, adventurous Kauai, remote Lanai, hoppin’ Honolulu, and the volcanic Big Island, you’ll have no shortage of amazing honeymoon locales to choose from in Hawaii – but which island should you go to for a Hawaii honeymoon? Which island is the most honeymoon-worthy of all the Hawaiian islands? And where should you stay and what should you do when you get there? I’ve got you covered!

Here is Jetset Christina’s Ultimate Hawaii Honeymoon Guide!

Let’s start with some Hawaii honeymoon FAQ’s that I get from couples most often when I’m planning Hawaii honeymoons:

Table of Contents

Which island in Hawaii is best for a honeymoon?

That totally depends on you, your fiance, and your personal travel styles. Kauai is one of my favorite islands in the world. It reminds me a lot of Bali and is full of adventurous hikes, beaches and waterfalls. Kauai is super tropical, and more remote than resortey. Lanai is a favorite for honeymooners because of it’s ultra-remote feel. If you’re looking to TOTALLY get away from it all together and are seeking a quiet, romantic honeymoon vibe, check out this resort – easily one of the most beautiful honeymoon resorts in the world. Maui, in my opinion, has a little bit of everything – adventure (the Road to Hana, snorkel trips, whale-watching, waterfalls, etc.) but also some of the most luxe resorts in all the islands (I recommend staying in Wailea for a honeymoon). Honolulu and Oahu are great, but are more happening and hoppin’ than romantic – but sometimes couples like to do a couple nights in Honolulu (I recommend this hotel) before going somewhere more remote and romantic. Also the Big Island is a gorgeous island, and Hawaii’s dryest – but it tends to draw more families than romantics, and everything is more spread out, versus Maui where you have lots of different restaurants, cafes, beaches, snorkel spots etc. within walking distance. I do love this unreal resort for a great luxury Hawaii honeymoon resort on the Big Island, though.

Where should we stay in Hawaii on our honeymoon?

These are my absolute favorite honeymoon resorts on each Hawaiian island.

Where to stay in Kauai for a honeymoon

Kauai is the farthest of the Hawaiian islands, and has managed to stay very ‘Old Hawaii’ with a slow-paced island lifestyle and one-of-a-kind beauty. Nicknamed “The Garden Isle”, Kauai is home to canopies of lush tropical plants and trees that envelop the entire island, while the coastline is marked by emerald-green seacliffs dropping dramatically to white-sand beaches and crystal-clear coral reefs below. Kauai is so mind-blowingly beautiful and idyllic, it’s one of the most visually stunning destinations in the world.

Kauai has two main sides to it, Hanalei (North Shore), and Poipu (South Shore). They are about an hour and a half apart and have very different feels to them. Poipu is known as being the sunnier side of the island, while Princeville & Hanalei on the North Shore are home to some of the most beautiful tropical settings (but depending on the time of year it can get rainy over there!) Here are my favorites for both locations.

For the celeb treatment – Get a bungalow at The Lodge at Kukui’ula

Located on the sunny side of the island in South Kauai, The Lodge at Kukui’ula is where to feel like a celebrity on Kauai. As a guest at The Lodge at Kukui’ula, you will enjoy private access to all the Club amenities – ocean view cocktails at sunset, gourmet dining with farm fresh ingredients, signature spa treatments, Peacock Bass fishing at the lake, private picnic at the upcountry farm, a round of golf on our award-wining Tom Weiskopf course, or a kayak ride or the spectacular Koke`e hike. Just a short drive away you will find The Shops at Kukui`ula, with great dining, shops, restaurants, cafes, galleries, etc.

The Princeville Resort – Currently under construction

The Princeville Resort is one of the most amazing resorts I’ve ever set foot in, and would easily be where I’d stay for a Kauai honeymoon. From the floor-to-ceiling panoramic lobby windows with sweeping views of mountains, a waterfall, and the picturesque Hanalei Bay, to its stunningly beautiful pool, to it’s world-class service, it is no question that this hotel defines luxury. Sitting in their infinity pool looking out onto the backdrop of volcanic mountains on one-side and the beach on the other, I’m not kidding when I say I can’t imagine a better place in the world to be. ( check the best rates for your dates here )

Where to stay in Maui for a honeymoon

Luxe Maui is a hawaii honeymooners paradise for its gorgeous coastline, dazzling beaches, waterfalls, volcanoes & rain forests, but also its unassuming, quintessential VACATION feel – the perfect place to relax after a wedding, with five-star resorts, the world-class service, and the fresh island food that will keep you coming back year after year to celebrate your anniversary. (BTW check out all my go-to Maui recommendations to make the most of your honeymoon on the Valley Isle)

Four Seasons Maui

The Four Seasons Maui is one of Hawaii’s most beautiful – and exclusive – resorts and is hands down my choice of where to stay for luxury in Maui. I love this hotel so much that it’s where i’m planning my wedding for next year! We couldn’t think of a more perfect place, and are so excited to have all of our loved ones there with us.

How to book the Four Seasons Maui and get honeymoon perks for being a Jetset reader!

For free breakfast for two, a $100 resort credit, a welcome amenity, and a room upgrade (if available), fill out this contact form and be sure to use the referral code “JETSETCHRISTINA” if you use my referral, my agency partner will reach out with more information and can help book you with all kinds of fun perks (at no extra cost to you, and they don’t charge a fee to book!)

Montage Kapalua

Montage lives up to its lavish name with this 24-acre beach-front resort on one of the most stunning coasts of Maui – it has a huge golf course, all-suite rooms, tennis courts, many pools, hiking, snorkeling, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and really great restaurants.

I recently met a couple while at the Four Seasons Hualalai that had stayed there and at Montage Kapalua on their honeymoon and they said Montage’s service was out of this world – due to it being a smaller hotel and them being able to completely spoil the couple on their honeymoon – they said everyone at the hotel knew it was their honeymoon! So cute.

How to book the Montage Kapalua and get honeymoon perks for being a Jetset reader!

For free breakfast for two, a $150 spa credit, and a room upgrade (when available), fill out this contact form and be sure to use the referral code “JETSETCHRISTINA” if you use my referral, my agency partner will reach out with more information and can help book you with all kinds of fun perks (at no extra cost to you, and they don’t charge a fee to book!)

Andaz Maui

The Andaz is many people’s favorite hotels on Maui! It has a sleek, young, contemporary country-club-like ambiance and stunning oceanfront views, with 4 infinity pools, 2 restaurants, a full-service spa, and 15 acres on Waikapu Beach. It’s a fab choice for a honeymoon on Maui. AND each Andaz room also comes with its own balcony, perfect for watching those unbeatable Maui sunsets.

Wailea Beach Resort – Marriott Maui

With private lanais, a drop-dead-gorgeous infinity pool, and a sleek contemporary feel, the Wailea Beach Resort is one of my favorite picks for hotels in Maui. The rates tend to be decent for Wailea and it’s still one of the most beautiful properties – in a great location. During the day, you can soak up the sun in their beautiful newly-renovated Makani oceanfront pools which feature cabanas and fire pits. You’ll enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, and sunset mai tais at the Marriott’s new Kapa restaurant and bar ( one of the best happy hour spots in Maui! ) . They also have the Nalu Adventure Pool for families (with the longest resort waterslide in Hawaii).

Check rates for your dates here.

Lanai

Where to stay in Lanai for a honeymoon

Laid-back Lanai for a honeymoon is a couples’ dream! Just a ferry away from Maui (or a quick hopper flight), it’s an easy island to tack on to a Maui honeymoon. If you’re really looking to get away from it all, this romantic, remote island is the one for you.

The Four Seasons Lanai

A secluded luxury oasis with 5-star restaurants like Nobu and Malibu Farm, and an out-of-this-world breakfast buffet that will keep you full until dinner! This is one of the most exclusive resorts in Hawaii, and is hands down a favorite among honeymooners.

How to book the Four Seasons Lanai and get honeymoon perks for being a Jetset reader!

To book and get perks, fill out this contact form and be sure to use the referral code “JETSETCHRISTINA” if you use my referral, my agency partner will reach out with more information and can help book you and get you the best perks (at no extra cost to you, and they don’t charge a fee to book!)

Big Island (Hawaii)

Where to stay on Hawaii’s Big Island

Four Seasons Hualalai

I love the Four Seasons Hualalai – and their tropical rooms with outdoor showers and beautiful tropical plants remind me a little of Bali! Read more about my stay at Four Seasons Hualalai here.

How to book the Four Seasons Hualalai and get honeymoon perks for being a Jetset reader!

To book, fill out this contact form and be sure to use the referral code “JETSETCHRISTINA” if you use my referral, my agency partner will reach out with more information and can help book you with all kinds of fun perks (at no extra cost to you, and they don’t charge a fee to book!)

Oahu

Where to Stay on Oahu for a Honeymoon

In downtown Waikiki:

Moana Surfrider

Located right in the heart of the downtown strip of beach in Honolulu – the famous & beautiful Waikiki Beach. Built as the first hotel in Waikiki, it is within walking distance of everything, making it a great spot to spend a few days in Oahu.

Outside of downtown:

Turtle Bay Resort

You may recognize this resort as the setting of Forgetting Sarah Marshall! is where the “7-Mile Miracle” of world-class surf begins, and the lineup is endless. With this as your home base, you can explore North Shore’s shrimp trucks, pristine beaches, and plantation-style towns.

Ke Iki Beach Bungalows

I absolutely loved getting away to North Shore Oahu and the sleepy, adorable town of Haleiwa and all of the beautiful beaches up there. Ke Iki has awesome oceanfront bungalows, where you can enjoy romantic sunsets on an acre and a half of palm-fringed beachfront land, and one of the least crowded beaches around! All beachfront bungalows has bean fully remodeled in 2020 and have beautiful ocean and sunset views.

Kahala Resort

Although this is an older resort and the pool needs a little bit of a remodel, the location and classic Hawaii vibe is hard to beat! As soon as we got to check in, I felt relaxed. I loved the rooms and their GORGEOUS view of Honolulu’s stunning ocean. If you’re looking to be near Waikiki but not in the heart of downtown, this is a great base for a honeymoon.