The Big Island of Hawaii has it all: coffee farms, black-sand beaches, magical sunsets, active volcanoes, rainforests, waterfalls, and wildlife. The one thing it doesn’t have? Crowds.
Thanks to its vast size (it’s called the “Big” Island for a reason) and rugged, unspoiled landscape, you’ll find fewer tourists and a more peaceful, island-time pace. And with direct flights from Sacramento to Kona, it’s a destination that’s not just easy on the eyes but easy to reach, too. Whether you’re chasing adventure or pure relaxation—and whether you lean luxe or low-key—we’ve rounded up three standout stays that feel every bit as grand as the island itself.
Mauna Lani, Auberge Collection, photo courtesy of respective organization
Mauna Lani, Auberge Collection is what honeymoon dreams are made of. This five-star, oceanfront stunner on the always-sunny Kohala Coast boasts one MICHELIN Key (“a very special stay”) and is still glowing from a recent top-to-bottom renovation. Step inside the arrow-shaped exterior and you’re met with an open, airy aesthetic that’s clean, contemporary, and rooted in Hawaiian ho‘okipa (hospitality). Outside, the 34-acre grounds brim with the same modern yet organic ethos as the interior—complete with ancient ponds, native flora and fauna, a lush “Great Lawn,” and a swimmable white-sand beach.
Mauna Lani, Auberge Collection, photo courtesy of respective organization
Spend your first married days sipping on an Ube Colada at the adults-only swim-up bar, curling up in a private cabana, perfecting your swing at one of two world-class golf courses, playing pickleball, or indulging in a Lomi Lomi Massage or Goop Glow Facial. If the sea is your love language, the “Surf Shack” is your gateway to bespoke ocean experiences: whale watching, snorkeling, seasonal surf lessons, deep-sea fishing, and the crème de la crème of adventures: a sunrise canoe paddle. After soaking up the sun, soak in Hawaii’s indigenous culture at the “House of Knowledge” (cultural center and museum), where you can string your own lei, try your hand at the ukulele, observe traditional artifacts and art, or hop on a historic walking tour past petroglyphs, lava tubes, and other sacred sites.
CanoeHouse, photo courtesy of respective organization
Not surprisingly, the on-site dining options impress even the most discerning of palates. Opt for a casual meal at HāLani, where the Pacific and warm sea breeze set the stage for vibrant mezze platters, a wood-fired bread balloon, and tender kebabs; or savor an elevated dinner at the celebrated oceanfront restaurant CanoeHouse, known for its refined, Japanese-inspired cuisine (the Shokupan Pull-Apart Bread, Kona Kanpachi, and CanoeHouse Mai Tai are all musts) and above-average service.
HāLani, photo courtesy of respective organization
Post sun, fun, and food, retreat to your light, bright guestroom (spacious suites, two-bedroom residences with a private pool, and a five-bedroom, eight-bathroom estate are also available) outfitted in natural fabrics and textures, with pops of color that mirror the surrounding environment. Each room—accessible by a smart wristband—also includes a furnished lanai balcony, Nespresso machine, nightly turn-down service, and mesmerizing mountain or ocean views.
For couples who appreciate the finer things and want to be thoroughly, delightfully spoiled, this splashy but unstuffy resort is more than ready to sweep you off your sandy feet.
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Ola Brew, photo by Megan Wiskus
Ola Brew for specialty craft beers, hard seltzers, and hard teas crafted using high-quality, Hawaii-grown ingredients. Pair your pint with an Ola Fish Sandwich on brioche, Island Farmer Salad topped with herbed croutons, or Roasted Beet Pizza.
Foodland Farms—Hawaii’s largest locally owned and operated grocery retailer—for fresh, affordable poke and other ready-made meals, plus a stellar selection of Polynesian provisions (think jams, honey, chocolate, coffee, and more).
Ho’Oulo Community Farmers and Artisans Market “Big Island Market”, photo courtesy of respective organization
Ho’Oulo Community Farmers and Artisans Market “Big Island Market” for 100% Big Island-made and grown produce, handicrafts, treats, sweets, and specialties like macadamia nuts—plus live music.
Doutor Mauka Meadows Coffee Farm for a donation-based, self-guided walking tour through coffee fields and verdant flower and fruit gardens—capped off with tastings of locally roasted, 100% Kona java.
The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort, photo courtesy of respective organization
The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort sits atop one of the world’s most breathtaking stretches of sand and sea: the iconic, postcard-perfect Hapuna Beach. And on the Big Island—where white-sand beaches with warm, crystal-clear water and gentle, wade-right-in waves are rare—this alone is reason to fall head over heels for the resort.
The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort, photo courtesy of respective organization
Your entire honeymoon could easily be spent “double-dipping” between the ocean and adults-only infinity pool, but there’s much more to adore, too: an elite, 18-hole golf course designed by Arnold Palmer, seaside yoga, nightly stargazing, complimentary GoPro kits (for 24 hours), and a spa offering blissful Balinese and Hawaiian-inspired treatments.
Adult Infinity Pool at The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort, photo courtesy of respective organization
Hungry for more? Beyond a casual grill, coffee and cocktail bar, and breakfast buffet, the property is also home to award-winning restaurant Meridia, whose dramatic façade, dreamy open-air setting, and Mediterranean-inspired menu—much of it sourced from the chef’s half-acre garden, or local farms, fisheries, and ranches—deliver a sensory experience that’s love at first bite.
Meridia, photo courtesy of respective organization
As the sun melts into the horizon, head to the neighboring Mauna Kea Beach Hotel (complimentary shuttle service between the two properties runs nightly) for a private Manta Ray Moonlight Swim—an experience said to “truly transform any person who experiences it”—or the festive, twice-weekly Mauna Kea Luau, complete with live music, fire dancers, and mountains of fresh island fish, kālua pig, poi, poke, pineapple, papaya, and more.
Turtle Point, photo courtesy of respective organization
When you’re finally ready to call it a night, expect an ocean-facing room with its own lanai, which means drifting off to the sounds of waves floating in from Hapuna’s shore. Here, the only thing more endless than the horizon is your honeymoon bliss.
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Big Island Brewhaus, photo by Megan Wiskus
Big Island Brewhaus for craft beer brewed and bottled on-site, alongside elevated, scratch-made pub grub in a casual, friendly setting that attracts both locals and visitors alike.
Surf Camp for a black sesame latte, mac nut butter toast, and decadent pastries in a hip, laid-back space that also sells stylish clothing and gifts.
Uila Records for an ever-changing selection of new and used vinyl, tapes, and CDs—plus weekly live music and beer on tap.
Pau Pizza, photo courtesy of respective organization
Pau Pizza for inventive sourdough pies (by the slice or whole), plus salads and sandwiches in cozy, art-filled digs with a mini arcade.
SCP Hilo Hotel, photo courtesy of respective organization
SCP Hilo Hotel—located on the island’s rainier, more remote eastern side, in the heart of Hilo—is committed to nurturing “soul, community, and planet” (hence the namesake “SCP”). Boutique, budget-friendly, and environmentally conscious, the inn also offers plenty of perks, including complimentary beach cruisers and stand-up paddleboards—the latter of which you can take out on Hilo Bay, just steps from the hotel and often dotted with sea turtles; the former perfect for pedaling to Rainbow Falls, just three miles away.
Start your morning with a cup of hot, sustainably sourced, locally roasted Kona coffee in the lobby, then grab a board game or a book from the communal lounge, cool off in the pool, or simply sit in silence and soak up the property’s peaceful energy, lush greenery, and well-manicured gardens.
Though there aren’t any full-service eateries on-site—just the Provisions Market, stocked with kombucha, craft beer, grab-and-go bites, and Hawaii-made goods—you’ll find plenty of options within walking distance to satisfy any palate or budget.
As for the property’s 128 rooms? Whether you choose a “peaceful” (no TV), “poolside,” “premium” (unobstructed water views and private balconies overlooking a spring-fed koi pond and Reeds Bay), or “essential” room, expect minimalist décor with organic, regionally sourced materials, clean lines, and a classic beachy boho vibe.
Best of all, “every stay does good”—a portion of all booking proceeds supports local and international nonprofits, including One Tree Planted and the Hawaii Wildlife Fund.
On an island filled with flashy, brand-name resorts, SCP Hilo is a breath of fresh, frangipani-scented air—and proof that bigger isn’t always better.
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Lili‘uokalani Gardens, photo courtesy of respective organization
Lili‘uokalani Gardens—the largest authentic Edo-style garden outside of Japan—for a picnic among the 24 acres of tranquil trees, rock gardens, fishponds, pagodas, and Japanese stone lanterns.
Rainbow Falls for views of an easily accessible, 80-foot waterfall, famed for the rainbow that appears in its many misty mornings.
Verna’s Drive In for affordable, authentic, generously portioned Hawaiian eats in a no-frills setting: think loco moco, kālua pork, mac salad, and ice cream cones.
MaunaKea, photo courtesy of respective organization
MaunaKea—a dormant volcano, known for being the tallest mountain in the world (when measured from its base on the ocean floor)—for out-of-this-world stargazing and panoramic daytime views of the Big Island and surrounding islands.
Written by Real Weddings Magazine Contributor Megan Wiskus-Lim
