Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club is a three-and-a-half-pearl beachfront property in Oahu’s lush Ko Olina resort community. Its 560 air-conditioned rooms have tropical interiors with kitchenettes (or full kitchens), flat-screen TVs, balconies (some with ocean views), and sleeper sofas. The gorgeous beach is lined with loungers and the three lagoon pools with hot tubs, waterfalls, and even a waterslide are a favorite among past guests. Marriott’s two pricey restaurants serve American, Hawaiian, and Italian cuisine, but get mixed reviews. Other amenities include a huge gym, spa, and an ocean-view bar with live music. Free fitness classes and activities are a nice plus, too. However, time-share sales pitches can be obnoxious. Travelers preferring to stay in buzzing Waikiki back east might opt for the similar Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort instead. 

Hampton Inn & Suites Oahu/Kapolei is a three-pearl business hotel west of Honolulu and next to a large outdoor shopping mall. It’s 175 air-conditioned rooms are modern and fresh, with mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, and-- in some -- sleeper sofas. Suites also add efficiency kitchenettes. The property’s outdoor pool is surrounded by lounge chairs and has shady areas too. Freebies include a continental breakfast and coffee in the lobby. Despite its humble status, there are nice perks like a fitness room, business center with computers and free printing, a laundry room, and free parking. For a beachier stay with bright, modern rooms plus ocean-view balconies, it’s worth pricing out Aqua Palms Waikiki. The vibe there is totally different, but it's closer to the beach and rates are often cheaper.

This self-contained upscale resort on a peninsular outcropping of Oahu’s north shore focuses on relaxation and outdoor activities. Families -- and couples in particular -- come here for the golf course, horseback riding, surfing, and other outdoor activities; nightlife is limited to the property’s bars and restaurants. A car is necessary for getting to dining options beyond the resort, which some guests have commented is desirable because of high prices at the on-site restaurants; the nearby town of Haleiwa is about a 25-minute drive, though popular local food spots like Giovanni’s Aloha Shrimp in Kahuku are much closer to the resort. Rooms are upscale, chic, and beachy, and most have ocean views.

The low-key, 436-room Royal Kona has long been an architectural landmark of the Kailua Bay coastline. Its convenient downtown location, affordable rooms, and private lagoon access are all pluses, but be prepared to sacrifice a few frills. There is no Jacuzzi and the pool is small. Rooms are clean and bright, but basic, with small bathrooms and dated furniture.

With its pristine beaches, eight unique pools, and a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, this luxury resort promises an unforgettable Hawaiian getaway—but is it really worth the high cost? Read our in-depth review to find out if this island oasis justifies the price.

The Outrigger Kanaloa at Kona is located on 18 acres of beautifully landscaped coastal property, directly across the bay from the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort. The condo-style units are cute and comfortable, with plenty of the owners' personal decorative touches, as well as large master bedrooms (featuring huge bathrooms, some with Jacuzzi tubs), full kitchens, and private lanais. Aero beds (in lieu of rollaways) are available for larger groups or children. It's next door to the Kona Country Club, but you'll need a car to get to downtown Kailua-Kona, local shops, and the beach.

The three-pearl Holiday Inn Express & Suites Kailua-Kuna is an affordable, casual, and clean option within walking distance of Kailua-Kona and the sea. This 75-room hotel offers a free daily breakfast buffet, a modern (if compact) fitness center, and a coin-operated laundry room plus a small outdoor pool. Contemporary rooms are simple and sharp, with amenities like flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi plus a pillow menu. Coffeemakers and microwaves also come standard, though views are generally unimpressive and are of the parking lots all around. For something that's a little cheaper, the Kona Seaside Hotel is closer to the center of town, though it's not as thoroughly up to date.

The Kona Seaside Hotel is a vintage gem with pleasant interiors right in the heart of Kailua-Kona. This budget hotel draws repeat guests year after year, though features are slim -- there's not much to see or do on-site beyond the hotel's lovely, but tiny, pool. The 217 rooms are bright and light-filled, with homey tropical style, and include flat-screen TVs and furnished balconies, some with views of the pool. There are shops and eateries next to the hotel, and swimming at the pier is a five-minute walk away. This is an unpretentious place for those looking to be amid all that Kailua-Kona has to offer, though for a bit more money the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Kailua-Kona has more modern rooms plus a fitness center.

For those who like apartment-style conveniences, the three-pearl Kona Reef is an affordable and well-located option. Tropically homey one-bedroom, one-bath suites come with full kitchens and offer views of the gardens of the ocean and can accommodate up to four people. However, some units are more dated than others. Although this resort has no dining or activities, restaurants, shopping, bars, and historical sites are within a 10- to 15-minute walk along Alii Drive. The adjacent beach, while unswimmable, is a popular surf break. There's also an oceanfront pool, jetted tub, and sundeck plus a pavilion and gas grills. As an alternative, the Outrigger Kanaloa at Kona has similar features and is even cheaper, though it's farther from the heart of town.