Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Classy wood cabins with ample windows place you comfortably in the middle of the rainforest, providing solid four-star amenities despite five-star…
Must-see hotels in Hawaii
Wailua
A time-share resort that also rents extra rooms to the public. Set behind the Coconut Marketplace, rooms are spacious with private balconies overlooking…
Hilo
Ascend the hills behind Hilo, past mac nut and coffee plantations, to find this inn. Its four buildings are surrounded by expansive greenery and a…
Waikiki
This clean, convenient high-rise tower offers hotel rooms that have a 70s avocado color scheme, plus fridges and balconies. One-bedroom suites have…
South Kona Coast
This remarkably hospitable roadside B&B provides a homey, relaxed stay with three small but comfortable rooms downstairs in the main house. Despite comfy…
Hanalei
A short walk from the white sands of Hanalei Bay, Hale Reed’s location is key. The house can either be rented in its entirety or in two separate sections,…
Waikiki
Tired of square boxes? This circular building must have been très chic back in the era of postmodernism. Today this survivor is all about value, not…
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
The high-ceilinged living area with fireplace and small library makes a relaxing common area for the three modern and clean rooms in the main house. An…
Waimea Canyon & the Westside
The park’s most accessible camping area, Koke‘e State Park Campground, is alongside the highway just north of the meadow, a few minutes’ walk from Koke‘e…
Puna
Kick back at this beautifully maintained house, full of handpicked vintage furnishings, with three bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, laundry facilities and an airy…
Lahaina
Folks are packed in tight – with a few guests sleeping in tents outside – at this busy but friendly hostel, set in lush gardens near both the water and…
Hanalei
This ramshackle garden inn, half a mile west of central Hanalei, holds four basic studios. Each has a kitchenette or kitchen, private lanai and retro…
Honolulu
Opposite the Ala Moana Center, the ol' Y lets unfussy budget travelers book basic, well-worn rooms with shared bathrooms or slightly larger en-suite rooms…
North Shore & Central O‘ahu
Looking for solace and solitude? This church-run seaside camp is open to travelers, by reservation only. Amenities for campers are basic, with outdoor…
Hawaiʻi the Big Island
Accommodation pickings are slim in Naʻalehu, but these two clean, if older, rooms behind Hana Hou Restaurant are a fine option in their own right. Light…
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Private, comfortable and clean, these cottages are harbored in a fern forest landscaped with footpaths and koi ponds. The bright Apapane Guesthouse boasts…
Waikiki
If you don’t mind a shoebox-size room, or being next to Ala Wai Canal, this hotel can be a real bargain. The lobby is lively, with surf videos playing an…
The Aeolian Residence Waikoloa
South Kohala
This very basic guesthouse offers a couple of wood-paneled, economy-priced and basic rooms – these are beds for crashing, but they're kept clean and the…
Waikiki
Forget about humdrum high-rise hotels that have seen far better days, this contemporary chain offers full breakfasts, an outdoor pool deck, a workout room…
Poʻipu
This 72-unit complex has an enviable location across from Lawa‘i Beach. Condos vary in quality and amenities, but all have full kitchens and lanai, and…
Hawaii Belt Coffee Garden Bed & Breakfast
South Kona Coast
Isolated, rural, roosters – some of the words that come to mind at this friendly little B&B, located out in the jungle. The simple rooms have that tile…
Lihuʻe
This is the most appealing motel in central Lihuʻe. Inside a raggedy two-story building, the 28 rooms are small but tidy, with refrigerators and cable TV…
Hilo
On the plus side, this family-run inn is friendly, safe and close to downtown Hilo. Bear in mind, however, that room furnishings are rather shabby (don't…
Waikiki
Save money at this older high-rise and get exercise by the healthy walk to the beach. The economy rooms are excruciatingly small; regular rooms are larger…
Hamakua Coast
Don't be fooled by its highfalutin name. This is an old plantation building turned hostel/hotel hybrid, with mismatched, just-the-basics rooms for budget…
Kapaʻa
Not the cleanest or cheapest of hostels, with ramshackle bunks and courtyard, and a relaxed hippy vibe. Private rooms tend to be better maintained than…
Poʻipu & the South Shore
A comfortable one-bedroom ground-floor suite with a full kitchen, separate living and dining areas, beds for four (one king and two twins), plus Japanese…
Waikiki
Poised for quick escapes from Waikiki, and within walking distance of the Ala Moana Center mall, the Palms feels more functional than fun. There’s a…
Courtyard by Marriott Oahu North Shore
Windward Coast
The first major new hotel built in this corner of Oʻahu lacks balconies or lanais. Take a few Hawaiian details off the facade and it looks bland –…
Waimea Canyon & the Westside
While a little worn – and just a little kitschy – this little Kekaha house is good value for those looking to save a few bucks. You can sleep up to eight…
Lihuʻe
This slightly run-down two-story hotel across the street from Kalapaki Beach holds its own for value and friendliness. Rooms are bright but kitschy, with…
Poʻipu
A 5-minute walk east of Brennecke’s Beach, these impeccable, professionally managed units are a cut above their peers. Condos have the feel of private…
Kahului
If you want to stay on the beach, this retro hotel is the only decent option. It’s a plain Jane with exterior decor like an aging '80s motel, but the…
Kailua-Kona
No big surprises here: fresh, clean rooms with mid-range, chain-hotel-style rooms and a central location. Honestly, the lack of surprise is the big draw…
Honolulu
If you need to be next to the airport, this nondescript hotel near the noisy freeway has large but bland rooms. Rates include fridge, microwave,…
Honolulu
Just 1.5 miles from Honolulu International Airport and with a free shuttle, this place will do the job in a pinch. The rooms are basic and dated, but…
Hilo
Set in a handsome historic home near the beaches, this five-room B&B has an old-school vibe: floral bedding, smallish rooms with shared bathrooms,…
Hilo
For budget travelers seeking private digs near the beaches, these basic units offer good value. Each has its own entrance, plain but clean furnishings and…
South Kohala
This business organizes vacation rentals specifically aimed at the Waikoloa Resort Area. The condos tend to front either the water or the area's golf…
Haleʻiwa
Advance permits are required for the seven tent sites at Haleʻiwa’s only campground. The park has restrooms, outdoor showers and picnic tables. Good for…
