Ten Great Hotels for a Fabulous Hawaiian Getaway

The Four Seasons Oahu is a remarkable resort with beautiful rooms on the booming west shore of the island at Ko Olina. The swimming pools are sleek and sexy and they feature several outstanding restaurants, including fabulous seafood and divine pasta dishes at Noe. There's a calm, protected bay for swimming or paddle boarding. Be sure to take part in their cultural programs, including making jewelry with rare shells from the island of Niihau.

For a completely different take on Oahu, try the new Alohilani Resort in the heart of the action at Waikiki Beach. It's a fabulous, urban-feeling property just across the road from Hawaii's most famous beach with stylish, comfortable rooms and a chic lobby that feels more South Beach than Beach Boy. The rooftop complex features a sleek infinity pool, a children's pool and comfortable cabanas. There's also a lively bar and comfy sofas.

The Outrigger Reef is a large hotel on Waikiki Beach that feels much smaller, thanks to welcoming staff. Rooms are comfortable and stylish, and select rooms get you access to a wonderful pre-dinner buffet with free drinks and enough free food to make a meal. You're right on the beach, with great sunsets and lovely views of Diamond Head. Their sister property, the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, has a branch of the wonderful Duke's Restaurant.

On the island of Maui, The Mauian is a fantastic spot with friendly staff, spacious rooms with kitchens and spectacular grounds. There's free breakfast in the morning and a nice reading/relaxing room with books and games. There's also a small pool, shuffleboard and gas bbq's. The hotel is smack dab on what I think is the best beach in the world, Napili Beach, where no building is higher than a coconut tree and where you'll find outstanding swimming and snorkelling. Duck into the Napili Kai Beach Resort next door for dinner and drinks at the Sea House, with great food and killer beach and sunset views.

The Fairmont Kea Lani is luxurious and wonderful without being in your face about it. Located in the posh Wailea district, which usually has the driest weather on the island, the rooms are both stylish and enormous (one-bedroom suites are from 860 to 1,100 square feet) and the grounds like something out of a botanical garden. There's a 140-foot waterslide for kids and a fantastic beach, and their restaurants and mai tai's are first-rate. Don't miss their cultural programs, including outrigger canoe rides and even mermaid lessons.

The Kaanapali Beach Hotel has been called the most Hawaiian hotel of all, and with good reason. They embrace Hawaii's culture with free lei-making or ukulele lessons and there's a free Hawaiian show every night that anyone can attend. The grounds are enormous, with a nice pool, huge trees and shady green spots. There's a beachside shack where you can pick up paddleboards or other gear. And the beach is one of the best in Hawaii. Their sister property, The Plantation Inn, is a great spot in Lahaina for folks on a budget.

The Four Seasons Hualalai is on the sunny Kona coast of Hawaii Big Island. It's a truly remarkable spot, with a series of stunning pools and a lagoon where you can snorkel with colourful fish. The food is fabulous; including fresh Hawaiian ahi poke made table side and fresh, inventive salads served steps from the ocean. Rooms are lovingly decorated in a relaxed but upscale Hawaiian style and there's an on-site cultural centre where you can hear local stories or learn the ukelele. There's also a golf course and a first-rate spa. Guests are greeted at the airport and escorted to the hotel. La de da.

The Hilo Hawaiian is a fine hotel overlooking a beautiful park and Hilo Bay, pictured here. There's a decent-sized pool out back near the bay and the lobby is bright and spacious. When I was there recently a group of local ladies were on site, showing visitors how they take Ti leaves grown on the property and weave them into beautiful, rope-like necklaces. There's free parking and shops and restaurants are both on site and within walking distance. It's a two-minute drive into town and only five minutes further to beautiful Rainbow Falls.

The St. Regis Princeville Resort on Kauai is an amazing spot on the lush, northern coast of the island. Many rooms offer stunning views of Hanalei Bay and the wrinkled, jagged, deep green mountains that rise up behind the bay. The restaurants are marvellous, and there's a wonderful swimming pool. Rooms have elegant marble baths with huge tubs and a double vanity. It's a very short drive to the Princeville Golf Course, one of the best layouts (and arguably the most beautiful) in Hawaii. There's also a highly-rated spa.

Over on the Poipu side of Kauai, where it tends to be a little more sunny, the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa is a tropical dream, with lagoons and pools surrounded by lush gardens of bright red bougainvillea and towering palm trees. There's a nice beach out front and there's terrific hiking along the coastal cliffs east of the hotel. Try to snag a romantic table by the lagoon at Tidepools Restaurant. There's a lovely spa and tennis courts, and you're also steps from fantastic golf courses. Lots of nice shopping is nearby, too.