Pulse Reviews and Analysis
Top 10 Resorts in Big Island
Direct Answer
The best resorts on Hawaii's Big Island for 2027 are led by Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, our 🏆 BEST OVERALL pick and repeatedly named the #1 resort in the United States by U.S. News, followed by the design-forward Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection and the classic Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.
For families and travelers who want resort-scale amenities at a friendlier rate, the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa is our 💎 BEST VALUE call. Below are 10 real, currently-operating Big Island resorts verified against U.S. News, Travel + Leisure, official sites and Tripadvisor — clustered mostly along the sunny Kohala Coast and Kona.
Expect rack rates from roughly $250 to over $1,800 per night.
How We Ranked These
We weighted beach and ocean access, service and luxury pedigree, dining and spa quality, family amenities, and 2027 value. Every property listed is a real, operating resort confirmed on its official website and major travel platforms — no invented names. The Big Island's premier resorts concentrate on the Kohala Coast, where calm white-sand beaches and reliable sun make for ideal conditions, with additional strong options in Kona.
We verified award histories (Forbes Five-Star, U.S. News rankings, AAA Diamond) and current published rates, then balanced ultra-luxury flagships against high-value family resorts. Resort fees of $35–$60 per night are common and noted where relevant.
1. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai 🏆 BEST OVERALL
The Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Ka'upulehu is widely considered the finest resort in Hawaii and has been named the #1 resort in the United States by U.S. News & World Report for consecutive years. Secluded on the Kona-Kohala coast, it pairs flawless Forbes Five-Star service with seven swimming pools, including the saltwater King's Pond carved into natural lava and stocked with tropical fish and rays.
A recent renovation refreshed all rooms and suites and added oceanfront bungalows, while dining at ULU Ocean Grill and the Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course round out the experience. Nightly rates typically start around $1,200 and climb past $1,800+. For travelers seeking the state's pinnacle of secluded luxury, Hualalai is the undisputed top choice for 2027.
2. Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection
Reopened in 2020 after a $200 million renovation, Mauna Lani delivers a quieter, design-forward stay on the Kohala Coast. Part of the boutique Auberge Resorts Collection, it surrounds guests with ancient fishponds, lava-rock spa grottos at HoʻOLA Spa, and a strong sense of place rooted in Hawaiian culture.
The clean, contemporary rooms and the beachfront CanoeHouse restaurant make it a favorite for design-minded travelers and couples. Rates generally run $900–$1,500 per night. For a modern luxury escape with cultural depth and fewer crowds, Mauna Lani is among the island's best.
3. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
Opened in 1965 by Laurance Rockefeller, the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is a Kohala Coast classic fronting Kauna'oa Bay — one of Hawaii's finest white-sand swimming and snorkeling beaches. Its mid-century design, museum-quality Pacific and Asian art collection, and timeless elegance give it a distinctive character no newer resort can replicate.
Rooms are spacious and many open to ocean breezes, and the resort's championship golf and manta-ray night viewing are signatures. Rates typically run $700–$1,300 per night. For travelers who want a storied resort on a truly exceptional beach, Mauna Kea endures as a Big Island icon.
4. Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii
The Fairmont Orchid is the island's best all-around resort — polished yet genuinely family-friendly, with a protected snorkeling lagoon, a sand-bottom pool, and the cultural programming of its Spa Without Walls set among waterfalls. On the Kohala Coast at Mauna Lani, it balances luxury with approachable, multigenerational appeal.
Dining spans the oceanfront Brown's Beach House to casual poolside fare. Rates start around $700 per night plus a roughly $60 resort fee. For families who want upscale comfort plus safe, calm water for kids, the Fairmont Orchid is the smartest all-rounder on the island.
5. The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort
The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort fronts Hāpuna Beach, frequently ranked the island's best white-sand beach, with a long, gentle crescent ideal for swimming. Renovated to Westin's contemporary standard, it offers airy rooms, an oceanfront infinity pool, and access to two championship golf courses shared with sister property Mauna Kea.
The Meridia Mediterranean restaurant and Heavenly Spa anchor the on-property experience. Rates run roughly $780 per night plus a ~$37 resort fee. For travelers who prioritize the best beach paired with modern comfort, Hapuna is a top Kohala Coast pick.
6. Hilton Waikoloa Village
Hilton Waikoloa Village is the island's mega-resort for fun, sprawling across 62 acres with a dolphin lagoon, canals navigated by boats and trams, multiple pools with a 175-foot waterslide, and a saltwater snorkeling lagoon. It's an experience-driven destination ideal for families and large groups who want everything on-site.
Rooms are spread across three towers, and dining options are plentiful. Rates typically start around $350–$550 per night, making it strong value for its scale. For travelers who want non-stop activities and a built-in vacation village, Hilton Waikoloa delivers.
7. Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa 💎 BEST VALUE
The Waikoloa Beach Marriott is our best value pick — a full-service Kohala Coast resort fronting 'Anaeho'omalu Bay (A-Bay) with its calm beach, fishponds and sunset views, at rates well below the luxury flagships. It anchors the walkable Waikoloa Beach Resort area, steps from shops, restaurants and golf.
Oceanview rooms, the Mandara Spa, and a relaxed pool complex make it a comfortable, well-located base. Rates frequently run $250–$450 per night — excellent value for a beachfront Kohala stay. For travelers who want real beach access and resort amenities without the luxury markup, this is the savvy choice.
8. Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa
The Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa (formerly the Sheraton Kona) sits dramatically on the lava cliffs at Keauhou Bay, south of Kailua-Kona, famous for its nightly manta-ray viewing from the property's overlook. A renovation brought fresh, contemporary rooms and a strong sense of Hawaiian place to this oceanfront perch.
The freshwater pool with a lava-rock waterslide and the oceanfront dining make it a relaxed, scenic stay. Rates typically run $300–$500 per night. For travelers who want Kona-side oceanfront drama and manta encounters, the Outrigger Kona is a memorable pick.
9. Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay
The Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay offers a comfortable, family-friendly oceanfront stay on the Kona coast, with one of the island's best vantage points for wild manta rays that gather in the bay after dark. Its multi-level pool with a 200-foot waterslide is a hit with kids.
Renovated rooms, the Ho'ola Spa, and on-site dining keep guests well served. Rates generally run $280–$480 per night. For families seeking a scenic, affordable Kona-side resort with standout marine wildlife, the Sheraton Kona is a dependable choice.
10. Waikoloa Beach Resort area — Kings' Land by Hilton Grand Vacations
Kings' Land by Hilton Grand Vacations rounds out the list as a strong villa-style option within the Waikoloa Beach Resort, ideal for longer stays and larger families who want kitchens and living space. The expansive pool complex with a waterslide and lazy river, plus access to nearby beaches and golf, make it a flexible home base.
Spacious one- to three-bedroom suites suit groups and extended trips. Rates typically run $300–$550 per night depending on unit size and season. For travelers who value space, kitchens and resort amenities for a week or more, Kings' Land closes out our 2027 Big Island list.
FAQ
Which Big Island resort is the best overall? Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is the clear leader — named the #1 resort in the United States by U.S. News for consecutive years, with Forbes Five-Star service, seven pools and total seclusion on the Kona-Kohala coast.
Where are most of the Big Island's best resorts located? The majority cluster on the sunny, calm Kohala Coast (Mauna Lani, Mauna Kea, Fairmont Orchid, Westin Hapuna, the Waikoloa resorts), with several strong options near Kona (Outrigger Kona, Sheraton Kona).
Which Big Island resort is best for families? Hilton Waikoloa Village offers a dolphin lagoon, waterslides and a snorkeling lagoon, while the Fairmont Orchid has a protected snorkel lagoon and sand-bottom pool. Both are excellent for kids.
What is the best-value Big Island resort in 2027? The Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa is our value pick, fronting calm A-Bay with full resort amenities at roughly $250–$450 per night — well below the luxury flagships.
Which resorts are best for seeing manta rays? The Outrigger Kona and Sheraton Kona at Keauhou Bay are famous for nightly wild manta-ray viewing right from the property, and Mauna Kea Beach Hotel offers manta viewing as well.
Bottom Line
The Big Island concentrates Hawaii's most acclaimed resorts on the Kohala Coast and Kona, and every property on this list is real and currently operating as of 2027. Choose Four Seasons Hualalai for the state's pinnacle of luxury, Mauna Lani or Mauna Kea for design and classic beauty, Fairmont Orchid or Hilton Waikoloa for families, and the Waikoloa Beach Marriott for the best beachfront value.
Match the resort to your beach, budget and travel style, and the Big Island delivers a standout 2027 stay.
Sources
- U.S. News — Best Resorts on Hawaii's Big Island
- Four Seasons Resort Hualalai — Best Hotel in the USA
- Travel + Leisure — Best Hawaii Resorts
- Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii — Official Site
- Hawaii Guide — Where to Stay on Big Island
- Tripadvisor — Best Waikoloa Resorts
- Love Big Island — Best Big Island Resorts Compared
*Looking for the best Big Island resorts review for 2027 — including Four Seasons Hualalai, Mauna Lani, Mauna Kea, Fairmont Orchid, Westin Hapuna, Hilton Waikoloa, Waikoloa Beach Marriott, Outrigger Kona, Sheraton Kona and Kings' Land ratings and reviews? This verified Big Island resort review and ranking guide is updated for 2027.*