We’re going to take a slight departure from the usual wedding, elopement, and photography content of my articles today for a bit of a different topic. Today we’re going to be taking a look at 12 of the best resorts throughout the islands of Hawaii for couples to visit and vacation at! Now we will eventually talk about photography in this article, I mean I kind of have to as a wedding and elopement photographer in Hawaii! Trust me though couples, if you’re planning a relaxing getaway to the paradise that is Hawaii, you might as well get some photos while you’re here.

Big Island

Mauna Lani

The first resort we’ll be taking a look at is none other than Mauna Lani! Found on the northwest shore of the Island of Hawaii, this resort is a prime example of the fantastic experiences couples can expect when vacationing at one of Hawaii’s best resorts. Something you’ll quickly find as we work our way through this list of incredible resorts is just how much they offer for their guests to interact with and enjoy. In the case of Mauna Lani this comes in the form of its beach club, multiple pools, live music, ocean sports, tennis courts, a golf course on site, and so SO much more!

They also offer an array of limited time events and experiences such as art exhibits, specialized sport classes, and interactive culinary courses to name a few. Whether you want to be active throughout every moment of your stay, or you just want to sit back and relax, Mauna Lani is the place to be.

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

On Hawaii’s west coast is our next resort that is also a perfect choice for couples looking to vacation on the big island! Just around 15 miles south of Mauna Lani is the incredible Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. Where Mauna Lani has a more centralized feel to it, the Four Seasons Resort has a more spread out and personal feel to the resort. They offer a wide array of different sized suites and villas, each with their own unique feel and appeal to them. The Four Seasons also has a TON of activities to engage with during your stay, with things like private boat rides, guided snorkel trips, and pickleball lessons hardly scratching the surface of the offerings. Also, much like every other Four Seasons Resort we’ll cover on this list, the food here is phenomenal! Speaking of other Four Seasons Resorts…

Maui 

Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

Our first resort on the island of Maui of course has to be the Four Seasons Resort at Wailea! I won’t spend too much time talking about this resort as I’ve actually already written an entire vacation guide for it! For any couples whose interest was piqued by the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, but would rather stay on Maui over the island of Hawaii, I strongly suggest you check out this article as it has everything you’d want to know about the Four Seasons at Wailea!

For couples looking to keep reading before making their decision, just know that much like the Four Seasons Resort on Hawaii, the one on Maui provides an all around exceptional experience. From thrilling and engaging activities, to one of the most relaxing settings on this list, it is a resort that my family and I have ADORED staying at plenty of times in the past!

Andaz

Just north of the Four Seasons Maui is our next stunning resort, Andaz. This resort is a beautiful tropical getaway on the southwest coast of Maui. The resort consists of award winning restaurants, an immensely beautiful beach to relax on, and an absurd number of activities to enjoy during your stay. From Luaus, hula classes, and craft cocktail classes, to more adventurous activities such as ocean paddle boarding and outrigger journeys, there is truly something for everyone here! No matter if you’re a couple who wants to relax and keep things casual, or a couple that wants to experience Hawaii to the fullest, this resort has what you’re looking for.

Grand Wailea Maui

Finally, neighboring the Four Seasons Maui is the Grand Wailea Resort, our last location on the island of Mau! The Grand Wailea is the pinnacle of relaxation and good times. They have 2 fabulous outdoor pools, plenty of beachfront to enjoy, and multiple high end restaurants to choose from including Humuhumunukunukuapua’a, who’s bar features live fish swimming inside of it! The resort also offers plenty of activities for couples to enjoy while staying in Hawaii including tons of shopping, outdoor yoga, and even whale watching.

Oahu

Turtle Bay

Our first stop on the island of Oahu is none other than the immaculate Turtle Bay. Found on the northmost tip of the island, this resort has everything a couple could want during a vacation in Hawaii! With an array of bungalows, villas, and suites to choose from, no matter the vision you have for your stay Turtle Bay is set to provide a memorable experience. Speaking of experiences, Turtle Bay has plenty of those for the adventurous couple including surf lessons, horseback riding on the beach, and a rotating set of limited time experiences to enjoy. There are a wide array of dining options within Turtle Bay for breakfast, lunch, and dinner so that you can spend the entirety of your vacation at the resort if you’d like!

Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina

On the southeast coast of the island is our next and final Four Seasons Resort on the list! The Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina is another one of my favorites, as it provides the same level of excellence we’ve come to expect from any of the Four Seasons! This resort has a few tricks up their sleeves though compared to its siblings on the other islands. For starters they have a featured experience where you can actually take a flight in a vintage US Navy Warbird for an aerial tour of Pearl Harbor.

This is just the tip of the iceberg though as the resort also offers horseback riding in the mountains, epic hikes that only Oahu can offer, and snorkel expeditions to name a few. Combine that with the variety of rooms to choose from, the incredible dining options, and a top tier spa experience, and you have a dream resort for any couple looking to vacation in Hawaii!

The Laylow

Our next resort may be small, but that doesn’t make the experience any less incredible! The Laylow is a resort that can be found in Honolulu’s Waikiki neighborhood. This location is the real draw of the resort, as couples will be able to experience the vibrant capital city of Hawaii. From incredible dining experiences, too many shops to choose from, and the nearby Waikiki beach to enjoy, the sky’s the limit for what you can do while in Honolulu.  That’s not to say that The Laylow is only a place to sleep though! The resort has a gorgeous pool to enjoy, and a fabulous restaurant on site called Hideout that can deliver your food to you whether you’re in your room, at the pool, or even out exploring the town!

‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach

Another option for couples looking to vacation in the capital of Hawaii is the ‘Alohilani Resort at Waikiki Beach. This resort is found just south of The Laylow, near Kuhio Beach. ‘Alohilani Resort offers a relaxing and luxurious getaway for couples to enjoy. From their private cabanas and daybeds that are poolside, to the top of the line exercise facilities and day spa, the resort is the perfect place to relax and reset alongside your partner. With ‘Alohilani being in Waikiki there are of course numerous things to enjoy outside of the resort as well that I mentioned earlier with The Laylow!

Kauai 

1 Hotel Hanalei Bay

Finally, we have the island of Kauai. Our first of three resorts on this island is the beautiful 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay! This resort has many similar draws to the others that we’ve covered so far on this list. A variety of rooms to choose from? Check. Tons of experiences to enjoy including pool and beachside relaxation, golfing, kayaking, and more? Check. Delicious cuisine and a stellar bar to boot? Also check! One thing that 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay does offer that you don’t often see though are more curated experiences they call Within Wellbeing. These nature focused retreats are meant to take your vacation to the next level. It’s their guided way of bringing you closer to nature, getting you more in touch with yourselves, and ultimately resetting yourself to be in the best mindset possible. They’re incredible journeys that are well worth the price!

Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu

On the south shore of Kauai, on the complete opposite side of the island from 1 Hotel we have the breathtaking Koloa Landing Resort. This resort by Marriott features stunning rooms that provide ultimate comfort for your stay, a world class in house restaurant, and a relaxing set of activities to enjoy. Koloa Landing focuses on the R and R side of vacationing, with their incredible spa, picturesque outdoor pool, and even fireside s’mores as a sweet treat to end the night on. If you’re looking for a resort to truly get away and relax as a couple in Hawaii then this is the spot for you!

Grand Hyatt Kauai

Just because the Grand Hyatt of Kauai is the last resort on the list does not make it any less appealing for a couples getaway to Hawaii, far from it! This resort features the incredible Anara Spa, experiences like net fishing, hula dancing classes, and multiple pools and oceanfront to enjoy. There’s of course an array of delicious food to enjoy, and you can even reserve a private dining area for the two of you to enjoy a dinner under the stars with your own private butler!

Couples Photos in Hawaii

I told you that after we went through my favorite resorts throughout the island of Hawaii we’d talk a bit about couples photography, which brings us to this point in the article! While your vacation and your time here on the islands and at your resort are the focus of your trip, I can’t recommend enough how much you’ll love having couples photos taken while you’re here. It’s not often that you get to truly get away as a couple, and you deserve more than just phone photographs to document the memories! 

Booking a professional photographer, such as myself or one of my incredibly talented associates, ensures that you’ll have beautiful photos for you to look back on for years to come. Photos from a trip like this are a gateway to some of your favorite memories. The photography session itself is also a great excuse for a night out as you’ll already be dressed up and loving on one another! 

So what are you waiting for?! If you’ve already made up your mind on which resort you plan to stay at and you’re ready to book your couples session head on over to my contact page. I’d love to get to know you, your love story, and start planning out a session that you’ll always love to look back on!