Which resorts are best at providing or arranging activities? We asked our readers for their favorites
There are at least as many great resorts in Hawaii as there are things to do at them, so it's hard to go wrong. But even on ultrapopular Maui, certain resorts stand out: Most highly regarded for their menus of activities by Condé Nast Traveler readers (as reflected in our January 2004 Gold List) are the 780-room Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa (875-1234; www.grandwailea.com; doubles, $465–$725) and the 380-room Four Seasons Resort (874-8000; www.fourseasons.com; doubles, $345–$600).On the Big Island, you'll find particularly strong activity menus at the vast 1,240-room Hilton Waikoloa Village (886-1234; www.hiltonwaikoloavillage.com; doubles, $199–$829) and the 350-room Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows (885-6622; www.maunalani.com; doubles, $385–$750).
On Kauai, the Hyatt Regency Kauai Resort & Spa includes a camp for guests' children (742-1234; www.kauai.hyatt.com; doubles, $425–$730), the 252-room Princeville Resort describes itself accurately as a gateway to the North Shore (826-9644; www.princeville.com; doubles, $450–$675), and the 356-room Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club has a 26,000-square-foot outdoor pool—almost twice the size of an Olympic pool (245-5050; www.marriotthawaii.com; doubles, $329–$444).
On Oahu, high ratings for activities go to the Kahala Mandarin Oriental (800-367-2525; www.mandarinoriental.com; doubles, $295–$700) and Waikiki's sprawling Hilton Hawaiian Village (949-4321; www.hiltonhawaiianvillage.com; doubles, $195–$520).
Only on old-fashioned, relatively undeveloped Molokai is there but one choice: Molokai Ranch (552-2741; www.molokairanch.com; doubles, $389–$459). Lanai is also small and relatively undeveloped, but it has two premier properties—both of which were recently added to the Four Seasons group: the 102-room upcountry Lodge at Koele (565-7300; www.lodgeatkoele.com; doubles, $400–$575) and the 249-room clifftop Manele Bay Hotel (565-7700; www.manelebayhotel.com; doubles, $400–$800).
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