This budget boutique hotel just one block from Waikiki Beach makes up in convenience (and price) what it lacks in luxury. High-speed Internet connections in every room, Wi-Fi in the common areas, and buffet breakfasts of fruit, yogurt, and pastries are all complimentary here. The 93 rooms, decorated according to feng shui principles with vintage Polynesian rattan and bamboo furnishings, have just enough modern accents to pass for stylish—although they are starting to look a little worse for wear. Each has a balcony and a fully equipped kitchenette. The outdoor saltwater pool area—which also includes a hot tub, cabanas, a man-made waterfall, and a spa—is pretty kitschy, but it's also pretty fun. A young, trendy crowd tends to stay here (many of them Japanese tourists), which makes for a friendly, uninhibited vibe.

It's near blasphemy to say, but for our money the 450-room Kea Lani outranks the neighboring Four Seasons as the loveliest resort on the island. Sure, boldface names flock to its more stylish, more lavish next-door neighbor, but to us the Fairmont feels friendlier and less pretentious—a more grown-up sort of luxury. There are no bad rooms among the 413 spacious, feng shui–styled suites. Some have panoramic ocean views and all have balconies. And if you want to splurge, the 37 two- and three-bedroom oceanfront villas (upward of $3,200 a night in high season, including rental car) will feel like your own private beach house. Your villa's stark-white Mediterranean-style architecture may seem out of place at first, but you'll have no complaints about the private courtyard plunge pool, great service, or palm-shaded setting. Villas also include an outdoor grill and full kitchen, but since KO restaurant—which serves a menu culled from the food traditions of Hawaii's plantation workers—significantly upgraded the Kea Lani's dining options, you'll be less likely to fire up the grill yourself.

From the moment you enter, this 32-acre 540-room property is a compound of serenity. Palm trees sway, birds chirp, waves lap at the sand, and green sea turtles appear every afternoon. Once a Ritz-Carlton (you'll see it in the formal architecture), Fairmont took over in 2002 and overhauled the property from top to bottom. The renovation included warming up the guest-room decor with tropical touches, redesigning the popular Norio's Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar, and adding a Fairmont Gold floor (we recommend the upgrade—the money you'll save by feasting on three daily buffets offsets the extra expense). Views from the guest rooms vary quite a bit—ask for at least a partial ocean view. Dramatic ocean views are also to be had on the green fairways bordering black lava fields of the resort's adjacent 36-hole Francis H. I'i Brown Golf Courses (North and South), and the outdoor Spa Without Walls is one of the most unique facilities on the island. (Get a rubdown in a thatched hut with a stream of water running beneath.) In 2006, Fairmont added a hip outdoor dinner luau called "The Gathering of the Kings," during which performers in nontraditional costumes entertain with modern dance to a foot-tapping contemporary soundtrack.

Until upscale hotels are built in Hilo (a picturesque locals' town that's just 30 minutes by car from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park), the Shipman House B&B and this lushly landscaped private rental home are the area's best bets. Compared to double-room rates on the other side of the island (one night at the Fairmont Orchid can top $800), this three-bedroom house on a small strip of Reed's Island in the Wailuku River Valley is a steal, especially considering the waterfall views and sexy indoor hot tub. It's best to focus on the lush scenery, as the interiors are generically functional. Even though the Falls feels as if it's on a distant private island, downtown Hilo's restaurants and shops are just about a mile away. Since tropical gardens are often rainy and buggy, come prepared.

If you think all Four Seasons resorts fit the same mold, Hualalai—the first property up Queen Kaahumanu Highway from the Kona airport—may surprise you. There's no cement tower here. Instead, the bungalow-style guest quarters are housed in two-story buildings spread out on what seems like acres and acres. The 243 rooms have Hawaii-inspired decor, walk-in closets, slate bathrooms, and furnished lanais. A $40 million renovation (completed in summer 2009) added 20 one- and two-bedroom suites with 180-degree ocean views—perfect for the growing number of return guests who honeymooned here and now have kids. While the beach isn't stellar, there are plenty of aquatic options, including a family pool, a small adults-only pool, a quiet pool, a lap pool, and, for snorkeling, a natural lava pond stocked with photogenic fish. The trio of restaurants includes the Hualalai Grille (no longer under the direction of Alan Wong, but the market-based Pacific Rim cuisine is still excellent), seafood-centric Pahu i'a, and the revamped Beach Tree, where diners tuck into Italian-influenced California cuisine. The 18-hole Nicklaus golf course was augmented by an even better one in 2005, which we won't describe here because it's reserved for Residence owners. Aside from a lunchtime grace period, if you leave your lounger, you lose it. If that happens, retreat to the lush gardens of the expanded Hualalai Spa to select local ingredients (perhaps volcanic ash or macadamia nuts) for your customized treatment.

The pine tree–lined road from Lanai City ends here, at a magnificent circular driveway where the international symbol of hospitality, a pineapple, is painted on the English manor–style main building. The 102 rooms are in step with Four Seasons standards, although the dimensions (a touch smaller than usual), Hawaiian motifs, local art, and rare blue marble in the bathrooms lend the spaces a more country-house than resort aesthetic. Many rooms have fireplaces, window seats, and balconies, and a 2007 renovation brought in better beds and a fresher, more luxurious feel than you'll find at sister property Manele Bay. Old-world charm is plentiful, down to an orchid-house conservatory and a croquet lawn. Guests can decompress on a Turkish daybed in the Great Hall, slip into a lounge chair on the expansive veranda, or head for the Greg Norman–designed golf course, horse stables, or shooting range. One of the largest wood-burning fireplaces in the whole state adds to the rustic yet luxurious atmosphere of the Dining Room. Remember to pack a sweater—even when sea-level temperatures are in the high 70s, thermometers in the up-country hover in the 60s, which is a nice reprieve if you've already gotten your share of sun. A $38 charge covers the 20-minute shuttle ride down to Manele Bay and the beach for the duration of your stay.

Built atop a lava cliff overlooking Hulopoe Bay, this Eurasian palace with Mediterranean-style architecture and Ming-dynasty decor evokes postcard-perfect Hawaii. Its 236 Four Seasons–standard rooms are spacious and airy (ask for a walk-out balcony). The grounds include a 2,600-square-foot pool with panoramic views and interior courtyard gardens that are so lush, finding your way back to the lobby can be tricky. There's also a much-lauded Jack Nicklaus golf course and an 800-square-foot fitness center with a studio for tai chi, yoga, and Pilates classes. (If you stick to the cardio machines, you'll be rewarded with beach views.) The stars here, however, are the white-sand beach and the marine preserve bay. Grab your complimentary snorkel gear early in the morning for a chance to swim with the dolphins that sometimes show up, but proceed with caution—currents can be quite strong. Fans of the Four Seasons Maui at Wailea looking for something even more exclusive—and without quite so much primping and posing—will be right at home here. Consider spending a couple of nights, or at least having dinner at the up-country Lodge at Koele as well to round out your Lanai experience. A $38 transportation fee covers a shuttle between the two hotels for your entire stay.

The Four Seasons Maui is like a second home for the celebrity A-list crowd (Maui is an easy hop from L.A.). Perhaps inspired by the rave reviews of its sister properties on Lanai, the Wailea resort received a $50 million face-lift in 2007 that replaced the luxurious but grandmotherly decor in the 370 rooms and freshened the public spaces. The updated guest rooms combine the best of traditional Four Seasons—European luxury bedding and spacious marble baths—with energizing textiles in the reds, blues, and greens of the Hawaiian landscape. The idea was to create more harmony between the stunning beach views (available in 80 percent of the rooms) and the inner sanctum, now with HDTV and wireless. Of course, the pool area—with its cutthroat jockeying for first-come, first-served cabanas—is even more of a see-and-be-seen spot, with new plush lounge beds and towels. Spago is still fun for cocktails, but there's also the newer Duo restaurant, which serves a combo of aged steaks and fresh local seafood. And while the spa is less renowned than the one at the Waldorf-Astoria Grand Wailea next door, we think it's the best in Wailea because of the quality and diversity of treatments. The quality of service was never in question, yet that's improved as well. When you are a guest here, this is definitely a place where everybody on staff knows who you are.

The Grand Hyatt is easily the most luxurious resort on Kauai's always sunny south shore. Situated on Poipu Beach, this 602-room hotel is family-friendly yet elegant enough for a romantic trip for two. The six-story structure harks back to the plantation style of the 1920s and abides by the island's rule of thumb: No building can be higher than the tallest coconut tree. But you'll still find all the modern amenities and attentive service you can handle. In 2007, a major renovation gave all of the rooms a much-needed makeover (replacing tropical prints with mod white fabrics and boxy furniture) and expanded the Anara Spa with a beautiful outdoor treatment area. Swim in the saltwater and freshwater pools, wander (and, quite possibly, get lost) amid the 50 acres of manicured grounds, and—best of all—send the kids to Camp Hyatt while you make the most of the cocktail lounges, restaurants, shops, and golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr.

"Everything you need is at this beachside resort," where palm trees line the pool. Rooms, with Polynesian accents, have patios with Pacific views. Named for Hawaii's state fish, the seaside Humuhumu-nukunukuapua'a celebrates fish dishes like locally caught grilled ahi. Aromatherapy and traditional Swedish massages are a draw at Spa Grande.

(780 rooms)

Since opening in 1917 on this prime Waikiki beachfront spot, the Halekulani has grown to 454 rooms—but it still manages to feel like the most intimate, peaceful hotel on the island. There's a special Vera Wang–designed honeymoon suite and an excellent spa offering lavender-orchid body wraps and hibiscus-infused scalp massages. Even the basic amenities are pretty lavish: For instance, all Halekulani guests have VIP access to some of Honolulu's top cultural attractions, such as the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra and Shangri La, the Doris Duke estate. Guests also have equal access to the small slice of beach, the superb, mosaic-tiled swimming pool, and the attentive staff. (Ask the concierge for dinner reservations at Nobu, which is located in the Halekulani's sister hotel, the Waikiki Parc). The rooms, all outfitted in soothing blue and cream tones, have large lanais, and all except the Garden Courtyard rooms have ocean views. (For the best views, book a Diamond Head room.) For a souvenir of your stay, pick up one of the wonderful Halekulani-brand body products scented with maile, a fragrant Hawaiian vine, at the on-site spa boutique.

Hana's lush beauty has been protected from overdevelopment by the daunting two-hour drive in or out on the twisty Hana Highway, and aficionados swear it's the last authentic place on Maui. This sprawling luxury ranch takes full advantage of the unspoiled setting: The eight one- and two-bedroom oceanfront Sea Ranch Cottages sit out where the land suddenly drops into the sea. The wooden houses have high, beamed ceilings, an enclosed garden off the modern bathroom, and interiors done up in vintage Hawaiian designs. There are amenities for guests at nearby Hamoa Beach, a pool that overlooks the ocean, and a state-of-the-art spa with open-air treatment rooms. An additional four Maui Bay Cottages sit closer to the main building, with views over Hana Bay or the garden, and for complete privacy, the turn-of-the-century Plantation House has two bedrooms and is a 10-minute walk from the hotel's main building (there's a shuttle service too). Attention, honeymooners: September is an adult-only month.

The 72-room Hotel Renew, Waikiki's only "design hotel," is a favorite among fashion and film industry types from New York and California. Originally part of the cheap-and-cheerful Aqua chain, Renew reopened in June 2007 with a more upscale, urban design and nice extras such as valet parking, free Wi-Fi, and complimentary beach gear. Both the rates (sometimes under $200 per night) and the square footage (a standard room is about 300 square feet) are as minimalist as the design: Expect a sexy, moodily lit sanctuary with dark wood furniture and a somewhat overwhelming 80-inch projection television. The hotel has neither a pool nor a restaurant, and you probably won't want to spend too much time in the only public space—the lobby café where your complimentary continental breakfast is served—but Waikiki Beach is just a block away, and the neighborhood's plentiful restaurants and shops are within walking distance. Pooch lovers will appreciate that canine guests under 20 pounds are as welcome here as their owners.

Everyone knows about Mama's Fish House restaurant in funky Paia. Now, these ten idyllic cottages nestled in a coconut grove in Kuau Cove, a small stretch of north shore beach, have also become too popular for their own good. Families and pairs of couples should book one of the four two-bedroom units, which each have a full kitchen for $475 per night—a much cheaper option than staying on Maui's west coast. If you can reserve one, that is. (Book as far in advance as possible; Mama's has been referring guests to the nearby Paia Inn because they are always sold out.) Staying here means that you can get takeout from Mama's restaurant and are a stone's throw away from adorable Paia Town. But the best perk is that there's not a resort in sight—just unobstructed views of the most magnificent windsurfing and surfing waves on Maui.

The 16-story resort with its own golf course out back commands views of the Pacific. Poolside Grille serves light luncheon fare, draft beer, and cocktails. Louvered doors in the brown and white rooms open to wide lanais with teak furnishings. Among the dishes at Azul is "a delicious catch of the day."

(387 rooms)

Set on a sheltered beach just a ten-minute drive from Waikiki, this 338-room resort was a Mandarin Oriental until 2006. With the new ownership came a much-needed room renovation. Now, Art Deco–style furnishings and silky gold- and cream-colored fabrics have replaced the '60s decor. You really never need to leave the property: There are five on-site restaurants (though only one, Hoku's, which serves Hawaiian-Asian-European fusion cuisine, is truly noteworthy); the Chi fitness center, with a variety of classes and a phalanx of very eager personal trainers; plenty of pampering in the ten private Spa Suites; and every kind of water sport imaginable on the 800-foot beach. Kids are catered to with special Keiki Club activities, like reef walking, hula dancing, and, unfortunately, a "Dolphin Encounter," where they can swim in a pool with the live animals. The dolphins appear to be healthy, and the program promotes environmental awareness, but it's odd to have what feels like a circus attraction in the center of an otherwise glamorous resort.

The Marriott is a place even locals choose for a honeymoon, because of its authentic Hawaiian style and desirable location on the golden sands of Kalapaki Beach. A mile away from Lihue airport (with the sound of jets whooshing above to prove it), the Marriott's 356 rooms are a riot of tropical fabrics. The pool is equally over-the-top—at 26,000 square feet it's one of the biggest in the state of Hawaii. Ask for an ocean view: Nothing beats breakfast on the balcony overlooking the water. Continue enjoying the beach vistas over lunch or sunset cocktails at Marriott's in-house branch of the restaurant chain Duke's Canoe Club.

Those seeking a barefoot vacation and a taste of the South Pacific circa 1960 love this low-tech but upscale resort. There's AC only in the spa treatment rooms, no TVs, and no landlines (cell phones work but are only allowed in the privacy of your cottage). But you'll hardly be roughing it—the 125 spacious "hale" inspired by traditional houses from Samoa, Tahiti, New Zealand, New Hebrides, the Marquesas, Fiji, and Hawaii, indulge the fantasy but have modern plumbing and electricity (and if you have a craving for Starbucks or a movie, Kailua-Kona town is just a 20-minute drive away). Best of all, meals and soft drinks are included, but not tropical cocktails from watering holes such as the Shipwreck Bar—an irresistible poolside beached wooden boat that once belonged to the founder of Kona Village.

This northernmost resort on the Kohala Coast put Hawaii's Big Island on the tourist map when Laurance S. Rockefeller opened it in 1965 and welcomed such illustrious guests as Jackie Kennedy and Jeanne Moreau. Forty years later, it was still the coolest resort on the island, with the best beach around—a white-sand crescent fronting Kaunaoa Bay—and a championship golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. The hotel sustained damage during an October 2006 earthquake, but after a $150 million renovation the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is open again, and better than ever.

The oceanfront hammocks strung between coconut trees on the grounds of the Mauna Lani fulfill an image of Hawaii that's no longer easy to find. This tranquil, independent resort—nothing cookie-cutter about it—stands on a historic site of Hawaiian petroglyphs and ancient fishponds. One pond teems with sharks; look for a dorsal fin stalking the surface. A 2005 renovation gave the 343 small but well-laid-out rooms a contemporary edge with clean-lined koa wood and wicker furnishings; there are also five heavenly freestanding bungalows with private pools that are popular with visiting celebrities. The spa is the most beautiful on the island with a natural open-air lava-rock sauna in a landscaped "La'au" healing garden, and an outdoor lava-tube water-therapy pool (for something different, try the Watsu water massage). The Canoe House restaurant specializes in Hawaii regional cuisine: Well-seasoned and perfectly presented fresh local fish, salads, steaks, and homemade Kona coffee ice cream are served in a relaxed, open-air pavilion that's lit by tiki torches at night.

Napili Kai's quarter-mile white-sand crescent is arguably the prettiest beach on the island, but some might be put off by the resort's well-preserved '70s plantation-style decor, with lots of rattan, in all 163 rooms. Practical amenities such as a laundry facility (with free detergent) and bath products made from local coconut, ginger, and papaya are a nice touch for the core clients (many of whom are quite wealthy but interested in value) who return year after year with children and grandchildren. Most of the employees have worked here for more than 20 years, which adds to the sense of deep-rooted comfort. The restaurant menu includes fresh, healthy fare, but everybody's favorite is a stack of melt-in-your-mouth macadamia nut–and-banana pancakes with coconut syrup. The Masters of Slack Key concerts also take place here weekly.

Opened in 2006, this 190-room condo resort on the beach in Kapaa, a budget-friendly local's town on the east coast with a slightly bohemian vibe, is remarkable. There are studios and one-bedrooms available here, but for the same price as a standard hotel room in Poipu you get a two-bedroom, three-bath unit with trendy Indonesian decor, a washer-dryer, and a kitchen fitted with a Sub-Zero fridge and a Wolf convection oven. (A supermarket is within walking distance.) The wind makes the ocean here a good spot for kite surfing, but the water is too rough for swimming: The resort makes up for that with a huge, heated, therapeutic soft-water river pool (the water flows from an upper to a lower level and is pumped back up), with flumed water slides and three sand-bottomed whirlpool spas. All of this adds up to a surprisingly sophisticated blend of comfort and luxury that appeals to families and honeymooners alike (although lovers may want to request the oceanfront units away from the pool for more privacy).

The modern incarnation of the Paia Inn opened in 2008 in the cutest former plantation town in all of Hawaii. It's a welcome addition to Maui's hip north shore—home to Owen Wilson and Laird Hamilton—where there were previously few hotels. Owner and architect Michael Baskin designed the five rooms with Asian-inspired teak furniture, European bedding, perhaps a few too many colorful paintings by local artists, and the usual tech perks (flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi). Scones from Anthony's—the surfer mainstay located across the street—accompany coffee in the lounge each morning, and the restaurant's low-key menu of sandwiches and smoothies is available for room service. The little stretch of beach right in front of popular surf break Tavares and Paia's many shops, cafés, and restaurants are a two-minute walk away. (You can park the car and not move it until you leave.) Reasonable rates (starting at $169 per night), and a location that dials you into local life, make it easy to overlook the only potential downside—the intimacy of this historic two-story building means that sounds from other guests can occasionally intrude. On the upside, it's also easy to make friends with fellow travelers.

Pure Maui dials you into your destination by prescreening rental villas and your needs and desires, lining up a staff to match. The agency's 25-plus standout properties include the to-die-for '70s party house on a marine preserve, Ahihi Bay Hideaway, and the Kanaha Beach estate in the millionaires' enclave of Spreckelsville. Pure Maui can arrange chefs, massage therapists, mountain biking or hiking tour guides, fishing or dive boat captains, surf instructors, yoga or hula masters—even a life coach (or would that be a vacation coach?). If ordering up your holiday à la carte is too overwhelming, tweak one of the company's fitness, family-friendly, or romantic packages to suit your wants and needs. Once you arrive, the staff acts as your personal concierge and can make changes to your itinerary, in case you'd rather sleep in than take that four-hour waterfall hike. And if there's something you want to try that's not on the list of services (stand-up paddling, perhaps?), Pure Maui will do its best to make it happen. Celebrities love this outfit for its discretion—especially now that paparazzi hide in the bushes in Maui too—but it's also dedicated to taking you off the beaten track. (And the staffers are as ridiculously good-looking as they are qualified.)

This 570-room resort reopened in December 2007 after a much-needed Hawaiian make-under. The $180 million renovation added a spa, refreshed the public spaces, and replaced the dated and out-of-place preppy guest-room decor with contemporary furnishings in simple dark wood, muted tropical prints, and some wacky lamps. The Banyan Tree restaurant has also been spruced up, and its menu of Pacific Rim dishes with a molecular-gastronomy twist puts it in the running for the title of Maui's top restaurant. The Ritz-Carlton's location in remote Kapalua—the community beyond Lahaina, Kaanapali, and Napili—is both the worst and best thing about it. (Kapalua is a 45-minute drive from the Kahului Airport, but a mere five minutes from the West Maui Airport, which serves inter-island flights only.) To occupy those who don't want to just lie on the beach, there are two 18-hole golf courses, a historic pineapple plantation, a 10,000-square-foot three-tiered pool (with a 20,000-square-foot sundeck), six tennis courts, and an adventure center with a two-mile-long series of zip lines. Lahaina and Kaanapali are close by, as is the famous surf break of Honolua Bay—not really a swimming spot, but if the surfers are out, it's a prime location for spectators.

This 529-room landmark spent the past couple of decades chugging along on the fumes of nostalgia. When the iconic property opened in 1927, it became a retreat for film stars, presidents, and the early jet-set. Now, after a much-needed $50 million restoration, the so-called Pink Palace has reclaimed its past glory. Although not every problem can be resolved—it's still incongruously wedged between a sprawling Sheraton resort and the depressing Royal Hawaiian shopping pavilion—the facade has been refinished, and the impeccable interiors are an inspired blend of textiles, artwork, and woodwork that pay tribute to the hotel's heritage while remaining fresh and contemporary. Indeed, the renovation's greatest triumph may be its restraint; while the rooms (and particularly the bathrooms) may be small, they're also boldly outfitted with Art Deco-inspired metallic wallpapers and color-blocked curtains.

Proprietress Mary Shipman entertained Liliuokalani (the last queen of Hawaii) and writer Jack London in this historic Victorian mansion built in 1899. Now her great-granddaughter Barbara extends a taste of old Hawaii and family-style hospitality to guests. Filled with heirlooms from the early 1900s, this is the most elegant accommodation you'll find in Hilo, and it maintains some Victorian standards: no smoking, no pets, children under the age of 10 are discouraged, and no gentlemen callers (OK, that last one is a lie). The five rooms are unique, with some named after aunties (don't say spinsters). Book Auntie Clara's Shell Room for the claw-foot tub and splendid view of Hilo Bay.

Closed December 20 through January 2.

Ideally located on a five-mile stretch of a secluded North Shore bay, this luxurious 880-acre property has a high hip factor. In addition to being the occasional location for episodes of Lost, the property was the main set of the Fox TV show North Shore in 2004 and 2005. L.A. production crews still haunt the place, trying to catch film footage of local surfers in action (there's a good break just offshore). Each of the 443 rooms and private cottages has an ocean view and minimalist decor in soothing tones of sand and pale green. On-site amenities include the restaurant, Ola, a golf course, a surf school, tennis courts, and the posh Spa Luana, where guests can indulge in pineapple pedicures and macadamia-nut body scrubs. Labor disputes that made Turtle Bay the focus of negative press were finally resolved in July 2006—although the resort is once again in the hot seat over plans for a major expansion.

Halekulani's little-sister property, this 297-room tower isn't beachfront—although you can quickly reach the sand via footpath—and has no grounds to speak of. What it does have is terrific bang for your buck. The rooms, with their minimalist dark-wood-and-white-fabric decor, are comfortable; the deluxe ocean-vista rooms have balconies with stunning views over the Halekulani to the sea. There's a heated rooftop pool, a fitness center, and access to the Halekulani's spa. The Parc is also home to the much-hyped Nobu Waikiki, an extension of chef Nobu Matsuhisa's sushi empire.

Located on the same stretch of sugar-sand Wailea beachfront as the Four Seasons and the Grand Wailea, the Marriott may be the best deal on the island. Thanks to a multimillion-dollar renovation completed in 2006, gone are the stale, dated interiors that practically screamed budget. The extensive face-lift has delivered an almost all-new resort, with sophisticated island decor in beige and brown tones, structural changes to improve the lobby, a new restaurant—the second location of Lahaina's popular foodie hangout, Mala Wailea—and a spa and fitness center. It still doesn't have the cachet of its five-star neighbors, but the Marriott is a poor relation no longer. If the view is a priority, spring for an oceanfront room—spending the same amount next door will only get you windows onto the Four Seasons's gardens.

Composed of 62 individual cottages built in the early 1900s for plantation workers, this 30-acre property is a great alternative to frenetic resorts. There's nothing fancy or new here—and that's precisely the charm. Oceanfront cottages are preferred: They're the best way to take advantage of large porches. One, two, three, four, and five bedrooms are available, and all are equipped with full kitchens and tasteful rattan furniture; some have original claw-foot tubs. There's no room service, but the Waimea Brewing Company restaurant is on the premises and attracts locals and tourists. Join them and sip microbrews while snacking on island-style pupus (small plates). The Plantation's only drawback is that the beach isn't ideal for swimming, but alternatives are close by, as is the picturesque Waimea Canyon.