Travel News

Best Hawaii holidays 2023: Luxury and affordable stays in the Aloha State

Best Hawaii holidays 2023: Luxury and affordable stays in the Aloha State


The tropical gem of America’s west coast, Hawaii, offers holidaymakers a chance to experience the laid-back lifestyle, diverse landscapes and dynamic environment of isolated islands. Dubbed the “Aloha State”, its active volcanoes, sapphire seas and towering cliffs allow for a whole host of bucket-list adventures.

Worlds away from a beach holiday in Florida’s Miami or Fort Lauderdale on the mainland, the US’s 50th state invites visitors to don a Hawaiian shirt and head to a Luau. The traditional Hawaiian parties with music, lei flower garlands and lessons in the art of hula dancing are a must-try, whether travellers are staying in a five-star hotel or a seafront hostel.

The archipelago of six main paradise islands in the Pacific Ocean is blessed with ancient, rugged landscapes and idyllic black and white sand beaches. Each presents its own version of a Hawaiian holiday, from expeditions to waterfalls to relaxing beach hotspots. Choose one to explore in depth, or island hop around our top holiday picks for the full Hawaii experience.

Read more on US travel:

Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu, Autograph Collection, Kauai

Relax in the Hawaiian charm of Kuai’s south shore

(Koloa Landing Resort at Po’ipu, Autograph Collection)

Kauai, the oldest of Hawaii’s islands, has an undeniably mysterious allure. Nicknamed the “Garden Island” thanks to the thriving jungle vegetation that blankets its surface, it’s no surprise Kauai is one of the wettest places on earth.

The landscape is home to rainforests packed with rare wildlife, rapid rivers and lush mountain valleys. Rappel down its cascading waterfalls or take to the sky to see the sights of Waimea Canyon on a helicopter tour.

Koloa Landing Resort on the sunny south shore of Kauai Island fuses Hawaii’s rich heritage with refined modernity in rooms that boast luxury facilities, privacy and ocean views. The resort is on the pricier side as guests pay the price for relaxing in a spa that uses indigenous ingredients and accessing the golden sands of Baby Beach just 550m away.

Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the island’s natural beauty through hiking, surfing and scuba diving activities available nearby.