Hawaii is a dream destination for many travelers, but it can be very expensive. Thankfully, we know a thing or 2 about getting great hotel deals here at Upgraded Points, so we’ve compiled this list of the 10 best Hawaii hotels to book with points to get you started.
We’ve scoured the best hotel points programs to find the locations that will give you the most value for your hard-earned points. Every hotel on this list offers value above and beyond what each hotel program’s points are valued at.
The Best Kauai Hotels to Book With Points
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa. Image Credit: HyattLocated in Poipu, along Kauai’s south shore, you’ll find the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa.
In addition to large, sprawling pools there’s a 1.5-acre saltwater lagoon with a sandy bottom to give you that beach feel without the waves, currents, or critters. The sloped beach-style entry makes this a great area for young children to play. The swimming pools feature a lazy river, waterfalls, and a 150-foot waterslide. There’s also an adults-only pool for those looking for a quieter experience.
There’s no shortage of dining options at the Grand Hyatt, including a poolside restaurant and bar, a Hawaiian-style restaurant, a sushi lounge, and an open-air coffee and cocktail lounge. Room service is also available.
In addition, the Grand Club Private Lounge is available for select Hyatt elite members or those who have booked rooms in select categories. The Grand Club serves breakfast, snacks, and a light dinner.
The Grand Hyatt Kauai Luau celebrates Hawaii through music and dance along with an all-you-can-eat buffet situated on the hotel’s lawn overlooking the ocean.
The hotel’s 605 guest rooms and suites are decorated in a traditional Hawaiian style and feature private balconies and free Wi-Fi.
World of Hyatt Category: 6
World of Hyatt Points Required: 25,000 per night
Cash Rate for a Base Level Room: $590 to $820 per night
Daily Resort Fee: $40 + tax (waived if you book with points)
Points Value: ~2.5 to 3.4 cents per point
Bottom Line: There are lots of benefits to booking Hyatt hotels with points. Resort fees are waived and you’ll still earn elite night credits to help you earn elite status. If you don’t have enough points to pay for your entire stay, you can always use points to book a suite upgrade.
An outdoor shower in a 4-bedroom villa at The Lodge at Kukui’ula. Image Credit: HyattThe Lodge at Kukui’ula is a Destination by Hyatt property on the island of Kauai. This property in Poipu consists of residential-style bungalows and villas that offer large spaces and luxury amenities. If you prefer a vacation rental over a hotel, this could be a great way to use points in Hawaii.
All accommodations come with gourmet kitchens, separate living spaces, and private lanais. Even the smallest option, a 1-bedroom bungalow (the standard option you can book with points), is large, clocking in at 1,275 square feet of living space. The largest option, a 4-bedroom villa, comes with 3,219 square feet of space, a private pool, an outdoor shower, and a fire pit. Each unit has either ocean or golf-course views.
This property offers tons of luxury amenities to make your stay truly incredible. Hi’ilani Spa features a meditation garden, lap pool, private lounges, hot and cold plunge pools, and a locker room with outdoor showers. Guests can stay active on the golf course, tennis courts, or at the Makai Pool complex. In addition to an infinity-edge pool, there’s a lagoon-style saltwater pool with waterfalls and a zero-entry feature.
After a day of swimming, hike or bike up to The Farm, a 10-acre area where you can pick fresh flowers or fruits and vegetables. If you’d prefer not to cook while you’re on vacation, head up to The Clubhouse for a gourmet breakfast or cocktails and snacks throughout the day. There are also 2 additional restaurants on the property serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and cocktails. This location does not offer the Globalist breakfast benefit.
World of Hyatt Category: 8
World of Hyatt Points Required: 40,000 per night
Cash Rate for a Base Level Room: $930 to $1,130 per night
Daily Resort Fee: none
Points Value: ~2.6 cents per point
Hot Tip: The Lodge at Kukui’ula offers great value for your World of Hyatt points, but availability is currently limited to stays of 7 nights or more.
The Best Maui Hotels to Book With Points
A Palace Suite at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa. Image Credit: HyattLocated along Ka’anapali Beach, the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa is convenient to the popular town of Lahaina that has lots of restaurants, shops, and activities.
This huge resort has 810 guest rooms, 8 dining options, and 6 pools. In addition, guests can enjoy the hotel’s oceanfront spa and fitness center with daily classes.
The resort always has something going on, including hula lessons, ukulele lessons, lei making, mermaid encounters, and so much more.
Drums of the Pacific Luau happens 6 nights a week and features a show, dinner, and a traditional imu ceremony.
The newly renovated rooms and suites all feature private lanais with a glass front so you don’t miss any of the amazing views of the ocean, West Maui Mountains, gardens, or golf course. The large guest rooms (all are at least 450 square feet) are decorated in a neutral color palette with wood accents to give you that relaxed Hawaiian vibe. Regency Club rooms include lounge access and additional perks.
World of Hyatt Category: 6
World of Hyatt Points Required: 25,000 per night
Cash Rate for a Base Level Room: $520 to $820 per night
Daily Resort Fee: $32 + tax (waived if you book with points)
Points Value: ~2.2 to 3.4 cents per point
Hot Tip: If you’re short on points, check out our guide on earning lots of World of Hyatt points.
A 3-bedroom ocean-front villa at Andaz Maui. Image Credit: HyattAndaz Maui at Wailea Resort is a luxurious, 15-acre property located directly on the beach in the popular Wailea area of Maui.
During the day, guests can enjoy one of the hotel’s 4 cascading infinity pools with sweeping ocean views or relax in the full-service salon and spa. A 24-hour fitness center and free Wi-Fi are among the hotel’s other amenities.
For those who want to explore Maui, there’s an Enterprise car rental location on-site.
If there’s 1 iconic Hawaiian activity every traveler should experience, it’s a luau. The Feast at Mokapu Luau happens twice a week on the hotel’s grassy lawn overlooking Mokapu Beach. Guests will experience Hawaii’s Polynesian history in an interactive format along with a traditional locally-inspired meal.
When it comes to dining, the Andaz Maui has plenty of options to satisfy anyone. Iron Chef fans will want to check out Morimoto Maui by celebrity chef Masaharu Morimoto. This restaurant, which blends Western, Hawaiian, and Japanese cuisines, serves lunch and dinner daily. There’s also a farm-to-table restaurant, a poolside beach bar, a cocktail lounge featuring live music, and a market offering grab-and-go snacks and gelato. Finally, if all else fails, room service is available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Luxury accommodations abound at Andaz Maui. There are 301 guest rooms, including 35 suites and 11 private villas. The villas are the ultimate in luxury. Ranging in size from 1,800 to 4,070 square feet, they feature multiple bedrooms, private plunge pools, outdoor grills, and even full kitchens. All guest rooms come with private balconies or lanais and a complimentary mini-bar filled with local snacks and non-alcoholic beverages.
World of Hyatt Category: 8
World of Hyatt Points Required: 35,000-45,000 per night
Cash Rate for a Base Level Room: $630 to $1,500 per night
Daily Resort Fee: $48 + tax (waived if you book with points)
Points Value: ~2.3 cents per point
Bottom Line: Unfortunately, award availability at Andaz Maui is hard to come by. But when do you find it, the value you get for your points is great. During low season, you can find rooms for $630 per night (plus a $48 resort fee) or 35,000 points, giving you a value of ~1.8 cents per point, which is higher than the average value of 1.5 cents per point.
The Grand Wailea in Maui, Hawaii. Image Credit: Grand WaileaThe Grand Wailea Maui, A Waldorf Astoria Resort is an aspirational property for many luxury travelers, and booking it with points makes it much more accessible. Located in the popular Wailea area of Maui, this 40-acre beachfront property features everything you need for a fantastic Hawaiian vacation.
Grand Wailea doesn’t skimp when it comes to pools. The 2,000-foot long Wailea Canyon Activity Pool is actually 9 different pools connected by a lazy river. As guests meander through the resort in the pool, they’ll find waterfalls, waterslides, jacuzzis, caves, a sand beach, a swim-up bar, and a water elevator! There’s also the relaxing Hibiscus Pool that is reserved for adults. After lounging in the pool, guests can wander out to Wailea Beach or enjoy some of the cultural activities offered at the resort, including kukui-nut bracelet making, Hala weaving, hula lessons, lei making, and more.
Guests looking to relax even more can make an appointment at Mōhalu by Spa Grande 7 days a week. There’s also a fully-equipped fitness center as well as daily morning beach yoga and a selection of other classes like Pilates and CoreFit.
Dining options at Grand Wailea are plentiful, including a sustainable seafood restaurant, a casual bistro, and a cafe offering grab-and-go options. Several bars are located throughout the property, and in-room dining is also available.
The hotel’s large rooms and suites are all at least 640 square feet and feature private lanais with garden or ocean views. Each room also comes with a mini-fridge, Keurig coffee maker, Wi-Fi, a 55-inch TV, and a walk-in shower and tub.
Award space at the lowest price of 95,000 points per night is hard to come by but when you find it, it’ll give you a great value for your Hilton points!
Hilton Honors Points Required: 95,000+ per night
Cash Rate for a Base Level Room: $1,300 to $1,500 per night
Daily Resort Fee: $45 per night (waived if you book with points)
Points Value: ~1.4 cents per point
Hot Tip: Hilton does not have an award chart, and because of that, each hotel’s cost in points can be all over the map, ranging from reasonable to hundreds of thousands of points per night. If your plans are flexible, use the price calendar to easily see when the points price is the lowest.
The Ritz Carlton, Kapalua on the island of Maui. Image Credit: MarriottFor the ultimate in Hawaiian luxury, check out The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua. This resort fully embraces its Maui location, taking responsibility for the adjacent Honokahua Preservation Site, an important sanctuary in local culture.
There’s no shortage of activities around the resort. Guests can spend lazy days around the huge, 3-tiered heated swimming pool or wander to the beach for a swim in the ocean.
For those looking to get active, there’s the Kapalua Tennis Garden, as well as 2 additional tennis courts with ocean views. There’s plenty of hiking nearby as well as daily fitness classes, including yoga, pilates, and body sculpting. There are 2 championship 18-hole golf courses at the resort — Plantation Course and Bay Course — plus the Kapalua Golf Academy for lessons and practice sessions.
This family-friendly resort offers the Ritz Kids and Ambassadors Keiki Program, giving kids special perks and the chance to participate in fun activities and classes.
There are 7 dining outlets at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua that are inspired by the flavors of Maui, including a lounge, poolside burger restaurant, and a grab-and-go cafe.
The resort features 466 redesigned guest rooms, suites, and residences featuring local art and a modern island-inspired design aesthetic. Some rooms come with Club Level access that includes a lounge with food and beverage service throughout the day.
Award availability can be hard to come by at this resort, but when you can find it, you’ll get about 2 cents per point in value, which is almost triple what Marriott points are usually worth!
Average Marriott Bonvoy Points Required: 70,000 to 100,000 per night
Cash Rate for a Base Level Room: $1,400 to $2,000 per night
Daily Resort Fee: $35 plus tax
Points Value: ~2 cents per point
Hot Tip: Need more points? We’ve got you covered with our guide to earning more Marriott Bonvoy points.
The NALU Adventure Pool at Wailea Beach Resort has multiple waterslides. Image Credit: MarriottWailea Beach Resort – Marriott, Maui is a family-friendly Hawaiian resort that sits on a rugged coastline with expansive ocean views. While it doesn’t sit right on a beach, guests can use the beach next door at the Grand Wailea that is easily accessible by an oceanfront walking path.
There are 5 pools at this resort, including one with the longest hotel waterslide in Hawaii. This family-friendly pool has a zero-entry feature and fun animal statues and fountains, making it perfect for younger children. There’s also an adults-only infinity pool for guests looking for a calmer pool experience.
There are lots of fitness and recreation activities available at Wailea Beach Resort. The 24-hour fitness center houses cardio and weight equipment and a studio offering daily classes. There’s also an oceanfront jogging/walking path that meanders along the coast in front of the resort. Golfers will enjoy playing the 3 award-winning golf courses at Wailea Golf Club.
There are multiple dining outlets available to satisfy even the pickiest guests. Options include HUMBLE MARKET KITCHIN by Roy Yamaguchi, an open-air poolside restaurant, multiple bars, a food truck, Starbucks, and a casual oceanside cafe.
The Wailea Beach Resort offers 547 rooms including 56 suites. All rooms have private lanais with garden or ocean views. Select oceanfront rooms are so close to the shore that you’ll be able to hear the waves from your patio.
AverageMarriott Bonvoy Points Required: 50,000 to 70,000 per night
Cash Rate for a Base Level Room: $750 to $1,175
Daily Resort Fee: $38 plus tax
Points Value: ~1.6 cents per point
Hot Tip: Don’t forget that when you book 5 consecutive nights at a Marriott hotel using points, the lowest cost night will be free!
The Best Island of Hawaii (Big Island) Hotels to Book With Points
One of the gorgeous pools at Hilton Waikoloa Village. Image Credit: HiltonHilton Waikoloa Village is a 62-acre resort located on the Kohala Coast of Hawaii’s Big Island. This huge property has tons of amenities so guests can enjoy the ultimate Hawaiian vacation:
- 2 golf courses
- 3 swimming pools with waterfalls and a 175-foot waterslide
- 4-acre ocean-fed lagoon beach
- Air-conditioned trams
- Barbershop and beauty salon
- Business center
- Dolphin Quest
- Electric canal boats
- Electric car charging station
- Gift shop
- Kohala Spa
- Legends of Hawaii Luau
- Museum walkways with over 1,800 pieces of art
- Tennis courts
- Tropical gardens
- Water activities, including kayaks and paddleboards
In between enjoying all of the resort’s activities, guests will have plenty of dining options, including a coffee shop, an Italian restaurant, a casual daytime grill, a pool bar, and even a taproom specializing in craft beer.
Hilton Waikoloa Village offers many different rooms and suites in 2 separate towers — MAKAI (formerly Lagoon Tower) and Palace Tower. All accommodations are modern with an island flair and feature private lanais with ocean, garden, or mountain views. The most luxurious rooms are located in MAKAI.
Rooms start at about $565 per night and award availability at 60,000 points per night is plentiful. That gives you at least 1 cent per point in value which is great for Hilton Honors points since they’re generally worth about 0.5 cents each.
Hilton Honors Points Required: 60,000+ per night
Cash Rate for a Base Level Room: $565 to $800 per night
Daily Resort Fee: $45 plus tax per night (waived if you book with points)
Points Value: ~1 cent per point
Hot Tip: If you’re short on points, check out our guide to earning Hilton Honors points.
Mauna Kea Beach Resort on the Big Island of Hawaii. Image Credit: MarriottMauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection was the Big Island of Hawaii’s first resort when it opened in 1965. This classic resort sits on a white sand beach with breathtaking views of Kauna’oa Bay.
There are so many activities at this iconic Hawaiian hotel that you’ll never be bored:
- 18-hole golf course
- Bike rentals
- Biking and hiking trails
- Bocce ball
- Kayaking
- Mandara Spa
- The Mauna Kea Art Collection
- Mauna Kea Beauty Salon
- Mauna Kea Fitness Center
- Sailing
- Seaside Tennis Club (11 oceanfront courts)
- Snorkeling
- Stand up paddleboarding
- Swimming
- Table tennis
- Volleyball
The hotel’s pool is relatively small for what you’d expect at a Hawaiian resort, but Mauna Kea Beach is right at your doorstep, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities for swimming and other water activities.
There are 4 dining and drinking options at Mauna Kea, including alfresco dining by the pool and beach, plus even more options at the hotel’s sister property, The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort (our next recommendation, below). In addition, the Manua Kea Luau is offered weekly.
Rooms and suites at Mauna Kea Beach Resort’s Main Tower are spacious, with a minimum of 589 square feet, and all have private lanais. Rooms in the Beachfront Wing offer direct beach access and connecting rooms that are ideal for families. All rooms feature Frette bed linens, L’Occitane bath products, and a mini-fridge with complimentary bottled water.
Average Marriott Bonvoy Points Required: 50,000 to 70,000 per night
Cash Rate for a Base Level Room: $880 to $1,100
Daily Resort Fee: $0
Points Value: ~1.7 cents per point
Hot Tip: One of the most unique things about Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection is that it doesn’t charge a resort fee. This can save a lot of money since resort fees in Hawaii tend to be pretty high (and Marriott Bonvoy does not waive resort fees on award bookings).
The pools at The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort overlook a white sand beach. Image Credit: MarriottThe Westin Hapuna Beach Resort, located on the Big Island’s Kohala Coast, is the sister property to Mauna Kea Beach Resort. This newly renovated resort sits right on a gorgeous white sand beach overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
This contemporary resort has 2 large swimming pools — one for families with kids and one reserved just for adults. Both are just steps away from Hapuna Beach. This white sand beach is one of the best in Hawaii and offers guests great access to swimming and snorkeling.
After a day of swimming and lounging at the pool, hotel guests can get a workout in at the WestinWORKOUT Fitness Studio. In addition to traditional cardio and strength equipment, guests have access to 2 Peloton bikes and a Crossfit area.
Total tranquility and relaxation are steps away at the Hapuna Spa by Mandara. This full-service spa specializes in locally-inspired treatments as well as Balinese techniques.
Golf lovers will enjoy the gorgeous 18-hole course that overlooks the rugged coast. Don’t miss the signature 12th hole that provides expansive views with Maui visible in the distance!
When it comes to dining, The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort doesn’t fall short. The resort’s signature restaurant, Meridia, serves locally sourced, Mediterranean-style cuisine every evening. There are 2 additional restaurants plus a bar that serves coffee and cocktails.
Rooms at this resort are large and feature ocean views and private balconies. Each room features a double-door system on the balcony, allowing guests to enjoy the ocean breezes while still maintaining privacy.
Average Marriott Bonvoy Points Required: 40,000 to 60,000 per night
Cash Rate for a Base Level Room: $780 to $920
Daily Resort Fee: $37 plus tax
Points Value: ~1.7 cents per point
Hot Tip: While there are points-friendly hotels in Honolulu and on the island of Oahu — like Hyatt Regency Waikiki, The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki, Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach, Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, and Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach — you’ll receive greater value for your points at the other properties that we’ve recommended.
How To Earn Hotel Points To Redeem in Hawaii
Now that you know the best Hawaii hotels to book with points, you can pick your favorite to determine what type of points you’ll need to make it happen.
Let’s go over the main ways to earn points in the 3 major hotel programs that give you the most value in Hawaii — World of Hyatt, Hilton Honors, and Marriott Bonvoy.
Hot Tip: There are options in Hawaii using other programs like IHG One Rewards and Wyndham Rewards, but generally, the redemption value isn’t as good as what you can get with the big 3 (Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott).
World of Hyatt
The World of Hyatt Credit Card is a great way to earn lots of World of Hyatt points. You’ll earn up to 9x points per $1 spent at Hyatt hotels, plus 2x points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, local transit/commuting, and at gyms! This card comes with lots of other benefits, making it a great addition to your wallet if you enjoy staying at Hyatt hotels.
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If you have a small business, you can also choose to sign up for the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card.
Other Ways To Earn World of Hyatt Points
Another great way to earn lots of Hyatt points is to transfer them over from Chase since Hyatt is a 1:1 transfer partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards. Adding a few Ultimate Rewards earning cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, or the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card to your wallet gives you tons of extra ways to earn points fast.
Recommended Chase Cards
Hilton Honors
There are lots of options for Hilton-branded credit cards, so there are plenty of ways to earn more Hilton Honors points for a fantastic Hawaii redemption.
These cards come with lots of great benefits like automatic Hilton elite status and the ability to earn up to 14 points per $1 at Hilton hotels!
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Other Ways To Earn Hilton Honors Points
Another way to earn Hilton points is by transferring them over from American Express Membership Rewards. This is a great way to top off your account if you’re a few points short of a specific redemption. However, we don’t recommend transferring a huge number of Amex points to Hilton since there are better ways to get maximum value from your Membership Rewards points.
Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott is a huge hotel brand and thankfully, there are lots of ways to earn Marriott Bonvoy points fast. Both American Express and Chase issue Marriott Bonvoy credit cards, so there are lots of options.
In addition to benefits like free night certificates, these credit cards offer perks like automatic Marriott elite status and the ability to earn up to 17x points per $1 spent at Marriott properties.
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Other Ways To Earn Marriott Bonvoy Points
Using a great credit card is the best way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points, but you can also transfer them over from Chase and American Express. While this is a great way to top off your account if you’re a little short on points, it’s not a great idea to transfer a huge amount of points as you can generally get more value using your Chase and Amex points in other ways.
Final Thoughts
Hawaii is a fantastic vacation spot — and a great place to redeem your hotel points.
Hawaii hotels are notoriously expensive, so using points is a wonderful way to treat yourself to a nice hotel without breaking the bank. Keep in mind that points and cash prices can fluctuate depending on when you’re visiting, so having some flexibility will help you find those sweet spots that offer excellent value.
Don’t forget — you can also use miles and points to fly to Hawaii, too!
The information regarding the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card, Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, and Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card, click here.
