Fodor's Expert Review Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection

The grande dame of the Kohala Coast has long been regarded as one of the state's premier vacation resort hotels, and it borders one of the world's finest white-sand beaches, Kaunaoa. Bathrooms are large and luxurious and come with high-end bath amenities; beds are plush, but the resort outside the rooms has much to offer, too, including an 18-hole championship golf course, a top-rated seaside tennis club, and a fitness center. If all you want to do is relax, there's the Mandara spa, an outdoor swimming pool, and lots of comfy lounge chairs on the beach, a perfect crescent of sand and sea. You can also rent a stand-up paddleboard or canoe on-site. The hotel has two wings: the Main Tower and the Beachfront Wing. The latter's ground-floor units allow you to wake up and go right out to the beach. The oceanfront Manta restaurant is legendary, as is the signature Fredrico cocktail at the Hau Tree, which is steps from the beach.