Spring break is right around the bend, and many have related travel plans. And while cliches might direct us toward parties on Florida beaches or major draws like Disneyland, we have other ideas. The end of March and into April is one of the best time to visit Hawaii, one of my favorite tropical destinations.
Honolulu
Hawaii’s foremost metropolis is teeming with culture. The O’ahu town has famous beaches, a sprawling Chinatown, towering hotels, and one of the most exciting food scenes in the U.S. Honolulu is home to nearly 30,000 hotel rooms, so it pays to know where to go.
The Moana Surfrider is among the best options, which happened to just celebrate its 125th anniversary. The Waikiki joint is celebrating all of March, with afternoon tea services, tasting menus, spa experiences, not to mention showing off newly-renovated wings. Here, you’ll enjoy some of the best service around, not to mention the company of a storied banyan tree (and the very first hotel in Waikiki).
The Twin Fin is another fine option, especially if you’re more adventurous. The hotel is set just a stone’s throw from the beach and is home to the Jamie O’Brien School of Surf Waikiki. Take a surf lesson (pro surfing turns 50 this year in Hawaii), do some beach yoga, or engage in a beach clean-up. Wellness enthusiasts are wise to head to ‘Alohilani Resort in the Hamohamo district. The historic site, once home to Queen Lili‘uokalani’s oceanfront retreat, has an outstanding spa featuring treatments like sound healing.
In the mood for luxury? Go with Four Seasons O’ahu at Ko Olina, set along O’ahu’s gorgeous west coast. Here, you’ll enjoy sunsets, pampering with or without kids (they feature great youth activities), sublime dining experiences at restaurants like Mina’s Fish House, where you can even take a mixology class. The fitness and spa options are second to none and there’s even a rooftop speakeasy for guests called Five-One-Six (one this writer often reflects on as the cocktails are as breathtaking as the panoramas).
Maui
Ah, Maui. The island is where you get that ideal mix of big city culture and small town approachability. Charge up at the Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, home to 468 recently upgraded rooms, volcanic stone grottos, and adventures with trained naturalists. Golfers will appreciate a pair of world-renowned courses on the hotel’s sprawling grounds. The food and drinks program here is quite remarkable as well.
Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa has our full attention as well, with its mid-century swagger (and as the first hotel built in Kaanapali). There are family packages that include group snorkeling, cultural activities, and taking in cliff divers during sunset. Enjoy countless flavors of shave ice or roast some s’mores beside the outdoor firepits. There’s even something called the Kuleana Series, which counts on QR code-labeled plaques throughout the property to tell the rich story of some eleven cultural educators and scientific experts. It’s an immersive way to take in Hawaiians’ affinity for astronomy, marine biology, and stewardship.
If Italian and pizza are your thing, be sure to hit Sale Pepe. Not only is the food incredible, but it was the first restaurant in Lahaina to reopen after the horrific fire of 2023, bringing back much of its original staff. Of course, you can always head over to Merriman’s for some legendary Hawaiian-style seafood or to Haleakala National Park for an other-worldly mix of tropical rain forests and volcanic expanses.
Etcetera
There’s intrigue abounding in the Rainbow State beyond the hotel room lanais and hypnotic surf. There are James Beard Award-recognized eateries like The Local General Store or cocktail bar Pint + Jigger, both in Honolulu. There are outstanding culinary events like the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival, which spotlight local talent and showcase the many great flavors of the special place (the 2026 fest kicks off June 25th at the Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua). In the meantime, the resort will be hosting a chef series starting March 14th that features world-class talents like Zach Laidlaw, Andrew Le, and Jojo Vasquez.
Not hungry? Get a hike in the mountains of Maui or through the small town of the famed North Shore of Oahu. Leave the crowds at Diamond Head for the Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail, which tackles nearly 1,500 feet over the course of 4.8 miles. Some parts are so steep that there are ropes to hold onto, and the views are nothing short of spectacular. Feed the local economy by dropping some dough at The Shops at Wailea, where there are not only fantastic eateries but frequent cultural programming options too, like art nights, concert series, island wood carving demonstrations, and more.
Pop over to the Bishop Museum for some Polynesian history or the Hawaii Museum of Art for fine arts from around the globe. There’s the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center on the Big Island for star-gazers and the Bailey House in Maui, home to a historic structure that houses one of legend Duke Kahanamoku’s surfboards.
