Splurge-worthy new luxury suites and villas in Hawaii

Tovin Lapan

Privacy, longer stays and multigenerational vacations will likely remain among the hottest trends in travel as we head into year three of the pandemic.

Hawaii has some new luxury options that fit those trends like a finely crafted aloha shirt, offering high-end service along with villas and suites that provide the flexibility and comforts of home.

For those planning island getaways for midsize groups and families, here are a few options to consider.

In October, the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on the Island of Hawaii capped off a $100 million propertywide renovation by unveiling three revamped villas, its largest and most luxurious. Each villa was expanded to add a second level, indoor-outdoor living space and private plunge pool. The redesign included an infusion of local artwork; glass pocket doors that open the living area to the outdoor space; and natural hardwood trim.

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The Hawaii Loa Presidential Villa sits on the oceanfront with direct beach access and includes its own private spa and patio. The 5,200-square-foot villa can be configured as three or four bedrooms for up to eight guests. The master bedroom spans the length of the second floor and features a walk-in closet, granite bathroom and adjacent living space.

The Makaloa Villa offers the most privacy, tucked into gardens at the edge of Waiakahu Pond with unobstructed ocean views. The 4,600-square-foot space can accommodate up to 10 guests and is available in three- to five- bedroom configurations. All of the bedrooms feature walk-in closets, and the downstairs bathrooms include outdoor lava-rock showers. The villa also boasts a private pool and spa, day bed, fire pit, and garden lawn.

The Hoonanea Villa is more centrally located in the resort and features direct access to the beach. Up to six guests can stay in the 2,700-square-foot villa that can be arranged as two or three bedrooms. The second level features a sundeck with exterior stairs, and the downstairs living and dining area opens to a patio with a firepit, day bed, private pool, and connecting spa.

Guests staying in the villas also receive a host of extra services and amenities under the resort’s Specialty Suites program. Guests work with a dedicated concierge to personalize their stay, and the program includes a $500 daily credit for resort food and beverages, daily American breakfast at ‘Ulu Ocean Grill and unlimited use of the canoes and stand-up paddleboards from watersports outfitter Alaka i Nalu in addition to exclusive activity options.

In the spring, the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort debuted the newest members of its accommodations lineup, the Ilikai Villas. The 19 new villas come in both two- and three-bedroom set-ups, and the standard 1,900-square-foot villas all feature kitchens equipped with Bosch appliances and a private patio with barbecue grill. Ground floor units have private plunge pools and private grassy areas. The penthouse villa is 3,750 square feet and features a glass-bottom, cantilevered pool.

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The Ilikai Villas are stacked five across and are four floors high; guests can book all of the villas on one floor and use connecting doors to create a fifteen-bedroom super-villa.

Making use of the villa kitchens, the resort can provide a personal chef and wait staff that will come to the villa to prepare and serve a meal.

The new accommodations bring the resort’s total number of villas to 30, and guests in any of the villas also receive access to the resort’s VIP concierge team, complimentary valet parking for one vehicle, full daily breakfast at Kaana Kitchen for two people per bedroom and resort credit of $150 per day.

T0103ESPACIO_C_HR [Credit: Courtesy of Espacio, The Jewel of Waikiki]

Espacio, the Jewel of Waikiki opened in Sept. 2019, but the ultraluxury resort still has the feel of a new Hawaii property because the pandemic arrived a few months after its debut and it did not reopen until last June. Espacio’s oceanfront Penthouse Suite spans an entire floor of the tower with a private elevator entry; large living space; two bedrooms; a workspace; three and a half bathrooms with Toto Washlets bidets; a fully equipped chef’s kitchen with Thermador and Miele appliances; a dry sauna; and a private balcony with Jacuzzi and daybed. Up to six guests can stay in the penthouse, and complimentary services include premium car rental based on availability, a $50 wine card issued at check-in, in-suite shopping by Neiman Marcus, butler service and continental breakfast for the duration of the stay.

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