From a lively Waikiki resort to a relaxed beachfront hotel and full-scale Maui luxury, these three properties offer very different Hawaiian experiences. After staying at all three, here is who each hotel suits and which one I would choose.

Choosing a hotel in Hawaii is not simply about finding the nicest room or the biggest swimming pool. Your decision can shape the entire holiday, particularly when comparing the energy and convenience of Waikiki with the more peaceful resort experience found on Maui.

During my visits to Hawaii, I have stayed at three very different properties: ʻAlohilani Resort Waikiki Beach, The Twin Fin and Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort. Each occupies its own corner of the market, from accessible beachfront accommodation to a genuine luxury escape.

So, which hotel should you choose?

ʻAlohilani Resort sits just moments from Waikiki Beach, placing guests within easy walking distance of Honolulu’s shops, restaurants and attractions. Despite its central location, the hotel manages to create the atmosphere of a self-contained resort.

With 839 rooms spread across two towers, this is a substantial property. Its centrepiece is the enormous Oceanarium in the lobby, containing 280,000 gallons of water and a colourful collection of marine life. It certainly makes a more memorable first impression than the average hotel reception.

The resort also has a 17,000-square-foot pool deck, complete with a saltwater infinity pool, cabanas and views towards the ocean. Guests have access to a fitness club, spa and rooftop tennis courts, while the collection of restaurants includes Morimoto Asia Waikiki.

Rooms come with private balconies and, depending on the category selected, views across the city, ocean or Diamond Head. As with many Waikiki hotels, selecting the correct room type is important. A partial ocean view can be very different from the sweeping Pacific views shown in the promotional photographs.

For me, ʻAlohilani works particularly well for travellers who want the facilities of a large resort without removing themselves from the action. You can spend the afternoon beside the pool before heading out into Waikiki for dinner, shopping or an evening walk along the beachfront.

It feels more polished and resort-like than many of the surrounding hotels, although its size means it can become busy. Anyone searching for a quiet and secluded Hawaiian retreat may find Waikiki itself a little too energetic.

The Twin Fin offers a noticeably different experience. Located directly opposite Waikiki Beach at the Diamond Head end of the neighbourhood, it has a relaxed, colourful personality that feels well suited to its surroundings.

Its position is arguably its greatest strength. Guests can cross the road and be on the beach within minutes, while Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium and the restaurants and shops of Kalākaua Avenue are all within easy walking distance.

During our stay, we checked into a Junior Suite with two balconies and some incredible ocean views. Having that additional outdoor space made a considerable difference, particularly when waking up to views across Waikiki and the Pacific.

The hotel has a swimming pool and several places to eat and drink, including Tiki’s Grill & Bar. Breakfast is available at the Coconut Club, which makes the most of the hotel’s elevated views over Waikiki. Guests can also access beach equipment through the hotel’s Beach Candy programme.

The Twin Fin does not try to compete directly with Hawaii’s most luxurious resorts. Instead, it offers a fun and approachable base in one of Waikiki’s best locations. The interiors are bright and informal, and the overall atmosphere feels less corporate than some of the larger international hotels nearby.

That makes it a compelling option for travellers who expect to spend plenty of time exploring. If your plans involve beach days, surfing lessons, shopping, eating locally and discovering Honolulu, you may not need to pay for an elaborate resort that you will barely use.

It would also be my pick of the three for families wanting the convenience of Waikiki Beach without moving too far into the luxury price bracket. As always, check the complete cost carefully because destination fees, taxes and parking can significantly change the final price of a Hawaiian hotel stay.

Andaz Maui at Wailea sits at the opposite end of the spectrum. This is not simply somewhere to sleep while exploring the island. It is a destination resort where spending an entire day on the property feels like part of the holiday.

Located beside the ocean in Wailea, the hotel combines contemporary design with a much calmer atmosphere than Waikiki. Multiple swimming pools cascade towards the Pacific, while the beachfront position provides the sort of Hawaiian sunsets that can make it very difficult to leave the resort.

The accommodation is modern and stylish, with the understated design found across the Andaz brand. There is a strong selection of restaurants and bars, extensive resort facilities and plenty of opportunities to relax with uninterrupted ocean views.

Everything feels more refined here. The service, landscaping and public areas create a genuine sense of occasion, making Andaz Maui especially appealing for honeymoons, anniversaries and milestone trips.

There are compromises, principally the cost. Room rates in Wailea can be substantial, and dining, parking and resort charges can quickly increase the final bill. Its location also provides a very different experience from Honolulu. You do not have the same choice of shops, inexpensive restaurants and attractions within walking distance.

However, that isolation is also part of its appeal. Andaz Maui is designed for travellers who want to slow down, spend time by the pool, enjoy the beach and treat the hotel as one of the main features of the trip.

Of the three properties, it delivered the most complete luxury resort experience. It is the hotel I would select for a special occasion or a relaxing few days at the end of a longer Hawaiian adventure.

The answer depends more on the type of holiday you want than the number of stars beside the hotel’s name.

Choose ʻAlohilani Resort if you want extensive facilities, impressive public spaces and a more upmarket resort experience while remaining in the centre of Waikiki.

Choose The Twin Fin if location, ocean views and a relaxed atmosphere matter more than outright luxury. It is particularly well suited to travellers who intend to spend their days exploring Honolulu or relaxing on Waikiki Beach.

Choose Andaz Maui at Wailea if the hotel itself is a major part of the trip. It offers the strongest luxury experience of the three and is the obvious choice for relaxation, romance and a special occasion.

It is also possible to combine them. Waikiki and Maui offer very different versions of Hawaii, and dividing a trip between the two allows you to experience the energy of Honolulu before slowing the pace in Wailea.

There is no outright winner because these hotels are designed for three different travellers. ʻAlohilani provides the most complete Waikiki resort experience, while The Twin Fin combines an excellent location with a more relaxed and accessible stay.

If budget were not a consideration, Andaz Maui at Wailea would be my overall choice. Its beachfront setting, stylish accommodation and peaceful resort atmosphere deliver the Hawaiian escape many people imagine when planning the trip.

For a city and beach holiday, however, I would happily return to either Waikiki property. Choose ʻAlohilani for the facilities and polished surroundings, or The Twin Fin for its personality, location and those wonderful ocean views.