Hawaii’s 10 Most Jaw-Dropping Hotel Pools – #4 Will Leave You Speechless!

I’ve lived on Oahu for 15 years, but I’ve spent decades exploring every island – swimming in hidden waterfalls, dodging rogue waves, and yes, testing every hotel pool worth its salt. These aren’t just places to dip your toes. They’re gateways to aloha – where lava-rock slides, infinity edges, and saltwater lagoons blur the line between imagination and reality.

Let’s dive into Hawaii’s most jaw-dropping pools (and why #4 still gives me chills).

1. The Legendary Lagoon at Koloa Landing Resort (Kauai)

If you think “bigger is better,” Koloa Landing’s 350,000-gallon pool on Kauai’s sunny south shore will ruin all other pools for you. Picture this: infinity edges melting into ocean views, waterfalls cascading over black lava rock, and waterslides twisting through grottos.

I brought my nieces here last summer, and they spent hours racing down the slides while I sipped a mai tai in a cabana.

Why it’s iconic:

• Voted “Best Pool in America” five years straight by USA Today.
• Three tiers of pools: a family lagoon, an adults-only tranquility pool, and the massive main lagoon with swim-through caves.
• Poolside Holoholo Grill serves wagyu beef burgers that’ll make you forget mainland fast food.

Pro tip: Book a cabana. They come with TVs, mini-fridges, and fans – perfect for hiding from the midday sun.

I once met a couple here who’d flown in just for the pool. “We thought it was Photoshopped,” they laughed. Nope. It’s real, and it’s spectacular.

Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Koloa Landing Resort

2. Grand Wailea’s Water Elevator (Maui)

Imagine a pool so epic, it needs a water elevator. Grand Wailea’s 770,000-gallon Wailea Canyon Activity Pool isn’t just a pool—it’s a waterpark with nine pools, seven slides, and a Tarzan rope swing. But the star? The world’s only water elevator.

How it works: You swim into a submarine-like door, water floods the chamber, and a platform lifts you 30 feet up. My kids screamed the first time—half terror, half thrill. Built in 1991 for the owner’s disabled son, it’s equal parts engineering marvel and pure fun.

Don’t miss:

• The 262-foot Lava Tube Slide (hit 22 mph if you dare).
• Adults-only Hibiscus Pool with mosaic tile floors.

Pro Tip: Visit at sunset. The elevator’s waterfall glows gold, and the ocean views? Unreal.

Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Grand Wailea

3. Four Seasons Hualālai’s Swimmable Aquarium (Big Island)

Forget snorkeling boats. At Four Seasons Hualālai on the Big Island, you can swim with 4,000 tropical fish in a 1.8-million-gallon aquarium carved from lava rock. I floated beside a spotted eagle ray named Kainalu last year—it felt like Finding Nemo IRL.

Why it’s next-level:

• The aquarium doubles as a pool with infinity edges and lounge decks.
• Marine biologists host fish feedings and “touch tank” talks.
• Private cabanas overlook the pond (order the poke nachos).

Pro Tip: Book the “Junior Marine Biologist” experience. Kids help collect data – way cooler than screen time.

Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Four Seasons Hualālai

4. Grand Hyatt Kauai’s Lazy River (Kauai)

The first time I drifted down the Grand Hyatt Kauai’s lazy river, I half-expected a pterodactyl to swoop overhead. The resort’s 150-foot waterslide drops you into a pool surrounded by lava-rock walls and tropical flowers so thick, you’ll forget it’s man-made.

Why it’s iconic:

• The 1.5-acre saltwater lagoon blends into the ocean (pro tip: snorkel here at sunrise—you’ll spot sea turtles)
• Adults-only pool with underwater music (yes, you read that right)
• Secret caves and waterfalls along the lazy river

I once watched a newlywed couple try to navigate the river on a double inflatable. They crashed into a hidden waterfall, laughed until they cried, and then did it again. That’s the magic here—it’s playful.

Insider perk: Ask for a room in the “Shipwreck Wing” for direct pool access.

Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Grand Hyatt Kauai

5. Sheraton Waikiki’s Never-Ending Infinity Edge (Oahu)

Most infinity pools tease the ocean. This one becomes it. Stretching 70 feet along Waikiki Beach, the Edge Pool disappears into the horizon, with Diamond Head looming in the distance. I’ve watched newlyweds toast here at sunrise, their champagne flutes clinking over the sound of waves.

Downstairs, the family pool has a 15-foot waterslide, but adults sneak back upstairs—where the cocktails are stronger and the views sharper.

What you’re missing out if you skip it:

• The pool’s “water beanbags” let you float like a human marshmallow
• Nighttime LED lights make the water glow like liquid sapphire
• Hidden cocktail menu at the pool bar (try the Lilikoi Margarita)

Last summer, my buddy Dave refused to leave the pool until he’d counted 10 passing cruise ships. He made it to 14. That’s the danger here—you’ll lose track of time.

Pro tip: Visit on weekdays – the pool’s adults-only, but weekends get packed with bachelorette parties.

Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort

6. Hilton Waikoloa’s Slide into Childhood (Big Island)

When they rebuilt the Kona Pool in 2022, I thought they’d ruined it. Gone was the mysterious grotto waterfall—replaced by a 175-foot waterslide that zips past palm trees. Turns out? It’s better.

Why families obsess over this:

• Three interconnected pools with slides for all ages (even a “baby” slide for toddlers)
• Underwater speakers play Hawaiian music while you swim
• Poolside shave ice stand with li hing mui flavor (tangy-sweet perfection)

Last month, I watched a 60-year-old accountant giggle like a kid after his fifth slide run. His exact words? “I’m taking PTO tomorrow to do this again.”

Secret spot: The sandy-bottom “keiki pool” has shaded cabanas most guests miss.

Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Hilton Waikoloa Village

7. Royal Hawaiian’s Pink Paradise (Oahu)

If Waikiki Beach had a VIP section, this pool would be the velvet rope. The Royal Hawaiian’s Malulani Pool isn’t just a pool—it’s a time machine. Picture this: You’re lounging under a pink umbrella (yes, pink), staring at Diamond Head, and a server hands you a guava-lilikoi cocktail. I once spent an entire afternoon here pretending I was a 1920s socialite. Spoiler: My sandals did not survive the fantasy.

Why it works:

• Exclusivity: Only for hotel guests, so no randoms crashing your zen.
• Views: Diamond Head on one side, turquoise waves on the other.

Pro Tip: Book a cabana at sunrise. You’ll get the golden hour glow without the crowds.

Click Here to check the current rates and availability for The Royal Hawaiian Resort

8. Fairmont Kea Lani’s Adult Escape (Maui)

Let’s talk about the Serenity Pool. I dragged my partner here last summer, and within 10 minutes, he whispered, “We’re never leaving, right?” The water’s so still it looks Photoshopped, and the swim-up bar serves lychee margaritas that’ll make you forget your own name. One afternoon, I watched a newlywed couple argue about snorkeling vs. napping. The pool’s vibe? “Why not both?”

Why it works:

• Adult-Only: No cannonballing kids. Just peace, piña coladas, and the occasional snooze.
• Luxury Cabanas: Comes with chilled towels and a snack platter of Maui Gold pineapples.

Pro Tip: Visit at sunset. The sky turns cotton-candy pink, and the pool mirrors it perfectly.

Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Fairmont Kea Lani Maui

9. Turtle Bay’s Cliffside Infinity (Oahu)

This pool doesn’t just have views—it is the view. Perched on Oahu’s North Shore, the Infinity Pool at Turtle Bay feels like you’re pouring into the ocean. Last winter, I met a surfer here who said, “Bro, this is where the sea gods chill.” I didn’t argue. At golden hour, the water shimmers like liquid amber, and you’ll swear you hear ukuleles playing in the breeze (it’s probably the bar).

• Location: Cliffs + ocean + zero crowds = pure magic.
• Adventure Nearby: After your swim, hike to nearby waterfalls or watch pro surfers at Pipeline.

Pro Tip: Grab a poke bowl from the poolside menu. The ahi is so fresh, it practically swims to your plate.

Click Here to check the current rates and availability for

10. Andaz Maui’s Tiered Fantasy (Maui)

Three infinity pools cascade down to the ocean like stair steps to heaven. The top tier is for quiet sunbathing; the middle has a swim-up bar with guava margaritas; the bottom spills into Mokapu Beach. I’ve watched sea turtles bob past the edge while sipping a cocktail. It’s the only place where “too perfect” isn’t a complaint.

Pro Tip: Book a cabana at noon. The shade is worth the splurge.
Location: Wailea, Maui

Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort

Avoid These 3 Rookie Mistakes

Most travelers pick pools like they’re buying cereal—grabbing the flashiest box. But after 20 years of testing (and sometimes regretting), I’ve learned: the best pools aren’t the biggest—they’re the smartest. Here’s how to avoid looking like a malihini (newbie):

Mistake 1: Ignoring Adult-Only Hours
The Hilton Hawaiian Village’s Super Pool is a kiddie warzone by noon. I learned this the hard way when a cannonball soaked my laptop.

Fix: Always ask about adult-only sections or hours. The Westin Hāpuna’s infinity pool bans anyone under 18 after 5 PM—pure magic.

Mistake 2: Overpaying for “Ocean View” Rooms
You don’t need a $1,000/night suite. At the Sheraton Waikiki, the Edge Pool is the ocean view.

Fix: Book a cheaper room and live at the pool. Most hotels let you stay post-checkout if you ask nicely.

Mistake 3: Forgetting the Reef-Safe Sunscreen
I once turned a Maui pool neon pink with my chemical sunscreen. The staff handed me a $30 reef-safe bottle and the look.

Fix: Pack mineral-based sunscreen. Your skin and the sea turtles will thank you.

Why These Pools Matter

Hawaii’s pools aren’t just holes filled with water. They’re portals—to childhood joy, romantic sunsets, or that novel you’ve been meaning to finish. The best ones make you forget time exists. So grab a floatie, order the overpriced smoothie, and let the aloha sink in. After all, you’re not here to do Hawaii. You’re here to feel it.

P.S. If you’re still stuck between #3 and #7… flip a coin. You can’t lose.