"Lavish" hardly begins to describe the guest rooms and suites in the 12-story Lahaina Kai Tower, where the recent $35 million renovation is much on display. Designed by the renowned Hawai'i firm of Philpotts & Associates, each contemporary room pays tribute to the Islands with custom teak furnishings, hand-selected paintings and photographs, and a soft palette that plays counterpoint to the spectacular tropical setting.

For a truly local option there are also charming beach cottages situated amid tropical gardens and sprawling oceanfront lawns. With ceiling fans stirring the soft air, inviting couches, and island-style appointments throughout, they have the distinctly homey feel of a relative's beachfront hideaway.