What to expect: Three miles from Lihue Airport via complimentary shuttle, the 25-acre Hilton Kauai Beach Resort is set on a secluded beach within easy access of North and South Kauai. Lushly landscaped grounds include koi ponds, lagoons, waterfalls, and tropical gardens.

Amenity highlights: The central pool complex consists of three large freeform pools and a 90-foot “lava tube” waterslide surrounding a rock-garden island. A secluded nearby grotto houses two large spa tubs. Closer to the beach, a sandy-bottom freshwater pool offers ocean views. The resort's three-mile beach is a popular spot for exploring tide pools, beachcombing, and watching the Hawaiian monk seals that often rest on the sand.

What to expect: Complimentary shuttle service delivers a steady stream of international guests from nearby Lihue Airport through a tree-shaded avenue leading to the resort's upper entrance. New arrivals descend two stories by steep escalator to a grand esplanade and enormous tropical garden containing waterfalls and koi ponds. An airy lobby is ringed by pink-marble columns.

Amenity highlights: This Hawaii Marriott's pool's dimensions are: 210 feet in diameter, 26,000 square feet, 300,000 gallons of water, 1.2 million tiles. Seen from the Aupaka above, the round pool with its scalloped edge features pink-marble waterfalls, a six-pointed sundeck-island, sculpted-animal fountains spraying jets of sparkling water, and a palm-shaded sundeck—including a children's pool—spreading out to restaurants, lounges, and a broad sunning lawn bordering the beach. Five grand, wood-columned gazebos rise two stories from the pool to the Aupaka. Their top levels each contain a single black-marble table offering great views. Their bottom levels each contain a large hot tub next to the pool.

Insider tip: At the terrace level, the gazebos above the pool can be reserved for private dinners.