The ultimate Island of Hawaiʻi guide, from a local

The Island of Hawaiʻi offers dramatic volcanic terrain, and connection to land and culture for those who seek it. Just follow the locals.

Arriving on the Island of Hawaiʻi, the terrain looks molten and raw, streaked with hardened lava flows that run toward a restless ocean. The youngest and largest of the Hawaiian Islands, nicknamed the ‘Big Island’ is still being shaped by fire. At its heart is Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes and fire – a powerful presence, spoken of with reverence by locals who understand the land as a living force.

Volcano chasing may be the drawcard, but to reduce the island to lava alone is to miss its deeper story. This is an island of farmers, fishermen and storytellers who honour place through food, music and ritual. The Hawaiian concept of kuleana (responsibility) guides daily life, shaping how visitors are welcomed and how the land is cared for.

“I am personally held accountable and responsible for the care of my home, community and our visitors – in work and life," says Nani Kupihe, Director of Cultural Experiences at OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa.

That ethos is echoed everywhere, from sunrise chants on sacred shores to menus showcasing what the land and sea provide. Before arriving, visitors are encouraged to take the Pono Pledge, a simple commitment to tread lightly and travel mindfully, setting the tone for a more grounded experience on the Island of Hawaiʻi.

Pololu Sunrise on the island of hawai'i — Discover the the Island of Hawaiʻi. (Credit: Island of Hawai’i Visitors Buereau/ Mahesha Thapa)

Island of Hawaiʻi restaurants and bars

1. Huggo’s on the Rocks

Few places capture the Island of Hawaiʻi’s laid-back vibe quite like Huggo’s. With sand underfoot and the Pacific lapping at the edge of the terrace, this beachfront institution could feel kitschy with palm-fronded entry, tropical cocktails topped with umbrellas, but instead it’s fun and welcoming. Locals and visitors sit side by side at the bar, swapping stories over Mai Tais and Mahalo Margaritas.

2. Merriman’s

Merriman's Waimea on the island of hawai'i — Step into Merriman’s flagship.

Peter Merriman is widely credited as a pioneer of Hawaiʻi’s regional cuisine and this is where it began. Merriman’s flagship showcases island-grown produce and sustainable seafood within a rustic dining room. Try the tako ‘escargot’, where octopus replaces snails, swimming in garlic-parsley butter and served with grilled house bread.

3. Meridia

seafood dish from Merida restaurant on the island of hawai'i — Sit down to delicious seafood dishes.

Chef Sotiros Kontos brings Mediterranean sensibility to this swoonworthy coastal restaurant. Kontos spent 17 years in New York kitchens after being spotted in Greece by Robert De Niro, before trading Manhattan intensity for island life. Here seafood shines: the Meridia crudo features the catch of the day marinated in a dirty martini leche de tigre, finished with finger lime.

Island of Hawaiʻi guide

Morning

Volcanoes National Park on the island of hawai'i — Explore Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. (Credit: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority/ Kirk Aeder)

Nani recommends hiring a car for ultimate flexibility. Start the day by joining an E Ala E sunrise ceremony, a traditional chant welcoming the day and honouring the ocean. Coffee naturally follows; sip a locally roasted Kona brew before heading inland with Hawaii Forest & Trail to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Expert guides bring the landscape to life, explaining the island’s volcanic past and Pele’s enduring influence. Pause for lunch at the historic Volcano House, perched on the rim of Kīlauea, looking directly into Halema‘uma‘u crater.

Afternoon

Halau at the Puuhonua o Honaunau on the island of hawai'i — Visit Pu‘ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site. (Credit: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority)

Obsessed with the historical drama Chief of War? Visit Pu‘ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site, bringing to life the epic rivalry between warrior chiefs Karmehameha and Keōua Kū‘ahu‘ula. Through cinematic screens, brutal artefacts and imposing lava rock temple, the experience feels visceral rather than museum bound.

Evening

Nani recommends that visitors looking an immersive cultural experience join Kona’s Feast & Fire Luau. Enjoy music, dance and shared food on the Keauhou Bay oceanfront, participation encouraged. Arrive early to learn basic hula steps, then dine under the stars as dancers bring ancestral stories to life.

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Island of Hawaiʻi accommodation

1. OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa

aerial shot of OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa — Check into OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa.

Perched on top of lava-rock cliffs, immerse into local culture and the Island of Hawaiʻi’s natural beauty at this family-friendly resort. Enjoy features like an oceanfront pool, waterslide and a strong focus on cultural connection.

2. The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort

Chekc into The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort for understated luxury and direct beach access. Join in cultural and wellness activities offered by the resort, like lei making and beachfront yoga.

Shopping on the Island of Hawaiʻi

Nālani Farm Store on the island of hawai'i — Pick up locally-made souvineers at Nālani Farm Store. (Credit: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority/ Ben Ono)

Wander downtown Hilo and trawl for handmade and vintage finds at KD’s Gifts & Crafts, pick up locally made goods from Nālani Farm Store and check out Hilo Farmers Market – one of Hawaiʻi’s most vibrant, where tropical fruit, fresh flowers and yes, durian, jostle for attention. Cool off with Kula Shave Ice or refuel at this community-minded precinct at the beloved Cafe Pesto.

More ways to explore

a manta ray of the coast of hawai'i — Visit Hawaiʻi’s underwater inhabitants. (Credit: Getty-Dai Mar Tamarack)

Take to the water with Kohala Blue, Hawaiʻi’s only renewable electric sailing charter, for eco-conscious whale watching, snorkelling or sunset sails. For something truly unforgettable, join Eka Canoe Adventures for close up encounters with manta rays aboard the traditional double-hulled canoe Kini Kini.

Start planning your Island of Hawaiʻi adventure at gohawaii.com.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

How to live like the locals on the Island of Hawaiʻi