Mauna Kea Hotel: Hawaii

Built by Nelson Rockefeller in 1965, this Big Island resort was one of the most expensive hotels of its time. With the best hotel beach in all of Hawaii you are going to have picture post card days on your cabana chair or snorkeling out to the nearby reef, which is actually a destination for tour companies. Renowned for its modern architecture, geometric lines and dark beams are offset by the hotel’s signature orange accent color, which covers every guest room door. The hotel also houses an impressive art collection in its open-air hallways, including a seventh century Buddha. The food is nothing to write home about so pop up the road to Sushi Rock in Hawi. But the views don’t get any better and the modern rooms are a welcome relief to most hotels colonial meets Tiki designs.