SD › Best Places to Stay in Oahu
Updated: February 28, 2022

See Also

  • Where to Stay in Honolulu
  • All-time Hotels in Hawaii
  • Best Hotels for Families in Hawaii

All-time Areas to Stay in Oahu

  • Oahu Hotel Map

Oahu is the virtually cosmopolitan of the Hawaiian Islands, with over one-third of all Hawaiians living in the state'south capital Honolulu. Knowns as the Gathering Place, Oahu offers a heady alloy of urban life (trendy dining and nightlife, vibrant art and culture, glittering skyscrapers, and shopping) and natural wonders (white-sand beaches, legendary surfing, and a fallow volcano). Many of Hawaii'southward Best Hotels and Best Family Hotels are on Oahu, mostly in Honolulu, excellent accommodations are plentiful all around the island.

Honolulu, on Oahu's South Shore, is the state of Hawaii's only city. Honolulu is particularly packed with wonderful hotels, the island'southward best restaurants and bars, art and heritage museums, bustling Waikiki Beach, and volcano hiking on Diamond Head at the metropolis's s end. Nothing is far away in Oahu, though. In but a 45-minute drive, you'll accomplish the rural Northward Shore, best known for surfing and a placidity, laid-back vibe. This is where to detect the iconic surf spots Banzai Pipeline and Waimea Bay, both just a few kilometers northeast of the main boondocks Hale'iwa. Sunny and dry, the Leeward Coast of Oahu is on the west side of the isle. Home to the luxury resort area Ko Olina on its southward end, the Leeward Declension offers a pristine stretch of beaches with calm waters, bang-up snorkeling, hiking, local markets, and a farmers' marketplace. On the eastward side of Oahu, the Windward Declension is more relaxed than Honolulu simply not every bit sleepy as the North Shore. At that place is no luxury lodging here, generally mannerly beachfront B&Bs, but there is a host of outdoor activities from beaches (of class) to cipher-lining, plus a Japanese temple and a scenic lighthouse. Cardinal Oahu is the fifth of the island'southward primary areas. Though home to historic Pearl Harbor, the most visited site monument in Hawaii, there are not many hotels in the area. Information technology is mostly occupied by various U.Southward. military installations and the international aerodrome.

Best Places to Stay in Oahu

  • All-time Luxury Hotels in Oahu
    Halekulani • Moana Surfrider • The Modern Honolulu
  • Best Family Hotels in Oahu
    Turtle Bay Resort • Aulani Disney Resort • Moana Surfrider
  • Best Boutique Hotels in Oahu
    Surfjack Hotel & Swim Order • Shoreline Hotel Waikiki • Coconut Waikiki
  • Best Cheap & Midrange Hotels in Oahu
    The Equus • VIVE Hotel Waikiki
  • Best Hotels in Honolulu
    Halekulani • Moana Surfrider • The Modern Honolulu • Surfjack Hotel & Swim Social club • Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites

Best Areas in Oahu for…

Surfboards on Waikiki Beach

Surfboards on Waikiki Beach, the most popular of Honolulu's beaches and the birthplace of modern surfing.

  • All-time Beaches in Oahu: Honolulu, North Shore, Leeward Coast, Windward Coast
    Oahu is completely encircled with gorgeous white and gold-sand beaches, but each region it typified by a different beach style. Honolulu has the busiest beaches with the almost amenities from dining to hotels to water sports centers. The nearly famous is Waikiki, which is further divided into half dozen smaller beaches. About of Honolulu'southward beaches boast soft sand and moderate waves buffered past a reef, though there are a few rocky patches near the east cease of Waikiki and beyond, shut to Diamond Caput. The North Shore is dwelling to Oahu'due south almost famous surfing beaches with enormous waves in the winter months which flatten out in the summer. Waimea Bay, Dusk Beach, Banzai Pipeline, and Ehukai Embankment host tons of international surf competitions in the winter months. The Leeward Coast has several rugged, natural beaches to the north and gentle beaches and lagoons in the south end at Ko Olina. The Windward Coast is studded with beaches offering a range of activities: gentle waves and great amenities at Kailua Beach, tide pools and bodysurfing at Makapu'u Beach, kayaking and paddle boarding at Kualoa and much more.
  • Best Places for Sightseeing in Oahu: Honolulu, Windward Coast
    Though Honolulu is Hawaii's largest city, it is fairly meaty, making it like shooting fish in a barrel to get around on foot or by bus. This is the perfect domicile base for visiting some of Oahu'due south all-time attractions, including 'Iolani Palace (the merely official purple residence in the U.S.), the Bishop Museum (Hawaiian, Polynesian, and natural history), shopping at Ala Moana Centre (the globe's largest outdoor marketplace), hiking Diamond Head (a dormant volcano), plus a zoo, aquarium, bustling beaches of Waikiki, and piece of cake access to Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial merely a few kilometers west of the city. The Windward Declension requires a car to visit but offers wonderful historic and natural attractions, including the Makapu'u Lighthouse (hiking, sunrises, tide pools), Byodo-In Temple (minor Japanese Buddhist temple in the jungle), Kualoa Ranch (adventure park and Hollywood film location), plus wonderful beaches, botanical gardens, waterfalls, and more.
  • Best Places for Families in Oahu: Honolulu, Windward Coast, Leeward Coast, North Shore
    With a wide selection of kid-friendly hotels, gentle surf, soft sand, shopping, cultural and historic attractions, water activities, and casual dining, Honolulu offers an platonic setting for a family holiday on Oahu. Opt for one of the central beachfront neighborhoods like Ala Moana or Waikiki and be only steps away from globe-form beaches and urban conveniences. Plus there'south a free fireworks prove every Friday night at Hilton Hawaiian Village. Families with young children should consider staying in Ko Olina on the Leeward Declension; resorts hither boast sunny beaches with gentle waves, shallow lagoons for wading and learning to swim, stunning pools with food and drink service, and kids' clubs with activities. Active families with older kids will enjoy the Windward Declension with its mix of adventure parks, hiking trails, varied beaches, and h2o sports. Finally, the Due north Shore has a charming, small-town, family-friendly vibe with great surfing and swimming beaches, paddleboarding in the river of Haleiwa, and watching the bounding main turtles at Laniakea Beach.

Best place to stay in Oahu.

The crawly Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore of Oahu. My favorite place to stay in Oahu.

    Most Romantic Places in Oahu: Honolulu, Leeward Declension
    Honolulu is the honeymoon upper-case letter of the isle. Beachfront hotels south of Sand Island offer directly sunset views over the body of water, many with balconies ideal for private dining and almost with blissful pools with food and drink service. Stay at the n side of Waikiki for a vibrant embankment scene and Fri night fireworks, head toward Kaimuki and Kapahulu for a local vibe and the city's trendiest restaurants and bars, or get close to nature at Diamond Head State Monument, a dormant volcano with lush greenery, hiking trail, and panoramic views. For a more low-central vacation, base yourselves on the Leeward Coast at Ko Olina. Spend the 24-hour interval exploring the rustic coastline with secluded beaches, hike the Waianae Range to swim beneath remote waterfalls, hit upwards the farmers' market place or even take a farm tour. Back at the resort, lounge poolside, beachside, or in one of seven lagoons, enjoy fine meals, mitt-crafted cocktails, and extravagant rooms and suites.
  • All-time Places for Food Nightlife in Oahu: Honolulu
    Hands down, Honolulu is the all-time place on Oahu for dining and nightlife. The Kaimuki and Kapahulu areas, in particular, are dwelling house to heady farm-to-table restaurants and eclectic fare. Downtown offers the best in fine dining and arts and crafts cocktails. Waikiki and Ala Moana host the bulk of the city's bars and nightclubs, ranging from upscale cocktail lounges to casual sports bars.
  • Best Places for a Local Vibe in Oahu: Honolulu, North Shore, Windward Coast
    Most Hawaiians live in Honolulu, which makes it the almost "local" area in the state. The beachfront zones of Ala Moana, Waikiki, and Diamond Caput are about entirely devoted to tourism, but the inland neighborhoods and the beach areas just outside of the tourist hotspots cater more to a local crowd. Some of the best areas off the tourist rail include Kaimuki, Kapahulu, and Downtown, though in that location are few options for accommodations in these neighborhoods. The North Shore is another wonderfully authentic area with a string of charming surf towns (Hale'iwa is the largest) along the coast with a laid-back vibe, fine art galleries, and casual food (look for the shrimp trucks). The Windward Coasts offers a similar, mellow vibe only is more active than the N Shore. Kailua is the master town hither with 3 farmers markets, a bit of nightlife, two amazing beaches, and great hiking.
  • Safest Areas of Oahu
    Oahu in particular and Hawaii in general are amid the safest places in the U.S. with a very low incidence of violent crime. However, there is a higher than average rate of theft, more often than not in the form of burglarizing rental cars and handbag snatching. As in any major city, don't leave valuables in your auto, be aware of your surroundings, and after dark, stick to decorated, well-lit areas. Other condom areas in Oahu are the North Shore, Windward Declension, and the south finish of the Leeward Coast.
  • Unsafe Areas of Oahu
    Once more, Oahu is a very safe area overall, merely there are certain areas where it's good to be extra cautious with your valuables, such as Waikiki. Very populated and well-lit, just tourists are easy to spot and oft carry cash, expensive cameras, and phones with their map screens open. Another expanse to look out for is the northern part of the Leeward Declension; the main town here, Waianae, in particular, has a higher rate of break-in and theft, and travelers stand out like a sore thumb here. Information technology's an incredible expanse to visit, but it's better to stay overnight in a different area.

The Best Places in Oahu for Tourists

1. Honolulu

Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii
Honolulu takes up the majority of real estate on Hawaii'south Due south Shore, with its metro expanse extending from the airport in the west well-nigh 30 km across to Makapu'u Point, where the Windward Declension begins. Honolulu is divided into several neighborhoods, each with its own distinct style; from westward to e, the best neighborhoods for travelers include Downtown (historic and government center), Ala Moana (white sand beach and the largest outdoor shopping mall in the earth), Waikiki (busy beaches, lively nightlife, plentiful dining, and high-rise hotels), Kaimuki and Kapahulu (bordering neighborhoods with great restaurants and a local vibe), and Diamond Caput (national park with a volcano, quieter beaches, and near the zoo). The hub of island life, Honolulu is the most convenient area of Oahu, near dazzling beaches, cracking food, historic sites, and filled with a variety of hotels to accommodate any budget. This is the best area to stay for those who adopt non to rent a car and drive. The city is served by a reliable, affordable bus system connecting the neighborhoods to each other and with further-flung destinations, including Pearl Harbor and Hale'iwa. One-way tickets price $ii.75, while full-day, unlimited passes cost $5.50; children v years old and younger ride free.

  • All-time Hotels: Halekulani • Moana Surfrider • Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club

2. N Shore

Surfers at Sunset Beach on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii
For most of the year, the North Shore is a low-fundamental culling to the buzzing Southward Shore and Honolulu, with quaint modest towns, nature preserves, waterfalls, and dozens of white and golden sand beaches ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. The Due north Shore stretches across the top one-third or so of Oahu, just due north of the Dole Plantation, with its western cease at Ka'ena Betoken State Park and its eastern end at Kahana Bay. Hale'iwa, the largest town here, boasts a handful of art galleries, a surf museum, standup paddleboarding on the 'Anahulu River, and dueling shave ice shops, Matsumoto's and Aoki'south. Fascinating heritage sites on the N Shore include the Polynesian Cultural Heart and Puu O Mahaka State Monument. Laniakea Beach is known equally a gathering identify for sea turtles, while Hale'iwa offers shark diving tours – with or without a muzzle. Though spring, summer, and fall are relatively tranquillity in the North Shore, the wintertime months bring the giant waves, and with the waves come the surfers, especially to Waimea Bay, the Banzai Pipeline, and Dusk Beach. From November through Jan (requite or accept, depending on the size of the swells), the North Shore gets absolutely packed for some of the globe's biggest surfing competitions, including the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing and The Eddie Big Moving ridge Invitational. Wintertime waves heights range from 9 to fifteen-meters on average but have on rare occasions topped xx meters.

  • Best Hotels: Turtle Bay Resort • Courtyard by Marriott Oahu Northward Shore • Mokule'ia Embankment Houses at Owen's Retreat

3. Leeward Coast

Ko Olina Beach on the Leeward Coast of Oahu, Hawaii
Oahu's Leeward Coast sits on the west side of the island. Shielded from the prevailing winds by the Wai'anae Mountains, the Leeward Coast is the sunniest, driest function of Oahu. Until recent years, this area was largely undeveloped, a cord of remote beaches and local farms leading upward the coast to a expressionless terminate at Ka'ena Point Land Park, where the North Shore begins. The Leeward Coast is still the least commercial area of Oahu, with the exception of the luxury resort area Ko Olina in the south end with a cluster of 5-star hotels, a golf course, marina, seven lagoons (one is pictured higher up), and a mile and a half of white beaches. A few restaurants and a new mall take popped up well-nigh Ko Olina, but the northern surface area notwithstanding offers rugged natural beauty, secluded beaches, and excellent hiking. Visit the chief town here, Wai'anae, on Tuesday or Saturday mornings or Th afternoons to check out the local farmers' marketplace for beautiful produce, local fare, and handmade crafts.

  • All-time Hotels: Aulani Disney Resort & Spa • Iv Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina • Marriott's Ko Olina Embankment Club

4. Windward Declension

View of the Ko'olau Mountains from Kaneohe Bay on the Windward Coast of Oahu, Hawaii
The Windward Declension sits on the eastern side of Oahu and is just a piddling cooler and greener than the rest of the island. A perfect mix of funky beach towns, pristine beaches, sunrise hikes, and cultural attractions – more active than the North Shore and Leeward Coast, but not as hectic as Honolulu on the Due south Shore. From s to north, some of the Windward Coast's best-loved spots are Makapu'u (with a lighthouse, hiking trail, tide pools, and a popular bodysurfing beach), Waimanalo Beach (gentler waves, skilful for beginners), Lanikai Embankment (consistently rated among the world's all-time), Kailua (the main town on this side of Oahu; keen beaches, 3 farmers' markets, local nutrient, and fun bars), Byodo-In Temple (small Japanese temple with gardens), and Kualoa Ranch (chance park with ziplining, flick locations, ATVs, and more). Inland, there are several mountain hiking trails with waterfalls, botanical gardens, and scenic vistas, including the Nu'uanu Pali Watch.

  • Best Hotels: Paradise Bay Resort • Waimanalo Beach Cottages • Paradise Palms B&B

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