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Best Places To Stay In Oahu

5 Best Luxury Oahu Vacation Rentals

1. Royal Palm Estate – Walking distance from Kalama Beach Park

Aerial view of a luxury home in Kailua with pool, home, beach, and palm trees.

2. Obama Vacation House – Stay in the Vacation Rental Home Obama did

View of pool and cabana near beach with islands in background

3. Banyan House – At the foot of Diamond Head

Banyan house from the pool facing the beach with a hammock in the background

4. Kahala Makai – Minutes from Kahala Mall

Pool side with water fall and palm trees near the ocean.

5. Ocean Hale – Minutes from Lanikai Beach

Pool side with jacuzzi and water fall. Palm trees and foliage surrounding the pool.

5 Best Affordable Oahu Resorts

1. Ilikai Hotel – At the heart of Waikiki

Waikiki Beach Beach - adjacent to Ilikai Hotel and Apartments

2. Ilikai Marina – Walking distance to Ala Moana Shopping center.

View of the Marina from Lanai - Condo 1189.

3. Waikiki Banyan – Walking distance to the Zoo.

Front view of the Waikiki Banyan resort in Honolulu

4. Paradise Bay Resort – Walking distance to Kahaluu Beach

Beautiful view of the Lanai breakfast with view of the Koolau Mountain range.

5. Outrigger Waikiki Beach – Directly on Waikiki Beach

Outrigger Waikiki as seen from the water

5 Best Locations IN OAHU to stay

1. Waikiki

aerial view of diamond head and waikiki beach during the daytime

2. Lanikai

sunset view of the mokes islands from Lanikai beach

3. Kailua

Kailua from the sky with ocean and the beach

4. North Shore Oahu

North shore aerial view with rainbow and beach

5. Kaneohe

Kaneohe Oahu from the sky

Waikiki’s first hotel was the Moana, a grand retreat set on Waikiki Beach.

Six stories tall, the Moana was the tallest building in the Hawaiian islands when it opened in 1901. From the rooftop, you could see one end of Oahu to the other, with nothing obstructing your view.

Of course, staying at such a luxurious haven came at a price. One woman who stayed at the Moana in 1908 wrote back to her mother, “The Moana is the most wonderful place in the world, but it’s too expensive.” (She was paying $37.50 a month!)

The hotel (renamed the Moana Surfrider) is now known as “The First Lady of Waikiki.” Today, Oahu’s accommodations menu is much like the island itself: bountiful, diverse and full of appealing options. From opulent five-star hotels to cozy bed-and-breakfast retreats, Oahu – “The Gathering Place” – offers something for every visitor.

Waikiki is a resort playground

The majority of the island’s hotels, condominiums and timeshares are found within the 1.5-square-mile area of Waikiki, Oahu’s famous resort playground. Here you’ll find most of the world’s premier hotel brands, including Hilton, Sheraton, Marriott, and Hyatt. Waikiki also offers locally owned chains such as Outrigger and Aston, as well as a wide range of economy hotels, hostels, and condos such as the Ilikai.

Business Hotels

The airport and downtown areas of Honolulu are where you’ll find business-oriented hotels, although most major properties in Waikiki offer full meeting facilities and business services. Also, the Waikiki Convention Center is located on the outskirts of Waikiki, near the Ala Moana Shopping Center.

Oahu vacation rentals

Honolulu and Waikiki have a large offering of Oahu vacation condos. Heading east, the Windward Oahu town of Kailua has a nice selection of vacation home rentals and bed & breakfasts. In addition, the ritzy residential neighborhood of Kahala includes a world-class property, the Kahala Hotel & Resort. Right next door is the Waialae Country Club golf course, home of the PGA TOUR’s Sony Open.

Upscale Resorts

Oahu’s “west side story” includes some of the island’s most beautiful beaches as well as the Ko Olina Resort, which includes the upscale Ihilani Resort & Spa, pristine beaches and the Ko Olina Golf Club.

Head north for the Turtle Bay Resort, rental homes, hostels, and bed & breakfasts. Famous for its huge winter waves, the North Shore also has the Polynesian Cultural Center, Waimea Valley Audubon Center, and other attractions.