Travel Guide of Oahu, Hawaii for: Waikiki Resort Hotel Rating: 2.5 Pearls

Waikiki, Honolulu, Oahu

Book now by phone with Hotels.com – Call 1-800-246-8357

Oahu Summary

What It's Like

Oahu isn't the biggest Hawaiian island geographically -- that would be the Big Island, of course -- but it is the largest, by far, in population, and the state's definitive center of commerce. Honolulu, once a sleepy state capital, has grown into a veritable metropolis, with a population of one million at last count. Waikiki, its tourism center, is a bustling sub-city in its own right. Because of all that development, the area in and around Honolulu is decades removed from the unspoiled tropical paradise that many mainlanders associate with the entire state. Nevertheless, Waikiki remains an obvious choice for those who want a Hawaiian vacation -- sun, sand, luaus, surfing, hula, mai tais -- without sacrificing the creature comforts of home.

At any given time, 44 percent of visitors in the entire state are spending the night in Waikiki, a touristy, milelong stretch of shops, restaurants, and high-rise hotels that runs along Oahu's southeast coast. Waikiki offers a curious blend of mainland suburban staples and local flavor. On the sidewalks, Japanese tourists intermingle with tanned locals, surfboards under their arms, on their way to the beach to catch a few waves after work. On both sides of the street, high-end retailers -- Tiffany, Cartier, even an Apple store -- are interspersed with indoor malls and streetside vendors hawking cheap seashell jewelry and T-shirts. Seemingly every midmarket chain restaurant can be found here -- Cheesecake Factory, California Pizza Kitchen, Tony Roma's -- along with more than a handful of Starbucks and fast-food joints. Along the coast, manicured lawns and palm trees lead to a sunny white-sand beach. Children splash about in the shallow water near the shore, while surfers and standup paddle-boarders (the rad new thing to do) patrol the outer waters. And towering above it all: 40-story, thousand-room hotels like the Hyatt Regency and the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, dotting the landscape like pins in a cushion.

Outside of Honolulu, there are limited lodging options but plenty more space and beautiful scenery. Just 20 miles (about 25 minutes by car) from Honolulu airport -- nearly as close as Waikiki -- Ko Olina is an up-and-coming, master-planned resort area that offers a clean, easy version of the Hawaiian vacation on four man-made lagoons with turquoise waters. It's far less crowded and far more serene than Waikiki (save for the construction noise from the Disney resort being built, to be completed in 2011).

Even more serenity, and more natural beauty, can be had on the island's lush North Shore, home to legendary surfing beaches like the Banzai Pipeline and Waimea Bay. In the winter, waves can top 40 feet. Year round, a mellow vibe pervades on the uncrowded beaches, bookended by volcanic rock and surrounded by green mountains. With more locals than tourists, roadside shrimp trucks and fruit stands, and the quaint, historic surf town of Haleiwa, the North Shore offers some of the island's most quintessential pleasures. But it is isolated -- about an hour from Waikiki and the airport.

Where To Stay

With its plethora of budget and midrange options, Waikiki is an excellent choice for those who want a Hawaiian vacation without breaking the bank. On that prudent end of the spectrum, we highly recommend Hotel Renew, the Aston Waikiki Beach, the Park Shore, and -- a steal at less than $100 a night -- the newly renovated Aqua Waikiki Pearl. For families with a little more leeway, price-wise, we like the Marriott Waikiki, Sheraton Waikiki, and the Hilton Hawaiian Village. And for those with a lot more leeway, price-wise, there are really only three luxury hotels in Waikiki: the Moana Surfrider, the Royal Hawaiian, and the Halekulani, all of which offer their own advantages and disadvantages.

The best hotel on the island might be the Kahala, 10 minutes outside Waikiki. Among its many highlights: five-star service, beautiful rooms, an elite restaurant, and Dolphin Quest, the only swim-with-the-dolphins experience on the island.

In Ko Olina, on the west coast, the Marriott reigns. The JW Marriott Ihilani provides the only true hotel-style accommodations in the area, and luxurious ones at that, with a gorgeous full-service spa, award-winning restaurants, and huge, elegant guest rooms. The neighboring Marriott Ko Olina Beach Club shares many of its amenities and activities, but offers time-share-style accommodations (typically two- and three-bedroom units with kitchen facilities) designed for longer stays. The Beach Club also boasts three amazing pools, seven Jacuzzis, and a waterslide, which aren't shared with the JW, and make it one of the best picks on the island for families.

On the North Shore, Turtle Bay Resort has seemingly everything -- miles of unspoiled shoreline, great restaurants, two 18-hole golf courses, its own stables, even helicopter rides on-site -- but the lobby and guest rooms are dated and bland, not luxurious. Further off the beaten path, the Ke Iki Beach Bungalows provide funky, modest beachfront lodgings. Service is nonexistent -- staying in one of the 11 bungalows is akin to renting a house -- and amenities are zero, but a beautiful North Shore beach is just out the door, as are hammocks and barbecues.

Oahu Hotel Guides