A Guide to Choosing Your Oahu Accommodation

Ah, Oahu – the land of golden beaches, colorful sunsets, and rainbows. Where your next adventure is only a few steps from your front door. Having lived on Oahu for years, and having done my fair share of “stay-cations” I am giving you my favorite resorts to rest your tired, surfed-out, sunburned body. There is truly something for every type of traveler on Oahu, so I decided to break it down by category.

With so many hotel options, it can be challenging to decide what is best for your budget, and your travel-style. I’m sharing my top family-friendly hotel, romantic couples-getaway hotel, city-lover hotel, secluded-beach hotel, and quintessential ‘Hawaiian’ hotel.

Just because your hotel isn’t on this list, doesn’t mean it isn’t a great one, maybe even one of the BEST – but I hope to narrow down your options to make things a bit easier for you. If you want to run your accommodation by me before your trip to paradise, just drop a comment below – happy to help!

Visiting Oahu and wondering what hikes you should prioritize? Check out my 7 FAVORITE hikes on Oahu!

The Quintessential ‘Hawaiian’ Hotel

When you think Hawaii, you think The Royal Hawaiian Resort in Waikiki. This stunning, bright pink luxury resort claimed it’s prime real estate when it was built back in 1927. Located right on Waikiki beach, this resort offers some of the best views the island has to offer. When you exit the street-side of the resort you are steps away from endless shopping and dining options. Exit the beach-side of the resort and you have planted your feet on one of the most popular and iconic beaches in the world, Waikiki Beach. Crowded as it may be, there is something to be said about that view of Diamond Head crater, oh, and the people-watching is top-notch. Launch off the beach on a sunset cruise or dine at restaurants like Duke’s Waikiki, Buho Cocina y Cantina, or Marukame Udon.

The City-Lover Hotel

If you are looking to have the city at your fingertips, but want to stay off the main Waikiki strip, The Modern Honolulu is your hotel. Located about a mile away from Waikiki Beach, this contemporary hotel is the perfect compromise.

If you want to be directly on Waikiki Beach steps away from the main shopping and dining strip, but would rather not stay in the bright pink Royal Hawaiian Resort, the classic Moana Surfrider is your spot. Built in the late 19th century as the first hotel in Waikiki, the ‘Moana’ opened in 1901. That original building is currently part of the resort complex known as The Moana Surfrider.

The Romantic-Couples Getaway

Making our way further outside of the city of Honolulu, South of the iconic Diamond Head Crater, is The Kahala Hotel and Resort. You feel the warm welcome of Hawaii as you pull into the the resort, where pristine beaches and delicious food await. Not only are Honolulu and Waikiki at your fingertips, but this resort gets you closer to must-see spots like Koko Head, Hanauma Bay, Sandy Beach Park, and makes it easy to wrap around to Kailua and Kaneohe on the Windward side of the island.

If you are renting a car (and my gosh, please rent a car and explore the entire island), and wish to stay outside of Honolulu (go, you!) I highly recommend the new Four Seasons in Ko Olina. The West side of the island of Oahu has so much to offer, and this little nook (Ko Olina) of golf courses, hotels, restaurants, and great coffee shops / acai bowls, is not to be missed. Ko Olina is made up of 4 distinct man-made lagoons, which are perfect for swimming and spotting turtles. The Four Seasons in Ko Olina opened in June of 2016, and was formerly the JW Marriot Ihilani Resort. The views and convenience of walking to a plethora of great restaurants and bars, without the chaos of Honolulu, will appeal to many.

The Family-Friendly Hotel

Also located on the Leeward (West) side of Oahu, and neighboring the new Four Seasons at Ko Olina, is Aulani, A Disney Resort. I’m not sure it gets more family-friendly than this resort. Disney + Hawaii = best parent’s EVER! Sip cocktails at the pool bar while your kiddos run around in the Keiki Cove Splash Zone, all while being steps away from all four man-made lagoons. The lagoons are flat with calm water, and don’t be surprised if a sea turtle swims right up to you. These lagoons are wonderfully safe for your child to learn how to stand-up-paddle while you relax and read a good book on the beach.

If you decide to stay at the Aulani Disney Resort, know that past Ko Olina further up the West Side is Waianae, which has some of the most beautiful beaches on Oahu in my opinion. Don’t be afraid to get in your rental car and drive all the way up to Haleiwa (North Shore) or over to Kailua (East Side) to explore many other stunning beaches! Get back to Aulani in time for a sunset that will not disappoint.

Fun fact – I modeled for the Aulani Disney Resort when I lived on Oahu. Most of the images have been featured, and are now off their website, but keep your eye out while booking and you might just see me!

The Secluded-Beach Hotel

It would be a sin to write about Oahu hotels, and not feature Turtle Bay Resort. Remember in Forgetting Sarah Marshall when Peter (Jason Segel) vacations in Hawaii and runs into Sarah (Kristen Bell)? Their resort was Turtle Bay Resort and nearly all filming took place here. Many films and television series have been filmed at this resort, and it’s no secret why, it’s beautiful!

When I lived on Oahu, I had a lot of friends tell me they booked at this resort without giving other resorts much of a thought, and while this resort is beautiful, remote, offers private beaches, beautiful pools, an Arnold Palmer golf course, and great cuisine, I do want to warn you that it is a bit of a hike to get to.

Now we are on an island, so nothing is really that far away, but when you are on an island of this size, and it takes 50 minutes just to reach the nearest bigger town center (Haleiwa), you are pretty isolated. There is something really wonderful about being isolated, but make sure that you are OK with that before settling on this resort! Haleiwa is about 50 minutes away, and Kailua is about an hour and 10 minutes away (both of which I highly recommend visiting for the day)!

Enjoy your island paradise – anywhere you choose will make your trip to Hawaii the trip of a lifetime! Do drop any questions about accommodation, food, hiking, diving, surfing, etc. below!