The 4 Best Places to Stay on Oahu for Every Type of Trip
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Planning a trip to Oahu and trying to decide where to stay? Oahu is a small island but each area can be very different. Whether you’re looking to stay in the center of action in the city or somewhere quieter or more adventurous, choosing the right places to stay on Oahu will help you make the most of your time on the island.
There are many factors to consider when choosing a place to stay on Oahu including budget, transportation options, nearby activities, and the general vibe of the area. While there are some vacation rentals available on the island, it is generally better for Oahu to stay in hotels or resorts. In this guide, I’ll walk you through four major areas to stay on Oahu—Honolulu, North Shore, Ko Olina, and Kailua—so you can find the perfect fit for your travel style.
1. Honolulu – The Best Place to Stay on Oahu for First-Time Visitors
Why Stay Here?
Honolulu is home to the most popular places to stay on Oahu and will be the easiest and quickest to get to from the airport. Many of the activities you will want to do as a first-time visitor will be in the Honolulu area and, if you stay in the Waikiki area, there are often transportation options from the hotels in the area to activities that are further away. This also makes it a great area to stay in if you’re not renting a car or only renting a car for a portion of your trip.
You’ll be close to iconic beaches such as Waikiki Beach, some of the best dining and just generally more dining options, and plenty of shopping. It does definitely have more of a city vibe than the other options so this is not the best place to choose if you’re looking for somewhere quiet, but staying further away from Waikiki Beach will also help if you’re looking to get away from the crowds.
Honolulu is also the best option if you are interested in having lots of options for nightlife. Many tours leave from Honolulu as well so when you’re just starting to explore the island Honolulu can be the most convenient option.
However, if you are renting a car, I must caution you that rush hour getting in and out of Honolulu is no joke and you will want to avoid coming back to the city during rush hour after exploring other places on the island or you will get stuck in traffic.
Best Hotels and Resorts
There are many options for Honolulu hotels, and the variety of options makes Honolulu one of the best places to stay on Oahu. For luxury resorts consider The Royal Hawaiian, Halekulani, or Prince Waikiki. For mid-range options, consider the Hilton Hawaiian Village or Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort. For more budget-friendly options, consider the Queen Kapi’olani Hotel or The Surfjack Hotel and Swim Club. I know none of these are exactly the best for budget travelers as hotels in Hawaii do run pretty expensive.
2. North Shore – Top Place to Stay on Oahu for Surfing & a Laid-Back Atmosphere
Why Stay Here?
If you prefer to stay somewhere quieter or with big waves for surfing, the North Shore area may be the right fit for you. The North Shore is much farther from the attractions near Honolulu. It’s literally the opposite side of the island! However, you’ll probably want to spend a day or two in the North Shore area even if you do stay in Honolulu.
For surfing enthusiasts, the North Shore Oahu area is one of the best places to stay on Oahu. It’s known for its stunning beaches and excellent hiking trails, as well as the surfing competitions. It is also famous for its local shopping and food trucks. This would be a great place to stay if it’s maybe your second trip and you want to spend more time on this side of the island or if one of your main reasons for visiting is to go surfing or see a surfing competition.
The North Shore area would also be a great choice if you’re looking for something a little bit quieter but still near some great things to do on Oahu. You will probably want to rent a car if you’re staying out here so you can drive to any other things you may want to do on the island.
Best Hotels and Resorts
There aren’t as many options for hotels in this area so for the hotels and resorts you’re probably looking more at the luxury to mid-range budgets unless you do some kind of a vacation rental. These hotels are also a bit far from Haleiwa and the areas you generally associate with the North Shore. You’re going to have a hard time finding a non-vacation rental option much closer.
For a luxury option, consider Turtle Bay Resort. For mid-range budgets, consider the Courtyard by Mariott Oahu North Shore. This one is close to the Polynesian Cultural Center.
3. Ko Olina – Best Places to Stay on Oahu for Luxury & Family-Friendly Resorts
Why Stay Here?
If you’re looking to stay somewhere quiet and luxurious, Ko Olina may be one of the best places to stay on Oahu. Ko Olina is a beautiful area of Oahu and would make a wonderful place to stay on Oahu if you’re looking for luxury resorts. It is also home to Disney’s Aulani resort which is expensive but is great if you love the Disney magic.
Ko Olina is much closer to Honolulu than the North Shore was so it is pretty easy to get into the city although I would still caution to avoid rush hour. It is also close to Pearl Harbor and really wouldn’t take too long to get to the North Shore area either.
The beaches here are much quieter than the ones in Honolulu so grab your reef-safe sunscreen and enjoy. The water is generally pretty calm and the resorts are very nice but also incredibly expensive. This is where you go if you are looking for the ultimate luxury experience on Oahu and also looking for somewhere quieter.
Best Hotels and Resorts
Ko Olina is one of the most luxurious places to stay on Oahu. For a great luxury option, consider the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina. Disney’s Aulani Resort would be a more mid-range option for this area, but I would argue it still counts as luxury, just with a different vibe. One of the cheaper options in this area would be Mariott’s Ko Olina Beach Club.
4. Kailua – Best for a Relaxed, Local Experience on Oahu
Why Stay Here?
If you’re looking for a relaxing stay that feels more local but still has lots of nearby activities, Kailua would be a great choice. It makes for one of the most peaceful places to stay on Oahu. The beaches are gorgeous and are much quieter than the beaches of Honolulu or the North Shore. There’s still plenty of amazing attractions nearby such as the Byodo-In Temple and Kualoa Ranch. There’s also some incredible hiking nearby such as the Lanikai Pillbox Trail.
There are plenty of activities to do in and near Kailua. There are also lots of kayaking and paddleboarding tours that leave from the nearby beaches. Just remember to bring some water shoes! It is also still relatively close to Honolulu. Here, you’ll find beautiful beaches, a more small-town feel, and fewer crowds.
You will probably want to rent a car if you are traveling outside of town as you will have to drive to get to most of the tourist attractions.
Best Hotels and Resorts
There are very few hotels and resorts in this area. Most of the places to stay that you’ll find will be either vacation rentals or boutique bed and breakfasts. I would recommend trying to find a locally owned vacation rental if you go this route.
There are many options for great places to stay on Oahu. The most popular option and best for first-time visitors is Honolulu. Specifically, staying in the Waikiki Beach area will allow you to be close to many activities and attractions you will probably want to do on your first trip.
Staying near the North Shore is great if you’re looking for something a little bit quieter, but still with great nearby activities. Ko Olina is great for a much quieter area, great beaches, and luxury hotels. Kailua is great if you want to get off the beaten path.
Wherever you choose to stay, I will always recommend exploring areas further away from your hotel as well. There is so much to do and the island isn’t that big so it doesn’t take too long to get anywhere (unless you get stuck in that rush hour Honolulu traffic). Try to plan for a variety of activities around the island to experience more of Oahu.
For more ideas on activities to do in Oahu, see my post on the best activities here or my post on the best beaches. If you’re looking for a full itinerary, check out my one-week Oahu itinerary.
Have you ever been to Oahu? Where did you stay and what did you think of it? Let me know in the comments!
