Where to Stay on Oahu: The Best Locations and Hotels - The Hawaii Vacation Guide (2024)

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Oahu might not be the largest Hawaiian Island but for such a little isle, it can be deceptively tricky to figure out where to stay.

Maybe you love big cities, people watching on sizzling beaches, and having dozens of restaurant options at your beck and call, or maybe something relaxing and more authentic is the feeling you’re going for.

No matter your preference, it’s easy to tailor an Oahu vacation to exactly what you like, even if that means splitting your time between places for a more balanced approach.

Oahu has four main regions to choose from when it comes to lodging, Honolulu, Ko Olina, the North Shore, and the Windward Coast. After both living on Oahu for two years and spending countless vacations on its sunny shores, we’d like to think we have a good grasp on the different neighborhoods and endless sea of accommodation options.

Here’s your ultimate guide for figuring out where to stay on Oahu! We cover the different regions plus the best hotels in each area. And if you’re a visual learner, don’t worry, we have you covered with this video!

Don’t miss some of our best Oahu planning resources:
Check out our Oahu Travel Guide for everything you need to know about the island before your trip.
Pick the best time to visit Oahu – find solace on what’s already the most crowded island in Hawaii.
Find your way around without a car (and learn when you need one) to save on hefty rental and parking costs.

Oahu Geography and Weather

Oahu is an island of contrast. From Waikiki’s glittering skyscrapers and bustling beaches to the North Shores laidback vibes and back to nature feel, you have your choice of being in the heart of it all or finding a secret hideaway.

While it might seem like a big island, Oahu is actually small compared to other Hawaiian Islands like Maui or the Big Island of Hawaii. If there was no traffic (and there usually is) you could drive from the western side of Ka’ena Point on Oahu’s leeward side all the way around, past Honolulu, to Mokuleia in the North Shore in 3.5 hours.

The island is split in half between the sunnier leeward side and the rainier windward side. Two distinct mountain ranges also shape the island with the Ko’olau Range stretching from the North Shore, down towards Waikiki in the south and the smaller Waialae Range curving from the North Shore to Ko Olina on the leeward side of the island.

There are five distinct regions of Oahu: the North Shore, Windward Coast, Leeward Oahu, Central Oahu, and Honolulu in the south.

Where to Stay on Oahu: Honolulu & Waikiki

There’s no doubt – Honolulu and Waikiki are the hot ticket in town when it comes to choosing a place to stay. This is where most people will base themselves for a trip to Oahu. We’re talking over 4 million people a year! While it can be a little confusing to decipher, Waikiki is a neighborhood within the city of Honolulu which happens to be Hawaii’s capital.

At its best, Waikiki is centrally located, runs the gamut from budget to luxury accommodations, is super walkable, has delicious food options, and dozens of activities are right at your fingertips. At its worst, Waikiki can be overbearing, crowded, expensive, and feel a little bit contrived.

Pros for Staying in Waikiki

• It’s Centrally Located: Waikiki is in the heart of it all, wedged perfectly in between Ko Olina and the North Shore, 20 minutes from the island’s major airport, and surrounded by some of Oahu’s best attractions. This is a great launching point for a circle island tour.

• Boredom Doesn’t Exist in Waikiki: There’s no shortage of fun activities to take part in from surfing to snorkeling and sunset cruises. History buffs are also taken care of with historic sites like the Iolani Palace and Pearl Harbor. Kids will love the Honolulu Zoo and Waikiki Aquarium. Did we also mention delicious restaurants for foodies and luxury shopping? Waikiki has you covered on things to do and plenty of dining options. And if you are a night owl, you’ll find this is the best spot for nightlife.

• Walkability: Waikiki is essentially within a 3-block deep, skinny section of Honolulu that hugs Waikiki Beach. This means that everything is within easy walking distance. You can walk across the neighborhood lengthwise in 40 minutes. If you’re up for it, you can even walk to Diamond Head Crater in under an hour to do the summit trail.

• 8 Beaches: Yes, there are 8 different beaches that make up the sprawling Waikiki Beach! Kuhio Beach is great for little ones to splash around while Queen’s offers up excellent surfing conditions and Makalei offers a more secluded beach.

• Accommodation Options: From budget-friendly digs to sparkling mega resorts, Waikiki has something for everyone – and every budget – in the accommodation department.

Cons for Staying in Waikiki

• Busy, Busy, Busy: There’s no avoiding it. Waikiki is a bustling, vibrant, and crowded neighborhood that sees up to 71,000 visitors a day! One of the plus sides is that, if you know you can only take a few days of the throngs of visitors, you can plan to move up to the North Shore or Ko Olina for a more laid back feel.

• Traffic: Waikiki’s combination of crowds, being in the tight space of a major city, and naturally water-clogged geography means that traffic can back up and quickly become a headache. Try to avoid rush hour (5-8 am inbound and 3-6:30 pm outbound) at all costs.

• Fees: From daily resort fees to parking costs, fees can add up quickly in Waikiki. Resort fees can be $50 per night and parking at said resorts doesn’t come cheap either. Most resorts charge about $45 a night for parking while local parking garages range from $6-$20 an hour. This is something that you’ll absolutely want to budget for before you visit.

• Overall Ambiance: We’ve compared Waikiki to Vegas before – just without the gambling. While it’s certainly a beautiful place to be and the energy can be infectious at times, it can also be overwhelming.

• Not the Best for Younger Kiddos: Busy thoroughfares can make staying in Waikiki a bit dizzying for parents of young children. Sidewalks are crowded and streets congested. If you know this could make you anxious, Ko Olina might be a better option.

Where to Stay in Honolulu & Waikiki

Some of our favorite places to stay in Waikiki are the Royal Hawaiian Hotel for its history and oceanfront scenery and the Beachcomber by Outrigger as an awesome budget option! We’ve linked our top picks for all Waikiki and Honolulu accommodation options below…

+Aston Waikiki Beach Tower: hotel meets condo functionality, designed with families in mind.
+Halepuna Waikiki: get incredible service and tranquility in a prime Waikiki location.
+Moana Surfrider: no frills historic hotel in a fantastic location, good for those looking for excitement and charm.
+Queen Kapiolani: a great choice for active types prioritizing location and budget over resort luxuries.
+Beachcomber by Outrigger: our favorite value hotel in Waikiki!
+Royal Hawaiian Hotel: the pink palace is an iconic hotel located in the heart of Waikiki that somehow also manages to feel secluded.

If you’re looking for 5 star hotel options, check our our list of the best luxury resorts on Oahu.

Where to Stay on Oahu: Ko Olina and the Leeward Side

With four tranquil man-made lagoons, beautiful yet quiet resorts, and a laid back appeal, Ko Olina is perfect for families and those searching for a relaxing getaway. The sun shines bright on Oahu’s leeward (west side) and vacationers will find any and all amenities just a stone’s throw away, like a spa, fine dining, and a golf course. If you’re not bothered by being a little far from the center of the action, Ko Olina is your ticket.

Pros for Staying in Ko Olina / Leeward Side

• Good Weather: Ko Olina is situated on Oahu’s leeward side and is known for being both sunnier and slightly warmer than the North Shore. That being said, Hawaii is a tropical island and there’s always a chance of rain anywhere on Oahu.

• Awesome for Families: A combination of tranquil lagoons, walkability, and resorts that everyone will love make Ko Olina ideal for families – especially those with little ones!

• Resorts & Timeshares: From Disney’s famous Aulani to the Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club and timeshares galore, Ko Olina has some of the best places to stay on Oahu. If being in a bustling city makes you feel queasy, Ko Olina is probably your best bet.

• Lagoons: Can you tell we love Ko Olina’s man made lagoons? They’re serene, don’t have big waves or rocks, and provide the perfect spot to snorkel and for the kiddos to splash around. Bonus points for powdered sugar sand, turquoise water, and swaying palms.

• Fewer Crowds: From wide open spaces at the resorts to plenty of room to stretch out on the beach, Ko Olina never feels too crowded. Beach chairs are still coveted spots that you might need to snag early, but otherwise you’ll have room to spare.

• Easy To Get Around: Resorts are walkable and oceanfront and a free shuttle service can take you almost anywhere in town.

Cons for Staying in Ko Olina / Leeward Side

• Far From the Action: Ko Olina is a bit isolated and tucked away. If you do want to leave Ko Olina to go to the North Shore or Waikiki, it can be a bit of a drive. Traffic often makes an otherwise short drive much more of a headache.

• It’s Expensive: A vacation at one of Ko Olina’s resorts comes at a premium. Don’t expect to find any budget accommodation options here. That being said, you certainly get what you pay for!

• Overdone Ambiance: Some areas of Ko Olina, especially the big resorts like Aulani, can feel a bit overdone. If you’re looking to peel back the tourist veil and uncover a more local side to Hawaii you might be disappointed.

Where to Stay in Ko Olina & the Leeward Side

Ko Olina is all things beautiful resorts – with some nice vacation rentals thrown in too. These are some of the best options for staying on Oahu’s leeward coast…

+Marriott Ko Olina Beach Club: villa-style rooms give you plenty of space at this leeward Oahu resort.
+Four Seasons Resort Oahu: the best luxury hotel in Ko Olina (and that’s saying something!)
+Disney Aulani: come for Mickey and stay for the immersive on-site experience and epic pools at the Aulani Disney Resort.
+Beach Villas at Ko Olina: The only Ko Olina vacation rentals located right on the beach!

Where to Stay on Oahu: the North Shore

Oahu’s North Shore is practically tailor-made for adventurers at heart and those who appreciate time in nature. Whether you want to hike through the jungle to a WWII pillbox, snorkel in the presence of sea turtles, want a more down to earth experience, or just sleep the day away in the sand, the North Shore is the best spot for an active vacation on Oahu.

Pros for Staying on the North Shore

• Feel Like a Local: The North Shore is the authentic version of Hawaii that many visitors want to experience.

• Back to Nature: Because Oahu’s North Shore gets lots of rain, you can expect it to be brilliantly green and lush. The vegetation here is something straight out of Jurassic Park and well, Oahu did serve as the backdrop for this Blockbuster flick!

• There’s Lots To Do: Surf competitions with 50’ waves, ziplining through dense jungle, and chasing waterfalls, these are just a few of the things you can look forward to if you visit or stay in Oahu’s North Shore.Of course, we have a list with even more to do on the North Shore!

• Foodies Will Fall in Love: Two words. Shrimp trucks. The most famous is Giovanni’s whose garlic coconut shrimp still dance in our heads. Aside from these fresh, local shrimp, you’ll also find a number of other food trucks in Kahuku and farm to table meals at Farm to Barn.

• Snorkeling: Speaking of things to do, the North Shore has undoubtedly the best snorkeling spots on Oahu! Sea turtles are a frequent sighting and both Kuilima Cove and Shark’s Cove are some of our favorite spots to snorkel anywhere in Hawaii. That being said, conditions are typically only favorable in the summer months.

• Peace and Quiet: The North Shore is a peaceful reprieve that feels worlds away from the four-lane highways of glittering Honolulu. If you want a slice of tranquility and quiet time, look no further than the laidback, mellow North Shore.

Cons For Staying on the North Shore

• Weather: There’s no way around it, the North Shore simply gets more rain than other areas of Oahu, particularly in the winter months. Luckily these rain showers are usually short lived and you’ll be back to soaking up the sun in no time. We recommend a stay on the North Shore in the summer months for this reason – and because you can swim and snorkel safely.

• Big Waves: If you’re coming to Oahu in the winter months (October to April), the North Shore can have huge swells. Surfers don’t flock here for no reason! But this can be a big disappointment if you’re looking to swim or snorkel off the North Shore’s stunning coast. Come prepared knowing that most North Shore beaches are off limits in winter.

• Traffic: While you won’t find Oahu’s daily car congestion, you will find traffic. Weekends are especially bumper to bumper as everyone flocks to the North Shore’s beaches on their days off. Try to avoid coming and going from Friday to Sunday if you can!

• Places To Stay: There aren’t as many accommodation options on Oahu’s North Shore. The only resort option is Turtle Bay, otherwise you can stay at a vacation rental or a boutique hotel.

• The Party Stops Here: The nightclubs and late-night bars of Waikiki are nowhere to be found in the North Shore. Grab a drink, watch the sun slowly slip into the sea, and call it a night.

Where to Stay on Oahu’s North Shore

Accommodation options on Oahu’s North Shore are much like the overall ambiance, laidback. Turtle Bay is your only resort option – which holds its own against the likes of Ko Olina and Waikiki – but why not book something more residential to compliment your authentic Hawaiian vacation? Here are some of our favorite lodging options on Oahu’s North Shore…

+Turtle Bay Resort: the only true resort on the north shore stays true to the laid-back surfer roots that have made this area so famous.
+Kuilima Estates: wonderful vacation rentals on the famous North Shore of O’ahu.
+Courtyard Oahu North Shore: a nice Marriott property near the Polynesian Cultural Center.
+Ke Iki Beach Bungalows: beachfront bungalows all with ocean and sunset views!

Where to Stay on Oahu: the Windward Coast

Known for stunning mountain views and being a more residential area, the Windward Coast is Oahu’s often forgotten region, overshadowed by nearby Waikiki. The largest towns on this side of Oahu are Kailua and Kaneohe and the most popular beaches there are Kailua Beach and Lanikai Beach. There aren’t a ton of places to stay which can make staying on the Windward Coast a little more tricky. Hotels are few and far between and legal vacation rentals are difficult to track down.

Pros for Staying on the Windward Coast

• Stunning Views: When you come through the tunnel from Waikiki, you’re met with your first jaw-dropping views of Oahu’s Windward Coast. Verdant, craggy mountains butt right up to the ocean’s turquoise water. This is the backdrop to a vacation stay on the Windward Coast!

• Remote Vibes: Because there aren’t many hotel chains and resorts on Oahu’s Windward Coast, it feels more remote and local. Many of the beaches here also feel empty compared to the congestion back in Waikiki. Most visitors don’t come this far east.

• Outdoor Adventures: Like the North Shore, the Windward Coast has tons of incredible outdoor adventures to be had. Check out Makapu’u Lighthouse, the Koko Crater Botanical Garden, Kualoa Ranch, or the Valley of the Temples.

• Proximity to Waikiki: You’re only a 20 minute drive from the party in Waikiki – if there’s no traffic.

Cons for Staying on the Windward Coast

• Weather: Yep, the Windward Coast sees its fair share of unfavorable weather. Like Oahu’s North Shore, the Windward Coast gets frequent rain showers but they’re usually short and sweet.

• Difficult to Find Accommodation: There isn’t much in the way of accommodation on the Windward Coast. In fact, it can be downright difficult to find a place to stay. Because of Hawaii’s strict vacation rental laws, some of the lodging is also technically illegal to stay at. Be careful when booking private condos.

Where To Stay on the Windward Coast

You won’t find any resorts or big chain hotels on Oahu’s Windward Coast. Instead, B&B’s and small vacation rental properties will be your bread and butter.

Staying on Oahu FAQs:

How much does it cost to stay on Oahu?

You’re in luck! Oahu is the cheapest Hawaiian island to visit by our research and official stats from the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

Our annual roundup of how much a trip to Hawaii costs for a family of four revealed that a 10-night, mid-priced trip to Oahu in 2024 came in at $11,321, or $2,830 per person. You can check out a more detailed breakdown of how we reached that number in our article.

Oahu is the least expensive island to visit in Hawaii because it’s one of the busiest and most populated areas, which overall drives down costs like airfare, rental cars, and lodging. By our research, Oahu was often thousands of dollars less for a trip than some of the other islands, especially Maui and Kauai.

What’s the best time to visit Oahu?

So, when’s the best time to visit Oahu anyways? The short answer is – April/May and September/October (aka spring and fall for those who live somewhere with four seasons). The long answer is – it depends!

Hawaii has two seasons, summer and winter. Summer stretches from May to October while winter is from November to April.

April to May and September to October are some of our favorite times to take a vacation in the “Gathering Place”. On paper the statistics also look good. Crowds are fewer and further between and prices dip temptingly low.

Did we mention that this is also a great time to visit weather-wise? Sunny skies prevail during these months, with little rain plaguing Oahu like at other times of the year (looking at you January).

While these months are best in terms of wonderful weather, maybe you’re traveling for a different reason. Budget-minded travelers will love February’s rock-bottom prices, while avid snorkelers will want to visit in the summer months.

At the end of the day, there’s no wrong time to visit Oahu! Temperatures are mild throughout the year with only slight variations between summer and winter. The North Shore gets a bit cooler in winter and large swells make it difficult to swim or snorkel, but Oahu’s leeward side stays sunny and warm with calm surf overall.

Even better, ocean temperatures don’t dip below 75°F which means you can swim comfortably year-round.

What part of Oahu has the best beaches?

Oahu is our favorite Hawaiian Island for beaches and there’s seemingly a perfect beach for everyone. Avid surfers? Check. Toddlers? Check. Snorkelers? Yep! Sunbathers? You too! Ko Olina’s calm lagoons are particularly wonderful for families, while the North Shore offers up spectacular beaches – and snorkeling – in the summer months.

Waikiki’s southern stretch of sand is undeniably picturesque with a vibrant atmosphere but if you’re looking for something a little more secluded, it’s not difficult to find a beach that’s off-the-beaten path.

At the end of the day, our favorites are North Shore beaches in the summer. Pupukea Beach offers up some of the best snorkeling on the island and Waimea Beach is simply gorgeous. Keep in mind that all of the North Shores beaches can be dangerous in winter due to enormous swells!

How many days should you spend on Oahu?

After both living on Oahu for two years and taking many trips here, we think five to seven days is the perfect amount of time on the island. With seven full days you’ll have time to see both the North Shore and Waikiki, and while you’ll probably start planning your next trip before the current one is over, a week is enough time to satisfy.

If you’re moving on to another of the Hawaiian Islands after Oahu, we think five days is doable as well! In fact, we’ve detailed the best way to spend five days in Oahu in this article so you can spend your time soaking up the sun instead of planning how to fit everything in.

Where to stay on Oahu with a family?

The best place to stay on Oahu for a family vacation is going to depend on what you and your family like to do. We love staying in Waikiki for its central location and fun activities, but there’s something undeniably family-friendly about Ko Olina and its calm lagoons, resorts, and walkability.

Check out a list of our favorite hotels and resorts on Oahu for families.

If you have older children or like being in the heartbeat of a city, Waikiki’s hustle and bustle is probably perfect for keeping everyone busy. From beautiful beaches to Honolulu Zoo and dozens of other activities right at your fingertips, staying in this popular area has a greater chance at pleasing everyone in your group.

On the other hand, Ko Olina is especially great for those with small children as the lagoons are calm and shallow – fun for splashing around – and staying at one of the big resorts means that everything, from food to the pool, is only a short walk away.

If you’re interested in the North Shore, we love visiting with our kids. Staying at Turtle Bay Resort or one of the nearby vacation rentals is always a memorable stay. We only stay on the North Shore with kids during the summer, when the waves are gone and the ocean conditions are relatively calm. Waimea Bay is absolutely beautiful and a great place to spend the day with kids in the summer.

The Rest of Your Planning Done for You

Whether you know exactly where you want to stay or you’re still weighing the pros and cons, don’t leave without our Oahu Wayfinder Itinerary.

Where to stay is just one of countless decisions you’ll make in the planning process, so say goodbye to decision fatigue and let us make the process so much easier. Take advantage of fully planned out days with no backtracking or flip to our quick hits to find the best restaurants, activities, and more at a moment’s notice.

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