Where to Stay in Oahu | 10 Best Hotels & Lodgings

Oahu, also known as The Gathering Place, is one of Hawaii’s most breathtaking islands where you get to truly relax and unwind. There’s much to see and do, and a clear plan of holiday action is needed when venturing to these parts of the US.

From rolling mountain landscapes and curious nature nooks to eclectic cultural experiences, your itinerary will be brimming with options. But where are the best places to stay in Oahu?

Knowing how to plan a trip to Hawaii relies on your accommodation needs, movements, and activity choices. The first of these will be the main focus of this article, with some juicy information and tips to make your preparations more seamless.

If your Hawaii bucket list includes Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial, world-renowned surf breaks, the Iolani Royal Palace, and more, fear not. What follows are only the best hotels and resorts for your Oahu trip. So keep reading to find out where to Stay in Oahu.

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Oahu Places to Stay | 5 Best Areas to Call Home in Oahu

Psst, calling all luxury seekers, adventure junkies, and budget travelers worldwide. When that family vacation destination, friend-cation, or couple’s retreat bug bites, Oahu is waiting.

Here are this stunning island’s five best areas and the finest places to stay.

Waikiki

You’ll be hard-pressed to find many people who don’t regard Waikiki as the best area to stay in Oahu. This surfing paradise is perfect for beach frolicking, a vibrant nightlife, sightseeing,

seaside activities, and thrilling shopping and dining options.

White Sands Hotel | Budget-Friendly

White Sands Hotel is a trendy boutique hotel that’s ideal for budget travelers who want to soak up the excitement of Waikiki without splurging excessively.

The rooms are cozy and well-appointed, boasting private balconies and pretty city views. The property has an outdoor pool, two on-site eateries, and a bamboo bar. >>>Check Availability and Book Now

Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach | Mid-Range to Luxury

The best place to stay in Oahu for a luxury hotel feel at appreciable mid-range pricing is the pet-friendly Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach.

The famous Waikiki Beach is within walking distance, with the hotel rooms providing style, comfort, and ultimate relaxation. Expect multiple dining options, a swimming pool, a fitness center, a bar, and a sun terrace where you can enjoy terrific breakfasts. >>>Check Availability and Book Now

Best Things to Do in Waikiki

• Enjoy sea, sand, and sundowners at Waikiki Beach. You can tan, shop for small beachside trinkets, try a few water sports, swim, and surf. You’ll also love the simple joys of fraternizing with the cheery locals and meeting new people.
• Slow down the pace with a peaceful stroll or a picnic at the lush Ainahau Triangle Park. There’s an abundance of tropical flora and exquisite scenery to behold here.
• Visit Pearl Harbor, just 13 miles away from Waikiki, for one of the most significant historic experiences on the island.

Diamond Head (Leahi)

The Diamond Head area is also considered the best part of Oahu to stay because it offers unmatched hiking trails, sublime coastal vistas, and unforgettable tourist attractions. This is home to one of Hawaii’s most iconic landmarks — the Diamond Head volcanic cone.

Kaimana Beach Hotel | Mid-Range

Kaimana Beach Hotel offers unobstructed Diamond Head views, a cool oceanic atmosphere, snazzy rooms, private balconies, a restaurant with heaps of delicious dining options, and a bar. It basically has all the amenities you could ask for.

The Waikiki Aquarium is within walking distance, with the Diamond Head Crater Park and the famous Waikiki Beach also nearby. >>>Check Availability and Book Now

The Kahala Hotel and Resort | Luxury

If luxury resorts are your best places to stay on Oahu, then choose The Kahala Hotel and Resort. Here, premium accommodations, classy decor, supreme comforts, and convenience are the order of the day.

Four restaurants, a bar, a full-service wellness spa, a hot tub, two swimming pools, a fitness center, open-air relaxation zones, and free shuttle rides to the nearby shopping center are all yours. >>>Check Availability and Book Now

Best Things to Do in Diamond Head

• Trekkers gather around. Here is where you’ll relish the best hikes in Oahu. 

Tackle a Diamond Head sunrise hike to see the Diamond Head Crater.

• Get a taste of the good life with a relaxing sunset and cocktails cruise.
• Mix it up with a multi-activity day and visit Diamond Head Beach Park, Honolulu Zoo, or Queen Kapiolani Park. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head to Ono Seafood, Rainbow Drive-In, or any other hotspot on Kapahulu Avenue for a bite and drinks.

North Shore

The lovers of the laid-back island life should journey to the North Shore of Oahu, an enchanting coastal stretch where you’ll find zany beach bums and surfers. Enjoy the best beaches and endless holiday adventures while you’re there.

Courtyard by Marriott Oahu North Shore | Luxury

If you stay on the north shore, you can’t go wrong with the Courtyard, a Marriott luxury hotel delivering elegance, sophistication, and stellar on-site amenities.

The rooms, with sea views, are styled to the nines, and on-site spoils include an outdoor pool, a restaurant, and a fitness center. If that isn’t enough, just 100 meters from the Courtyard is the Polynesian Cultural Center. >>>Check Availability and Book Now

Malaekahana Beach Campground | Camping

When a more rugged or down-to-earth (don’t excuse the pun) experience is preferred, the best place to stay on Oahu for camping is the Malaekahana Beach Campground. Besides, nothing quite beats camping near a beautiful beach.

Whether tent camping, vehicle camping, or hut and suite lodging is your cup of vacay tea, this campground won’t disappoint.

You’ll find bathrooms, electric hookups, picnic tables, fire pits, an on-site market, and equipment hire for your vacation rentals. >>>Check Availability and Book Now

Best Things to Do in North Shore

• Try horseback riding on the beach, go golfing, or get your hiking miles in while in this region.
• Ride the waves at Waimea Bay Beach Park or spend time at Sunset Beach.
• Sample the island-famous acai bowls — delicious smoothie-and-sorbet-inspired breakfast cups that are filling, nutritious, and oh-so-tasty. Haleʻiwa Bowls is your go-to for this.

Ala Moana

What draws visitors here, a vibey residential district within Honolulu, is the charming atmosphere. And then, of course, there’s that not-so-small matter of playing home to the largest outdoor shopping mall on the globe — the Ala Moana Center.

The Equus | Budget-Friendly

The Equus is a tropical-inspired property with cool decorative touches, splashes of color, and warm light throughout the hotel. It boasts well-furnished rooms (some featuring full kitchenettes), an outdoor swimming pool, a restaurant, and a terrace.

Kick back, socialize, and enjoy nightcaps at the on-site bar when you’re not exploring offsite at sites like Kahanamoku Beach, courtesy of the accommodation’s bicycle hire. >>>Check Availability and Book Now

Ala Moana Hotel | Mid-Range

You’ll be pleasantly surprised when you book a stay at Ala Moana Hotel. That’s because even at a decent mid-range price level, you get to enjoy some nifty perks.

How do a Starbucks Lounge, two on-site restaurants, skyline city views, a swimming pool, private balcony access, and a wellness center sound? Check Availability and Book Now

Best Things to Do in Ala Moana

• Holiday shop until you drop at the much-loved Ala Moana Center.
• Revel in your seaside escapades of choice at the less-crowded Ala Moana Beach Park. From biking to sunbathing to jogging to sporting activities, it’s all there.
• Learn a new skill at Rainbow Scuba Hawaii, perfect for before you hit the Oahu waves.

Windward Coast

On Oahu’s eastern shore is the laid-back Windward Coast, where the scenery is a marvel, and the vacation exploits are endless. This is the ideal location for campers and backpackers who want to rough it while in Oahu.

Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden | Camping

When major hotels and beach bumming won’t cut it, the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden will serve up excellent city camping facilities for families, groups, and solo travelers.

This truly is a “peaceful refuge” amidst a tropical rainforest, with 30 campsites sporting picnic tables, comfort stations, fire circles, outdoor showers, and picnic tables. >>>Check Availability and Book Now

Bellows Field Beach Park Campground | Camping

Bellows Field Beach Park Campground is another awesome campground on the Windward side of Oahu where beach campers thrive best.

This active military training location has 50 campsites with white sand beaches, showers, comfort stations, and lifeguard towers. >>>Check Availability and Book Now

Best Things to Do in Windward Coast

• Snorkel at the tranquil Hanauma Bay. This spectacular protected bay is a wonderful place to splash and enjoy underwater adventures with your holiday buddies.
• Wander around lovely Lanikai Beach, the perfect locale for beach bums, or take it a step further and catch a sunrise or a sunset when staying on the Windward Coast. 
• Reflect, meditate, and take Instagram-worthy snaps at the Valley of the Temples (Byodo-In Temple). Are you up for a spiritual awakening? A meditation pavilion, koi pond, bell house, lush gardens, and Japanese Buddhist statues await.

Tips for Visiting Oahu

While weighing up where to stay in Oahu, you’ll be better off noting a few essential tips for your Hawaiian vacation, too.

Grab this Oahu itinerary and these expert pointers to ensure you plan a worry-free, stress-free trip that’ll be one to remember.

1. Be on alert for flash floods: A tropical destination like this one, although astonishing to behold, poses the risk of flash floods. It’s vital to take precautions, monitor weather conditions, and enjoy your vacation responsibly. 

2. Balance expenses with fulfilling a fabulous itinerary: Oahu can be pricy because it’s such a popular vacation destination. So, do your best to balance your expenditure on accommodation, culinary experiences, tours and group activities, and souvenirs. Make small tweaks like going ham on some Hawaiian food trucks (try spam musubi and malasadas).

3. Keep your valuables safe: Like many holiday destinations worldwide, petty crime can be a real headache. No one wants to lose or misplace valuable personal items. That’s why it’s advisable to leave flashy clothing and jewelry at home and to only carry what you need (particularly in busy touristy areas).

4. Keep your clothing light and airy: It can get very warm in Oahu, so a layered wardrobe will be heavy, weighty, and uncomfortable. Try to stick to cotton tees, breathable shorts, and sarongs (hello, hi, ladies). Don’t forget that broad-spectrum sunscreen and insect repellent to keep pesky bugs at bay.

5. Stay mindful, show respect, and be law-abiding at all times: If you see “kapu”, meaning “forbidden” (no trespassing), during a hike or sightseeing mission, stay on the permitted course. Trespassing is no joke in all of Hawaii and is a surefire way to upset the locals plus get in trouble.

FAQs | What to Know When Planning for Your Oahu Lodging

You might be embarking on a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or just taking a well-deserved solo break. Whatever your reason for venturing to Hawaii and choosing Oahu as your dream destination, here are some FAQs to help make planning smoother.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Oahu?

Summer is peak season; the weather is peachy. This is the best time in Oahu for world-class beach hopping and outdoor water festivities, albeit crowded and pricier.

Opt for off-season, between April-May and September-October (during spring and fall), for milder temperatures, great accommodation deals, and thinner tourist crowds.

How Many Days Are Enough in Oahu?

Three to five days are enough to savor the most delightful Oahu experiences. This should be just the time you need to enjoy the pristine beaches, get active with some water sports, conquer a few hikes, and also get in sufficient relaxation time.

Do You Need a Car When Visiting Oahu?

When staying in Oahu, you’ll need to factor in transportation. While you don’t need a rental car in Oahu for Waikiki (it’s super walkable), you might like your own wheels if remote exploring is on the cards.

>>>Rent A Car Here<<<

Where to Stay on Oahu | Wrapped Up

There it is, folks: the best areas to stay in Oahu and some tips on where to go for the best beaches and tourist attractions. No tropical getaway quite delivers like this Pacific Ocean paradise.

From budget-friendly options to the best luxury hotels, now you know where to situate yourself to experience memorable cultural sites.

Whether you want to stay on the North Shore and be in the thick of the Waikiki action, a tremendous Hawaii vacation beckons!

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