Whether you’re in Hawaii on vacation with the family or visiting Honolulu or Waikiki on your honeymoon, you will have no problem finding great hotels in Oahu.
Oahu is full of fun activities for all ages. From activities such as body boarding, surfing, snorkeling, and parasailing along the coasts, to hiking, kayaking, or taking the kids swimming with dolphins, turtles, and stingrays. There’s never a dull moment in Oahu. There is also no shortage of great hotel options in Oahu. Hawaii is one of the hottest travel destinations in the world. Travelers from all over come to Oahu explicitly seeking after the surf-friendly waves, white beaches, green mountains, and volcanoes.
However, before you confirm room reservations, there is a handful of essential aspects first to consider. The location of the hotel is the most significant consideration to make. Make sure its close to the attractions that you are planning on hitting during your trip. The actual view from the room is something else to take into account. The room accommodations and services offered by the hotel staff are also necessary. Also, one last thing to consider is the hidden fees and extra costs for room service, facility privileges, meals and more. It only takes a minute to check travel forums and social media posts for recent reviews.
Turtle Bay Resort
This 4-star resort consists of 477 rooms and sits on 850 acres of the Northern Shore of Oahu. The resort is known for its immaculate ocean views and phenomenal service, as well as for being a Hollywood favorite. Its been featured in the hit TV show “LOST,” and the film “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” as well. The grounds of the resort include golf courses, tennis courts, gyms, pools, several restaurants and more. The rooms themselves are posh and include flat-screen TVs and complimentary WiFi. Turtle Bay Resort is a 4-star hotel for families, couples, and large groups with 477 rooms.
Reservations for Turtle Bay Resort are available via Booking.com where the hotel has an 8.7 out of 10 stars from customer reviews. The hotel also has a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating from TripAdvisor reviews as well as a 4 out of 5 stars rating from Yelp reviews. Rooms have a price range of $300 to $400.
The Kahala Hotel & Resort
Credit: The Kahala Hotel & Resort
Located directly southwest of Diamond Head, the 338 room 5-star Kahala Hotel & Resort is not your average stay. High profile guests, such as movie stars and famous musicians, are known to frequent the place. The rooms are adorable, featuring balconies with ocean and mountain views and excellent room service from the staff. One of the most unique features of the Kahala is the lagoon where you can take the kids swimming with bottle-nose dolphins. The Kahala is a participant in the Leaders Club rewards program, as a member of The Leading Hotels of the World.
This resort is available for reservations on Booking.com. It has an 8.6 out of 10 stars rating from Booking reviews, a 4 out of 5 stars rating from Yelp reviews and, a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating from TripAdvisor guest reviews. The price range for an overnight stay here is $350 to $450.
Halekulani
Credit: Halekulani Hotel / Facebook
The world-famous 454 room historic 4.5-star Halekulani is a favorite of visitors to the island of Oahu. The hotel has both luxurious accommodations as well as unforgettable views of Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach. Each room is furnished with the Halekulani signature “seven shades of white” design and come with flat-screen TVs, free internet, fruit, and chocolate. The staff is known for providing superior service and ensuring the best stay possible for guests. A lounge, spa, two bars, and three restaurants are included in the hotel as well. Halekulani is also part of the Leaders Club rewards program.
This hotel is available for reservations on Booking.com. It has an 8.6 out of 10 stars rating by Booking guest reviews, and 4.5 out of 5 stars review ratings via Yelp and TripAdvisor. The price range of an overnight stay here is $600 to $650.
Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
Credit: Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa / Facebook
This 4.5-star class hotel with 359 rooms is a favorite of travelers with children. Appearances from your favorite Disney characters is a once in a lifetime experience unavailable anywhere outside of an official Disney resort or park. The rooms come with standard accommodations, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and free WiFi. The hotel has kiddie pools, play areas, and a snorkeling lagoon for the whole family as well. The resort also has a supervised beach house for kids as well as a Golf Club for the adults. If you’re looking for a magical family vacation to Oahu, the Aulani is the place to stay.
This Disney hotel is available for booking on Expedia where it has a 4.4 out of 5 stars rating from guest reviews. It also has a 4 out of 5 stars review rating from Yelp and a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating from TripAdvisor reviews. An overnight stay here has a price range of $500 to $550.
Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa
Credit: Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa / Facebook
The Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa is located directly on Waikiki Beach. It is a 4-star hotel with a resort classification due to its 1,230 rooms. The rooms have a lovely view of both the city center as well as the ocean. They come with large flat-screen TVs, free WiFi, and posh interiors. There is a resort fee, however, so don’t be surprised when you get the final bill. The hotel offers a massive swimming pool, three restaurants, and professional arts and music lessons. World of Hyatt rewards program members can both spend and earn points at this location.
The Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa has an 8.1 out of 10 stars via Booking.com's customer reviews, and 4 out of 5 stars ratings based on reviews from Yelp and TripAdvisor reviews. An overnight stay here has a price range of $200 to $250.
Prince Waikiki
Credit: Prince Waikiki
rooms. Mini-fridges, Smart TVs, and free internet access are among the many accommodations of the Prince Waikiki. Every single one of the 563 rooms in the place has large windows and a perfect oceanfront view. The hotel also boasts a day spa, pool, and 27-hole golf course, and a one-mile distance from Ala Moana Beach. One major disadvantage to the Prince Waikiki is they have a no pets policy.
The Prince Waikiki hotel is available on Booking.com with an 8.9 out of 10 stars rating based on customer reviews. The hotel has a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating on Yelp, and a 5 out of 5 stars rating from TripAdvisor reviews. The price range of rooms here begins at $250 to $300.
The Modern Honolulu
Credit: The Modern Honolulu
Another excellent hotel within a short distance of the ever-popular Ala Moana Center and Beach is The Modern Honolulu. This 4.5-star hotel has 353 well-furnished rooms. Each unit includes large screen TVs, free WiFi, and sleek glass-encased showers as well as comfortable furniture. The hotel has a friendly staff, more than one pool, a workout area, and much more in amenities. There are also two Pacific-island themed restaurants to choose from on the premises.
The Modern Honolulu is available via Booking.com where it has a rating of 8.6 out of 10 stars. The hotel has a 4.5 out of 5 stars ratings from TripAdvisor reviews and a 4 out of 5 stars rating from Yelp reviews. The price range of an overnight stay here is $250 to $500.
Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa
Credit: Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa / Facebook
Perhaps the most historic of hotels featured in our list is the 4-star Moana Surfrider. It has the honor of being Waikiki’s first hotel, first opened back in 1901. Despite its 793 rooms being a bit smaller than rooms in the newer hotels in the Oahu, they are none the less comfortable with their signature Heavenly beds, private balconies, and flat-screen TVs. The hotel also boasts a pool, spa, and a handful of restaurants and bars and is enrolled in the Marriott Rewards loyalty program.
Rooms at Moana Surfrider can is available through Booking.com. It has an 8.3 out of 10 stars from Booking reviews and a 4 out of 5 stars from both TripAdvisor and Yelp reviews. The hotel has a starting price range of $275 to $325 per night.
Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
Credit: Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa / Facebook
The Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa is a favorite of travelers to Oahu. This Iconic 4-star hotel with 1,310 rooms is in the same proximity of both Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach. The rooms come with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, coffee makers and comfortable furnishings, albeit somewhat worn in many rooms. All of the rooms come with private balconies that command a beautiful view of the ocean or city center. There are several restaurants on-site as well.This hotel is available via Booking.com where it has an 8.4 out of 10 stars rating based on customer reviews. The hotel also has a 4 out of 5 stars rating from TripAdvisor, and a 3.5 out of 5 stars rating from Yelp reviews. Rooms here begin at a price range of $200 to $220.
Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort
Credit: Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort
For beach lovers, it doesn’t get much better than Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort. This 4-star hotel with 635 rooms occupies the very center of Waikiki Beach itself. The hotel sits along the Waikiki Beach Walk shopping complex and offers enough amenities that you can spend an entire day having fun without ever leaving eye-shot of the hotel. Grab surf lessons, enjoy a 24-hour gym, spa sessions and nightly live music and more at the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort.
A room at Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort may be reserved through Booking.com. The hotel has an 8.6 out of 10 stars rating from Booking, a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating from TripAdvisor reviews, and a 4 out of 5 stars rating from Yelp reviews. An overnight stay here has a price range of $250 to $300.
‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach
Credit: ‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach
This 839 room 5-star hotel, formerly known as the Pacific Beach Hotel, is perfect for surfers, shoppers, and beach walkers. The rooms here all feature HD flat-screen TVs, private bathrooms, comfortable furnishing, free internet access and views of Diamond Head and the Pacific Ocean. The resort has a kid-friendly pool, hot tubs, cabanas, and several restaurants and a bar as well. Alohilani Resort began in 1971. However, they recently underwent 115 million dollars worth of renovations.
This hotel is available for reservations on Booking.com. It has an 8.1 out of 10 stars rating from Booking, a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating from TripAdvisor and a 3.5 out of 5 stars from Yelp reviews. Rooms begin at a price range of $200 to $250 per night.
Selecting the Best Hotel for You in Oahu
The best hotel in Oahu for a family of five will not be the best hotel for a couple of newlyweds celebrating their honeymoon together. The best hotel is the one that meets most of your criteria at a price that fits your budget.
For many honeymooning couples, an evening at the Halekulani is an excellent choice. The historical 5-star hotel has excellent service, fantastic rooms, and plenty of amenities for couples. Sure, it costs well over $500, but, hey, it's a special occasion, right?
Those searching for the best hotel in Oahu for a family vacation, on the other hand, would do much better reserving a room at the 4-5-star Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa. This iconic Disney resort will leave a long-lasting impact on the kids compared to most hotels in the world, let alone in Oahu.
Have you recently visited one of the ten hotels from our list, or booked a room at another hotel in Oahu? We’d love to hear about it in the comments section below!
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