Where to Stay in Oahu: Best Areas and Hotels
Published Sept. 2019 | Updated March 2026
The first time I stayed on the North Shore of Oahu, I fully understood the incredible variety this island has to offer. Choosing where to stay in Oahu doesn’t have to be difficult; it really just depends on your preferences.
Oahu’s wide selection of accommodations across the different regions makes it ideal for travelers of all types, whether you’re a family with kids, a couple on your honeymoon, or a solo traveler.
Stay in the busy and popular Waikiki or slow it down with a stay on the laid-back North Shore. Indulge in luxury in Ko Olina or trade the amenities for nature-filled surroundings on the Windward Coast.
Want a mix of options? Split your stay between a couple of regions to get the best of everything in one trip.
Best Places to Stay on Oahu by Travel Type
Best overall: The Ritz-Carlton, Turtle Bay on the North Shore
Best for first-time visitors: Halekulani Hotel in Waikiki
Best for families: Aulani, A Disney Resort in Ko Olina
Best for couples: Luxury Ocean Villa at Turtle Bay on the North Shore
Staying on the South Shore (Waikiki & Honolulu)
Most visitors opt to stay in Waikiki due to the convenience of multiple major resorts and hotel chains, walkability between beaches, restaurants, and activities, and the lack of need for a rental car.
If you’re visiting Oahu for the first time, you may want to stay in Waikiki for at least part of your trip. Waikiki is a neighborhood in Honolulu, which is the largest city on the island, and where the airport is located.
This makes it convenient to get from the airport to your hotel, especially if the hotel offers a shuttle service.
Photo by Sung Shin on Unsplash (right)
The hotels in Waikiki are towering skyscrapers along the shoreline, offering beautiful ocean views from many of the rooms and easy access to the gorgeous beaches.
Speaking of beaches, Waikiki Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Hawaii (and the country). It’s dotted with beach chairs and umbrellas, bringing in flocks of visitors from around the world to relax on the white-sand beach and surf in the aqua waves.
Other activities near Waikiki include Manoa Falls (a stunning hike to a waterfall), Pearl Harbor, and Diamond Head Volcano.
Waikiki has a wide variety of accommodations, including 5-star resorts, vacation rentals, apartment-style stays, and hotel chains. It’s one of the only areas on the island that allows short-term rentals, so if you want to stay in a house or apartment, Waikiki is the best area to find one.
Waikiki is best for families and people who want to stay in a fun and exciting area with tons of activities, amenities, and accommodation options. Between the luxury resorts, world-class beaches, endless activities, and abundance of restaurants, everything you need is conveniently close.
Waikiki is not ideal for travelers looking for a quiet, secluded getaway with empty beaches and short wait times at restaurants. As the most popular area on the island, Waikiki can be crowded and fast-paced with dense traffic and busy streets.
Best Places to Stay in Waikiki
The best reason to stay in Waikiki is access to some of the best beaches on the island! Make the most of your stay in Waikiki by staying at a beachfront resort with all the amenities, on-site restaurants, and top-tier service.
Hilton Grand Vacations Club Hokulani Waikiki Honolulu: Get your Hilton Honors Discount rate and earn points as you take in the ocean views from the rooftop pool at this Hilton location.
Halekulani Hotel: Bask in luxury at this 5-star hotel offering excellent service paired with on-site restaurants, a day spa, a stunning tiled swimming pool, and beautiful rooms (each with a lanai!).
Aston Waikiki Beach Tower: This oceanfront property combines the amenities of a resort with the comfort of a condo suite, featuring a full kitchen, large windows with million-dollar views, and a welcoming atmosphere for families.
Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa: Cool historic hotel where you can relax in the beachside pool, enjoy convenient meals at the on-site restaurants, and treat yourself at the Heavenly Spa.
Staying on the North Shore (Haleiwa & Turtle Bay)
The North Shore is by far my favorite area to stay in Oahu. It has a local vibe with laid-back beaches, tons of food trucks, and the charming town of Haleiwa.
Staying on the North Shore gives you a slower-paced vacation with a more authentic feel. It’s almost the opposite of the crowded big city atmosphere in Waikiki, with just a couple of large resorts and fewer families staying on the North Shore.
Some of the best things to explore in this region are the Polynesian Cultural Center, the popular Waimea Bay, and the luxurious Turtle Bay.
The best town to visit on the North Shore is Haleiwa, which is a cute surf town with local shops, restaurants, art galleries, and beaches.
I love hopping in the car and driving to find food trucks with fresh, delicious meals when we stay on the North Shore. Kahuku and Pupukea both have lots of food trucks — the poke bowl from Aji Limo Truck in Kahuku is one of my favorites.
After staying all around the island on multiple occasions, the North Shore quickly became my favorite region. It’s the perfect place for couples or solo travelers looking for a relaxing getaway with plenty of beaches and nature.
We stayed at Turtle Bay on one of our trips, which was bought by The Ritz-Carlton in 2024 and renamed to The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay. While it was lovely when we stayed there, now it’s a truly 5-star luxury resort after a major renovation of all 450 rooms.
Though I think the North Shore is the best area to stay in Oahu, it does have downsides. You’re more likely to get rain in this region during the winter months, which is why I include a raincoat on my Hawaii packing list. If you visit between late spring and early fall, you probably won’t see much rain at all.
Don’t stay on the North Shore if you want to spend a large part of your trip in Waikiki and the South Shore — you’re better off staying in that area in that case. The North Shore is over an hour away from Waikiki on the two-lane Kamehameha Highway, which is a gorgeous drive but can back up if there’s an accident or traffic.
You should stay on the North Shore if you want a local vibe with beautiful beaches that aren’t over-crowded, food trucks with amazing dishes, a slower-paced trip, and almost no traffic.
Best Places to Stay on the North Shore
If you’re looking for a true North Shore experience without sacrificing comfort, The Ritz-Carlton O'ahu, Turtle Bay is the only full-service resort in the area. I loved the combination of seclusion and amenities.
Every room has an ocean view, and the property has multiple beaches, restaurants, and on-site activities. It’s a great choice if you want a relaxed, scenic stay but still enjoy resort conveniences and luxury.
Luxury Ocean Villa at Turtle Bay: Experience all the luxury of a beachfront stay at Turtle Bay without the Ritz-Carlton prices at this highly rated villa. It’s perfect for a romantic vacation or honeymoon, located just steps from the beach.
Courtyard by Marriott Oahu North Shore: Stay near the Polynesian Cultural Center and beautiful North Shore beaches at this 3-star Marriott property located in Laie. Enjoy the on-site bistro, charming guest rooms, and access to the activity center (boogie boards, paddle boards, etc.).
Kuilima Estates East: Enjoy a relaxing stay in a legal vacation home at Kuilima Estates, a condo community near Turtle Bay. Many units are available for rent, though this one-bedroom is far from the highway for a quiet getaway and offers a private, enclosed lanai.
Staying on the Leeward Coast (Ko Olina)
The main area to stay on the Leeward Coast is Ko Olina, an upscale resort community with luxury accommodations, lagoons, and Aulani — the Disney-owned resort.
The Leeward Coast, also known as the Waianae Coast, is the west side of Oahu that’s sheltered from wind by the gorgeous backdrop of the Waianae Mountains. This shelter gives Ko Olina its beautiful sunny, dry days and secluded feel.
Prices in this area are higher than in some other regions because it’s mostly resorts, which tend to cost more due to their many amenities. However, the convenience of resorts can be worth the cost if you plan to spend most days enjoying the pools and beaches near your accommodation.
While Ko Olina can feel somewhat commercialized and touristy with all the resorts and crowds, further north along the coast has a much more rugged and local feel. Enjoy a hike around Ka’ena Point, explore the more secluded bays, or take a scenic drive along the coast.
Ko Olina is an ideal area to stay in Oahu if you’re traveling with kids, as it attracts mostly families, the man-made lagoons are safe for children to swim and snorkel, and the beaches have smaller waves than other regions of Oahu.
Ko Olina may not be ideal if you’re a couple looking for a romantic getaway without tons of kids around, or if you want to explore all around the island each day. There’s traffic every weekday morning and evening as locals commute to/from Waikiki.
Best Places to Stay on the Leeward Coast
If you’re looking for a luxury stay packed with amenities in a sunny, windless region of Oahu, then pick a resort in Ko Olina.
Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina: Soak up the sun at this beachfront, 5-star resort, enjoy the ocean views from the white-sand beach, and spend a day at the spa & wellness center. Relax in luxury at the Adult Infinity Pool with a cocktail in hand or book a poolside cabana for the whole family.
Aulani, A Disney Resort: Feel the Disney magic with character encounters, Disney entertainment, and themed pools with waterslides and a lazy river. This family-focused resort also offers villas with a kitchen, multiple bedrooms, and a washer/dryer.
Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club: This resort is set on a sprawling white-sand beach with plenty of amenities, including a lovely lagoon, three pools, and on-site restaurants. For a comfortable stay with your family, rent one of the villas with a full kitchen, dining area, living room, and bedrooms.
Staying on the Windward Coast (Kailua & Kaneohe)
Over on the east coast of Oahu, called the Windward Coast, you won’t find many accommodations. Most of the region is lush landscapes with emerald cliffs and valleys, offering many outdoor activities and adventures.
The areas that aren’t just rugged nature are mostly residential and do not allow short-term rentals. However, a few short-term rentals that existed before the law was established have been grandfathered in and are allowed to operate in this area.
This region starts near the southeast tip of Oahu and stretches along the coast towards the North Shore. When we stay on the North Shore, we often drive the picturesque Kamehameha Highway that runs along the Windward Coast on our way to explore more of the island.
One of the best things to do in this region is to tour Kualoa Ranch, which is a beautiful nature preserve that’s been used as a filming location for many movies and TV shows, including Lost. It has multiple tour types — we did the ranch tour and loved it!
Other nature-filled activities include Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden, the pristine and empty beaches with views of Mokoli’i Island, and hikes through Waimānalo Forest Reserve.
Staying on the Windward Coast is not ideal for first-time visitors. You are better off staying elsewhere, as this region lacks accommodations and gets far more rain than the Leeward Coast and South Shore.
You may want to stay on the Windward Coast if you’ve visited Oahu before and are looking for something much more local, low-key, and close to nature, yet not too far from Waikiki.
Best Places to Stay on the Windward Coast
Paradise Bay Resort: Take in the views of the picturesque Kaneohe Bay set against the lush Koolau Mountains at this nature-surrounded resort offering suites and cottages for a relaxing stay.
Waimanalo Beach Cottages: This is one of the short-term rentals that has been grandfathered in after Oahu passed the law about STRs. The property offers nine cottages with full kitchens located steps from the beach and close to town.
Kailua Private Beachfront Rental: Stay right on the beach at this two-person apartment for adults (21+, no kids). While the apartment doesn’t have ocean views (located at the back of a beachfront property), it’s just steps from Kailua Beach.
Hotel vs. Vacation Home in Oahu
Oahu implemented a law, Ordinance 22-7, which restricts short-term rentals (STRs) throughout the island. This law applies to residential apartments, cottages, or houses — not hotels or resorts.
Only a few small areas allow STRs, including Waikiki on the South Shore, Ko Olina on the Leeward Coast, and Turtle Bay on the North Shore.
You may come across other vacation homes outside of these areas; some are legal and were grandfathered in (called NUCs), and others are illegal. If you want to stay in a short-term rental, ensure it’s a legal one.
To determine whether the STR is legal, look for their license or Property Registration Number in the description. You can also search the Oahu STR Compliance Map to see if the rental you’re interested in is listed as an approved property or not.
Short-term rental homes, apartments, and cottages can be found and booked through Vrbo — just check for the license or registration number.
The easiest and best thing to do is stay at an official hotel or resort, which you can find and book through Booking.com. Some even have villas and suites with full kitchens.
FAQs
What is the best area to stay in Oahu?
The North Shore is the best area to stay in Oahu for those who want a laid-back, beachy getaway without traffic or major crowds. It’s my favorite region of Oahu and where I choose to stay when I visit.
Waikiki is the best area to stay for families and people looking for an energetic and exciting vacation filled with activities, resort amenities, and world-class beaches.
Where do most people stay in Oahu?
Most visitors to Oahu stay in Waikiki, as it has the most accommodation options and restaurants on the island.
Can you stay on the North Shore without a car?
A car is necessary if you stay on the North Shore, unless you stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Turtle Bay, and don’t plan to leave the resort.
Otherwise, you will want a car to visit all the areas around the North Shore and to explore other regions like the Leeward Coast and South Shore.
How many days should you spend in Oahu?
Seven days is the ideal length of time to spend in Oahu if you want to explore most of the island. However, five days is enough to see most of the major areas without packing your days too full.
You could even spend 2–3 days in one region and then 4–5 days in another!
If you’re visiting for the first time, then you may want to spend your first couple of days in Waikiki to get a feel for it, then head up to the North Shore for the rest of your stay.
What’s the quietest area to stay in Oahu?
The Leeward Coast is typically the quietest region on Oahu that still has some accommodation options. If you want a truly remote stay, look for accommodations on the Windward Coast towards the northern tip, away from Ko Olina.
As someone who loves the quiet but also likes to stay in somewhat populated areas with services and civilization, the North Shore is perfect for me.
