By Sarah Burchard
Courtesy of Hotel Renew in Waikīkī.
Entering the lobby of Hotel Renew feels like you are arriving at a day spa. It’s quiet, dimly lit and centered around a serene koi pond with water cascading down its raised walls. Help yourself to a glass of ice water or wait for a front desk attendant to great you with a fresh oshibori and glass of pineapple juice. Before heading up to your room you can fill a sachet with dried lavender petals to place on your pillow. The boutique hotel offers 72 rooms with either King or two double beds designed with chic mid-century modern details, half with full oceanview. Amenities include beach cruisers, yoga classes in the park, fitness equipment you can take to your room (yoga mat and props, kettlebells, resistance bands, dumbbells, etc.), cafe (serving coffee, matcha, bentos and musubi) and beach supplies (towels, floaties, umbrellas, polaroid cameras). Guests may also use the fitness center at the hotel’s sister hotel Lotus Honolulu just down the road. Pet friendly.
Courtesy of Waikiki Malia.
Located in the bustling center of Waikīkī near Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, restaurants and beaches youʻll find Malia – a 321-room hotel with room options ranging from two double beds to studios with kitchenettes and large lanai (patios). From the oceanview rooms you can watch the Friday night fireworks show from your lanai. Also on Fridays, join the staff outside in the lobby courtyard for Il Gelato and cultural activities like lei making. The courtyard also offers a small pool (great for kids) and hot tub. Studios are great for extended stays and surfers who want room to stash their boards.
First Cabin International Hawaii
This is currently the best deal in town. Located next door to the International Marketplace and across the street from Waikīkī Beach is Hawaiʻi’s first Japanese-style pod hotel. Amenities include free WIFI, communal kitchen, laundry facilities, work space, sauna and ocean view lounge. Pod cabins come in first-class, business and economy to fit your needs.
ʻAlohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach. Photo by Stephen Paul.
Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach
The Moana Surfrider is a historic beachfront resort located in the center of Waikīkī. Blending historic architecture and modern renovations, the “First Lady of Waikīkī” will celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2026.
This resort is great for families and goes all out to celebrate the holidays with ice carvings, special events and activities for kids. Its prime beachfront location in Waikiki, offers direct beach access and infinity pool steps from the beach. If you are looking for a lively atmosphere, this is the place for you.
When you are dining at Kaimana Beach Hotel’s Hau Tree restaurant, you can literally hop over a two-foot wall, walk across the beach, hop in the ocean and return before your appetizers have hit the table. Kaimana Hotel is a favorite amongst locals and known for its community events, hip scene and attention to Native Hawaiian culture.
Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort
With over 80 businesses inside, including more than 20 restaurants, bars and cafes, this property really is its own village. This resort has it all from a free, weekly Friday night fireworks show to lūʻau. Definitely a family resort, with a lively beachfront scene and plenty of activities for kids.
Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa
With a prime location directly across from Waikiki Beach, spacious rooms and numerous amenities including gym, pool, restaurants, cultural activities and an on-site spa this resort is great for couples, solo traveling and families alike. It is also home to the new street art exhibition In the Southern Sun.
Halekulani is known for exceptional service, lavish accommodations, peaceful beachfront location and luxurious amenities, such as the orchid-tiled pool and SpaHalekulani. You can also find some of Waikīkī’s most revered restaurants and bars here, such as House Without a Key, Orchids and Lewer’s Lounge.
The Kahala Hotel & Resort is one of O‘ahu’s premier luxury resorts. Located on a secluded beach, this world-class resort is a favorite with presidents, international royalty and celebrities.
In 2026, the renowned chef Alan Wong with reopen his namesake restaurant here.
With 25+ properties across the Hawaiian Islands, Aqua-Aston hotels and condo-style resorts are perfect for solo travelers, couples, adventure-seekers and families. Aqua-Aston's Waikiki properties, Aston Waikiki Beach Tower and Aston Waikiki Circle Hotel enjoy oceanfront views and complimentary admission for two to the Bishop Museum and Honolulu Museum of Art.
ʻAlohilani Resort Waikiki Beach has a regal history celebrating Hawaiʻi’s Queen Liliʻuokalani and paying homage to Hawaiʻi’s royal cultural heritage. Rooms are oceanfront and located in a lively area of Waikīkī. Amenities include: The Longboard Club, Morimoto Asia Waikiki by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, SWELL Restaurant and Bar, a 280,000-gallon Oceanarium and FIT Waikiki — a a comprehensive wellness program featuring the Drip Hawaii IV-Lounge, private classes, tennis lessons, batting cages, pickleball, surf adventures and more.
The Ritz-Carlton Oʻahu, Turtle Bay. Photo by Christian Mueller (Shutterstock).
Courtyard by Marriott is located across the street from the beach in Lāʻie on the North Shore, walking distance to Polynesian Cultural Center. The property includes an on-site restaurant, pool, fitness center and family activity center.
Ke Iki Beach Bungalows are modern beachfront properties suited for families, big groups or couples who enjoy more space. The property offers daily yoga, bikes for cruising and snorkel gear. This is an ideal space for weddings.
Backpackers Vacation Inn & Hostel is for surfers and travelers on a budget. Accommodations include dorm rooms, private beach studios and cabins all steps from the beach.
The Ritz-Carlton Oʻahu, Turtle Bay is the North Shore's only luxury resort. Guest room, suites, villas and bungalow are beachfront with ocean views. Resort activities include horseback riding, surf or SUP lessons, helicopter tours, farm tours, kayaking, snorkeling and more. Enjoy Hawai'i Regional Cuisine at The Beach House by Roy Yamaguchi or a paniolo-style lūʻau.
Vacation rentals, or short-term rentals, are heavily restricted on Oʻahu to preserve housing for residents. Vacation rentals are only allowed in designated resort-zoned or specific apartment-zones areas, not in residential neighborhoods. To rent a property outside these zones, guests need to commit to a 30-90 day minimum stay. Vacation rentals have to be authorized by the State of Hawaiʻi and/or the relevant County. Before booking a property, you should confirm that the owner or property manager is operating in compliance with all applicable laws.
Kulima Estates at Turtle Bay are a cluster of condos located on a championship 18-hole golf courses on the grounds of The Ritz-Carlton Oahu, Turtle Bay. Each has a full kitchen and sunset views from the lanai. There is also a pool, outdoor grills and easy access to the beach.
Mokulē’ia Beach Houses at Owen's Retreat is a beachfront property on the Northwest side of Oʻahu. There are four beach houses to choose from ranging from Studio, 1 Bedroom, 2 Bedroom or 4 Bedroom. Each has a full kitchen. The entire property can be bought out to accommodate up to 24 guests.
Camp Mokulēʻia is a beachfront Episcopal Camp and Retreat Center located on the North Shore. Bring your family or a group retreat and choose from staying in one of the campgrounds tentalos (for more of a "glamping" experience) or pitch your own tents.
Courtesy of Lotus Hotel at Diamond Head Honolulu.
A boutique hotel is intimate and quaint, typically with less than 100 rooms. Boutique hotels tend to be independently-owned, fashionable and unique and often located in cities with close ties to local culture.
Espacio is a super luxe, 9-room boutique hotel located across the street from Kuhio Beach in Waikīkī. With exceptional service, exclusive full-floor suites with private balconies, jacuzzis, saunas and option for private butler and chef service, this is the ultimate luxury boutique experience.
Lotus Honolulu at Diamond Head
The scent of pikake flowers hits you the minute you enter the lobby. With only 51 rooms, including two full floor penthouses, the Lotus Honolulu Hotel is a cozy, off-the-beaten path sanctuary far enough removed from the hustle and bustle of Waikīkī to ensure a quiet stay, but close enough to be in the center of it in a matter of a few minutes. Onsite amenities include a brand new gym with peloton bike and state of the art equipment overlooking Kapiʻolani Park, in-room massage, cruiser bikes to borrow anytime and the “living room” – a communal space (that can also be rented out) that includes shuffleboard, big screen TV with streaming, a high-tech sports simulator (round of golf anyone?), chess and space to snack on farm-to-table bites from Arden, the hotelʻs premier restaurant (a favorite amongst locals) located on the same floor. Oceanview rooms are located on the fifth floor and higher, and all rooms include hardwood floors, lanai and choice of one king or two double beds.
You’ll love Surfjack’s retro vibe the moment you see their “Wish You Were Here” swimming pool located in the center of the hotel. Most rooms are suite-like with living rooms, lanai and cool local touches scattered throughout the room (their toiletries and in-room magazine rocks). Even cooler than the pool are the living spaces surrounding it, with cozy couches for reading and listening to live music. Local favorite coffee shop Arvo is located just off the lobby and Mahina & Suns Restaurant offers delicious bites and cocktails poolside. Surfjack is also dog friendly, so feel free to bring your pup!
Cocktail lovers will love this retro hotel with its world-class bartenders at both the pool bar (where there are swings in place of barstools) and at the hotelʻs late-night speakeasy. Located one block from the International Marketplace in Waikīkī, The White Sands is a hip place to stay for guests who love to party.
The Surfjack pool. Courtesy of Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club.
Vacation rentals, or short-term rentals, are heavily restricted on Oʻahu to preserve housing for residents. Vacation rentals are only allowed in designated resort-zoned or specific apartment-zones areas, not in residential neighborhoods. To rent a property outside these zones, guests need to commit to a 30-90 day minimum stay. Vacation rentals have to be authorized by the State of Hawaiʻi and/or the relevant County. Before booking a property, you should confirm that the owner or property manager is operating in compliance with all applicable laws.
The official City and County of Honolulu website has an STR Compliance Map, which is the best tool for verifying any property's license.
Castle Vacation Rentals Hawaiʻi
Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas, Ko Olina
Hilton Vacation Club The Modern Honolulu
Shell Vacations Club Waikiki Marina Resort at the Ilikai
Ko ʻOlina Lagoon. Courtesy of Ko Olina Resort.
Ko ʻOlina, or “Place of Joy,” is located in West Oʻahu in the historic ahupua‘a of Honouliuli. This 642-acre stretch along the Waiʻanae mountain range was known to Native Hawaiians as a place of rest, healing and sustenance. It was a retreat for ali‘i (royalty) and a navigational marker for fishermen. Now a resort community, Ko ʻOlina is known for its luxury accommodations, four oceanfront swimming lagoons and 1 ½ miles of shoreline walking trails and the island’s best weather.
In 2025, Ko ʻOlina Resort partnered with the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) to include more cultural programming throughout the resort area, and ensure that future developments are guided by cultural stewardship and community collaboration with Native Hawaiians.
Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu at Ko Olina
This is the only Four Seasons on O‘ahu. The luxury resort includes five restaurants and bars serving sustainable, local cuisine and the Naupaka Spa & Wellness Centre, which specializes in Hawaiian healing therapies and includes indoor hot and cold plunge pools, steam room, sauna and two Himalayan salt chambers.
With 350 hotel rooms and 480 Disney Vacation Club Villas, Aulani is one of the largest resorts on Oʻahu. Kids will enjoy the interactive kids club, swimming pools, snorkel lagoon and waterways for tubing. Adults will love the 23,000-square-foot spa, hydrotherapy garden and fitness center. KA W‘AA luau features an island buffet, traditional and modern hula and traditional Hawaiian storytelling.
Marriott’s Ko ʻOlina Beach Club
Marriott Vacation Club International’s first resort on O‘ahu is located across 30 acres overlooking Nai‘a Lagoon and consists of 750 one- two- and three-bedroom villas, four pools, a state-of-the-art gym, spa, restaurant, grocery store and shopping. Perfect for families and couples. The property hosts several activities each day, two farmers markets a week and local makers fairs throughout the week.
The Beach Villas at Ko Olina comprise two- and three-bedroom villas, with lanais and kitchens designed by chef Roy Yamaguchi with Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances for extended-stay (seven nights or longer). The property includes a fitness center, lap pool and the Makai Hale Beach Bar.
Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina.
18-hole championship golf course designed by Ted Robinson. The Ko Olina Clubhouse includes a golf shop, locker rooms and Roy’s restaurant featuring Hawaiian fusion cuisine for lunch and dinner. The Ko Olina Golf Academy offers a grass driving range, putting green, short game practice area and one-on-one golf instruction by an award-winning PGA Professionals.
330 full-service slip marina accommodating vessels up to 200 feet with floating docks, fuel dock for gas and water activities including snorkel tours, scuba diving, sailing and sunset cruises.
Restaurants include Monkeypod Kitchen, ABC Stores’ Island Country Market, Eggs ‘n Things, Mekiko, Black Sheep Creamery, Starbucks, and 808 Craft House. Clothing retailers include Bikini Bird, Tommy Bahama and Crazy Shirts. Also home to Ko Olina Visitor Center.
1. Watch Humpback Whales Return to Hawaiian Waters
Each winter, humpback whales migrate thousands of miles to Hawai‘i’s warm waters. Book a Whale-Watching Boat Tour.
2. Celebrate the Holidays in Ko ʻOlina
Ko ʻOlina’s resorts will be offering family-friendly celebratory events throughout the holidays including a fireworks show over the lagoons on New Year’s Eve.
Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu at Ko Olina hosts Ballet Hawaii performances and oceanside festivities that blend island tradition with modern luxury.
3. Start the New Year Right
If you are staying at Aulani, guests can participate in morning yoga on the beach and enjoy native botanical therapies at Aulani’s Kula Wai Hydrotherapy Garden.
4. Cruise in Calm Waters
Ko ʻOlina’s lagoons remain calm and swimmable in the winter months. Perfect for snorkeling, swimming or paddling a traditional wa‘a (canoe).
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