Where to Stay and Dine in Oahu
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Video compliments of the Travel ChannelWhere to Stay and Dine
For most Oahu visitors, the only decision to make in where to stay is "How close to the beach do you want to be?" Most of Oahu's hotels are somewhere near Waikiki Beach; the general rule of thumb is the more salty sea breezes that'll blow through your hair, the more you'll pay for your lodgings. Overall, rooms are smaller than you might expect, too—Honolulu is a Pacific Rim Capital, after all, and space is at a premium, especially on the water. The luxury hotels right on the beach are at the center of all the action on Waikiki, where you'll also find a terrific assortment of restaurants and shops, not to mention live music and street performers on the sidewalk overlooking that legendary stretch. To be in the heart of the action, opt for the centrally located hotels, such as the Sheraton Waikiki (2255 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, 808-922-4422) or the Moana Surfrider (2365 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, 808-922-3111), the first hotel on Waikiki Beach. Both hotels are rated three stars by Mobil.
© Sheraton Waikiki Rum Firepit
If the hubbub of the beachfront is not your thing, venture to the eastern and western edges of Waikiki Beach—the further you get from the center, the more residential the beach starts to feel. Choose hotels such as the Mobil four-star Halekulani (2199 Kalia Road, Honolulu, 808-923-2311), a lovely spot due west of Waikiki that puts you between the buzz of the beach and places like Kapiolani Park, where you'll often see locals running or walking their dogs.
© Halekulani Hotel
Of course, if you want to skip the commercialized Waikiki Beach altogether, you could explore other parts of the island. Stay on the north shore if you're a surfing fanatic, especially during the "winter," when waves can swell up to 30 feet. Turtle Bay Resort (57-091 Kamehameha Hwy., Kahuku, 808-293-6000), a Mobil three-star hotel, is a solid option for this side of the island.
Dining in Honolulu follows similar rules. You'll pay more for a seat at one of the beachfront bars and restaurants than at a place a few blocks inland. But when you're snacking barefoot on sashimi at a place like Duke's Canoe Club (2335 Kalakaua Ave., Suite 116, Honolulu, 808-922-2268) overlooking the same waves where Kahanamoku himself hung ten, you probably won't mind. But if what's on your plate—not the beach—is your destination, then head for Mobil four-star restaurant Chef Mavro (1969 S. King St., Honolulu, 808-944-4714) for award-winning Hawaiian fare executed with French technique, or high-end Alan Wong's (1857 S. King St., Honolulu, 808-737-1177), which ups the ante for regional cuisine.
Don't leave Honolulu without venturing downtown, where innovative restaurants like Indigo (1121 Nu'uanu Ave., Honolulu, 808-521-2900) are stylishly pushing the boundaries of fusion cooking. Or just wander around Chinatown until you find your own undiscovered gem.
Featured Videos
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Activities
The North Shore is located to the north of Oahu, and contains six of the world's best surfing locations. Check out this Travel Channel clip for a close-up look. |
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Where to Stay and Dine
Coral reefs protect Sunset beach, and creates a front-row seat to one of Hawaii's best view of the sunset. Take a look at this clip to learn more about Sunset beach. |
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Nightlife
Waikiki is a world-famous tourist attraction, and has earned a special place in American visions of paradise. Take a look at this Travel Channel clip to learn more. |
