BTownJ

I just found out that I am taking a trip to Honolulu in May. I will be there for 5 days. I leave in 2 weeks and I don't know where to stay or what to do. Any advice would be a huge help. I will probably need to stay somewhere close to Honolulu. I love going to the beach, so I definitely want to check out some of the beaches and it would be nice to stay either on one or within walking distance! What are your favorite beaches?

Thanks a bunch for your help! I'm very excited!

aloha

The simplest thing would be to stay in Waikiki. The beach there is beautiful and everything in Waikiki is within walking distance of the beach. There are hotels in all price ranges. There are numerous historic sites in Honolulu if that interests you.

Since you love beaches, i recommend renting a car for a couple of days and driving around the island--taking time to stop at various beaches and enjoy them. If you really want to experience the beaches, go part way around the island one day, and cover the rest the next day.

Sandy Beach is a great place to watch bodysurfers. Waimanalo is usually good for doing some boogie-boarding or just playing in the waves. The beaches on the North Shore are beautiful.

Do a search for O'ahu here and lots of recent advice will come up.

aloha

This website
www.hawaiiweb.com/oahu/beaches/default.htm
has good pictures of beaches on O'ahu. I have not been to every beach on the island, but so far I can say all I've been to are gorgeous...
Waimea is very nice. the overlook at Makapu'u is a wonderful vista up the shore.

hulajake

If you want more direct responses we need to know what kind of budget you'll have to work with. A couple of hotel families to look at are Ohana/Outrigger Hotels and Resortquest Hotels. There are some less expensive but these will give you an idea what you're looing at for beachfront.
I agree rent a car to see the many beaches but heed the warnings.

MelissaHI

Stay tuned, dusty should be posting with his comprehensive list. You should refer to that for all the stuff you need to know, in a pinch.

suze

I would stay in Waikiki and go to the beach at Waikiki. I like The Hawaiiana Hotel (~$165) which is about 3 blocks walking distance from the beach around Fort De Russey park.

There are a few hotels directly on the beach, many more with ocean views, and walking distance away. Can you give us an idea your price range and the kind of hotel you are looking for. There's cheap/funky and expensive/fancy and everything in between... that still fits what you describe.

reneea

If you are just planning to hang out in Waikiki, you may not need to rent a car for your entire stay. But, I would recommend renting one for a day or two to see the rest of the island.

The weather should be great in May and because most kids are still in school, it won't be as crowded as Summer.

Hope you have a great visit!

dusty56438

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34812564

jannieween

mark

BTownJ

Thanks for your help!

I am looking for somewhere middle range. A free breakfast would be nice, but I haven't been able to find to many with that so far.

The place I am looking at right now is the Aqua Waikiki Wave at 2299 Kuhio Ave. Right on the other side of the international market. Anyone know about this place or this area?

Other similar places you would recommend?

suze

I don't know the specific hotel but I do know that exact area. It's GREAT imo. I wouldn't worry too much about breakfast, there's all kinds of cheap eats along Kuhio. Coffee shops w/ $2.99 specials, St Germaine bakery, Food Pantry grocery store, etc.

BTownJ

Another property I am looking at is Outrigger Waikiki. It is the one that is right on the beach. It looks pretty nice from the pictures, but also it is super huge. Has anyone stayed here before?

I can get these for about the same price...would it be nicer to be directly on the beach or do you really not miss much by being a couple blocks back?

emmaandamber

We were in Waikiki earlier this month and stayed at the Outrigger Waikiki on the beach. I loved the hotel and would definitely recommend it. We had an ocean front room with a georgeous view of the beach as well as Diamond Head. We could even see sea turtles in the water from our 8th floor room. The hotel does have a busy atmosphere -so it is a great choice if you are looking for a spot with a lot of energy. We ate at all three restaurants which were very good. The only drawback I can think of is the very thin walls. You can hear quite a lot of what goes on in the room next to you!

suze

If the hotel has an area with umbrellas and loungers right on the beach, I think that would be great! If not, then a few blocks in doesn't matter imo.

karameli

The Outrigger Waikiki gets great reviews. We stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village and loved it. Lots of restaurants and shopping on site, not to mention a nice beach. You can usually find decent rates there -- around $225/night. Sometimes they offer promotions with free breakfast. Not sure what your budget is though!

BTownJ

New place I am looking at: Aqua Ocean Tower. It's rooms may be lacking a little, but locations is 1/2 block off of park side of the beach.

Anyone stayed here before?

pspercy

If you can swing staying at the Outrigger I'd stay there, you'd have Duke's and Hula Grill right there too.

If you want cheap try Waikiki Prince, it's a block behind the Hyatt and typ under $100/nt. Australians like it. Wife & I walked & found it to see if it really existed, it does

Monilonilei

I wish it could be me....going back to Hawaii. We went there in March this year and stayed at Aqua Bamboo on Kuhio. The hotel is not anything special, but the stuff and the pool area is great. I donŽt know if any other hotel has this private and quite nice area. We had a room on 7th floor with two balconys, one with morningsun and the other with eveningsun. We cooked our own breakfast in the room. Some room have kitchenets.
I hope you have a nice trip.........no, I know youŽll have one!!