Samsaf

My husband and I got tickets to Honolulu for May 6-14, 2009 (8 nights). This will be our 5th trip to Hawaii. Oahu is the island (of the big 4) where we've spent the least amount of time, and we're thinking about staying there the whole 8 nights. If we can't figure out a plan for that, we'll stay there 2-3 nights and then 5-6 nights on another island, probably Maui this time.

Here's what we'd like:

2 or 3 nights in Waikiki. We've never stayed in Waikiki; we've stayed at the J W Marriott west of Waikiki. I think we'd like to stay at a hotel that is on the beach, where we can walk to most things we want to do. We might be able to stay free at the Marriott or Hilton with points.

After that, we're thinking of heading north for the rest of our time (5-6 nights). We want a house or condo that is directly on the beach, with a decent pool, incredible views, peace and privacy, but not too far from restaurants, grocery stores, etc. It would be great if there was a grill where we could cook out sometimes. We want slightly upscale; would probably want to stay under $300 per night.

We like to snorkel, explore, walk different beaches, see the sites, hike (hopefully, if I've completely recovered from my Achilles' tendon surgery by then). We also sitting around the pool under an umbrella, reading books and relaxing. We're not really into fancy food, nightlife. Our perfect nightlife would be sitting under the stars with each other, looking at the ocean.

I've searched VRBO for condos on the north shore and between there and Waikiki, but I'm not exactly sure these places are what we want. I'm not sure Turtle Bay is where we want, either. I'd like a small condo with a very nice pool, very nicely landscaped, modern and clean rooms, on the beach, with a view -- does this place exist?

If it helps, our favorite islands so far are Kauai and the Big Island. We haven't been to Mauai in several years, though, so if we don't stay our whole time in Oahu we will probably go back there. If we go there, we'll also be looking for a condo with a nice pool/grounds.

Thanks so much for any help you can give. I'll be continuing to do research, too.

okoshi2002

Sorry-no it does not exist, there are no condos or hotels on the north shore of Oahu that fit your desired descriptions except Turtle Bay. There are no other hotels or condos on the north shore, period. You might consider the Koolina Resort if you want to be away from Waikiki.

suze

Check a hotel map for Waikiki, there's only a few hotels (less than a dozen) that are actually located ON Waikiki beach.

elkhound

Samsaf: okoshi2002 is right. I have been looking for the same thing on the North Shore the last two years. Turtle Bay is the only thing close to what you are looking, but it's very expensive and, in my opinion, overrated. This year, we stayed at Kuilima Estates, which is on (but not part of) the Turtle Bay Resort. Several nice pools, good security, full kitchens, but at least a quarter of a mile to the beach. Pools are few and far between on the North Shore. There are many rental homes and some condo complexes that are beachside, but no pools. If you find one, let me know. I'm still searching for next year's visit to the North Shore.

crefloors

Maybe Dusty will see this. He has posted so much information about Oahu. I put his name in the search box and it didn't bring up his posts will all his links, so maybe a search of Oahu will bring it up. I'm not certain how much pertained to accommodations but there is a list of a zillion and one things to do for sure.

hulajake

There are a few condos in Haliewa and Punaluu but don't believe they would be called upscale.
There are some homes over in the Mokuleia area on homeaway.com or vrbo.com and try greatrentals.com and vamoose.com.

dusty56438

Google: Oahu condo on the beach

Google: Oahu beach house

http://www.visit-oahu.com/mp/listing.aspx

http://www.visit-oahu.com/planner.aspx Click on: Oahu Travel Planner e-brochure

You can read the entire brochure online now. You can change to one page. You can magnify. Toward the back of the brochure, there are clickable links to lodging, attractions, restaurants

http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/hawaii/oahu

I would look at North Shore & Kailua/Lanikai areas.

Best North Shore locations are Waimea, Pupukea (Shark's Cove), Sunset Beach, Ehukai (Banzai Pipeline). Many of these areas have a Haleiwa address, so you would have to map the location on google or other map source.

Sorry, but I don't have any specific recommendation for a beach condo or beach house.

aloha

Waikiki is very walkable, so pretty much anywhere you stay will be in walking distance of all of Waikiki. there is a map here http://www.driveguidemagazines.com/oahu_waikiki.html You can see the number of hotels that are direct becahfront. East of the Moana, the beach is part of a park, so from the Hyatt east, all the hotels on Kalakaua have a direct beach view.

As far as a rental outside of Waikiki, I think it will be hard to find anything beachfront with a pool. Besides VRBO, you might try contacting realtors as some vacation properties are rented that way.

Samsaf

Thanks so much for all the information! I have been looking at it.

Maybe I emphasized the "upscale" part too much. What about a condo/house with pool that is neat and clean and on the beach? Anything there? I would love to find a condo that has reviews on the internet, so I can get a better feel for the place and area.

If we can't find anything on Oahu, we'll be heading back to Mauai or Kauai, I think.

Again, thanks so much for helping us with this trip

Barbara5353

I'll add my voice to those who say: what you are looking for just doesn't exist on Oahu. I was happy with the condo I rented in Punaluu, but not sure it has enough of your wish list items. The complex IS beachfront, with incredible views and peace and privacy. The complex is Pat's at Punaluu and there are reviews on Tripadviser. It has a mix of residents and vacation rentals. Rentals are only available through private parties. Quality varies GREATLY! Here are 3 of the top-notch units: www.vrbo.com/246277
www.vrbo.com/143381
www.vrbo.com/133891
The first one is a true one bedroom, and the other two are more like a large studio with a sleeping alcove for the queen sized beds. I'm familiar with the owners of the two smaller units (rented from one), and highly recommend either for excellent customer service and integrity. We ate at some local spots and drove to Turtle Bay when we wanted something more upscale. Loved the low-key lifestyle, the calm reef-protected ocean, and the gorgeous views.

Samsaf

Thanks, Barbara. I looked at all 3 rentals and sent emails to the owners.

If I can't find this on Oahu, where can we find it on Kauai or Maui? We've always stayed at hotels on both islands.

Thanks so much!

aloha

From what I've seen, I think it is not very common to have a pool on a beachfront property on O'ahu. (I don't remember seeing a lot of pools on Kaua'i either. ) But if you can do without a pool, there are numerous beachfront rentals that are nice.

mouseRD

There is a recent review for a vacation rental, Santa's By The Sea, on T.A.. It looks nice enough, no swimming pool, but a lovely outdoor shower & gazebo. Not certain of exact location, but I'm sure the experts on this forum would know.

suze

Agreeing with others, it's the requirement of a swimming pool AND beachfront that may limit your options, not just on Oahu, but the other islands as well.

iamq

I am fairly familiar with rentals in Kauai. There are several oceanfront rentals in Poipu with pool. A few are beachfront (with small, semi rocky beaches), but most are right on the ocean. There is one called the "Sandy Beach House" that is on a little stretch of beach. It is in the Poipu area. There is the Waiohai Beach House right on Poipu Beach. It has a pool, but that rents for about $2000 a day. There are many beachfront rentals on the northshore in Hanalei, Haena and Anini, but I don't recall any in the listings I've looked at have a pool. I have seen one home on Makua (Tunnels) beach with a pool, but it isn't in the rental pool (that I am aware of, but that is always changing). There are some rentals in Kilauea that are located above Secret Beach and Kahiliwai beach that have pools. Some have paths to access the various beaches. There are some vacation homes for rent in Princeville with pool, some may have paths down the cliffs to some of the secluded coves at the bottom of the cliffs. There are some condos in Princeville with pools that have pathways down to Hideaways beach down below the cliffs.

A great condo on Kauai with a pool that is oceanfront is Whaler's Cove. No beach though.

There are many nice condos on Maui with pool and beach, not so many homes though that have both.

Hope this helps.