The 3 of us (my wife and 2.5 yr old) are planning a 7 night vacation in Oahu in Feb07 and need hotel/condo advice. Breaking up into 2 locations sounds good right now, but it depends on your feedback. For example, staying for 3 nights in Waikiki to get the cultural, big city, shopping, and food. Then staying the remaining nights away from the bustle for the beach-side, nature scenery, and relaxation. Of course, we'll likely be driving to various highlights (e.g., PCC, Northshore, fruit/nut farms) throughout the vacation.

Under $200/night would be preferred. Having a refrigerator and kitchenette would be nice, but not absolutely necessary (perhaps more difficult for hotels in Waikiki, but less so for hotel/condo in less busy area).

Can you help with:
1. Hotel in Waikiki
2. Where to stay for beach-side, nature, and relaxation? Suggestions for both area and hotel or condo.
3. Any other suggestions for this first-time traveler to Oahu

Thanks a bunch!!

One idea for a hotel in Waikiki is the Aqua Palms www.aquaresorts.com/aqua-palms/index.htm
We stayed at this hotel in 2000, when it was called Waikiki Parkside, and we were pleased with it. From the website it looks as if it would fit your budget and rooms have a microwave and small refrigerator. It is located at the west end of Waikiki, a couple of blocks from the beach, near the Hilton Hawaiian Village and Ft. deRussy. deRussy park fronts the beach and there is a playground which your toddler would enjoy. You can walk along the beach to the Shore Bird which has a delicious well-priced breakfast buffet. There was a nice 24-hour restaurant just a block or so away on Ala Moana Blvd called Wailana coffee House, good for breakfast when you wake up at 4 a.m. due to jet lag. From here you would have a long walk or a short bus ride/car drive to Ala Moana Park, which would be fun for your toddler to swim and play.

For your nights outside of Waikiki you might consider the Kailua area, which has pretty beaches and generally calm water. I would start with vrbo.com (vacation rentals by owner) to get an idea of what is available in different areas of the island.

An excellent book for maps, information, and great photos of O'ahu is Driving and Discovering O'ahu by Richard Sullivan. It is very helpful for planning and makes a great memento also. ww.discoveringhawaii.com is website for the book.

One site for beach info would be www.aloha.com/~lifeguards/index.html , it is about beaches with lifeguards.

You maybe late in your planning unless you have some flexiblity in your dates of travel. That is peak season for several reasons however you may still find rooms in Waikiki. Look at Ohana Hotels and Resortquest both have a wide selection. Away from Waikiki try vrbo there are several listings for condos and rental homes.

aloha!
for waikiki, I loved this hotel... inexpensive, tropical/modern decor, clean/comfy bed, kitchenette, great views of diamond head/kapiolani park and waikiki beach! http://www.queenssurf.com/
suggest you look into kailua or the north shore for the other leg of your trip... keiki beach bungalows on the north shore look nice. I don't have the website, but I bet you could just google it. : )

enjoy!

Lots to do on Oahu:

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

Thank you very much everyone. I appreciate all the help you provide throughout the forum.

I've reserved 4 nights at Turtle Bay Resort. I got a fairly good price at hotels.com (I was going to go through Priceline for even cheaper, but when I came back to reserve, the room was gone!!). I think my little one will enjoy the keiki pool and running around the beach nearby.

I still haven't reserved 3 nights of hotel in Waikiki. Based on some of your suggestions and other posts, I've narrowed it down to Aqua Palms, The Breakers, or the Outrigger Luana Waikiki.

The book by Richard Sullivan looks to be a good local guide more in-depth than most. Are there any threads that talk about other good O'ahu guides?

Aloha!

I have the 'Driving & Discovering Hawaii, Oahu' by Richard Sullivan and the 'Oahu Revealed' books.

Both are good.

'Oahu Revealed' is more informative.

'Driving & Discovering Hawaii, Oahu' is better with pictures.