Hi, newbie here. Going to Oahu in July. Will stay there for three days before moving on to the Big Island. Any recommendations for where to stay in Oahu for a family of four? In the Big Island, we are hoping to splurge at the Hilton Waikoloa. In Oahu, we want to stay somewhere less expensive, but comfortable for a family. Help! Never been to Oahu!

I would find a condo in Kailua/North Shore myself but it all depends on what your game plan is. If a lot of activities on the other sides are pulling you than I am sure many of us can suggest great hotels in Waikiki.

Think about why you are going, wide open spaces, seclusion, nature the places I suggested would be great. Of course museums, Iolani Palace, Chinatown (Waikiki, Diamond Head, Hawaii Kai (condo in this last spot)would work also. Beauty about Kailua is that in 20 minutes you are over the pali and in downtown honolulu.

Other places of interest of course are hiking trails on North and Windward side. Byodo temple on the windward, sealife park (windward), Hanama Bay (Hawaii Kai area). Any many more.......

What are you coming for?

... and will you have a car?

If you want to stay in Honolulu and just spend time in that area, there are many hotels others can recommend. If you want to get out of the city and see more of nature, Sarah's suggestion to stay either in Kailua or the North Shore is a good one. Rent a condo in either place, rent a car to explore the whole island. This is the best solution we've found for travelling with a family. But three days is so short. It really depends on what you want to do.

My sister suggested the Kailua area, too, and a friend said Waikiki is not a good place for small kids. I have to read up on Oahu to decide what we want to do. I don't even know what there is to do there for little kids! And yes, we will have a car.

Kailua has a great beach for little kids, very calm waters. The problem you may encounter is that there are not hotels in Kailua, only condos and houses for rent. Many of them may have longer stay requirements than three nights. The house we normally stay in has a 7-night minimum stay. But do a google search and see what you can find. The north shore is also a lovely place to stay in a condo or house, but the beaches are not as safe, big waves. I wouldn't necessarily say that it is bad for kids to stay in Waikiki. If you are in a hotel on the beach it would be fun, but it is crowded and would probably be more relaxing in a house or condo instead.

Thanks for all your suggestions. I researched Oahu today and thought that maybe we'd consider the Oahu part of our vacation as the busy, sightseeing first half of our trip, and the Big Island as the laidback, relaxing latter half of our trip. Therefore, I'm thinking of maybe braving Waikiki and staying at a hotel there, since we will be taking it easy at the Hilton Waikoloa in the Big Island later. In Oahu, I'm considering the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel, the Waikiki Beach Marriott and the Outrigger Waikiki On The Beach--I've heard good things about them and the rates fit our budget.

I don't know how small your kids are but there's a protected area behind some manmade jetty-like structures that would be great for getting in the water but not having to worry about the ocean currents.
This summer we stayed at the Radisson Prince Kuhio, which is a block off the beach, but the access was really easy and the hotel was nice (and I'm pretty picky).
That jetty area was straight out from our hotel.
The Radisson is fairly reasonable pricewise as well.
FYI, any supplies you need you can get at the ABC stores you see everywhere in Waikiki. Everything from tanning lotions, hats, souvenirs, water or cereal. It's all there.

I just took a look as I thought I might have stayed in that Aston at one time (but I didn't) and it seems to be right by that jetty-protected area as well.

Third time is the charm they say...
Also, that area is definitely the calmer end of Waikiki compared with the location of the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach.
Sorry I'm so scattered, it's been a long day!

Anne--how old are your kids? We took ours when they were 4 and 7 and we found plenty to do in Waikiki for 2 days. We toured the Arizona Memorial and the USS Bowfin, then spent some time at the beach on day one. On day two we hiked up Diamond Head and took a rainforest hike.. The hotel we stayed at was not right on the beach and wasn't that great so I won't give you a rec for that. Just wanted to let you know that there are things to do with younger children. There were more things that we wanted to do but we moved on to the Big Island. I think you will have a great time there. Wish we could have stayed at the Hilton Waikoloa--we visited there and it is gorgeous. Be sure to go see the volcano--that was the highlight for all of us and my kids are still talking about it.

Thanks for all your replies. I have a preschooler and a kindergartener. Having that sheltered lagoon area, away from the big waves is a good idea for our family. I think you're right, Quincy--it may be located in the Aston or Marriott vicinity.

For our short stay in Oahu, we're considering hitting the beach, hiking up to Diamond Head, going to that famous beach that starts with the letter "H" and maybe seeing Pearl Harbor and the Polynesian Cultural Center. Although the Polynesian Center may be too far and travelling there may take up too much time.

In the Big Island, we will relax and enjoy nature and lounge around the resort. If we go sightseeing, we will probably see the volcano.

In the

In the Waikiki area, take a look at the New Otani Kaimana Hotel- they have suites for families and a very safe, quiet beach called Sans Souci. Great location near Diamond Head, the aquarium, the zoo, and Kapiolani Park.

I'll second the rec for the New Otani location and the beach in front of it. The aquarium was fun for my kids when they were little. I don't know if you want to waste an entire day at the Polynesian Cultural Center. It is pricey and a far distance from Honolulu and if your kids are bored or get tired you will have spent a load of money and have a long drive back to the hotel. You can see the free hula show at the Kodak shell right near the aquarium, visit the Bishop Museum where they also have some children's activities, and take a stroll through Chinatown where you can have a plate lunch and pick up some leis. The kids will love Hanuama Bay where they can wade into the water and have schools of fish swimming around their legs. But try and get there early, it gets crowded. There is so much to do, you will have to pick and choose for your three days. A drive to the North Shore or to the Windward side of the island is great to do if you have the time. Have some shave ice and if you see a shrimp truck definitely stop and get some yummy garlicky shrimp and rice. One more rec, we always dine at least once at Sam Choy's Breakfast, Lunch and Crab and the kids love it. Great food, huge portions and a kid-friendly atmosphere.

57 more days for us!

Thanks for your wonderful suggestions. Yes, Hanuama Bay sounds great, Spike, and I've heard good things about the Bishop Museum. And shave ice is a must experience. Perhaps we'll save the Polynesian Cultural Center for a future trip when the kids are older.

I had the Otani on my list, but I crossed it out--I don't exactly remember why, but I think it was because the cheaper rooms do not accomodate two adults and two kids and the rooms that accomodate four were beyond my budget. I want to spend only around $150 a night in Waikiki since we will be spending more money at the Hilton Waikoloa later. So it's back to either the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel or the Waikiki Beach Marriott. (I'm crossing out the Outrigger Waikiki On The Beach because it seems to be in a much more crowded location.)

Has anyone stayed in the aforementioned hotels? Any recommendations?

Returned last night from 8 days on the islands (Kauai and Oahu); definitely recommend seeing Oahu FIRST if you have that choice. We made the mistake of spending six days on relaxing Kauai and then heading to Oahu to simply see Pearl Harbor, the Mighty Mo and a trip up to the north shore (the waves were 20 footers! what a show!). Anyhow, we found Waikiki (stayed at the Waikiki Beachcomber) much too crowded for our liking - might as well go to Santa Monica. But everyone has their likes and dislikes. We have no future plans to spend time in Waikiki. My kids said it was like any other crowded big city, but with a beach.

You might want to consider Waikiki Shores condo which is right on the beach in an excellent location. The individually owned units are studio, one bedroom, and two bedroom - then you have a kitchen and a little more room.

If you're still open to considering non-Honolulu areas, check out the website Vacation Rentals by Owner, vrbo.com. We rented a one-bedroom apartment in Lanikai for four nights last month and really enjoyed staying on that side of the island. You should be able to find something that will accomodate a family of four in your price range. We were driven into Honolulu a couple times by relatives and the traffic was really bad (we were there on pro bowl weekend and that may have made things worse)--I drive into downtown DC every day and so am used to traffic. As people have said, the beaches at Kailua are lovely.

When you hike up Diamond Head, be sure to wear sturdy shoes (no flip-flops or sandals), take plenty of water and flashlights for everyone. Your preschooler may get tired and there aren't a lot of places to stop on the way up (there are a few, but not many)so he/she may need to be carried part of the way. My daughter was 4 when she did it and actually complained less than the 7 year old! But it is so worth it when you get to the top! Hope you have a great time!

If I were staying on Oahu with kids Sealife park is a must see if you are not near any major marine parks at home. The kids we took loved it and there are many interactive marine pools that you might want to sign up for before hand. Look into this.

I second a skip of the Polynesian Cultural center a complete waste of money even if you have the time.

You and your husband might appreciate the tour at Iolani Palace. Kids might get bored though. Pitty though, on Fridays you can picnic to the Royal Hawaiian Band after the tour on the grounds.

Your kids would love feeding airborn birds out their hands at Byon Temple on the Windward side with a stop off at pali (Mountain top View of the island and a fun wind that feels like it might pick you off the ground) before hand. You also want to drive along Diamond head Drive and stop for the wind surfers, the blow hole, and than of course that "H" beach .

Keeps us posted!

Check out Marc Diamond Head - only above 7th floor or so. Just along from New Otani, it has a mix of rooms, and I think there will be a couple that may suit. We were there when they were renovating and liked our room - had kitchen with full facilities. Had a good price due to renovation. I really preferred that end of Waikiki for its quietness. Good for kids with parks in front and aquarium 5 minutes away. Also much better for parking.