Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Where to Stay on Oahu

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Where to Stay on Oahu

We are going to Hawaii in October and we'll be on Kauai for a week. We are still undecided about BI or Oahu. From many of the posts it sounds like Oahu would be moreto our liking. We are not into Waikiki, but rather other parts of the island. Does anyone have recommendations for hotels, B&B's? Mid price range. We would be open to idea's about things to do. Been to Kauai and Maui twice and absolutely loved them both.

For North Shore possibilities, try Haleiwa.org

Sure liked The Turtle Bay Hilton up north. Its away from the Honolulu crowd, but near other neat places like the the Polynesian Center.

I think you should only go to Oahu for the cultural center type things you can find there. We are renting a place on Lanikai beach this August. I love the windward side but I am going in August not sure what it would be like in October. Oh heck, I lived on Oahu and I never remember a time when I did not enjoy Lanikai or Kailua. Lanikai being my favorite haunt. I think if you are strickly going to be outdoors and the historical/cultural/food stuff on Oahu is not your thing, I say head to the big island. I have cut that off my 12 day trip this summer and am very upset. When is the next time you are going to see a volcano at night flowing into the ocean. What you are off to Italy this summer, oh...never mind. www.vactionspot.com, we are renting from Pat's Kailua Properties (had a dickens of a time finding website) but the pictures and prices are excellent, www.vacationhost.com also. What is mid range? A great deal is on the North End of Waikiki at the Ilikai Hotel. You can get full ocean view w/lani/kitchen/airconditioning in a fourstar hotel for about 1200 per week maybe less because you are going off season, city veiw is $870. The parking is great so you can wiz in and out. You are in back of a marina so it is not ocean front but still wonderfully scenic. Just a thought. I am not a waikiki person but I enjoyed our stay here, the few summers we went. If you do elect to go here call hotel for name and number of the condo rental office.

Stacey, Thanks for your reply. When you say the cultural things, what specifically do you mean? I have heard negative thingsabout the Cultural Center. Not worth the time etc... Too touristy... We have been to Maui and Kauai twice and loved the islands. We did a little hiking, Napali coast by Zodiak, helicoptor tour, Haleakala etc... We love the beautiful beaches and great restauants. What can we expect on Oahu and would this be your recommendation based on the above? Thanks again for your insight. MIke

Mike, The Ilikai Hotel, that Stacey mentioned, is another property Paul recommends. It's at the opposite end of Waikiki from the other hotels you've been looking at.

I am long winded when it comes to Hawaii so bear with me here…. I am taking a family of 5 to Oahu for the first time in 11 days....small hoorah for me. We are going to Kauai for one week and Oahu for the second week. I am from NYC so I get antsy when I am in wide open spaces too long. Just kidding but I do get bored. I really want to show my nieces and nephews the very rich Asian Culture that lives on Oahu. You can drive around China town and on the outskirts, find at least one very authentic Japanese temple. I wish I could scan a photo to show you. The one I am thinking of has giant ropes that are a foot wide, draped down the front of a dark wood façade that peaks in the center of the roof to create a triangular. Ok I am not a novelist, wanted to give you some kind of picture of how unique the structure is. There are what looks like paper crafted doves (origami) also hanging. The structure is completely Japanese. The botanical gardens also has a Buddhist temple with Chinese monks as care takers. I think this stuff is very exciting if you have not had a chance to travel to Asia before. I am looking forward to introducing my sister’s kids to it. Byodo temple on the windward side (go to hawaiiweb.com and see photo) is very grand and I would not go to Oahu without dropping by. You will no doubt see postcards of this when you travel. The Asian food on Oahu is far more authentic then anything I have had in NYC in my 15 years here. There are also events that celebrate several Asian Cultures. You can go to festivals (the ones in Kapiolani park are the best) (I am skeptical of events at Aloha Tower too commercial), attend Bon Dances, watch a parade of paper lanterns float along a canal, dragon boat races. Go to the Japanese Cultural Center ( A real cultural center) and learn all about the very large Japanese community on Oahu. Sometimes they offer a traditional Japanese tea ceremony here. I think it also adds to a trip to Pearl Harbor because you see what the Japanese community on Oahu had to contend with just after the bombing. All of these events/places are very colorful I always feel like I am traveling when I attend one. There are frequently events that draw in local musical artists like “Aloha Week” Mokolaulea (sp) Festival both in early fall if memory serves. November, Hawaii international film festival, all of the theatres throughout Honolulu open their doors to new foreign films followed by a lecture from the director, sometimes cast members. What you will see depends on the time of year your come. Go to the Hawaii visitors bureau website and click on calendar events if you have an interest. Apart from this there is the standard stuff that you would expect as culture. I would look into a Kabuki performance if you did go, University of Hawaii (theater website for schedule). The more standard stuff, Academy of Art gallery, Opera, Ballet all exist on Oahu. Bishop Museum is probably the best museum through out the islands for Hawaiian Culture. Check out Blaisdell’s website for nationally recognized acts visiting the islands. And do avoid Polynesian Cultural Center a complete rip off of the culture and your dollars.

part two... So I guess blending this stuff with an outdoors holiday is a good mix. I may be wrong we will see how my experimental family responds. I hope their Aunts interest is an indicator because I love this stuff. Also during your stay you can hike, snorkel, surf, sail on Oahu. I lived on Oahu for a while and as you can see miss it. There is a book called, Driving and Discovering Oahu. I don’t have it but understand it is very comprehensive. I am guessing it will give you the detail you need as tourist seeking out off the beaten path info. Having said all of this I would not miss the volcano at night on a second trip. This is my biggest misgiving about this trip I am about to take. I would also worry about rain during October on Kauai. Call your realitor and see what they think. I find Kauai realitors very upfront and honest. There is also a lot to see on big island it deserves a week or more. Check out Waipio Ridge photo and you will see what I mean. For food you can’t beat Oahu. My fav is Euro Asian fused cuisine, Roy's a good place to try first. I also have to say Vietnamese (try green papaya salad), Chinese, Korean (Khalbi bbq) all also very dear to my heart. For local local food, Ono’s Kapahulu, Hungry lion (local grinds, kind of like a diner). Buy a Zagat’s for Hawaii and check out the Fodor’s restaurant guide.

...hawaiian cultural places on Oahu Waimea falls Park North Shore (changed hands call and see if Hawaiian cultural exhibits remain), Oldest or Largest Heiau in Hawaii on North Shore a must see with breath taking vista, Iolani Place, Queen Emma's summer home, Missionary settlement house all in Honololu. Wonderful hike and gorgeous light house at Makapu windward side.

Just want to be clear that the Asian cutural events that I mentioned above are not on going but annual events.