3 Best Hotels in Leeward and Central Oahu, Oahu

Disney's first property in Hawaii melds the Disney magic with breathtaking vistas, white sandy beaches, and sunsets that even Mickey stops to watch. The enchanting resort complex delivers with Disney characters and local cultural experiences that include everything from ukulele lessons to nature walks to storytelling around the firepit. The full-service, 21-acre resort offers both guest rooms and a large contingent of time-share units that are more like apartments. You won't be staying in your room: Aulani has four restaurants, two lounges, a man-made snorkeling lagoon, a luxury spa, a full-service fitness center, a large beach, and the Waikolohe Pool—complete with a lazy river for tubing, the Volcanic Vertical (a tunnel waterslide), and the heart-pounding Tubestone Curl that sends you twisting and turning before eventually launching you into the stream. For those seeking a little more relaxation, the adults-only Wailana Pool is just the spot.

At the first Four Seasons on the island, nearly every room or suite in the 17-story hotel offers floor-to-ceiling windows and a private lanai, all with an ocean view. The resort has an infinity pool, a tranquil garden with koi ponds, and private, beachside cabanas. It also offers five restaurants, including Mina's Fish House, a seafood restaurant, and the Italian-inspired Noe.

Though primarily a time-share property, the Marriott here also offers nightly rentals, which range from hotel-style standard guest rooms to expansive and elegantly appointed one- or two-bedroom guest villa apartments, all within Ko Olina's 642-acre gated community. Situated on 30 acres and fronting a lagoon, this Beach Club resort has three pools (one with a sandy-beach bottom), a fitness center, and seven outdoor hot tubs, including two overlooking the ocean that are ideal for sunset soaks. Guests can choose from two fine-dining restaurants on the property, a casual pool bar, and a Polynesian dinner show, or purchase groceries at The Marketplace.