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Brimming with luxury high-rise hotels, designer boutiques, and glitzy nightclubs, plus novelty shops where you can find everything from bobble-head hula girls to pineapple wine, Honolulu and its famed Waikiki Beach lure escapists of all stripes.
Get the best of both worlds – vibrant cosmopolitan lifestyle a stone's throw from spectacular, world-famous beaches.
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$175/nt+: Plantation-style boutique near Waikiki Beach Hotels.com
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Honolulu’s lodging options vary wildly, from glittering beachfront resorts where you’ll be pampered like Hawaiian royalty to older high- and mid-rises that are a stroll from the shore but still in the center of the action. Major chains like Sheraton, Marriott, Hilton and others are well represented, too, with huge resorts boasting luxurious spas, restaurants with celebrity mainland chefs, tiki bars, Polynesian gardens, and pools.
Aqua Palms and Spa
Oodles of extras – free internet access, continental breakfast, coffee available ’round the clock, Wednesday night...
Aqua Waikiki Wave
Slick dark-wood decor, rich coral-hued accents, and white walls give this low-cost Waikiki hotel an urbane feel; free in-room...
New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel
Built in the 1960s on a large stretch of beach near Kapiolani Park, the New Otani has retained its mid-century retro groove:...
ResortQuest Waikiki Beach Hotel
Bright hibiscus-printed fabrics and private lanais are the hallmarks of this family-friendly hotel overlooking the action on...
ResortQuest Waikiki Joy
This well-located property is tucked into a quiet side street amid the hustle and bustle of downtown Waikiki, offering a...
Waikiki Parc Hotel
A recent renovation converted this formerly nondescript hotel into a stylish boutique option with an Asian flair, serene vibe,...
Embassy Suites Beach Walk
At Embassy Suites, which opened in 2007 to anchor Waikiki’s newly unveiled Beach Walk shopping and dining plaza, you’ll...
Halekulani
This oasis of calm in the center of Waikiki began life as a modest residential hotel in 1907. It was expanded into a graceful...
Kahala Hotel and Resort
Conrad Hilton’s labor of love has changed hands many times since its debut in 1964, but its continually refreshed rooms,...
W Honolulu Diamondhead
In a quiet residential section across from Kapiolani Park, this intimate 51-room hotel is all about personal service –...
Hawaiiana Hotel
For a real taste of old Hawaii, check in to the Hawaiiana Hotel, a low-slung, 60-year-old hideaway that, thanks to the...
Ohana Beachcomber
Built in the 1970s as a full-service hotel and entertainment venue, Ohana Beachcomber has retained some of its retro-kitschy...
Ohana East
Located in the heart of Waikiki’s main shopping district a couple of blocks from the beach, this budget option of...
Aqua Palms and Spa
Oodles of extras – free internet access, continental breakfast, coffee available ’round the clock, Wednesday night...
Aqua Waikiki Wave
Slick dark-wood decor, rich coral-hued accents, and white walls give this low-cost Waikiki hotel an urbane feel; free in-room...
New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel
Built in the 1960s on a large stretch of beach near Kapiolani Park, the New Otani has retained its mid-century retro groove:...
ResortQuest Waikiki Beach Hotel
Bright hibiscus-printed fabrics and private lanais are the hallmarks of this family-friendly hotel overlooking the action on...
ResortQuest Waikiki Joy
This well-located property is tucked into a quiet side street amid the hustle and bustle of downtown Waikiki, offering a...
Waikiki Parc Hotel
A recent renovation converted this formerly nondescript hotel into a stylish boutique option with an Asian flair, serene vibe,...
Embassy Suites Beach Walk
At Embassy Suites, which opened in 2007 to anchor Waikiki’s newly unveiled Beach Walk shopping and dining plaza, you’ll...
Halekulani
This oasis of calm in the center of Waikiki began life as a modest residential hotel in 1907. It was expanded into a graceful...
Kahala Hotel and Resort
Conrad Hilton’s labor of love has changed hands many times since its debut in 1964, but its continually refreshed rooms,...
W Honolulu Diamondhead
In a quiet residential section across from Kapiolani Park, this intimate 51-room hotel is all about personal service –...
Hawaiiana Hotel
For a real taste of old Hawaii, check in to the Hawaiiana Hotel, a low-slung, 60-year-old hideaway that, thanks to the...
Ohana Beachcomber
Built in the 1970s as a full-service hotel and entertainment venue, Ohana Beachcomber has retained some of its retro-kitschy...
Ohana East
Located in the heart of Waikiki’s main shopping district a couple of blocks from the beach, this budget option of...
Oahu’s mishmash of cultures has created a food scene in Honolulu unlike any other: a typical breakfast includes fried rice, spicy Portuguese sausage, a fried egg, and a side of Spam, which arrived on the island during World War II and is so ubiquitous that it appears on menus at local McDonald’s.
Alan Wong's
For nearly fifteen years, Alan Wong has taken Hawaiian regional cuisine to inspiring levels, topping local long-tail snapper,...
Chef Mavro
A 2003 James Beard winner, Chef George Mavrothalassitis put Oahu on the international dining map thanks to his innovative...
Diamond Head Grill
Fresh takes on luau staples like smoked hamachi and suckling pig – plus a commitment to purchasing produce, meats, and...
La Mer
Satisfy luxury tastes with dinner at La Mer, which begins with a glass of Champagne, a fitting way to start an evening that...
Chai's Island Bistro
Sophisticated Thai dishes, like fresh ahi with curry and mango and wok-seared prawns, burst with fresh Hawaii flavors....
Doraku
Created by Kevin Aoki, son of Benihana founder Rocky Aoki, Doraku adds an exotic touch to well-prepared Pan Asian favorites...
Hula Grill
Nab a porchside seat at this oceanfront restaurant for some of the best sightlines of Waikiki without getting sand in your...
Indigo
This downtown Honolulu hotspot serves eclectic Eurasian fare – think goat cheese wontons with four-fruit sauce and...
Diamond Head Market and Grill
For one of the best grilled ahi sandwiches around, drive around the base of Diamond Head, order from the window of this casual...
Legends Seafood House
Dim Sum at the boisterous Legends Seafood House in Chinatown is an after-church tradition for many local families –...
Mei Sum
There’s a good chance you’ll dine with students from the Buddhist school down the block at this tiny, quiet Dim...
Romy's Shrimp and Prawn Shack
There are dozens of shrimp shacks on the North Shore, but there’s always a line at bright-red Romy’s because it’s the...
Alan Wong's
For nearly fifteen years, Alan Wong has taken Hawaiian regional cuisine to inspiring levels, topping local long-tail snapper,...
Chef Mavro
A 2003 James Beard winner, Chef George Mavrothalassitis put Oahu on the international dining map thanks to his innovative...
Diamond Head Grill
Fresh takes on luau staples like smoked hamachi and suckling pig – plus a commitment to purchasing produce, meats, and...
La Mer
Satisfy luxury tastes with dinner at La Mer, which begins with a glass of Champagne, a fitting way to start an evening that...
Chai's Island Bistro
Sophisticated Thai dishes, like fresh ahi with curry and mango and wok-seared prawns, burst with fresh Hawaii flavors....
Doraku
Created by Kevin Aoki, son of Benihana founder Rocky Aoki, Doraku adds an exotic touch to well-prepared Pan Asian favorites...
Hula Grill
Nab a porchside seat at this oceanfront restaurant for some of the best sightlines of Waikiki without getting sand in your...
Indigo
This downtown Honolulu hotspot serves eclectic Eurasian fare – think goat cheese wontons with four-fruit sauce and...
Diamond Head Market and Grill
For one of the best grilled ahi sandwiches around, drive around the base of Diamond Head, order from the window of this casual...
Legends Seafood House
Dim Sum at the boisterous Legends Seafood House in Chinatown is an after-church tradition for many local families –...
Mei Sum
There’s a good chance you’ll dine with students from the Buddhist school down the block at this tiny, quiet Dim...
Romy's Shrimp and Prawn Shack
There are dozens of shrimp shacks on the North Shore, but there’s always a line at bright-red Romy’s because it’s the...