If you’re planning a trip to Oahu, Hawaii, you’re probably looking forward to relaxing at the beach, snorkeling with tropical fish, and eating lots of shaved ice. However, before you can begin enjoying all the fun activities on your tropical vacation, one challenging task awaits: choosing the perfect resort!
Oahu is the most populated island in Hawaii, so it’s easy to find beautiful hotels with great amenities around every corner. Whether you’re looking for a hotel with tons of activities for a family-friendly vacation or a luxury hotel in a peaceful location for a romantic getaway, you’ll be sure to find the perfect property from this list of best resorts on Oahu.
Before diving in, here are some other travel guides I’ve written about Oahu, Hawaii, to help you plan the perfect trip to paradise—feel free to check them out:
- 5-Day Itinerary for Oahu, Hawaii
- 10 Best Things to Do in Waikiki
- Perfect Day Trip to North Shore from Waikiki
- 15 Fun Free Things to Do on Oahu
- 16 Best Places to Eat on Oahu
- Is Oahu in Honolulu? The Difference Between Oahu, Honolulu & Waikiki
Disclosure: Some of the links in this blog post are affiliate links, meaning that I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. This helps me keep the content on my website free for you to enjoy!
Waikiki & Honolulu Resorts
Most of the best resorts on Oahu are in Waikiki—a famous stretch of coastline found in Honolulu, the capital city of Hawaii.
Waikiki Beach is one of the most popular beaches on Oahu, and many of the island’s top-rated resorts offer beachfront access to the vibrant location. Besides the beautiful beach, there are also tons of fun things to do in Waikiki, like shopping, nightlife, and dining, so city slickers and beach bums will both love this popular destination!
If you’d like easy access to all the action during your vacation to Oahu, we recommend staying in one of the following best resorts on Oahu:
1. Moana Surfrider
Moana Surfrider is known as the “First Lady of Waikiki” because it was the first resort to open on Waikiki Beach in 1901. Today, this hotel is owned by Westin and is beloved for its historic charm, luxury amenities, and beachfront access to Waikiki Beach.
The Moana Surfrider offers several fabulous amenities, including an oceanfront swimming pool, the Moana Lani Spa, a full-service restaurant and beach bar, and more. In your well-appointed room, you’ll find floor-to-ceiling windows and other fabulous amenities, and if you upgrade your room, you can enjoy oceanfront views from your balcony.
2. The Royal Hawaiian
The Royal Hawaiian is another historic beachfront hotel that opened in 1927 on Waikiki Beach. This legendary resort is beloved for its bubblegum pink façade, and it’s just as charming on the inside, with old-fashioned décor embellished with modern amenities.
The Royal Hawaiian offers several excellent amenities, including heated swimming pools, poolside cabanas, two restaurants, private beachfront access, and the Royal Hawaiian Luau. Rooms come in multiple layouts with upgrades for oceanfront views. The Royal Hawaiian, or “Pink Palace of the Pacific,” is undoubtedly one of the best resorts on Oahu.
3. Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort
Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, nestled between The Royal Hawaiian and Moana Surfrider, is the last resort on this list of best resorts on Oahu, with beachfront access to Waikiki’s most desirable stretch of beach. It features modern décor and beautiful rooms, including suites with balconies offering oceanfront views of Waikiki Beach.
Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort features many excellent amenities, including an outdoor swimming pool, spa, and fitness center. You’ll also find several eateries and shops in the lobby, including Duke’s Waikiki, a popular beachfront restaurant known for its surf ‘n’ turf menu, umbrella drinks, and tiki décor.
4. Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort
Outrigger Resorts & Hotels is a local chain that owns several hotels across Hawaii on Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island (not just the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort listed above—it’s a common misconception). The Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort is another one of the best hotels on Oahu, located just footsteps away from Waikiki Beach!
The Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort offers sophisticated rooms with contemporary features and oceanfront view upgrades. You can enjoy amenities that allow you to learn about Hawaiian culture and wellness, like live music and spa services, with standard amenities, like a swimming pool, fitness center, and on-site restaurant.
5. Waikiki Shore by Outrigger
Waikiki Shore by Outrigger is one of the best resorts on Oahu for families and large groups. This property features studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom condos with spectacular views of Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach, and it’s the only condominium property on Waikiki Beach.
Desirable features at Waikiki Shore by Outrigger include floor-to-ceiling windows, kitchens, flat-screen televisions, and private balconies. You can also participate in fun activities, like outrigger canoeing, surfing, and stand-up paddleboarding on Waikiki Beach.
6. The Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club
The Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club is a boutique hotel located a few blocks from Waikiki Beach. This is one of the best resorts on Oahu for travelers who want to be within walking distance of Waikiki Beach without being in the middle of the action.
They offer excellent amenities (with no fees), such as complimentary bicycles, poolside cabanas, a swimming pool, an on-site restaurant, and a trendy coffee shop called “Surfjack Shop.” They also have monthly events, so check their website to see what’s happening at the hotel during your tropical vacation.
7. Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort
Hilton Hawaiian Village is one of Oahu’s most impressive properties and best resorts. This top-rated resort features five outdoor swimming pools, five hotel towers with 3,000+ rooms, dozens of restaurants and bars, hundreds of shops, and fun activities, like surfing lessons, kayaking, and boating. You can even board a submarine!
Families, in particular, will love this resort for all the kid-friendly amenities, like the 10,000-square-foot Super Pool, Paradise Pool, and the longest waterslides in Waikiki. Older children can also participate in Camp Penguin, a program that includes outings to nearby attractions, craft sessions, movies, and more.
If you’re looking for a luxury resort you’ll never have to leave during your time in Oahu, Hawaii; Hilton Hawaiian Village is the right hotel for you!
8. Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa
Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa is footsteps away from Waikiki Beach and offers comfortable rooms with ocean, mountain, or city views.
You can enjoy excellent resort amenities like a swimming pool, jacuzzi tub, full-service spa, fitness center, and two restaurants with spectacular oceanfront views. Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa offers a kids’ club with themed activities, like ukulele lessons, lei-making classes, and hula dancing to entertain the kids. At the same time, the adults enjoy other on-site activities, like surfing lessons and live poolside entertainment.
9. Prince Waikiki – Honolulu Luxury Hotel
Prince Waikiki isn’t located directly on Waikiki Beach, but it’s ideally situated between the beach and the Ala Moana Center, one of the best shopping malls in Waikiki. Regardless of which room you select at this post resort, you’ll enjoy oceanfront views, modern décor, and smart technology features for a comfortable and relaxing stay. Plus, the hotel has stunning harbor views!
Prince Waikiki offers a swimming pool, fitness center, and full-service spa. You’ll also have access to the Hawaii Prince Golf Club—a 27-hole golf course—so if you or your fellow travelers love golfing, this resort is a great place to stay.
10. Halekulani Hotel
Halekulani Hotel is a contemporary hotel with chic décor located just footsteps away from Waikiki Beach. You’ll love this resort’s stylish rooms equipped with floor-to-ceiling windows offering oceanfront views.
Halekulani Hotel offers excellent amenities, including three open-air restaurants with beautiful views. You’ll find laid-back dining at House Without a Key, fine dining at La Mer, or casual dining at Orchids, pictured below. You can also enjoy the heated outdoor pool, full-service spa, fitness center, evening entertainment, and beachfront access at this luxury resort.
11. The Kahala Hotel and Resort
The Kahala Hotel and Resort has been around for nearly 60 years, so it offers the perfect blend of old-world charm and modern amenities. You can enjoy beachfront rooms, surfing and paddleboard lessons, five on-site restaurants, two swimming pools, access to the private Kahala Hilton Beach, children’s programs, and even an on-site lagoon with resident dolphins.
The Kahala Hotel and Resort is a ten-minute drive from Waikiki, so it’s one of the best resorts on Oahu to escape the city’s noise. However, this resort is situated between Diamond Head State Monument and Hanauma Bay and offers a shuttle service to many nearby attractions, so while it may be off the beaten path, it’s still in a convenient location.
North Shore Resorts
The North Shore of Oahu is known for surfing, snorkeling, and beautiful beaches, providing the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of Honolulu.
The North Shore is famous for Haleiwa Town, a laid-back surfing town where you can get a taste of the authentic culture of Hawaii. It’s also well-known for other popular points of interest, like the Banzai Pipeline, Shark’s Cove, and Laniakea Beach. On a jam-packed day trip to the North Shore, you can enjoy the highlights, or you can spend multiple days here to soak up the aloha spirit!
The North Shore is the best place to stay on Oahu for adventure-seekers or honeymooners, so if this fits the bill for your vacation, check out this awesome resort on Oahu:
12. Turtle Bay Resort
Turtle Bay Resort is the only true resort on Oahu’s North Shore, so if you’re looking for a remote location that’s the picture of peaceful tranquility, you’ll love this luxury resort! You may also recognize this resort from movies like Forgetting Sarah Marshall and television shows like Lost.
Turtle Bay Resort offers two championship golf courses, multiple tennis courts, two outdoor swimming pools, six restaurants, and oceanfront rooms. You can also enjoy plenty of activities from the resort, like hiking, surfing, mountain biking, and horseback riding. With so many on-site activities and beautiful places to explore nearby, Turtle Bay Resort is undoubtedly one of the best resorts on Oahu for a family vacation or a secluded romantic getaway.
Ko Olina Resorts
Ko Olina is a resort community located on Oahu’s Leeward Coast, and it’s a great blend of the best features of Waikiki and the North Shore. While it’s more commercialized than the North Shore, it’s quieter and less busy than Waikiki.
Ko Olina is home to four lagoons, top-rated restaurants, and a waterpark, and it also offers quick access to many of the best golf courses and hikes on Oahu. Ko Olina is the perfect place to stay for a family vacation or an all-inclusive vacation experience, so if this sounds like you, check out one of these best resorts on Oahu:
13. Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina
Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina is one of the most high-end resorts on the island. You can enjoy rooms with oceanfront or mountain views, room service, luxurious décor, comfortable beds, and even your own plunge pool, with tons of property amenities the whole family with love.
Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina allows you to swim in the four outdoor pools, relax at the on-site spa offering massages, body treatments, and facials, and dine at the five on-site restaurants, including Mina’s Fish House. They also have a children’s program that offers free educational activities for younger kids.
14. Marriott Ko Olina Beach Club
Marriott Ko Olina Beach Club is another property on Oahu’s Leeward Coast, offering fabulous family amenities and spacious, well-furnished rooms and villas.
You can enjoy private beachfront access, three heated lagoon-style swimming pools, a championship golf course, two fabulous restaurants, and the Paradise Cove Luau from this top-rated resort. The Marriott Ko Olina Beach Club also offers complimentary activities, like lei making and mermaid story time, that kids will love.
15. Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
Disney fanatics, multigenerational families, and kids of all ages will love staying at Aulani, A Disney Resort in Ko Olina. It’s one of the best resorts on Oahu with family-friendly amenities, and it offers the perfect blend of Hawaiian culture and Disney magic!
Aulani features a gorgeous swimming pool with waterslides, a lazy river, and a private snorkeling lagoon. Of course, in typical Disney fashion, you’ll be able to meet characters who roam around the grounds and pose for pictures at the character breakfast buffet and enjoy kid-focused entertainment, like pool parties and dance parties. You can also dine at on-site restaurants, shop, and indulge in themed treats, like Dole Whip, at Aulani. Check out this Aulani Resort Guide for more information about this magical resort.
Kaneohe Resorts
Located on Oahu’s Windward Coast, Kaneohe embodies Hawaii’s “tropical” feel. It’s where beautiful beaches, lush vegetation, and untouched nature collide.
You can go ziplining or four-wheeling at Kualoa Ranch, explore the beautiful Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden, or immerse yourself in the culture at Byodo-in Temple. You’ll also be next to one of the coolest places to eat on Oahu—Haleiwa Joe’s Haiku Gardens.
You’ll love staying in Kaneohe if you’d rather spend your time in Hawaii exploring tropical rainforests than relaxing on the beach. Here’s where we recommend staying in Kaneohe:
16. Paradise Bay Resort
Kaneohe’s only real resort is the Paradise Bay Resort, nestled right along the scenic Kaneohe Bay! While this resort may be less “posh” than others on this list, the island-influenced suites and casual cottages are cozy and offer beautiful bay or mountain views.
Paradise Bay Resort includes a complimentary breakfast, outdoor swimming pool, jacuzzi tub, yoga classes, and kayak and snorkeling equipment rentals. It’s one of the best resorts on Oahu for a no-stress, no-fuss vacation experience.
FAQs
What is the nicest part of Oahu?
Waikiki is considered the nicest part of Oahu for its luxury resorts, beachfront access, and excellent dining, nightlife, and shopping. However, visitors looking for a quieter vacation may prefer to stay on the North Shore, Windward Coast, or Leeward Coast of Oahu.
Is it better to stay in Waikiki or Ko Olina?
Waikiki is the best place to stay on Oahu if you’d like to be within walking distance of dining, nightlife, and shopping. Waikiki also offers close access to beach activities at Waikiki Beach and cultural activities, like the Pearl Harbor National Memorial in Honolulu.
Ko Olina is the best place to stay on Oahu if you’re traveling with a family and looking for an all-inclusive resort with kid-friendly amenities in a peaceful location. Ko Olina is still near dining and shopping, though it’s much less commercialized than Waikiki.
What is the difference between Waikiki and Oahu?
Oahu is Hawaii’s most populated island and is home to Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii. Waikiki is a popular neighborhood located in Honolulu, filled with luxury resorts, top-rated restaurants, and the world-famous Waikiki Beach.
Stay in Luxury at These Best Resorts on Oahu
Which of these amazing luxury hotels with spectacular views and fabulous amenities sounds ideal for your tropical vacation? One thing is for sure—whichever one of these best resorts on Oahu you choose, you’re bound to have a fantastic time!
Save These Best Resorts on Oahu for Later
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