Oahu

Ko’olina Oahu: Where to Stay, Where to Eat, & What to Do

This post may contain some affiliate links, which means I’ll make a little money on anything you choose to purchase. But of course, I only recommend my absolute favorites to you. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Hulaland possible.

Ko’olina is an oceanfront resort area on the leeward (west) side of Oahu. It’s a preplanned community (as in, much of the infrastructure was laid out before many of the resorts and restaurants moved in) so it has a bit of a curated and idyllic vibe that although is definitely not “local” Hawaii, is nevertheless heavenly for vacationers. It’s location on the leeward side means that the weather is almost always dry and sunny, and it’s home to some of the island’s loveliest beaches. There are four lagoons in the Ko’olina resort area that are ideal, protected places to swim.

Where to Stay

The Ko’olina resort isn’t that big so narrowing down a place to stay won’t be too difficult.

Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa: Aulani is the big star around these parts. While being “Disney,” it’s surprisingly the most “Hawaiian” resort I’ve come across in Hawaii. The resort has taken amazing steps to preserve and honor Hawaiian culture and heritage as well as share it with guests. It’s definitely THE place to stay if you have kids. It practically has its own waterpark, and the place has a very comfortable but upscale feel. There’s so much to do at this resort that you’ll constantly be torn between taking advantage of all of the activities and wanting to just lounge around the amazing beach and pools. Read this post for a more in depth review of Aulani. Check rates and read reviews here.

Four Seasons Oahu: If you’re looking for luxury, you’ll find it at the Four Seasons. Recently renovated and converted from a JW Marriott, this property is everything you’d expect from the Four Seasons. With an amazing spa, tennis facility, multiple pools, and yummy restaurants, you’ll be able to pass your vacation here in style. This Four Seasons is considered an entry level Four Seasons property (not quite as lavish and expansive as the resorts on Maui and the Big Island), so if you’d like to experience luxury at a lower price point, this is a great option. It’s usually on par price wise with Aulani. Check rates and read reviews here.

Marriott Ko’olina Beach Club: If you’re a points tracker or loyal to Marriott/Starwood, you’ll definitely want to check out this spot. This gorgeous resort has more pools than you can imagine and wonderful amenities if you’re looking for good bang for your buck. The resort has 1-3 bedroom villas with kitchens so you’ll have more room to spread out. The Marriott is also the only resort on lagoon #3 in Ko’olina (Aulani and the Four Seasons share lagoon #1), so it may seem a little quieter. Check rates and read reviews here.

Ko’olina Beach Villas Resort: If you’re looking for a spacious condo with resort like amenities, you’ll love this place. It’s located on Lagoon #2 and it’s a great option to save some money while still feeling like you’re living it up. You can book your unit through the resort or independently through owner via sites like Airbnb (use this link for $40 off your first stay) or Vrbo.

RELATED: Not very familiar with Oahu? Read up on the lay of the (is)land and where to stay plus my favorite beach resorts, budget hotels, Airbnbs, honeymoon resorts, family friendly resorts, luxury resorts, and boutique hotels.

Vacation Rentals: There’s also a little neighborhood behind the shopping center that’s surrounded by the golf course where you can rent individual houses/villas through Airbnb and Vrbo.

Kapolei: If you’re looking for something even cheaper, expand your search to the nearby town of Kapolei. It’s inland a few miles but still close enough to pop over to the beach and you might find more economical accommodations if you’re just looking for someplace to set up a basecamp to explore the island from.

Ka Wa’a Luau at Aulani Resort & Spa, Oahu

I received discounted tickets to this luau, but of course, I only recommend my absolute favorites to you. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Hulaland possible.

If there’s one question I get asked more often than most, it’s definitely about the best luau in Hawaii. So whenever a new luau opens up, I’m always eager to try it out. You know, for research ; ) Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, on Oahu debuted their luau (Ka Wa’a) a couple of years ago, but I wasn’t able to make it out to Ko’olina to experience it until recently. Since I was staying at the resort on my last trip to Oahu, I knew I had to make it a priority.

I reserved tickets a few months in advance (you usually get better seat assignments the earlier you book) for myself and the two friends I was traveling with and at the last minute I was able to snag a ticket my friend’s daughter Maya since they happened to be vacationing at Aulani at the same time as us and she’d never been to a luau.

And I must say, I’m soooo glad Maya got to come to the luau with me because it is DEFINITELY geared towards kids.

Before I get on with the details, check out this video of our evening at Ka Wa’a:

We arrived at the luau grounds about 5PM and got checked in. The ladies got a shell lei, the gentlemen kukui nuts, and Maya had the choice between a shell lei or a necklace with Maui’s fishhook (the first of surprisingly only a few “Disney” touches throughout the evening. If you’re not familiar, Maui’s fishhook is a big element in the movie Moana). She chose the necklace.

Next we were offered drinks before we were shown to our table. There was a special fruit punch (with straw and lid) for the kids, and some sort of blue coconut flavored alcoholic beverage for the adults. I wasn’t a fan, but I heard that the drinks from the bar were much better (the night got away from me and I didn’t even get to try one!).

Our seats were literally as close to the stage as we could get so we set our stuff down and took a few photos in front of the stage.

The Best Oahu Activities: What’s Worth Your Money?

You’re going to Oahu! You’re going to have the best vacation ever! But figuring out what to do once you get there can be a little overwhelming (you’ll literally be bombarded with things to do as soon as you get off the plane).

In my opinion, there are a few paid tours/excursions on Oahu that are absolutely worth doing. However, many tours and excursions are actually things you can do yourself or things that maybe aren’t worth doing. I’ll break down the activities on Oahu that I think are worth paying for, the ones you can do yourself, and the ones you should skip.

To clarify, this post is breaking down the best PAID activities/tours. For more ideas, check out the best FREE things to do in Hawaii and my favorite general things to do on Oahu.

Must Dos

I think Oahu has more “things to do/tour” than any other Hawaiian Island. And they’re mostly things you can do on your own, not things that require a tour or excursion. But here are a few paid activities worth doing:

Polynesian Cultural Center: If you’re interested in Polynesian culture/history this is one of the best places to go on the island. It opens around noon and you can spend the afternoon touring the villages that represent the different islands where you’ll take part in cultural demonstrations before heading to the luau at night.

Kualoa Ranch: Oahu’s famed Kualoa Ranch has been the backdrop to countless Hollywood films. The ranch offers several different movie tours as well as ATV tours, horseback riding, ziplining, and more. It’s definitely very touristy, but sooooo beautiful. Read more about it here.

Paradise Cove Luau: Paradise Cove is one of the best luaus on the island, however if I wouldn’t do this luau AND the Polynesian Cultural Center. It has so many cultural experiences you can take part in before the luau begins including hula lessons, lei making, and a hukilau ceremony and it’s a pretty good bang for your buck. Plus, it’s right on the beach! Read more about it here.

Where to Stay on Oahu: Waikiki or Not?

Oahu is Hawaii’s most visited island (largely because it’s home to the state’s capital, Honolulu, and its major tourist hub, Waikiki). Waikiki (a beachfront neighborhood in Honolulu) is home to about 95% of the island’s hotel rooms, so by default, it’s where most tourists end up. Waikiki is basically a big city on the beach. Think endless high rises, flashy shopping centers, all the major chain restaurants, and a million people. All of the major hotel chains are represented as well as plenty of budget options and even trendy new boutique hotels.

And then there’s the rest of the island. So the big question is…to stay in Waikiki or not?

Psst…once you finish reading this post and have a better idea of where you might like to stay, read these posts for specific suggestions:

25 amazing Oahu Airbnb Rentals

10 Oahu budget hotels

12 Oahu beach resorts

5 Best Family Friendly Resorts on Oahu

5 best Oahu honeymoon resorts

Top 10 Luxury Resorts in Hawaii

12 Favorite Boutique Hotels in Hawaii

Why You Might Like Waikiki

So…if it’s so crowded, why do people stay there? Simple. It’s Hawaii’s oldest resort area (the Moana Surfrider was built in 1901), and people have been flocking there ever since. It’s also a really beautiful beach with stunning views of Diamond Head in the background. Most people who have never been to Hawaii end up in Waikiki, usually because flights to Honolulu are cheaper than the other islands, and because they’ve heard of it. They think, “it’s popular for a reason…it must be where you’re supposed to go.”

Here are a few more reasons why people like staying in Waikiki:

You can find cheap hotels. Just like any major city, the more hotel rooms there are, the more competitive prices are.
You don’t need a car. Shuttles are a dime a dozen from the Honolulu airport to Waikiki and most visitors just stay in Waikiki/Honolulu and don’t venture out to the rest of the island.
Waikiki is pretty densely populated with attractions (museums, historic and cultural sites, the zoo and aquarium, etc.) so most of it’s easily walkable.
There’s a good (and reasonably priced) trolley system around Honolulu/Waikiki and Oahu has a decent public bus system for getting around to some of the major tourist attractions.
There’s a LOT of shopping. From luxury designer brands at the Ala Moana to major chain stores at the Royal Hawaiian Center, to cheap souvenir outlets everywhere, Waikiki is a shopper’s paradise.
There are a ton of restaurants. You’ll find major chains (Cheesecake Factory, Hard Rock Café, etc.) and pricey resort restaurants as well as local joints (as you venture away from Waikiki into Honolulu).

Why You Might NOT Like Waikiki

Now, a few reasons you may not like Waikiki:

It’s very crowded. On the beach, you’ll be shoulder to shoulder with fellow sun worshipers.
There’s soooo much traffic! Even if you have a car and you’re willing to get out and explore, expect a headache getting around.
There’s so much to see on the island besides Waikiki (the truly beautiful parts!) and getting around by bus isn’t too convenient.
If you do rent a car, many Waikiki resorts charge as much as $40/day to park it.
You may come home feeling like you’ve had more of a city vacation instead of an island vacation.

5 Best Oahu Honeymoon Resorts

Hawaii is one of the top honeymoon destinations in the world and for good reason…it’s tropical, it has all of the amenities and activities you could want, and it’s relatively easy to get to for being on the other side of the world.

Before I let you in on my favorite Oahu honeymoon resorts, here’s my biggest tip for planning the best honeymoon…pick the right time of year to go. Hawaii is an extremely family friendly vacation destination so when kids are out of school, expect even the swankiest resorts to have a pool full of kids. While a lot of places have adults only pools, kids are always around everywhere else you go, so if you’re looking for a quieter time to go, pick spring or fall (or at least avoid the summer and winter holidays). I’m not telling you this to make you think Hawaii isn’t the perfect honeymoon destination (it is), but many people mistakenly believe that by staying at a super expensive beach resort they’ll limit the kids (noise) around, but that’s not necessarily the case. When you go has more to do with it than where you stay.

RELATED: Not very familiar with Oahu? Read up on the lay of the (is)land here.

That being said, here are 5 amazing Oahu honeymoon resorts…

The Royal Hawaiian: This iconic Waikiki resort (nicknamed the “pink palace of the Pacific”) has been featured in movies since the 1960s. Its style speaks of a bygone era but it’s still high on modern luxuries. It’s right in the heart of Waikiki so if you want to see and do it all while staying at some of the coolest digs in Waikiki, this is your spot. Pricing starts at $299/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your stay.

Turtle Bay Resort: If the noise and crowds of Waikiki aren’t your thing, escape to Turtle Bay Resort on the north shore. It’s isolated location insures a quiet and peaceful vacation but the resort offers plenty of amenities. It’s also in the heart of Oahu’s north shore with it’s famous surf breaks, food trucks, and snorkeling spots. It’s also conveniently located for getting to Hanalei, the Polynesian Culture Center, and Kualoa Ranch and it’s only about 45 minutes from Waikiki. Pricing starts at $295/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your stay.

Four Seasons Oahu: Nothing says luxury like the Four Seasons so if you’re looking to splurge on your honeymoon (or you just expect a high level of quality and service), you won’t be disappointed with the Four Seasons. It’s located in the upscale resort community of Ko’olina on the west side and is situated on a perfectly calm little lagoon next to Disney’s Aulani resort. You’ll get seclusion while still only being 30 minutes or so from Waikiki. Pricing starts at $450/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your stay.

Best Family Friendly Resorts on Oahu

While Oahu is the most crowded of the Hawaiian Islands (over one million people on that tiny island), it’s still a big draw for families. There are a TON of beach resorts on Oahu, but some are definitely better for kids than others.

RELATED: Not very familiar with Oahu? Read up on the lay of the (is)land here.

I feel like this post needs a disclaimer up front: pretty much anywhere you go in Hawaii is going to be kid friendly. Hawaii is not a stuffy destination. The most posh and expensive hotels on the island (hello, Four Seasons) caters to children quite amazingly and unless you’re at the adults only pool (many resorts have them, you’ll always find kids boogie boarding in the waves, bobbing around in the pool, and having dinner with their families. That being said, this list includes resorts that may appeal to children especially due to their pools or kids clubs, and parents due to their locations and convenience factors.

Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa: If ever there as a resort made for families in Hawaii, it’s Aulani, Of course, Disney and kids go together like pb&j, but Aulani is really something special. Yes, it’s a sprawling mega resort with every kind of activity and amenity you could ask for, but the attention to detail in the architecture, design, and landscape manage to make it feel intimate and charming. I’d say it’s the most “Hawaiian” resort you’ll find in Hawaii. Read all about my last stay at Aulani here. Pricing starts at $400/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your stay.

Hilton Hawaiian Village: This 22-acre sprawling resort is practically its own city with its own shopping and dining complex right on the edge of Waikiki. The resort has its own lagoon that’s perfect for kids and its location on the edge of Waikiki Beach makes it very convenient to walk into the heart of Waikiki, but being a bit removed makes it seem less hectic. It also has six pools (one just for kids) including some of the best water slides on Waikiki. The HHV also has a great kids club, which includes off property excursions to the Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium, Bishop Museum, and Children’s Discovery Museum. Pricing starts at $180/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your stay.

Hawaii Like a Local: Oahu with Kait Hanson

Hawaii Like a Local is an interview series to help visitors to Hawaii start exploring less like a tourist and more like a local. This week’s guest is Kait Hanson, blogger at Communikait.com.

What island do you call home?

Sunny (and slightly overcrowded ;)) Oahu!

What’s your “Hawaii life” like?

My husband and I moved to Oahu over 5 years ago courtesy of the military, but when we left active duty – we weren’t quite ready to leave the island life behind. We’ve called Oahu home ever since. I’m a freelance writer who works from home and I love traveling, eating and playing with my dogs at the beach. I’ve never met a cocktail I wasn’t interested in trying and I will ALWAYS make time in my schedule for meeting up with a friend.

What’s your favorite thing to do on your island?

We love exploring, so anything that involves checking out a new spot. Of course, we love the beach, too, and any opportunity to just be outside – running, walking our dogs, climbing a mountain.

RELATED: Not very familiar with Oahu? Read up on the lay of the (is)land and where to stay plus my favorite beach resorts, budget hotels, and Airbnbs.

What are your favorite local “gems” on the island?

I would be lying if I didn’t say that eating at Opal Thai wasn’t my favorite thing on this island. Since we started eating there 5 years ago, Opal and his family have become our family and we eat there at least once a week. It’s the best Thai food I’ve ever put in my mouth (and yes, I’ve been to Thailand!). I also love views from Kokohead Crater. It’s not exactly hidden or secret, since a lot of people hike it, but most are intimidated by the 1,000+ railroad ties to get up it. I always encourage our visitors by telling them the views are worth it. They never disagree!

What are some places you always take friends and family when they visit?

Well, Opal Thai, LOL! But also Doris Duke’s Shangri-la, Duke’s for Hula Pie, happy hour at Monkeypod Kitchen out in Ko’Olina, Pearl Harbor, Diamondhead, Kokohead Crater, Waikiki Beach, Waimea Bay and so many often say “can we go to where they filmed Forgetting Sarah Marshall?” So we usually make a trip up to Turtle Bay Resort.

Where would you go for a staycation on the island?

Without a doubt The Royal Hawaiian. It’s the iconic pink hotel on the Waikiki Beach skyline and it’s not to be missed if you visit – even if it’s just to walk through and gaze at her glory. Most people don’t know the history behind the pink walls, but The Royal Hawaiian was actually used as a military res-camp in World War II. The Navy rented it out! There’s a full museum in the basement, which is a must if you’re a little bit of a history nerd like myself. More on our staycation at The Royal Hawaiian here.

10 Oahu Budget Hotels (Waikiki & Beyond)

Yes, I know…everybody thinks Hawaii is super expensive and it sure can be! But there are ways to do it a lot cheaper. One of my favorite ways to save money on a trip to Hawaii is by staying in a budget hotel. If you’re not very familiar with Oahu, read up on the lay of the is(land) here first.

Oahu Budget Hotels

Waikiki

Aqua Palms Waikiki: Located super close to the beach and the Ala Moana shopping center, this light and airy Waikiki hotel is budget friendly and conveniently situated to be able to explore Waikiki and Honolulu. Pricing starts at $99/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your dates.

Aqua Bamboo Waikiki: Just a quick walk from Waikiki beach, this stylish, tropical hotel has an outdoor saltwater pool, café, sundeck, and use of beach chairs and umbrellas. Pricing starts at $117/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your dates.

Equus Hotel: This charming equestrian themed boutique hotel has a great location in Waikiki. Bonus: during polo season, guests get free tickets to a match at the north shore’s Hawaii Polo Club. Pricing starts at $109/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your dates.

Hotel Renew: This Waikiki budget hotel has loads of luxury (even an aromatherapy concierge that lets you customize the scent in your room!) and is perfect for travelers who want a little pampering without breaking the bank. Pricing starts at $169/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your dates.

Coconut Waikiki Hotel: This bright and airy hotel located on the Ala Wai Canal offers a free continental breakfast every morning and has an outdoor heated pool. Pricing starts at $149/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your dates.

Oahu

Why You Might Like Waikiki

Why You Might NOT Like Waikiki

Oahu Budget Hotels

Waikiki

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