Downtown Honolulu hotels

Downtown Honolulu
Honolulu, Hawaii’s diverse and dynamic capital, is a city of contrasts. Modern towers loom over the grounds of Iolani Palace, the only official royal residence on U.S. soil. Hipster bars coexist with beach luaus. Street vendors hawk orchid leis, while clerks at the ritzy Ala Moana Center peddle blue-label goods. Nearby, Chinatown offers a slice of Asia with its temples, shops, and restaurants.

Kahala
Diamond Head shields Kahala from the buzz of Waikiki and downtown Honolulu. Filled with mansions, this wealthy residential enclave attracts celebrities and other A-listers who crave its seclusion. Its public beaches, too, tend to be less crowded than those in other Honolulu neighborhoods.

Ko Olina
Luxury beachfront resorts hug the circular coves of Ko Olina, about 20 minutes west of Pearl Harbor. Ko Olina tends to be less crowded than the Honolulu area, but it is by no means lacking in activities. Charter boats at the Ko Olina Marina set sail for big-game fishing and leisure cruises. Nearby, the Hawaii Waters Adventure Park offers 29 acres of water rides, dining, and miniature golf.

Makaha
The dramatic Waianae Range forms the background to the coastal resort of Makaha. Golfing is available in the nearby valley. Kaena Point State Park is a short drive and is a popular picnic area. This park stretches to the westernmost point of Oahu. Nearly three miles with little shade, its trail is not for the faint. But those who make this journey are afforded a view from the tip of paradise.

North Shore
Life in the North Shore revolves around the outdoors. The terrain offers superb hiking, and the ocean provides magnificent surfing for professionals. In winter, waves can crest greater than 20 feet. Surfing spots include the Banzai Pipeline, Sunset Beach, and Waimea Bay. Movie and TV crews use the North Shore as a backdrop for filming. Notably, the popular TV drama Lost is shot on location here.

Waikiki
Waikiki established its reputation as a getaway when the Moana Surfrider opened its doors in 1901. Today, more than 30,000 hotel rooms are packed in the skyscrapers along the golden sands of Waikiki Beach. At the end of Waikiki, Diamond Head towers as an enduring landmark. West of Waikiki, Pearl Harbor offers a somber testament to history and the victims of World War II.