Hotels in Honolulu

Best time to visit Honolulu

The weather in Honolulu remains in the range of 23 – 31 degrees Celsius all year round. The city is a favourite with snowbird families who choose to head to sunny destinations in the winter. November – March is therefore, peak tourist season with the highest airline fares and room rates. This is, however, also the best time to visit if you are keen on whale-watching or surfing. To avoid the crowds and get better bargains, you may want to visit during May – September. Between May – June you will also see the best of Hawaii’s fresh fruit, vegetation and gorgeous blooms. Rain is frequent almost all year round, so remember to pack an umbrella whenever you visit.

Getting around Honolulu

Driving around in your own vehicle will give you the freedom and flexibility to explore Honolulu and its surrounding areas around the island of Oahu. Try to avoid driving in the crowded downtown area. Look for some great deals on car rentals with momondo. To explore Downtown Honolulu, you can use the public bus system called TheBus which has an extensive network and operates from 4.00 a.m. – 10.00 p.m. The one-way adult fare is $2.50 USD while a 1-day pass costs $5.00 USD and allows unlimited travel for up to 27 hours. Another fun way to travel around Downtown Honolulu is to opt for the Hop-On Hop-Off Waikiki Trolley which stops at most of the key attractions in the city. You can buy a 1 – 7 Day Pass in the range of $45.00 USD – $70.00 USD. If you do not wish to drive or use public transport, then pre-book a taxi and pay fixed fares based on your destination.

Best places to stay in Honolulu

When you’re visiting exotic Hawaii and have chosen to stay in Honolulu, Oahu, you’ll be in the heart of Aloha land! The trendiest, busiest and most energetic among all the Hawaiian islands, Honolulu is the hub of food, fashion, shopping, and entertainment. The city offers a wide range of accommodation options and is the ideal island to enjoy farm-to-table culinary attractions, beachside entertainment, and an active nightlife.

Waikiki

The vast majority of hotels in Honolulu are located along Waikiki beach. All the premier international hotel brands, such as Hilton, Marriott, Sheraton, and Hyatt offer exclusive, luxury accommodation in this area. Just steps away from Waikiki Beach, enjoy the beaux-arts architecture of the historic Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa hotel. This luxury accommodation features an on-site spa and several modern and unique amenities. Or, consider The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort which offers an activity-filled exclusive strip of Waikiki beach and is just a 5-minute walk to the International Market Place. For a mid-range option, look at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort which hosts daily cultural activities such as lei-making and ukulele lessons. The hotel has been awarded the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s Kahili Award for authentic Hawaiian cultural experiences.

Downtown Honolulu

A bustling political and business hub, Downtown Honolulu perfectly blends tall glass skyscrapers with the lavish Iolani Palace and features several trendy restaurants, cafés, and bars. If you’re not too keen on the beachfront properties of Waikiki, stay at the Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra, in the heart of downtown. The hotel is located right next to the world’s largest open-air shopping mall, Ala Moana Centre, and features over 1000 rooms with impressive views of the Honolulu cityscape and the surrounding mountains. For exceptional service and spacious accommodation within walking distance of the State Capitol and the city’s financial district, try the Aston at the Executive Centre Hotel on Bishop Street.

Waialae – Kahala

This is an upscale area with secluded beaches and is home to the Diamond Head Summit Trail. The only accommodation in this area is The Kahala Hotel & Resort, an iconic 5-star luxury property set on the pristine white sand beach, just 15-minutes from Waikiki’s shopping and dining options. The resort also features several beach activities, on-site restaurants, a golf course, and a natural ocean water lagoon called Dolphin Quest, where guests can interact with a family of playful Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins.

Cheap hotels in Honolulu

There is a handful of cheap hotels around the Waikiki beach area. Try the Polynesian Hostel, a lively, simple place within a 2-minute walk to Waikiki beach, or the Waikiki Beachside Hostel which is located almost right on the beach, close to Waikiki restaurants, nightlife and shopping. You also have the family-run Holiday Surf Hotel on Ala Wai Boulevard, a 7-minute walk from the beach. For casual comfort and value-for-money, stay at the Waikiki Grand Hotel close to the Diamond Head end of Waikiki beach.

When you are visiting this beautiful island known for relaxation, romance, culture, adventure and food, you can spend the entire vacation on the beach and within the activity-centric resort accommodations. However, there is plenty to see and do beyond the splendid sunsets, beaches and resorts of Honolulu.

• Sample locally grown Manoa lettuce, lilikoi butter, and gourmet plated lunches at the KCC Farmers’ Market held every Saturday near the Diamond Head State Monument. You can also visit the vendor booths on Wednesdays at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center, or on Saturday mornings at Ward Village.
• Pass through a canopy of tropical trees and lush foliage as you drive up to Mount Tantalus. Stop by at the various lookout points such as Pu’u ‘Ualaka’a State Wayside Park for panoramic views from Diamond Head to Pearl Harbour.
• Admire several galleries along the Chinatown Art Walk, and get a glimpse of Hawaiian history at the opulent Iolani Palace.
• Explore the local fashion, handicrafts, and unique gifts on the streets of Waikiki, and near the Waikiki Beach Walk. Feeling more extravagant? Indulge in high-end shopping at the Ala Moana Centre.
• Enjoy a picnic lunch under the shady trees and lush green expanse of the Ala Moana Beach Park and walk along its white sand beach strip to enjoy family-friendly entertainment activities.
• Try surfing lessons along the beach or snorkel with tropical fish at the Hanauma Bay which has calm waters suitable for beginner-snorkelers.
• Explore rare tropical plants and relax in the tranquil Foster Botanical Garden located on North Vineyard Boulevard near Chinatown.
• Indulge in traditional Hawaiian food, such as poi, kalua pig, laulau, and squid luau at Helena Hawaiian Foods, Yama’s Fish Market, or Young’s Fish Market.
• Sample and choose your favourite brew from a range of local drafts, such as saisons, IPAs, brown ales, amber ales, and stouts at the hip warehouse microbreweries of Honolulu BeerWorks or the Waikiki Brewing Company.

Treat yourself to the tasty, deep-fried, no-hole Portuguese donuts known as malasadas, at Leonard’s bakery on Kapahulu Avenue.

• Listen to legendary local singers or attend the concerts held at Kani Ka Pila Grille or Duke’s Waikiki where they have a packed event calendar almost all year round.
• Let your hair down and party the night away at popular hot spots, such as The Yard House on Waikiki Beach Walk and RumFire in Sheraton Waikiki.