Last Updated on February 18, 2024 by Katrina

Photo credit: Four Seasons Resort Oahu

Oahu is the ultimate crowd-pleaser of the Hawaiian islands. It’s home to the state’s capital city, historic sites such as Pearl Harbor, and outdoor beauties such as Waimea Falls. It’s also home to the playground of Waikiki, with its sandy beaches, big hotels, and a wealth of shopping. Oahu has enough variety that you can choose to stay near the action, or find your own little stretch of island bliss. Here are five of the best hotels in Oahu.

The Royal Hawaiian (2259 Kalakaua Ave.; 808-923-7311) Waikiki

This luxury hotel nicknamed the “pink palace” dates back to 1927. It still stands out among its more modern Waikiki neighbors. “The soothing rose façade, Spanish-Moorish arches and cerulean blue of Waikiki’s waters will gently wash your cares away,” says Time Out. “Opt for a room in the historic wing, with flourishes that call to mind the opulence of the hotel’s heyday.” It still makes for an A-list experience, says a Tripadvisor user who calls it “a magical escape. There is real history here. From the heavy Hawaiian wood doors to the gorgeous 100+ year old trees and lavish but tasteful decor.”    >> Book this hotel for less

Kahala Hotel & Resort (5000 Kahala Ave.; 808-739-8888) Waialae Kahala

This classic resort has a colorful history of hosting notable guests from Elizabeth Taylor to the Rolling Stones and Princess Diana. It still feels a bit exclusive, in a good way. “It feels like it’s on its own island,” says Time Out. “Right in front is a quiet beach, so uncrowded that it feels private—a rare find in Hawaii, where all beaches are public.” The experience for travelers is definitely a splurge. “This is a nice change from bustling Waikiki Beach,” says a Tripadvisor user. “Because it’s secluded, there are no other food options within walking distance so we stocked up on groceries while at Waikiki. The room was very pretty and we had a view of the dolphins below. If price is no object, I definitely recommend it.”    >> Book this hotel for less

Turtle Bay Resort (57-091 Kamehameha Hwy.; 866-475-2569) North Shore

Want to feel like you have your own piece of Hawaii? Stay at this 410-room resort that sits along a whopping 850 acres of coastline on a stretch known for good surfing. “Oahu’s famed North Shore is the rural, remote side of the island,” says Travel+Leisure. “Families will appreciate Turtle Bay’s vast number of activities, from horseback rides and Segway tours to mountain biking and surf lessons.” Guests love the recent renovations, but some found the location a mixed bag. “The new lobby is spectacular,” says a Tripadvisor user. “But the resort has a public beach, and there are locked gates all over the property that are frankly annoying as you move around the resort.” Time Out adds that this place has a lot of value: “All of the rooms offer a view of the ocean, which few hotels at this price range can boast.”    >> Book this hotel for less

Aulani, A Disney Resort (92-1185 Ali’inui Dr.; 808-674-6200) Ko Olina

This 351-room resort on the western side of the island has an obvious allure for families and Disney superfans. But don’t let that limit your perception of it. “This place ain’t just ‘Hidden Mickeys,’” says Frommers. “Handsome wood carvings, murals of Hawaiian history, and other touches let you know, quite firmly and in the best of taste, that you’re not in a theme park.” Choose from activities such as the waterpark-style pool area, Disney character breakfasts, story times, and outdoor movies. “The pools are excellent, the rooms (while not overly spacious) are very nice, and the staff is otherworldly friendly,” says a Google reviewer. The only downside is the high cost, and that “views on the non-ocean side of the hotel are rather drab.”    >> Book this hotel for less

Four Seasons Resort Oahu (92-1001 Olani St.; 808-679-0079) Ko Olina

This 371-room luxury resort sits on a white sand beach on Oahu’s quiet west side, about 25 miles from Waikiki. That distance, says Travel+Leisure, sets the resort apart from other luxury hotels on Oahu. “The Four Seasons is also a proper resort (a surprising rarity on Oahu) with all the amenities you’d expect: four white-sand beaches, three swimming pools, a 35,000-square-foot spa, and easy access to the Ko Olina Golf Club.” Just make sure you want that much distance. “This is an amazing hotel and the restaurants are very good,” says a Google reviewer. “But it is a bit removed and a trek to get into Honolulu/Waikiki and the Eastern beaches—those beaches are the best, in my opinion. The beach here is a bit small and confining.”   >> Book this hotel for less

Related: