If you’re coming to Hawaii for a wedding, honeymoon, or renewal ceremony, where you choose to stay can make all the difference. Whether looking for the beauty of the Hawaiian mountains and beaches or the energy of the Honolulu nightlife and shopping scene, the island of Oahu has plenty to offer.
We get asked all the time where we recommend staying. We usually say Waikiki, which is next to Honolulu on the island of Oahu, as that’s often the best fit for what our couples are looking for. However, the whole island is beautiful, as are the other islands of Hawaii.
Here are our thoughts on some areas you may want to consider. 🙂
Waikiki – A Little of Everything
Regarding tourism, the Honolulu neighborhood of Waikiki is king, attracting millions of visitors each year. The abundance of accommodation and travel options in Waikiki makes it ideal for newlyweds looking for a taste of all Hawaii offers.
With a wide range of hotels, staying in Waikiki allows couples to experience the captivating diversity of Hawaii with a selection of affordable options.
Most of our couples are trying to balance their budget for a nice hotel stay and all the other activities Hawaii offers. Of course, a beachfront property is amazing, but saving on a non-beachfront hotel allows couples to splurge on meals, drinks, shopping, and other experiences! There are more affordable and more expensive options, but these three hotels would be our top recommendations: the Hyatt Centric, Wayfinder, and Embassy Suites.
For couples looking to splurge, the iconic Royal Hawaiian is a popular choice, and other luxury hotels in Waikiki are also some of the world’s best. The Kahala Resort is the perfect place for couples wanting to be outside of Waikiki, yet only ten minutes from all it has to offer.
Waikiki is teeming with bars, restaurants, entertainment venues, and world-class shopping centers for couples who want to spice things up with a taste of the nightlife.
The greater Honolulu area boasts some world-famous tourist destinations, including Waikiki Beach, King Kamehameha Statue, Iolani Palace, Chinatown, and Diamond Head Crater.
Honolulu’s location makes it especially ideal as a central hub for day trips and expeditions into the heart of the island.
While it’s great to have a rental car for at least a few days of your trip (there’s so much to see on Oahu!), plenty of our couples manage without one when staying in Waikiki. Taxis, Ubers, and buses are plentiful, and there’s always something to do within walking distance.
Where to Stay Outside of Waikiki
The West Side – The Leeward Coast
Please note: Package prices for transportation are based on travel from Waikiki. Staying on other parts of the island requires more travel time and, therefore, an additional cost for transportation or removal of transportation (depending on your ceremony location). Please ask us for more information if this pertains to you.
Moving clockwise from Honolulu and Waikiki, the West Side of the island, which visitors often know as the Ko Olina area, is ideal for those wanting a more resort-style experience. Fans of watersports and ocean-based activities will find things to do, but the options aren’t as good as in Waikiki.
While there are benefits to escaping the city, the Ko Olina area does not offer as diverse an array of lodging options and boasts considerably less nightlife and tourist attractions.
Visitors can still come to Honolulu and Waikiki for activities, yet they can experience a more remote and quiet vacation.
A rental car is a must unless you plan on spending most of your time at a resort. Koolina is 30 minutes away from Pearl Harbor. Depending on traffic, its proximity to Waikiki can vary from 45 minutes to an hour and a half by car.
While nationally ranked for its beauty, Hawaii is also nationally ranked for bad traffic. We highly recommend planning your days to avoid peak traffic, especially if you’re staying on the West Side.
The North Shore
Please note: Package prices for transportation are based on travel from Waikiki. Staying on other parts of the island requires more travel time and, therefore, an additional cost for transportation or removal of transportation (depending on your ceremony location). Please ask us for more information if this pertains to you.
The North Shore, which includes the popular town of Haleiwa and world-class beaches and surfing, is a more remote destination with its charms. Its breezy, calm climate lends itself to world-class surfing and water sports.
Please don’t plan on getting in the water at certain beaches during the winter, as the surf can be dangerous for swimming, but it’s something to see! Sunset Beach and the Banzai Pipeline are locations of stunning natural beauty.
The Polynesian Cultural Center offers a wealth of historical and cultural background for curious visitors. Liliuokalani Church and Waimea Valley are nearby for those looking to take in some lesser-known cultural sites.
In the end, however, the site’s remoteness means that its accommodation options are limited, and its nightlife and entertainment options are lacking. Although you won’t have to worry about freeway traffic, only one major highway runs along the north coast. It’s primarily one lane in each direction, meaning traffic can get even more congested than in the city.
Don’t get us wrong; the North Shore is a “must-see” for most visitors to Oahu, but if you’re considering staying there, please be aware of its remote location. A rental car is highly recommended, or you’ll be spending an easy $100 on a taxi ride.
The East Side – Windward Oahu
Please note: Package prices for transportation are based on travel from Waikiki. Staying on other parts of the island requires more travel time and, therefore, an additional cost for transportation or removal of transportation (depending on your ceremony location). Please ask us for more information if this pertains to you.
East Oahu, including the towns of Kailua and Kaneohe, provides plenty of sites for more rugged explorers, stretching from Makapu’u Point to the Lanikai Pillbox hike and up to Chinaman’s Hat. Kailua is also home to two of Oahu’s best beaches: Kailua Beach and Lanikai. (Both of which, unfortunately, are not permitted for weddings.)
Except for a few private rentals, there aren’t many accommodation options in this area. The beaches, however, are stunning, even being voted best beach by Dr. Beach in 2015. If you’re a beach lover, this is a great area to visit, and it makes for a wonderful wedding spot!
Conclusion
Visitors to Oahu—especially those seeking a straightforward romantic escape from their hectic lives on the mainland—choose Waikiki and Honolulu for good reasons. The city and its neighboring resort towns offer plenty of peace and tranquility amid a lively cosmopolitan setting.
The more remote locations on the island are excellent for day trips. Still, they’re not always the best places to look for accommodations. But of course, it all depends on the type of vacation you have in mind.
We don’t think you’ll be upset with anywhere on the island; Oahu is beautiful, and with so much to offer, it’s easy to find precisely what you’re looking for.
While we take great pride in being the best Hawaii wedding planners, we’re not too shabby at providing advice on booking your travel to Hawaii. Whenever you need help, please get in touch!
