Comprehensive Guide to Hawaiian Resort, Condo, and B&B Regions

Most Popular Waikiki Beach Area Hotels (Oahu)

Waikiki is the most heavily concentrated tourist district in Hawaii, featuring well over 100 hotels ranging from budget stays to massive luxury complexes. Here are the most iconic and popular beachfront properties:

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort: A massive 22-acre property with five towers, multiple pools, and its own ocean-fed lagoon.
Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort: Known for its vibrant energy and massive oceanfront infinity pool.
Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa: Known as the "First Lady of Waikiki," offering historic late-19th-century architecture right on the sand.
The Royal Hawaiian: The iconic "Pink Palace of the Pacific," boasting classic design and luxury amenities.
Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach: A modern luxury resort famous for its two-story indoor oceanarium.
Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort: Highly popular for its authentic Hawaiian cultural activities and beachfront dining.

Waikiki Beach on Oahu is a vibrant area known for its hotels, attractions, and events. Here's some information to address peoples questions:

Oldest Hotel on Waikiki Beach:

The oldest hotel still standing on Waikiki Beach is the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, which opened in 1901.

Oldest 10 Hotels on Waikiki Beach (in approximate order):

1. Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa (1901)
2. Royal Hawaiian Hotel (1927)
3. Halekulani Hotel (opened as the Hau Tree Hotel in 1917, then redeveloped as Halekulani in 1984)
4. Sheraton Princess Kaiulani (1955, originally named Princess Kaiulani Hotel)
5. Waikiki Beachcomber by Outrigger (1956, originally named The Holiday Inn Waikiki)
6. Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort (1967)
7. Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort (1957)
8. The Modern Honolulu (formerly known as The Edition, opened in 2010)
9. Queen Kapiolani Hotel (opened as the King Kamehameha Hotel in 1969, then renamed to its current name in 1970)
10. Lotus Hotel (originally opened as the W Honolulu • Waikiki in 1964, then rebranded to Lotus in 2017)

Most Famous Hotel on Waikiki Beach:

The most famous hotel on Waikiki Beach is likely the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, often referred to as the "Pink Palace of the Pacific."

Biggest Hotels on Waikiki Beach:

The largest hotels on Waikiki Beach in terms of capacity and facilities include:
• Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort
• Sheraton Waikiki
• Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa

Newest Hotels on Waikiki Beach:

Some of the newer hotels on Waikiki Beach include:
• The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach (opened in 2016)
• Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach (formerly Pacific Beach Hotel, reopened in 2018 after renovation)
• The Laylow, Autograph Collection (opened in 2017)

Tallest Hotel in Waikiki Beach Area:

The tallest hotel in the Waikiki Beach area is currently the Royal Hawaiian Center, a shopping and dining complex with a height of 213 feet.

Tourist Capacity:

Hotels and motels on Waikiki Beach collectively can accommodate thousands of tourists, with many properties ranging from mid-sized to large resorts.

Famous Buildings on and Around Waikiki Beach:

Apart from hotels, notable buildings include:
• Royal Hawaiian Center
• International Market Place
• Waikiki Beach Walk
• Duke Kahanamoku Statue

Skyline Changes Since the 1930s:

Since the 1930s, Waikiki's skyline has evolved significantly, with taller hotels and resorts offering better views of the ocean and Diamond Head from the new buildings and blocking the Honolulu suburbs. Development has gradually increased the density and height of buildings, enhancing the skyline's prominence.

Tourist Attractions Around Waikiki Beach:

Popular attractions near Waikiki Beach include:
• Diamond Head State Monument
• Honolulu Zoo
• Waikiki Aquarium
• Kapiolani Park
• Ala Moana Center (shopping)

Yearly Popular Events:

Some annual events held on or near Waikiki Beach include:
• Honolulu Festival (March)
• King Kamehameha Day Celebration (June)
• Hawaii Food & Wine Festival (October)
• Honolulu Marathon (December)

Waikiki Beach remains a hub of tourism and cultural activities, offering a mix of historic charm and modern amenities.

Oahu

Makaha & Makaha Valley (West Leeward Coast):
- Most Popular For: Surfing Makaha Beach, hiking dramatic dry-forest valley ridges, and escaping the Honolulu crowds.
- Remoteness: Very remote for Oahu; located at the end of the western coastal highway.
- Lodging Profile: ~5-8 major condo/timeshare complexes (e.g., Hawaiian Princess, Makaha Valley Towers) and local rentals. Very few traditional hotels.
Ko Olina Area (West Leeward Coast):
- Most Popular For: Calm swimming in engineered stone lagoons, marina boating, and highly manicured golf courses.
- Remoteness: Semi-remote; a master-planned resort bubble.
- Lodging Profile: 4 major luxury resorts (Aulani, Four Seasons, Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club) and upscale resort villas.
North Shore Strip (Waialua, Laniakea, Pupukea, Sunset Beach, Kawela):
- Most Popular For: Observing massive winter hydrodynamics (big wave surfing), summer reef snorkeling (Shark's Cove in Pupukea), and sea turtle spotting (Laniakea).
- Remoteness: Remote; a two-lane coastal road with heavy traffic during winter swells.
- Lodging Profile: Hundreds of scattered B&Bs, private surf shacks, and vacation rentals. Turtle Bay is the only major resort (near Kawela/Kahuku).
Laie Area (Windward/Northeast Coast):
- Most Popular For: The Polynesian Cultural Center, BYU-Hawaii, and rugged limestone coastal topography (Laie Point).
- Remoteness: Remote, quiet, and highly residential.
- Lodging Profile: 1 primary hotel (Courtyard by Marriott Oahu North Shore) and a handful of local rentals.
Kailua Beach Area (Windward/East Coast):
- Most Popular For: Kite-surfing, kayaking to offshore seabird sanctuaries (the Mokuluas), and walking powdery white sand.
- Remoteness: Not remote; a bustling, affluent residential town.
- Lodging Profile: 50+ B&Bs and licensed vacation rentals. Due to strict zoning, there are zero large mega-resorts here, giving it a neighborhood feel.

Maui

Upper West Maui (Kapalua, Napili, Kahana, Honokowai):
- Most Popular For: Quiet snorkeling bays, green sea turtles, coastal hiking trails, and PGA golf (Kapalua).
- Remoteness: Moderate; gets progressively quieter the further north you drive.
- Lodging Profile: Highly concentrated. Kapalua features 3-4 luxury properties (Ritz-Carlton, Montage). Napili, Kahana, and Honokowai are densely packed with ~30-40 low-to-mid-rise oceanfront condo complexes (e.g., Napili Kai, Sands of Kahana).
Lower West Maui (Kaanapali Coast & Beach Area):
- Most Popular For: The long beachfront boardwalk, snorkeling at Black Rock, parasailing, and high-end shopping (Whalers Village).
- Remoteness: Not remote; the commercial hub of West Maui.
- Lodging Profile: ~15 massive resorts and high-rise timeshares/condos (Hyatt Regency, Sheraton Maui, Kaanapali Alii).
South Maui Condos & Harbors (Maalaea & Kihei):
- Most Popular For: Whale watching tours departing from Maalaea Harbor, affordable beach parks, paddleboarding, and central island access.
- Remoteness: Not remote; Kihei is a long, highly commercialized strip. Maalaea is a small, windy harbor enclave.
- Lodging Profile: Over 60+ mid-range condo complexes and a few smaller boutique hotels. Maalaea has ~10 oceanfront condo buildings.
South Maui Luxury (Wailea, Wailea Point, Makena):
- Most Popular For: Pristine crescent beaches, striking lava-rock promontories, upscale dining, and luxury golf.
- Remoteness: Semi-remote; located at the very end of the South Maui road before it turns to rugged lava fields.
- Lodging Profile: ~15 luxury properties. Includes mega-resorts (Grand Wailea, Four Seasons) and ultra-exclusive, sprawling oceanfront condo communities like Wailea Point and Makena Surf.
Hana Area (East Maui):
- Most Popular For: Experiencing deep rainforests, cascading plunge pools, black and red sand beaches, and extreme isolation.
- Remoteness: Extremely remote.
- Lodging Profile: 1 main luxury resort (Hana-Maui Resort), a few eco-lodges, and a scattering of private B&Bs.

The Big Island (Hawaii Island)

Waikoloa & Kohala Coast (Northwest):
- Most Popular For: Exploring barren, sun-baked lava fields juxtaposed with lush, man-made resort oases, petroglyph fields, and golf.
- Remoteness: Semi-remote; resorts are isolated from each other by miles of black rock.
- Lodging Profile: ~10 massive luxury resorts (Hilton Waikoloa Village) and high-end fairway condo complexes.
Kailua-Kona & Keauhou Area (West Coast):
- Most Popular For: Deep-sea fishing, Ironman triathlon training, night diving with manta rays (Keauhou), and historic bays.
- Remoteness: Not remote; Kona is the main commercial hub of the west side.
- Lodging Profile: ~30+ properties ranging from historic hotels (King Kamehameha) to large condo blocks and the sprawling Outrigger Kona Resort in Keauhou.
Honaunau-Napoopoo Area (South Kona):
- Most Popular For: World-class snorkeling (Kealakekua Bay/Captain Cook monument), coffee farms, and the City of Refuge (Pu'uhonua o Honaunau).
- Remoteness: Remote, steep, and agricultural.
- Lodging Profile: Zero large resorts. Dozens of small, independently owned coffee-farm B&Bs, eco-retreats, and local vacation rentals.
Hilo Reeds Bay Area (East Coast):
- Most Popular For: Walking beneath massive banyan trees (Banyan Drive), exploring nearby waterfalls, and taking in the local, non-touristy, rainy-side charm.
- Remoteness: Not remote, but far removed from the typical "resort" vibe.
- Lodging Profile: ~5-7 older, classic hotels situated on the bay (e.g., Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, Grand Naniloa) and small B&Bs.
Volcano Area (Inland/Elevated):
- Most Popular For: Hiking active volcanic craters, exploring steam vents, and walking through high-elevation fern tree forests.
- Remoteness: Remote; located at ~4,000 feet of elevation inside and just outside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
- Lodging Profile: 1 historic hotel (Volcano House) and roughly 40+ rustic lodges, rainforest cabins, and B&Bs hidden in the dense flora of Volcano Village.

Kauai (The Garden Isle)

Princeville Area (North Shore):
- Most Popular For: Jaw-dropping views of eroded sea cliffs, golf, and proximity to the Hanalei Bay watershed.
- Remoteness: Remote; a dedicated resort community on a coastal bluff.
- Lodging Profile: ~15 properties, including ultra-luxury resorts (1 Hotel Hanalei Bay), timeshares (Westin), and numerous condo complexes.
Wailua & Coconut Coast Area (East Shore):
- Most Popular For: The coastal bike path, navigating the hydrography of Hawaii's only navigable river (Wailua River), and central location.
- Remoteness: Not remote; this is a bustling, traffic-heavy commercial corridor.
- Lodging Profile: ~20+ mid-range resorts, historic hotels, and oceanfront condo complexes (e.g., Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach, Islander on the Beach).
Lihue Area (Southeast):
- Most Popular For: Easy airport access, swimming in the protected waters of Kalapaki Bay, and cruise ship watching.
- Remoteness: Not remote; Lihue is the county seat and civic center.
- Lodging Profile: ~5 major properties, anchored by the massive Royal Sonesta Kauai Resort on Kalapaki Beach, plus a Marriott timeshare and some smaller motels.
Poipu Beach Area (South Shore):
- Most Popular For: Consistently sunny weather, excellent snorkeling, surfing, and observing resting Hawaiian monk seals.
- Remoteness: Moderate; it feels like a distinct, well-planned coastal enclave separate from the main highway.
- Lodging Profile: ~25+ properties, ranging from high-end resorts (Grand Hyatt, Sheraton) to a very high density of luxury plantation-style condo complexes and vacation homes.