Where to Stay in Oahu: Waikiki vs Ko Olina vs The North Shore

You made a good decision. Going to Oahu is a great island to visit. Now the 2nd big decision, which part of Oahu should you stay on? Waikiki or Ko Olina or the North Shore?
We give you the pros and cons of where to stay in Oahu, Hawaii.
Now that you know where to stay on Oahu, finish your Hawaii vacation planning with our Oahu itineraries. Itineraries include videos on an Oahu itinerary guide and step-by-step pre-travel testing. thehawaiivacat...
Waikiki offers the famous beach, nightlife, activities galore, and is a central location but it gets crowded. (1:30 mins)
Or….
Ko Olina offers 4 white-sand lagoons, stay and play resorts, a Disney resort, luaus, and sun-drenched weather but you are a little isolated on the far side of the island. (7:15 mins)
Or…
Oahu’s famous North Shore with epic surfing, jungle hikes, waterfall swims, amazing restaurants and food trucks, and a chill vibe but windward weather means rain and spotty weather. (15:01 mins)
After living two years on Oahu, in fact in Ko Olina, I can lay out the facts on these Oahu destinations so you don’t have to learn the hard way. Here come the pros and cons of what you can expect when staying in each of these Oahu resort destinations.
Free 5 Day Oahu Itinerary is here: thehawaiivacat...
For more details on Waikiki vs Ko Olina vs Oahu's North Shore check out our article: thehawaiivacat...
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[@allisonshimonski9399]

Great review of the locations, its surprising how different they are. Henry stole the show!! He is adorable and a lucky boy to have such cool parents (:

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

thanks for watching! This is one of our first videos and we are looking forward to remaking it.

[@irisflower9030]

We absolutely love the North Shore! Our favorite place to stay. We’ve stayed there many times as we love that local, laid back feel. We always rent a house, a car, and explore the entire island. We’ve had amazing time there in the winter even with all the waves. Love the Turtle Beach resort public beach where the water is always nice and calm due to the natural barrier reef, unless there is a raging storm but even then the waves aren’t bad at all. In the summer we really enjoyed the Sunset Beach as well, when the big waves are gone. And I absolutely love Haleiwa. We always visit it during our vacations. Waimea Valley is another favorite. In a couple of months we’ll be staying in Waikiki as we’re after convenience this time around and don’t want to bother with renting a car and doing lots of driving. We’ve stayed there before but it’s been a while, it’ll be a change of pace for sure. But I absolutely love the Waikiki beach and both the Zoo and the Aquarium are within walking distance. As you said, as long as you know what to expect from Waikiki you’ll be good. Plus, I’m thinking it’ll be much less crowded now due to the pandemic. Thanks for the great and informative video!

[@Kujkoja123]

Let me guys tell you my opinion, I'm travel a lot and I what I find it's best is a combination rentals plus hotel. Why? it's very simply why you will pay big amount of money for hotel if you are gonna be all day outside doing excursions its waste of money. So for me the best thing is I'm taking 6day rentals go explore everything be relly active and on the end I reward myself with hotel 3-4 days just resting and enjoying the hotel. Great videos btw I find a lot of information from one place! Cheers!

[@jorgeburgosjr7556]

Jordan & Erika…to me the best information given about Hawaii in general. Very informative.

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Thanks so much Jorge!

[@ewentseng9737]

Love how positive you’re always. The spirit of ALOHA is evident as someone who is kama’aina. Even when you’re talking about cons, you frame it in an objective way. We have stayed in Oahu twice now, once at the Hilton on Waikiki & once at Disney Aulani, 6 years apart. Your assessments are spot-on. With Aloha.

[@spark_6710]

OMG ! The way your kid running in this video was so adorable, the cutest thing !! Lol. Thanks for this video ! My mom's b.d.is coming in January & she had lived in Wikiki in her 20's briefly .I am planning to take her for her birthday celebration 🎂 earlier the next year !!! I've been to Hawaii several times, but it's been such a long time ever since ! 👍💜🥁🐉🎤🎶🏝✈️💞

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Enjoy the trip back to Oahu with your mom! Thanks for watching. You will have a blast!

[@spark_6710]

Thanks so much !! I am sure we will !! 👍👍💜🥁🐉🎤🎶✈️🏝💞

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Mahalo for watching! Now that you know where to stay on Oahu, finish your Hawaii vacation planning with our Oahu itineraries. Itineraries include videos on an Oahu itinerary guide and step-by-step pre-travel testing. thehawaiivacationguide.com/oahu/

[@amandaheshka5684]

Just gonna binge watch your videos until we can travel again. They are great! 🤩👌😎

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

that's a good way to do it! We like to think they got a lot better after this one. It was one of our firsts and we recently remade it.

[@mattpurcell3369]

I absolutely love all of your reviews, Thank You

[@debbieharms9456]

Thanks for all the informative videos to help me plan my 1st trip to Hawaii! Your son is adorable ♡♡♡

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Glad we can help Debbie! He is the best. Check out our new Oahu itinerary if you need help planning your trip! Thanks for watching. thehawaiivacationguide.com/hawaii-recommendations/best-hawaii-itineraries/

[@MikePhoTravelVlogs]

Awesome Video Edit 💯👍 Keep it up 📸

[@clehua3]

I think your husband forgot how close Kapolei is to Ko Olina...it's just a few minutes away. No need to feel stuck at Ko Olina. Kapolei has so many food and shopping options.

[@GiGiLafoo]

Ahhhhhh........ Ko Olina. We stayed there when Four Seasons was a JW Marriott property and the Disney resort was in the early stages of development. It was a tranquil haven. The lagoons were wonderful.

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

We lived there during those years! We watched the Disney resort get built. We would go to the Ihilani (JW Marriott) to hang out with the film crew of Pirates of the Caribbean! fun times back then.

[@docdyment]

Great overview, guys. We spent a couple of days in Waikiki before jumping over to Maui, very fun city and amazing beach, but hope to see the rest of Oahu on our next visit!

[@trainerles]

Holy wind noise batman! 😁

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

yeah, we didn't have a microphone yet.

[@sitavegbusiness8573]

Guys I love your channel. The question pops up, What do you do for living in Hawaii? like are you just entrepreneurs or you work in the tourism industry or you are just lucky to be already retired? Hugs.

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Thank you! We run our own small business :)

[@tiffy1103]

I'm so grateful for your experience and your family. So mucg information and I need it all. Planning my 40th birthday trip for my family March 2022 . Stayed a few years ago at Grand Waleia ( sorry if spelled wrong) Maui was beautiful we are from Los Angeles and I have many questions. Can you beautiful people help me lol

[@scain1010]

You need more subscribers

[@Amir-tn2bm]

Great This video encourage me to travel😍😍

[@LordVader.66]

Waikiki was loads of fun. Next time it is the North Shore

[@davesturdy]

I doubt we would stay in Waikiki anymore, but I guess it’s ok to visit for a first timer. Diamond head is a cool east hike. For. A first time I would have a week in Waikiki then maybe a week up in Turtle Bay 🤙🏼

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Exactly, it is worth a visit for a first time visitor. There is a lot to see and do around Waikiki but it doesn't have the true Hawaiian vibe.

[@momlovesnoel]

I couldnt imagine anyplace better than the north shore..then I went to Ko'olina :)

[@NutmegThumper]

Love ur videos - audio was a bit low on this one but I survived. We drove the Haleiwa on a private circle island tour. Stopped for food trucks (Da Bald Guy) for cooked Poke - so good - and North Shore Mac Nut place. Will have to get back there someday for more of a visit! I read that fresh water on Oahu has bacteria etc. Noticed you swimming at Waimea Falls - is this an issue or not?

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

All the islands can get the bacteria in the water. It is rare and helps if you avoid drinking it. It is a flu like symptoms if you get it, so not horrible. This video was one of our first ones, filmed before the pandemic so our sound equipment was non-existent.

[@eileenrust7402]

great job.. lots of info

[@walterlawrence2485]

I think Turtle Bay is closed because of the virus. The Mariot in Laie is open. Its next door to pcc but that too is closed except for the restaurants.

[@vanessaweaver2045]

We are torn between Hilton Hawaiian Village and Royal Hawaiian hotel. Traveling with my husband, no kids!

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Royal Hawaiian is the best in our opinion! We love the charm and elegance of the place. Also a better beach and location in Waikiki.

[@daneyab6630]

Kapolei area all the way!

[@fredwatts3501]

If I do a video on my vacation like this can I write the whole trip off as a business trip?

[@raulortega4031]

Hi we just got here at Waikiki yesterday what will you recommend to do and to visit thank you 🙏

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

We love Waikiki! Check out this video for ideas kzbin.info/www/bejne/aH6ZZn9uYs2NsNk and go hike Diamond Head as it opens today through Sunday!

[@raulortega4031]

@@TheHawaiiVacationGuide thank you 🙏

[@kcusa1973]

What condo developments do you recommend renting from in Ko’Olina?

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Our favorite was coconut Plantation

[@juanamora710]

What’s the best way to book? Directly to resort or travel website?

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

shop for the best deal but usually directly with the resorts as they can cancel, change reservations, and have more control of your reservation. See the description for links to some of the hotels. (I just added them!)

[@jamesadams4722]

what do you do for work?

[@krisschultz8542]

What’s the link for the “FREE” itinerary?

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

search our site as we have three for Oahu, here is one: thehawaiivacationguide.com/5-day-oahu-itinerary/

[@krisschultz8542]

@@TheHawaiiVacationGuide Thanks so much. I appreciate all your info. We’re planing our honeymoon in a week and trying to get everything straight. Your videos have been a lot of help. We’re also there for 7 nights and want to see some things on the big island. Would u recommend like a 4 day each split? Start there then come back to Oahu? Thanks again.

[@DarlitaDawn]

Can you do a video about renting in coconut plantation

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Aloha Darlita, shoot us an email if you have specific questions. We lived there a while ago so not sure how it has changed but maybe we can help.

[@Electrical565]

Nice your smile

[@DianeBucka]

What about Kilua or Kahului?

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Kailua and Kaneohe are beautiful areas but not a lot of hotels, just small ones. Vacation rentals are popular but one must make sure they are legal. A tax number will be listed in the booking.

[@ER_aka_RAM]

O’ahu still has more Aloha spirit than any other island in Hawaii.

[@lordyeoh]

Mahalo

[@k10teky]

Great video, very thorough. Hawaiian pronunciation of O’ahu is (O-ah-who) rather than (O-whaa-who).

[@eltonwilliams2]

Sounds like Waikiki wins

[@يومياتفايبرجي]

⚘

[@lesliejohnson4762]

:)

[@robertrosejr1]

Everything is blurry why

[@pineapplelife507]

Horrible audio omg