Oahu - lodging on a budget

[dthogue]

We are planning a 2 week trip to Hawaii and have decided to spend the majority of our time on the island of Oahu. Looking for nice lodging for a family of 5 that won't break the bank. Would love to have some type of kitchen facility to make some meals in. Any suggestions??

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Did you look into renting points at Aulani? I don't think there is such a thing as inexpensive lodging in HI.

We were 99% set for a HI vacation next summer before switching to the Med cruise so I had done a lot of research. If you can get a decent point rental rate such as $10 or 11 per point, you would do well.

 

[Pakey]

I would look on vbro dot com. I've rented a few times in Hawaii for this.

I own DVC and have vacationed at Aulani. It's a beautiful resort but you can do better price wise and get a better location.

 

[Fyrefly]

Okay to be completely honest, why Oahu? We did three islands on our trip, Maui, Hawai'i, and Oahu. We found Oahu to be the worst, it was the most commercialized, the beaches were horrible (Waikiki had a surf breaker in, there were no waves it was just like a saltwater swimming pool and it was ridiculously crowded) and everything was more expensive.

If you have no particular need to be on Oahu specifically I would suggest looking at a less popular island. We loved Hawai'i, the beaches were beautiful, the land was much less developed so we just did a lot of driving around looking at scenery, and we walked right up to active volcanoes over the lava flats. I can't remember the hotel we stayed at because it was ten years ago but it was also the cheapest on our trip if I recall correctly and the nicest.

 

[kkendle]

I agree with a PP....vrbo.com is a great site. I have rented through them several times with great luck. I have a family of 8 so we always look for a house. I have also used homeaway.com and vacationrentals.com.

I love having several bedrooms, laundry in the house, a full kitchen, etc. It is nice to be able to spread out. Depending on when you go, the house prices are better rates for certain times of the year.

Good luck.

 

[gjl]

Okay to be completely honest, why Oahu? We did three islands on our trip, Maui, Hawai'i, and Oahu. We found Oahu to be the worst, it was the most commercialized, the beaches were horrible (Waikiki had a surf breaker in, there were no waves it was just like a saltwater swimming pool and it was ridiculously crowded) and everything was more expensive.

I agree with this person if you only stay in Waikiki! The south shore is not known for it's waves like the North Shore is.

Overall, Oahu has so much to offer. The North Shore has some of the most famous surf beaches- Sunset Beach, Banzai Pipeline and Waimea. Haliewa is a quaint little town with some great hole in the wall restaurants and the famed Masumoto's Shave Ice! You can hike a paved trail while pushing a baby stroller near Makapu'u lighthouse just east of Waikiki and get a great view of the east side of the island and possibly Maui in the distance. Then you can drive up the Windward side north and see rocky beaches/cliffs and head up to the Polynesian Culture center for one of the best night shows on the island. Diamond Head Crater is also convenient to Waikiki a great hike to see all off Waikiki and Hanauma Bay is also nearby and has some awesome snorkeling. Then there is the history on the island between Pearl Harbor, the USS Missouri and Punch Bowl Cemetery AKA National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Maui has the incredible Road to Hana with the different colored sand beaches and Haleakela crater for sunrise, Kauai has an incredible north shore mainly viewed from a boat and Waimea Canyon, along with some great beaches and Bubba's Burgers. The Big Island has Hawaii Volcanoes National Park- perfect for seeing the lava flowing into the ocean and a ride around the southern portion of the island will get you to the southern most point in any US state as you head from Hilo towards the seaside town of Kona (famous for the coffee).

You really can't go wrong with any island! Enjoy your stay!
Aloha!

 

[manning]

Been to Hawaii several times. I would take a pass on Oaho. Other than Pearl Harbor the only other thing that was of interest to me was the Hawiian Cultural Center. If you want to get a true taste of Hawaii go to the other islands.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I agree - two weeks on Oahu for a vacation is too much time. You should really explore some of the other islands.

 

[POOHsie]

Agree with others. Two weeks in Oahu is seriously limiting yourself. Crowded roads, crowded beaches, lots of land already developed with housing. Looks like anywhere USA. Split your stay with one or two other islands. The Big Island of Hawaii was so very interesting. It was like a land that time forgot. Little out-of-the-way parks, hidden breathtaking waterfalls, gigantic foliage like out of a dinosaur movie, black sand beaches in some areas. Kilauea volcano visit was unforgettable -- it was an active volcano, but we walked right up to the rim. We went on trails and walked on lava only a few weeks old that was still pretty hot on your feet. Exploring the physical effects of the lava on the environment was mind-boggling. Hilo had old-style charm but surely wasn't luxurious. It was a working town and had a lot of cheap hotel deals. Kona coast had your typical modern deluxe-type accommodations. Kona was more of a final destination, harder to explore from there. We found Hilo to be the logical launching point to the volcano and other driving excursions so we picked there. Luxe accommodations didn't matter to us. The island exploration was what we came for.

I could spend paragraphs on Maui and Kauai. They have their own stories and beautiful experiences. My point is, staying only in Oahu for that long is a big waste of time and money. To really see and understand the islands you have to leave Oahu.

 

[disykat]

I've been to Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, and Oahu. The Kailua/Laniki area of Oahu is my favorite. If I could afford it, I'd definitely do two islands with two weeks, but if you're looking at Oahu because of cheaper flights, there are areas where you can have a beach vacation away from the city.

 

[jsmith]

If perchance you are retired military,or currently serving in the National Guard, public health sevice, NOAA or any of the active or reserve branches-Bellows Air Force Station on Windward Oahu. Its not luxury lodging its beach cottages. 80 dollars a day for most retired ranks, they will sleep 6 in the two bedrooms-one with a queen, one with twins and a hide a bed sofa. They are fully equiped for cooking, including an outdoor grill, there is daily housekeeping. Its located behind a marine training area outside of Wiamanalo. The beach is closed to the public during the week-DOD ID card holders only, and i have been on the beach there when i was alone. Its a beautiful beach and the views allow you to see across to Molikai, and sometimes Maui. The less touristy, more awesome areas are easily accessible. Draw backs are that you must have a car and you will spend a little time grocery shopping. There are similar facilities at three other locations on Ohau, one on Kaui and in Hawaii Volcanos National park on the Big Island. I have stayed in three of them and highly recommend it if you are eligible.

 

[minnie10]

We stayed 7 nights on Oahu last summer and had a great time. We stayed 4 nights in Waikiki and 3 in Kolina at Aulani. It was a near perfect vacation. In Waikiki we stayed in a 2 bedroom suite at Wyndham Royal Gardens. i purchased this off of Ebay and it was a great place to stay while we were sightseeing the island. I paid about $700 for the 4 night stay. Our last 3 nights were the best at Aulani. It is a beautiful resort expensive but we managed to do it on a pretty tight budget. We rented a car and traveled the island from one end to the other. Waikiki is great for a few nights as long as you make sure you see the other parts of the island. There is so much beauty on the North Shore side and Kailua also.. You will have a blast. Go to tripadvisor. You will get a lot of planning help from the Oahu forum.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

If perchance you are retired military,or currently serving in the National Guard, public health sevice, NOAA or any of the active or reserve branches-Bellows Air Force Station on Windward Oahu. Its not luxury lodging its beach cottages. 80 dollars a day for most retired ranks, they will sleep 6 in the two bedrooms-one with a queen, one with twins and a hide a bed sofa. They are fully equiped for cooking, including an outdoor grill, there is daily housekeeping. Its located behind a marine training area outside of Wiamanalo. The beach is closed to the public during the week-DOD ID card holders only, and i have been on the beach there when i was alone. Its a beautiful beach and the views allow you to see across to Molikai, and sometimes Maui. The less touristy, more awesome areas are easily accessible. Draw backs are that you must have a car and you will spend a little time grocery shopping. There are similar facilities at three other locations on Ohau, one on Kaui and in Hawaii Volcanos National park on the Big Island. I have stayed in three of them and highly recommend it if you are eligible.

We've stayed at the Kilauea Military Cabins (in VNP on the Big Island) and agree- great place to stay if you are eligible. Nothing overly fancy, but nice neat cabins with a kitchenette.

Incidentally, THE BEST hula show we saw in HI was a local group that came to the Club there. Not the perfect beauties like most of the touristy shows- they were women and girls of all shapes, sizes and ages. They loved sharing their culture and it was a highlight of our trip.

 

[JennSaint]

I agree with some of the other posters vrbo.com is a good site as well as cyberrentals.com and homeaway.com
Good luck!!