For the first time visitors to Hawaii (Oahu), it’s inevitable to find yourselves in or near Waikiki. In fact, if it’s something you’re trying to avoid, we recommend at least driving down Kalakaua Avenue, through the Waikiki strip. The world famous vacation spot is home to surf breaks (which is something to consider doing), luxury hotels, 5-star restaurants and endless entertainment for all walks of life.
To generalize a decent stay in Waikiki, we broke it down into three broad categories to simplify things: Accommodations, Activities, and food.
BEST ACCOMMODATIONS TO STAY IN WAIKIKI
From the traveling nomad who would rather stay in Hostels, to the multi-millionaire, or family of four, Waikiki boasts an endless amount of lodging. Below is a list of many modern, reasonable, and convenient accommodations in Waikiki. The best part about staying in Waikiki is that you are proximal to a beach, no further than half a mile. If major hotel lines don’t fit your lifestyle, companies like Airbnb and LuxuryRetreats are great, if not better, alternatives than a ‘traditional’ stay at a hotel. However, for your convenience, hotels are the easiest choice, in fact, we love them!
Below are 10 (not in a specific order) accommodations you’ll find in Waikiki with some we’ve stayed and experienced where others have had good things said about them.
Sheraton Hotel
Ilikai hotel
Alohilani Resort
Modern Hotel
Hilton
Surfjack Hotel
Halekulani
Moana Surfrider
Outrigger
Hyatt Centric
Related Article:
Best Hostels in Hawaii
BEST ACTIVITIES TO DO IN WAIKIKI
With all the sights and sounds of Waikiki, it can be hard to decide what to do in the city once you’ve laid out all your luggage wherever you’re staying. Of course, the top thing is to jump in the water at the nearest beach, however, there are numerous things to do that we had to break it down to a minimum of 10. Here are a few things we enjoy:
beaches + Surf
Go to a Luau
Diamond Head Hike
Booze Cruise
Parasail
Biking
Shopping on the Strip
Trolley Rides
Paradise Pedals
Honolulu Zoo or Waikiki Aquarium
Related Article:
10 Things To Do in Waikiki
BEST RESTAURANTS TO EAT AT IN WAIKIKI
Last, and certainly not least, food! You can’t possibly have an exciting day without delicious meals. Luckily, Hawaii, in general, is a melting pot of cultures and more importantly to this post, the different cuisines throughout the area pay homage to the heritages that have developed Hawaii into what it is today. Here is a list of 10 (not in a specific order) places to eat in Waikiki:
Hula Grill
Yauatcha
Tommy Bahama
Sansei
Doraku
Marukame Udon
Tiki’s Bar and Grill
Food Court at Royal Hawaiian Plaza
Sky Waikiki
Roy’s
Important 2026 Restaurant Update
Yauatcha Waikiki permanently closed in August 2018. Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar in Waikiki has also closed. We recommend replacing these with other excellent Waikiki dining options such as Marukame Udon, Doraku Sushi, and Hula Grill, all of which remain open and highly rated.
2026 Updated Information
Accommodations: Waikiki has seen several new hotel openings and renovations in recent years. Short-term vacation rentals (Airbnb, VRBO) are now subject to stricter regulations in Honolulu. Only properties with valid permits are legal for stays under 90 days, so always verify your rental is properly licensed before booking.
Activities: Diamond Head State Monument now requires advance reservations and charges a $5 per person entry fee (in addition to parking fees). Reservations can be made online through the Hawaii DLNR website. The Honolulu Zoo and Waikiki Aquarium remain open, with the aquarium recently undergoing renovations.
Dining: The Royal Hawaiian Center now features the Waikiki Food Hall on the 3rd floor of Building C, offering multiple food stalls in an open-air setting. Sky Waikiki has rebranded as a Raw and Bar concept on the 19th floor with panoramic rooftop views. All other restaurants listed above remain open as of 2026.
There you have it! It’s not an extensive list but at least you, the reader, have options of where you can stay, what you can do, and where to eat. Whether you’re spending a week, two weeks, or a single day in Waikiki, courtesy of a cruise ship, this list will hopefully spark some ideas for your visit. We hope you enjoy your stay and if you have any recommendations, concerns, or questions, leave a comment below. Thanks for reading!
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