Best Value Hotels on Oahu

Picture of Jeanne Cooper

Jeanne Cooper

After two decades of visiting Hawaii as a travel writer and wife of a triathlete, Jeanne now shares news and views of the islands from her home base on the Kohala Coast.

With nearly 30,000 hotel rooms within the 3.4 square miles of Waikiki, you can find a wide range of price points for lodgings. These hotels may not offer the absolute cheapest rates, but they provide excellent bang for your buck. If you see a deal here you like — book it!

Feature image: Outrigger Reef Facebook

TIP: Most hotels have 4pm check-in. Ask for an early check-in. If they are unable to accommodate they will let you store your bags and you can head to the beach

Waikiki Malia by Outrigger

Welcome to the Waikiki Malia by Outrigger. This intimate retreat is the perfect start and end to a day of exploring and sight-seeing. With easy access to Waikiki Beach, as well as numerous shopping and dining options, the Waikiki Malia by Outrigger is the ultimate home base for your next adventure.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Their central location means you don’t have to walk more than a few minutes to find food, the beach, or shopping in Waikiki.
  • To save on your island getaway, book 30 days out to get 15% off room rates. 
A modern bedroom features a large bed with white linens, a wall-mounted TV above a wooden dresser, and two round mirrors and a decorative item on the wall. A sliding glass door opens to a balcony with two blue chairs and a small table, overlooking greenery.
Photo: Courtesy of Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club

Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club

Promoting true Hawaiian hospitality, the design team here collaborated with the best and brightest local talent to create an ambiance that evokes Waikiki’s mid-century splendor with a modern twist.The 112 “bungalow” rooms and suites are on Lewers Street, a short walk to the shops as well as the beach.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Surfjack teamed up with famed chef Erik Leong to create Mahina & Sun’s which is a hot spot for locals and visitors alike.
  • Don’t feel like leaving the property every night? Stick around for the nightly movie by the pool with its Instagrammable “Wish you were here” logo.
View from a balcony overlooking a tropical beach with clear blue waters. Palm trees sway in the breeze, and people are relaxing on the sand and swimming. A mountainous island landscape is visible in the distance under a bright, partly cloudy sky.
Photo: Courtesy of Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort

OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beach Resort

This award-winning beachfront property has a prime location in Waikiki near shops and restaurants. Rising above the sands, the 16-story resort has 524 rooms with private lanais and views of Diamond Head and the ocean. The OUTRIGGER is also known for its family-friendly amenities, such as an outdoor pool. Book a room in the Voyager 47 category for access to the excellent amenities of the club lounge, including free breakfast. 

Fun fact: the name OUTRIGGER was given because this is the original site of the legendary OUTRIGGER Canoe Club, home to famous watermen like Duke Kahanamoku.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • On-site dining and entertainment options are abundant and first rate, including the Blue Note Hawaii nightclub and Hula Grill off the lobby to the ground-floor restaurant, Duke’s Waikiki, with live entertainment daily.
A woman with long dark hair is standing on a balcony overlooking a bright, clear blue ocean. She is wearing a white top, accessorized with bracelets, and is shading her eyes with one hand while gazing towards the horizon. The day is sunny and clear.
Photo: Sheraton Princess Kaʻiulani Facebook

Sheraton Princess Kaʻiulani

Built on the former home of Princess Victoria Kaʻiulani Kalaninuiahilapalapa Kawekiu i Lunalilo Cleghorn (1875–1899), this hotel close to shops and the beach was the tallest building in Hawaii (11 stories) when it opened in 1955. The property recently went through a $35 million renovation and is a haven for mid-century modern Hawaiiana, with artwork and prints from the 1960s sourced from Bishop Museum, plus original artwork featuring Hawaiian royalty that has hung in the hotel since its debut. Take advantage of the amenities included in the resort fee, including a beach chair, beachfront yoga, water aerobics and daily cultural activities.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • The courtyard Splash Bar and large pool form a surprisingly tranquil oasis in busy Waikiki.
  • Rooms may be on the small side, but views of the ocean, the Waikiki skyline and city lights at night can be breathtaking, and with 1,140 rooms to choose from, rates are often very affordable.
A bright hotel room features a large bed with colorful pillows, a wooden headboard, and tropical-themed wallpaper. A matching wooden bench with blue cushions sits at the foot of the bed. Large windows showcase a beautiful outdoor view of lush greenery and mountains.
Photo: Courtesy of Kaimana Beach Hotel

Kaimana Beach Hotel

This gorgeously renovated beachfront property debuted its new look in early 2021 and is ideal for those who want the excitement of Waikiki without the crowds. It’s on Kaimana (Sans Souci) Beach, about 2 miles east of downtown Waikiki, but very walkable to everything. The rooms (many with floor-to-ceiling windows) have stunning views of either Diamond Head (2.7 miles from the hotel) or the ocean, and all have some type of balcony or patio to soak in the vistas. The soaring living room-style lobby with a kaleidoscope of island-inspired artwork also inspires lounging.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • A locals’ favorite since the original hotel debuted in 1963, Hau Tree restaurant has been deliciously reimagined by island superstar chef Chris Kajioka, with a standout, all-day rosé brunch on Saturday and Sunday and fabulous cocktail menu.
  • Among the Kaimana Beach Club amenities, included in your stay, are fitness classes, lei making, Electra cruiser bikes, surfboard rentals through Kai Sallas’ Pro Surf School, and beach gear.
A cozy hotel room featuring a bed with a straw hat and lei on it, a desk with a teal chair, a kitchenette with a mini fridge, microwave, and coffee maker, and a vibrant painting of a sea turtle on the wall near the door. The room is well-lit and modern.
Photo: Courtesy of Coconut Waikiki Hotel

Coconut Waikiki Hotel

This 81-room hotel offers a fun, funky atmosphere just out of the chaos, overlooking Ala Wai Canal and the Koolau Mountains from its perch at the end of Lewers Street, three blocks from Waikiki Beach. Rooms come with kitchenettes, lanais and bright, contemporary decor; onsite are a small heated pool and 24-hour fitness center when you’re not busy exploring Waikiki.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Prices are some of the lowest for this quality of lodgings, and include a complimentary continental breakfast.
A modern hotel room features a large bed with white linens and black geometric pillows. The room includes bedside tables with lamps, a desk with a chair, and a minimalist decor with a blend of neutral tones and wooden accents. A doorway leads to an adjoining bathroom.
Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Renew

Hotel Renew

Renovated in 2019, this chic property is ideal for budget-minded travelers with high standards. The 72 rooms feature stylish, mid century modern design with oak and rattan details, cotton linens and high-end bath amenities. It’s just a block from Waikiki Beach, too.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • The resort fee includes use of all kinds of beach gear, in-room fitness equipment, and surfboard storage.
  • The wellness theme extends to make-your-own lavender bags for a good night’s sleep.
A modern reception area with a vibrant red and pink theme. A white neon sign reads "aloha" on the red wall behind the counter. The counter is white with two monitors and a large white plant. Two wooden stools are in front of the counter.
Photo: Adam Macchia

Shoreline Hotel Waikiki

Centrally located and a couple blocks from the beach, the Shoreline features an Instagram-worthy rooftop pool and whimsical, neon-bright design aesthetic throughout the property. The 110 rooms showcase colorful and quirky furnishings, and offer private balconies, mini-fridges, platform beds and plush linens, all for a much lower price than the larger resorts.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Besides the fun vibe and great price, Shoreline has some excellent amenities, from the welcome package of locally made snacks, drinks and a kukui nut lei to the Public Good bath products in bioplastic bottles and bell service.

Did we miss your favorite hotel?
Let us know — email us at stay@localgetaways.com or tag us @localgetaways.

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