Whether you’re travelling on a budget, or are cashed up and ready to splurge, a Honolulu vacation is filled with enticing things to see and do. So we put together a list of ways the budget traveller, and the big spender, can best enjoy this tropical island paradise.
HONOLULU ON A BUDGET…
Fortunately, Honolulu is a place where you don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a good time. With plenty to offer in the way of outdoor fun, and a long list of free or modestly priced cultural activities to enjoy, you might find it hard to fit everything into your Honolulu vacation.
Experience
If you know anything about Hawaii, it’s that they have some of the best beaches in the world. For all you sun worshipers, this is beach heaven.
On your arrival, head straight to Waikiki Beach, one of the most famous beaches in the world. Admittedly, the crowds here can be big, but this small iconic stretch of sand is popular for good reason. Beautiful Diamond Head views and the calm and warm tranquil ocean waters make for the perfect place to swim, rest and relax.
With a reef break just about 600-feet off-shore, the waves are gentle yet frequent and make for a great place to surf and paddleboard too, especially for beginners. This is a beach that the whole family can enjoy, and the cosmopolitan scenery is an added bonus.
When you’re ready for a break from the sun, head to one of the many luxury hotels that line the beach for a cold drink or cocktail and a bite to eat on one of their many outdoor patios and courtyards.
If you prefer hiking, head to Koko Crater Trail, just a 20-minute drive from Waikiki. There are 1,050 stairs to climb, but the views out to the legendary Hanauma Bay and Oahu’s east coast are stunning. There’s little to no shade, however, so don’t forget your water, sunscreen and hat and go early in the morning to avoid the heat. It’s a popular trail with tourists and locals, so it does get busy going up and done but is considered moderate. Unfortunately, there is no wheelchair access.
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Shop
When looking for a bargain on your Honolulu vacation, skip the main tourist areas on Waikiki’s pricey Kalakaua Avenue, the main avenue that runs the length of Waikiki Beach. Instead, head to Waikele Premium Outlets, one of the best outlet shopping locations on the island.
Name-brand stores include Adidas, Armani Exchange, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and more. Getting there by car takes around thirty minutes, but if you don’t care to drive yourself, hop on one of the shuttle buses which depart from the heart of Waikiki. The shuttle costs around $18 return, per adult, and cheaper than a taxi or Uber ride.
Waikele Premium Outlets has an open-air food pavilion too, for those times when you need to recharge the batteries with a drink and a snack and a quick rest before beating the credit card again.
Stay
A great value-for-money hotel option is the trendy, but comfortable, Coconut Waikiki Hotel. The hotel has an appealing modern look with a 24-hour coffee and tea station located in the lobby. Location wise, the hotel is adjacent to the Ala Wai Canal, within an easy five to ten minute walk of Waikiki Beach.
Each room comes with a private balcony, a flat-screen TV and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. A continental breakfast is also included with your stay and each room is equipped with a kitchenette to save on eating out expenses, or those days you just want to relax in your room with popcorn and a movie.
Eat
Cheap eats are easily found throughout Hawaii. Just take a stroll off the main streets or stop at a roadside stall to find something to satisfy almost any craving.
For a fast and friendly cheap eat, try Spada Italian Restaurant on the corner of Royal Hawaiian and Kuhio Streets. Just a block or two away, Spada is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The Japanese food influence is heavy throughout Hawaii with authentic Japanese food easily found. And this is not your usual mainland US Japanese food or typical sushi rolls either. Real food in Tokyo-like settings will have you transported and in total foodie heaven.
Look out for food trucks throughout Hawaii. These trucks are popular, reasonably priced and always delicious! Local stalls line the streets when driving around the island for quick bites such as the famed shaved ice – a paper cone filled with shaved I’ve and drenched in a sticky, sweet syrup of your choice.
INDULGENT HAWAIIAN LUXURY…
If you are looking for the full 5-Star treatment, you’ve come to the right destination. From luxury hotels and resorts to the finest restaurants and shopping boutiques, this pacific capital has it all for those wanting to splurge.
Experience
Day spas, fine dining restaurants, high-end shopping boutiques, golf courses, helicopter flights and private yacht and sailing charters, are just some of the things you can enjoy when travelling on a luxury budget.
Hawaiian life is centred around the water, so what better way to experience the islands than with a luxury yacht cruise? Private and shared fishing trips are also popular, as are sunset sightseeing tours. Providing excellent views of Diamond Head and the Honolulu skyline, an ocean excursion adds a whole new dimension and perspective to your Hawaiian vacation.
From the water to the sky, scenic flights offer a birds-eye-view of the lush Oahu terrain. Jagged mountains, dense rainforests, towering waterfalls and even the volcanic remnants like Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay and Koko Crater, all come into clear focus from high above. Just think of Jurassic Park scenery, as after all, it was where Jurassic Park was filmed.
Shop
Just a five-minute drive from the bounty of Waikiki, Ala Moana Centre is the place to go for some serious retail therapy. You’ll find all the upmarket names here, including Tiffany & Co, Luis Vuitton, and Valentino, as well as high-end department stores like Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom.
With over 340 shops and restaurants to explore including an outdoor walkway and lush tropical gardens, this is an easy day out for the serious shopaholic that’s close to Waikiki Beach.
Stay
Stay in the heart of Hawaii in one of Honolulu’s most iconic hotels, the Moana Surfrider, overlooking the famed Waikiki Beach. Built in 1901, the Marriott Westin Resort & Spa property, offers an appealing mix of historic charm and modern appeal.
The hotel’s colonial architecture harkens back to the days when the city was a quiet pacific port and exclusive playground for the rich and famous. Retire to the columned front porch where you can relax in a classic rocking chair, or enjoy a drink at the outdoor bar under the 115 year old banyan tree in the centre courtyard.
Don’t miss an evening meal at the superb outdoor steakhouse, the Beachouse at Moana, with some of the most spectacular views overlooking Waikiki Beach. Choose from a set menu featuring hand-cut mouthwatering steaks and the freshest, succulent seafood.
During the day, indulge in the classic high tea with ocean views, just be sure to book early as sittings go fast and often sell out days, or weeks ahead of time.
DON’T MISS
The Honolulu Cookie Company may just be the most popular Hawaiian souvenir……and for good reason. These delicious Hawaiian inspired shortbread cookies are hand made and baked fresh daily, following a strict recipe, using island inspired ingredients such as mango, macadamia, pineapple and Kona coffee. You will find these irresistible snacks throughout all the islands and they make for a great gift to take back home…..or to simply enjoy yourself!
Bombed by the Japanese on December 7, 1941, the attack on Pearl Harbor was a shocking, unexpected and brutal attack on American naval forces. Today Pearl Harbour and its remains are a sombre reminder of a time past but never forgotten. The museum is spread across 16 acres of land on Ford Island and is extremely well designed and full of incredible footage and artefacts.
GETTING THERE
Hawaiian Airlines flies nonstop to Honolulu from multiple cities throughout the US. From Honolulu, the airline offers hundreds of connections across the Hawaiian Islands, as well as to the U.S. mainland.
Southwest Airlines has recently expanded heavily into Hawaii from the mainland US with non-stop flights and intra-island flights bringing some sharp competition to the sometimes higher priced airfares.
All other major airlines such as Delta, United, American and more offer daily flights from all parts of the US.
