Honolulu spreads along the southeast coast of Oʻahu, wrapped around a sheltered harbor that gave the city its name. It is a modern city of high-rise buildings and a major Pacific port, and its mix of Asian, Western and Pacific cultures shows up in the food, the neighborhoods and the pace of daily life. The weather is tropical year-round, and the ocean and the mountains are never far from wherever you base yourself.
For a visitor, the city is easiest to read as a string of named districts rather than one downtown core. Waikiki holds the great majority of Oʻahu's hotel rooms and most of the tourism, while Downtown, Kakaʻako and Ala Moana sit between the harbor and Waikiki, and residential neighborhoods such as Mānoa, Makiki, Kaimukī and Kāhala spread inland and east. This guide covers which of these areas to base yourself in, how they connect to the sights, and what each one suits.
Best areas to stay in Honolulu
1. Waikiki
Waikiki is Honolulu's tourist district, sitting between the Ala Wai Canal and the Pacific Ocean next to Diamond Head. Kalākaua and Kūhiō Avenues carry the hotels, shops and nightlife, and most of Oʻahu's hotel rooms are here. It suits first-time visitors who want the beach, dining and entertainment within walking distance, and it is the obvious base if you would rather not rent a car.
The trade-off is that this is the busiest part of the island, and it is where you will find the largest concentration of accommodation rather than the quietest streets.
2. Ala Moana
Ala Moana lies between Kakaʻako and Waikiki and is home to Ala Moana Center, Hawaii's largest shopping mall, as well as Ala Moana Beach Park, the city's second-largest park. It suits travelers who want to be close to Waikiki and the beach without staying in the middle of the tourist district, and who value shopping and dining within easy reach.
Its position between Kakaʻako and Waikiki makes it a practical midpoint if you plan to spend time in both.
3. Downtown Honolulu and the Capitol District
Downtown is Hawaii's financial, commercial and governmental center, with the waterfront Aloha Tower and the city's tallest buildings. The Capitol District, its eastern part, holds the State Capitol, ʻIolani Palace, Honolulu Hale and the King Kamehameha I statue. This area suits visitors whose priority is historic and civic sights, and business travelers.
Note that the old name for this area, Kou, covers roughly Nuʻuanu Avenue to Alakea Street and Hotel Street to Queen Street, which is the heart of the present downtown district.
4. Chinatown and the Arts District
The Arts District sits on Chinatown's eastern edge, a 12-block area bounded by Bethel and Smith Streets, Nimitz Highway and Beretania Street, and is home to numerous arts and cultural institutions. It lies within the Chinatown Historic District, which includes the former Hotel Street Vice District. It suits travelers who want galleries, food and evening activity in a compact, walkable area rather than a beachfront setting.
5. Kakaʻako
Kakaʻako is a light-industrial district between Downtown and Waikiki that has seen large-scale redevelopment, and it holds two major shopping areas, Ward Warehouse and Ward Center. The John A. Burns School of Medicine is here, and a memorial to the Ehime Maru Incident victims stands at Kakaʻako Waterfront Park. It suits visitors who want to be within reach of both Downtown and Waikiki while staying in a district that is still changing.
6. Mānoa, Makiki and Mōʻiliʻili
These are residential neighborhoods just inland of Downtown and Waikiki. Mānoa Valley is home to the main campus of the University of Hawaiʻi. They suit travelers who prefer a residential setting, and anyone visiting the university, though you should expect to travel into Waikiki or Downtown for the main visitor sights.
7. Kaimukī and Pālolo
Kaimukī and Pālolo lie east of Mānoa and Makiki, inland from Diamond Head. Kaimukī is primarily residential with a commercial strip along Waiʻalae Avenue running behind Diamond Head, and Chaminade University is there; Pālolo Valley is residential and parallels Mānoa. This suits visitors who want a local, low-key base with easy access to the Diamond Head side of the island.
8. Kāhala and Waiʻalae
Kāhala and Waiʻalae are upper-class districts directly east of Diamond Head, with many high-priced homes, the Waialae Country Club and the five-star Kahala Hotel & Resort. East Honolulu continues with the residential communities of ʻĀina Haina, Niu Valley and Hawaiʻi Kai, and the gated communities of Waiʻalae ʻIki and Hawaiʻi Loa Ridge. This area suits travelers who want quiet, space and an upscale residential setting away from the center.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: Expect the widest choice of cheaper rooms in Waikiki and its vicinity, where the greatest number of properties is concentrated. Booking in low season, from April to June or September to mid-December, gives you the best chance of a bargain.
- Mid-range: Waikiki and the districts between Downtown and Waikiki, such as Kakaʻako and Ala Moana, offer the most options at this level, with easy access to both the beach and the city sights.
- Splurge: The highest-priced accommodation is found in Waikiki and in the upscale districts east of Diamond Head, such as Kāhala and Waiʻalae. High season runs mid-December to March and June to September, when rates are highest and booking is tightest.
Best area for a first visit
Waikiki is the best base for a first visit. It is Honolulu's tourist district, holds most of Oʻahu's hotel rooms, and puts the beach, shops and nightlife along Kalākaua and Kūhiō Avenues within walking distance. Staying here also keeps you close to Ala Moana and Kakaʻako if you want to explore beyond the resort area.
Frequently asked questions
Where are most of Honolulu's hotels found?
Most hotels in Honolulu are in Waikiki or its vicinity, and most of Oʻahu's hotel rooms are in Waikiki.
When is the best time to book for lower rates?
Low season is spring, from April to June, and fall, from September to mid-December, when the best bargains are available. High season is mid-December to March, with high rates and tight booking, and June to September, with high rates but somewhat easier booking.
Which areas are inland from the beach districts?
Mānoa, Mōʻiliʻili and Makiki are residential neighborhoods just inland of Downtown and Waikiki, and Nuʻuanu and Pauoa are residential districts further inland of Downtown. Kaimukī and Pālolo sit east of Mānoa and Makiki, inland from Diamond Head.
Which district is closest to Diamond Head?
Waikiki lies between the Ala Wai Canal and the Pacific Ocean next to Diamond Head. Kaimukī's commercial strip runs behind Diamond Head, and Kāhala and Waiʻalae are directly east of it.
Compare live prices for the area you have chosen with the booking tools on this page.