My review focuses on Waikiki beach and its surrounding areas.
My husband and I visited Hawaii in early April 2025 for two weeks. This was our fourth consecutive year of vacationing in Honolulu.
April had warm weather, low humidity, and occasional rain, but the weather was pleasant throughout the day and night. I love warm weather, which is why I’m in love with Hawaii. The sparkling and calm Kuhio Beach, with its iconic Waikiki Wall, was always an amazing sight. Hawaii is always bustling, but it’s also walkable, similar to the Las Vegas Strip at night (though not as crazy). There’s a new Target at the center of town, which is a special treat for tourists. I love the eateries on Kuhio Avenue and the area’s charming atmosphere.
We didn’t visit Walmart or Costco during this trip, but they’re conveniently located nearby. We never rent a car; instead, we rely on walking, Uber, and Lyft. Next time, we plan to rent a car for two days and use the bus.
Kuhio Avenue and Kalākaua are home to many upscale stores that will never disappoint. We didn’t spend much money on this trip, except for food, accommodation, flights, and Uber. ABC stores are everywhere, and they’re currently running a promotion for at least a $100 purchase, with a chance to win a prize with receipts. ABC also has some affordable, delicious pre-packaged hot and cold food. Food trucks are everywhere, and the Swapmeet opens on weekends and Wednesdays.
We didn’t do any activities during our visit, but we plan to do some later this year. We’ve done some activities on our past trips.
Activities not suitable for us because hubby gets dizzy if he’s not the one driving. We opted for Hyatt Place (due to the last-minute nature of our stay and the inability to use our timeshare or redeem credit card points for excessively expensive hotels). Hyatt Place is conveniently located just a minute’s walk from the beach and is well-connected to various amenities.
If you decide to stay there, breakfast is included, and it’s quite delicious with a wide variety of options. The resort also provides beach towels, chairs, and other beach essentials, all included in the resort fee. I particularly like the reusable water bottles with a bag, which prevents you from spending on bottled water. You can refill your water at the lobby.
Hyatt Place offers a range of activities and other amenities, including two daily water bottles. We had an excellent stay there last year as well. My favorite matcha ice cream store is located near the Banyan Hotel in Kuhio. It’s absolutely delicious! Unfortunately, the Honolulu airport no longer accepts the Priority Pass at Plumeria. There’s another option that only provides drinks.
We had the pleasure of witnessing the breathtaking sunset at the beach. There are plenty of free things to see and do. I truly appreciate every moment we spent there. Waikiki Beach is simply beautiful, breathtaking, with clear and warm water. My husband prefers the Kuhio Beach, which is near the Waikiki Wall. I love it too and everything about it.
One final tip: I highly recommend avoiding long sleeves, jeans, or heavy clothing. All you need are tank tops, slippers, walking shoes, sunscreen, a hat, an umbrella, preferably cotton sun dresses or shirts, shorts, a backpack or crossbody bag, sun protection sleeves, and a waterproof phone pouch. Oh, and don’t forget to bring lots of smiles and a positive attitude! Oh, and don’t forget to tip!
Ο λόγος που επιλέξαμε να μείνουμε εκεί που μείναμε. Η παραλία Waikīkī είναι ένα από τα καλύτερα μέρη για διαμονή στο Oahu. Σχεδόν 20 χρόνια από την τελευταία μου επίσκεψη και σίγουρα θα συνεχίσω να την προτείνω!