Much To Do On A Luxury Stay In Waikiki On Oahu Hawaii
We started our first visit to Hawaii with a luxury stay in Waikiki on Oahu. Our flight to Oahu from our stay in Vancouver on this trip west was direct and easy.
For this first stop, we planned a luxury stay at the Ritz-Carlton Residences in Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii. We wanted a lazy start to our Hawaii vacation and had only 4 days to begin our explorations on Oahu. The Waikiki Beach area was great to explore on foot. And one day we did a full day private tour on Oahu and saw such an amazing variety of sights.
A Great Luxury Hotel
We considered many of the great beach hotels in Waikiki Beach area. The idea of being right on the beach was attractive but we did not want the crowds. So we decided on the Ritz-Carlton Residences just a few blocks up from the beach area.
When we arrived we were welcomed with a traditional lei. I got a flower lei and David got the Kukui Nut necklace. We knew the lei was considered a symbol of affection and Aloha (“greeting”).
At the Ritz-Carlton Residence our elite status with Marriott Bonvoy got us fewer of the standard benefits for stays. We managed without the free breakfast. But we were delighted with the suite upgrade and the amazing welcome amenities we found in the suite. The huge box of fruit was a healthy morning treat for us.
The suite had a small kitchen which was great when we wanted to make our own meals. A great way to save some money in expensive Hawaii. When we went in the bedroom, we smiled at the “Aloha” welcome we found on the bed.
We were happy we booked the Ritz-Carlton Residences for a luxury stay in Waikiki on Oahu.
Relaxing At The Ritz-Carlton Residences Waikiki
We loved having lots of space to spread out in our suite. But we enjoyed the great outdoor spaces at the hotel even more. One of the attractions of this hotel was the infinity edge pool high above the city.
When we headed back to the hotel in the afternoons, we always got a treat. The hotel had an ice cream cart on the pool deck for “Happy Hour”. And everyday we tried a new flavour.
On our luxury stay in Waikiki on Oahu we took some down time to start our visit to Hawaii.
Great Water Views All Times Of Day
The panoramic view was one of the great advantages of a hotel back from the beach. From our balcony we looked out over the coast line and the beach area.
While the view was great during the day, it became quite magical as the sun went down. We got some amazing sunsets every night.
We were happy we booked our stay on Oahu over the weekend. The fireworks on Friday night were a local treat. So we made sure we were on our balcony for the stunning light show.
We had amazing views day and night on our luxury stay in Waikiki on Oahu.
Tasty Food And Drink On A Luxury Stay In Waikiki On Oahu
On a luxury stay in Waikiki on Oahu we sure ate and drank well. Without a free breakfast provided by our Elite status, we enjoyed our great fruit plate and then wandered out to find nearby options. On the lower level of the hotel we found the Island Country Market. They had a great selection of both packaged and prepared foods. At the other end of the hotel, the Dean & Deluca was a great coffee shop that offered many gourmet treats. We never had a problem finding great food to start our day.
When we lazed by the Ritz-Carlton Residences pool in the afternoons, it was easy to order lunch right to the poolside. For dinner we enjoyed a great sunset dinner on the patio at Quiori.
One day we visited the Tommy Bahama Restaurant on the top patio for lunch. And of course, we had to order a traditional Mai Tai. The view from the restaurant looked back towards the pool deck at our hotel.
When we visited Hawaii, we often went in search of local Kona coffee. This gourmet coffee was grown on the Big Island of Hawaii. We were delighted that even the local Starbucks offered 100% Kona beans. On our road trip around Oahu, we stopped at the Waialua Coffee Mill. The coffee and cacao were grown on the Waialua Estate.
A Short Walk To Waikiki Beach With Views Of Diamond Head
From our hotel, it was an easy walk down to the Waikiki Beach area. We wandered along the streets and found “Beach Access” signs at regular intervals.
We kept walking until we reached the Duke Paoa Kahanamoku statue. This iconic 9’ bronze statue honoured the Olympic champion who was also considered the father of international surfing.
When we wandered onto the beach, the first thing we found was a large booth for surf board rentals and lessons. As we walked along the beach, we saw many people waiting for the right waves.
As walked down the sand we looked back and got our first view of the iconic sight of the Diamond Head Crater. Diamond Head stood about 760 feet above the sea and the crater on top was about 560’ deep. As a monogenetic volcano, Diamond Head erupted only once over 150,000 years ago. Sadly we did not get to hike to the Diamond Head Crater on this visit.
On a a luxury stay in Waikiki on Oahu we enjoyed spending time on Waikiki Beach.
Visiting Great Hotels Right On Waikiki Beach
As we walked around Waikiki Beach, we checked out some of the great hotels right on the beach. The colourful Royal Hawaiian was a big draw. The patio on the back had a beach view and was a wonderful spot to see Diamond Head.
One of the Marriott hotels we considered for stop in Waikiki on Oahu was the Westin Moana Surfrider Hotel. We planned a stop on our beach walk to check it out for a future visit. The huge banyon tree at the back was a draw for visitors. But I found my rocking chair on the large patio to enjoy our iced Kona coffee and snack treat.
We stopped in several of the hotels along the beachfront. As expected, they were indeed more crowded and far noisier with a livelier atmosphere. But for this visit, we were still happy with our choice for a luxury stay in Waikiki on Oahu.
Day Trips Around The Island
We were content to enjoy a lazy stay on Oahu but we wanted to see a little of the island on this first visit. We looked at several tour options and finally booked with Blue Hawaii Photography Tours for a private full day tour of Oahu.
Our tour took us counter-clockwise around the island towards the North Shore. And then returned through the valley between the two mountain ranges in Oahu to Waikiki. We started early in the day with some great sunrise views at Makapu’i Beach with a view out to the Makapu’i Lighthouse perched on the edge. A second stop at Lanai Lookout gave us more amazing cliff views with the Koko Crater in the distance behind us.
We arrived before the crowds at the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park at the foot of the Koʻolau Mountains. It was great to enjoy the Byodo-In Temple in peace.
Our visit to the North Shore gave us a view of the surfing waves. It was still a bit early in the surfing season. But that did not stop people from practicing on the smaller waves.
As we headed back to Waikiki Beach, we went through vast pineapple fields. But we did not have time to stop for Dole Whip at the Dole Plantation. We arrived back on our luxury stay in Waikiki on Oahu very happy we saw so much on our private tour.
A Great Luxury Stay In Waikiki On Oahu
We had great time for 4 days in Oahu. We really used this first stop on our visit to Hawaii to unwind and get on island time. It was great to have a luxury stay in Waikiki on Oahu and enjoy the views day and night.
Every day we wandered out from the Ritz-Carlton Residences and explored the area around Waikiki Beach. We loved exploring the beach and the iconic Honolulu sights. A long day trip around Oahu gave us a good flavour of the beauty of this island and other spots we wanted to explore on a return visit.
When we planned our visit to Hawaii, we had many things on our list for our stay on Oahu. But we barely got started. An injury just before we headed to Hawaii meant we moved a little slower on this trip. The Waikiki Trolley offered hop-on-hop-off tours and were a way to get around the city. But we were not up to long bus trips.
We were sad we never booked time at Pearl Harbour. And sadly water sports were out for this trip. The early Fall was not the right time for whale watching or for great surfing. So we know we will be back another time to enjoy those Hawaiian treats.
We left Oahu relaxed and with a small taste of Hawaii. Our next stop was a longer stay on the Big Island of Hawaii. And we had more adventures planned.
Did you enjoy a luxury stay in Waikiki on Oahu?
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Your pictures are amazing looks to be a place to check out!
Glad to share our great discoveries on our visit to Oahu.
Looks like a great place to stay. It is nice to have a luxury hotel room and be so close to the beach. I have always wanted to visit Hawaii, and it is important to find a place where you can make the most of your time.
We loved our first visit to Oahu. It was great to relax in a luxury hotel after a busy day.
I’m so jealous about your stay here, it looks fabulous! Hawaii is one of my dream destination but I don’t know if we ever will make it there. Everything looks amazing and I like the sound of the ice cream cart at happy hour, yes please! The food looks wonderful here and the views… just perfect.
The Ritz-Carlton in Waikiki Beach offered a great experience on our first visit to Oahu. A great spot to relax … and eat very well!
wow infinity pool? ice cream!? This truly exceeded my expectations of what a luxury stay at a ritz carlton hotel in hawaii would be like. What a beautiful hotel, it looks like you had a fabulous time. Will definitely save this for when I make it to Oahu!
We looked at different places to stay in Waikiki Beach and we were glad we picked the Ritz-Carlton Residences. It was a great luxury stop and a perfect base to explore from in Oahu.
The last time I went to Hawaii was on a high school trip! We stayed in Waikiki and it looks like there have been lots of changes – I need to go back ASAP!
It took us a long time to finally make it to Hawaii. We were glad we started in Oahu and had a great stay.
I loved the luau we went to at the Westin Moana Surfrider! What camera do you use? Your photos are great!
Many of the photos are taking with our iPhones. We took a Canon R6 Mark II for zoom pics. A great combination to get record our travel memories.
For me, Ritz-Carlton Residence seems the best luxury hotel pick! The rooftop pool with those stunning views looks like such a once-a-lifetime!
The Ritz-Carlton Residence was indeed a great choice to start our Hawaii vacation.
This looks absolutely amazing! The rooms are so spacious, and I love how they decorate the food. I must admit that I’m really cheap when it comes to hotel rooms since I only spend the night there. However, I enjoy it when I’m invited to a luxurious hotel. But when I have to pay for it myself, I’m like na, it’s a waste of money. Also, it depends on where you are or what you are doing. For instance on a city break where you drop dead in your bed after a long day exploring – who cares?! But when you really have the opportunity to enjoy the room – go for it, life is short!
We love to have a great space when we know we will be spending lots of time in a hotel. And for those times when situations keep us in. On the Big Island we knew we would have only a few options to get off the hotel so we were glad to have a great luxury spot for our stay.
Your stay at the Waikiki beach in Hawaii was indeed a splendid one with a serene and relaxing experience and a grand welcome, gourmet treats and amazing views from the infinity pool and the deck catching up with evening fireworks. It’s great that you visited the Waialua coffee estate and taste local kona coffee and were able to watch evening fireworks from the balcony. Walking on the beach and soaking in the pristine beach and the landmarks like the statue of Duke Kahanamaku is worth it. The Royal Hawaiian and the Westin Moana Surfrider hotels are attractive with cool surroundings. The sunrise views from Makapui beach and the Byodo temple perched on the Valley of the Temple Memorial Park are truly amazing.
We did not do all we wanted on Oahu but we still had a great relaxing break. And got a taste of what Oahu had to offer.
This looks like such a lovely vacation. The views were gorgeous and the food looked delicious.
Our stay in Oahu was indeed a great start to our visit to Hawaii. It had everything a great vacations needs.
It’s always fun to stay in a luxury hotel and enjoy the perks! Ritz-Carlton Residence in Waikiki looks like a grand place. I love the word Aloha. It’s all over the place – on the counter, surf boards and on your bed! Your food images are truly inviting. Yum! I would love to visit the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park at the foot of the Koʻolau Mountains. Those shapes are so unique. I look forward to staying here someday when we visit Hawaii and spend time at the infinity pool. 🙂
It was great to enjoy a luxury stay on our first island in Hawaii. Seeing Aloha everywhere did indeed make me feel welcome.
Your trip to Waikiki was definitely luxurious. The Ritz-Carlton Residences welcomed you so beautifully, I love when a hotel puts in a little bit of effort and leaves cakes in the room, or prepares the bed so nicely. The room you booked looks amazing, and even great that it has its own kitchen. The food at the pool side restaurants looks like it’s coming from a very fancy restaurant. I like that there is so much focus on using local produce, and that even Starbucks is selling locally grown coffee.
We sure did enjoy our stay at the Ritz-Carlton Residences in Waikiki. It was great to have extra room and a full kitchen. Especially when we got the great amenity!
It was nice to see these lovely hawaii photos as I have been very sad about the current situation in MAUI. I love Oahu too and this looks like such a great time for you and your husband. Made me smile.
We took have been very sad about what is happening in Maui. We had great memories from Maui too.
The food and attention to detail at this hotel seem fantastic! I’m glad you had such a nice stay in Oahu 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
We did have a nice stay in Oahu to start our trip to Hawaii.
What a special spot! It all looks magical- the views, the food, the lodging!
We took it a little easy when we arrived in Oahu. And the Ritz-Carlton Residences on Waikiki Beach was the perfect spot to stay and as a base to explore.
Wait? You can get free breakfast with elite status?! I need to work on my points! That’s such a perk. You also look so adorable and well rested with your cocktail in the pool. Waikiki looks great on you!
Thanks! We love the perk of having “free” breakfast. This was a great hotel to enjoy some pampering and our status sure helped.
The Ritz-Carlton in Waikiki Beach seems to be an excellent place for luxury stay. So many treats, great location and many things to do nearby. Thanks for sharing your experience.
We were happy to share our experience at the Ritz-Carlton Residences in Waikiki. It offered the treat we were looking for on this first stop in Hawaii.
This definitely sounds like a dream vacation in Hawaii. I find the aloha greeting made of flowers really sweet. The food looks good too! The presentation is superb.
I did not expect to see a temple in the island but I am happy to know that you were able to enjoy the visit before the crowds arrived.
We got a great welcome to Oahu. While our hotel was great for relaxing we were glad we got out for a great tour around the island. And saw as much as we did.
I’ll have to check out the Ritz Carlton next time I’m in Oahu!
We debated several different options and we were glad with our choice of the Ritz-Carlton. A great relaxing stay.
Thanks for sharing your experience at Oahu Hawaii. The Ritz-Carlton looks like an amazing stay for a luxury experience hopefully I can visit one day. Thanks for sharing your trip.
The Ritz-Carlton was a lovely spot for a pampering stay in Oahu.
Wow the hotel looks amazing and the food too! Would love to try the local coffee also. What a dream to visit Hawaii!
It took us a long time to finally get to Hawaii. Our first stop in Oahu was the perfect beginning.
What a beautiful sunset you have from the balcony of your room in the Ritz-Carlton! The infinity pool is fantastic, and I like how the hotel served ice cream during Happy Hours for its residents. I also like the fruit plate they served in your room even though you didn’t get a free breakfast. Considered it a healthy breakfast to start the day. 😉 It surely is a great experience of luxury stay in Oahu, Hawaii!
It was indeed great to enjoy a luxury stay in Oahu. And we sure did eat well!
Oh my! This looks heavenly. I’ve had Hawaii bookmarked as a place to get to and these photos are incredible! Waikiki looks like a great place to come for some R&R!
We were happy we started in Oahu when we finally made it to Hawaii.
The Byodo-In Temple looks peaceful. It doesn’t look like it is in Oahu at all. I hope I could visit Hawaii one day! It was far away from where I am residing right now.
We were delighted with the variety in sights we found on Oahu. A great first stop in Hawaii.