Honolulu Hotels

Honolulu, Hawaii

Honolulu, Hawaii’s capital city on the island of Oahu, is renowned for its breathtaking scenery – volcanic mountains, gorgeous beaches, lush greenery, and vibrant wildlife. With so much to offer, it’s no wonder that this city, the name of which translates to “calm port”, is such a popular choice for vacations.

History and Culture

Hawaii has an intriguing history and a rich cultural heritage, and Honolulu has plenty of fascinating places to visit. One of the most spectacular museums in the downtown area is the Iolani Palace, the only royal building in the US, built by King Kalakaua in 1882. Queen Liliuokalani was the last monarch to reside here and she was imprisoned in the palace during the overthrow of the government in 1895 – legend has it that she haunts the palace and can be heard pacing around in the room where she was held captive.

Another must-see for history buffs is the Bishop Museum, the largest in Hawaii, which contains a huge collection of natural specimens as well as cultural and scientific artefacts. The Hawaii Maritime Center at Honolulu Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor are also essential items for any itinerary.

For animal lovers, the historic Honolulu Zoo is well worth a visit owing to its impressive collection of mammals, birds and reptiles including tigers, lions, elephants, alligators and numerous birds of prey. Built on land entrusted to the people of Hawaii by King Kalakaua in 1876, it has taken more than a century to transform the marshland into the zoo that exists today.

For Ocean Lovers

The fabulous beaches in Honolulu are one of the city’s biggest attractions – the golden sands of Waikiki Beach are world famous, but there are plenty of others worth seeing too. For example, the secluded Kahala Beach provides a tranquil alternative.

Water sports enthusiasts are spoiled for choice with kayaking and stand-up paddling at Kailua Beach, or surfing at Ala Moana Beach Park and Diamond Head Beach. Those driving around the island can take a trip to Oahu’s legendary North Shore surfing beaches.

For a fun day out with the family, there are sharks, seals, squids and much more at the Waikiki Aquarium on Kalakaua Avenue.

Dining, Shopping and Entertainment

Honolulu has fantastic dining opportunities with restaurants that source fresh produce from local farms. There are numerous eateries in Honolulu serving Hawaii Regional Cuisine, which fuses diverse Hawaiian and world flavors for delicious, colorful and unique results.

Just minutes from Waikiki, the Ala Moana Centre, Hawaii’s largest shopping complex, features hundreds of restaurants and stores. Local artisans selling traditional Hawaiian clothing, jewelry, gifts and swimwear are to be found at the International Market Place, along with cafes and restaurants serving a variety of cuisine ranging from steaks and sushi to tacos and Chinese buffets.

Hawaiian music and dance performances can be enjoyed at The Royal Grove, part of the massive Royal Hawaiian Center housing shopping, dining and entertainment venues. Here it’s possible to learn to hula and play the ukulele, just two of the charming traditions of this destination.

To experience all this and more, check out our accommodation options in Hawaii!