The 10 Best Hotels on Oahu That are Right on the Beach

Waikiki Parc is a modern boutique hotel that offers guests privacy, top-notch service and close access to everything happening right now in Waikiki. The hotel is located across the street from Waikiki Beach, providing you convenient access for a quick dip in the ocean, or a relaxing day at the beach. The hotel also has a roof-top pool with great views of Waikiki. When you stay at Waikiki Parc, enjoy complimentary access to the Bishop Museum, Honolulu Museum of Art and the Spalding House at the Honolulu Museum of Art. Before you hit the town, stop by the hotel's chic lobby from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. each Friday. Enjoy Waikiki Parc wines and hors d'oeuvres.

The Outrigger Reef on the Beach is great because, as the name suggests, it is right on the beach. Suspended from the hotel's towering A-frame is Hoaloha, a restored century-old koa canoe, and the entrance features a Polynesian canoe hale, or house. In fact, navigators from the Polynesian Voyaging Society named the resort's five suites after significant celestial beings. A large pool and hot tub occupy the central area of the resort, with high towers surrounding the area. Outrigger Reef on the Beach is in the middle of Waikiki; there's plenty to see and do within walking distance, such as the Waikiki Aquarium and the Honolulu Zoo.

The Sheraton Waikiki is located in the heart of Honolulu, and although it's a chain resort, it feels like an upscale, hip place to stay. This is because of its ocean-side, Infinity Edge pool for the adults, and the 70-foot long water slide in its Helumoa Pool for the keiki. The Infinity Edge pool offers a great view of Waikiki Beach. Be sure to check out Rumfire, known for its quality rum cocktails and fresh made local appetizers. After hours, it's a hopping club scene. Each suite in the Sheraton Waikiki are outfitted with high-speed Internet access, a full-sized bathroom, satellite TV, in addition to standard hotel services.

Affectionally known as the First lady of Waikiki, the legendary Moana Surfrider opened in 1901 and ushered in Oahu's era of hospitality to the world. More than 100 years later, the hotel, with its grand white columns in the porte cochere has aged spectacularly (and undergone renovations). During your stay, relax under the Moana's iconic banyan tree while you sip Surfrider Tais--a spin on the classic Mai Tai--at the oceanside Beach Bar. This small outdoor bar offers a great view of Waikiki Beach, and if you come in the evenings, there's live music. Next door, is the hotel's Beachhouse restaurant, serving modern classic cuisine. The spacious rooms have lanai that overlook both the rolling ocean and the hotel's beachside pool.

For a true Hawaiiana hotel experience, look no further than the Royal Hawaiian, aka the Pink Palace of the Pacific. This gem was built fronting Waikiki Beach, and is Oahu's second oldest hotel, and continues to be one of its most luxurious, even 89 years later. When you book a stay in its recently upgraded beachfront rooms in 17-story Mailani Tower, you'll contacted about your trip before you even get there. Upon arrival, you'll be greeted with a fresh flower lei. Complimentary breakfast, as well appetizers and beverages, including a signature daily cocktail are available each morning and evening in the exclusive Mailani lounge. It's an outdoor-outdoor lounge, and has great views of the both the beach and the hotel pool.

Booking a stay at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa is treat for everyone in the family. This hotel is on Oahu's west side of the island and is roughly a 45-minute drive from Waikiki (without traffic). But with so much to do, you won't need to spend time driving east. Guests of all ages will enjoy the resort's seven-acre Waikolohe Valley pool area, where the whole family can shoot down water slides, relax in a lazy river or infinity pool or snorkel in a private lagoon. Once you've had your fill of the sun and sea, visit Makaikai, the Art and Culture of Aulani. The resort houses one of the largest collections of contemporary Hawaiian art in the country, including sculptures and wood carvings, oils, acrylics, watercolors and batik on silk. There are guided tours available for families, or just the adults.

Staying at the Kahala Hotel and Resort, nestled in east Oahu's posh neighborhood is like an escape on your Hawaiian vacation getaway. The resort is known for its secluded beaches and its private locale--visiting celebrities and dignitaries are frequent guests. The hotel is also home to six Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. Book an adventure through Dolphin Quest in the hotel lobby and you can swim, play and feed these intelligent creatures for an experience you'll never forget. Standard hotel rooms are spacious, boasting 550-square-feet and unobstructed ocean and mountain views. Each of Kahala Hotel and Resort's five restaurants are repeat award-winners.

The Hilton Hawaiian Village is a destination within itself. The 22-acre resort has seven towers (some are exclusively timeshare). For the best views, book a stay at the Rainbow Tower; it's the closest to the beach. The aptly named Alii Tower has the best rooms and most exclusive services. The hotel grounds are lush with tropical flora and ponds. The resort has five pools, including the Paradise Pool, which features the longest water slide in Waikiki, as well as the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon, a five-acre lagoon, perfect for standup paddling, kayaking and swimming. And with 20 restaurants and bars, there's no shortages of places to eat once you've worked up an appetite. The beach is also a great place to watch the resort's weekly weekly Friday night fireworks show at 7:45 p.m.

A stay at Halekulani Hotel doesn't get any better: it's a luxury hotel right on Waikiki Beach. At check in, you're taken on personalized tour of the hotel. In your room, a bowl of fresh fruit and the hotel's own chocolates await. The on-site lounge and restaurants offer the most class of any in the area, and the ocean side pool has an inlaid mosaic of a Cattleya orchid, made from more than one million pieces of South African glass tile. But what really sets Halekulani apart is its For You, Everything program, which offers guests complimentary tickets and transportation to the Honolulu Museum of Art, Bishop Museum, Doris Duke's Shangri La estate, Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, Hawaii Pops, Iolani Palace, Lijestrand House, Hawaii Opera Theatre, Hawaii Theatre and the Hawaii International Film Festival. Each Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Hau Terrace, guests are invited to the Manager's Reception to meet Halekulani's general manager and enjoy complimentary light appetizers and Halekulani private label wines.

Located on Oahu's picturesque North Shore is Turtle Bay Resort. Whether you're staying in the hotel, or book a stay in one of the resort's beach cottages or villas, you will have an ocean view. This resort is an outdoor lover's paradise, in paradise. Take a surf lesson--and tell your friends you surfed Oahu's famous North Shore--or go snorkeling at Kuilima Cove. The resort also features championship golf courses, designed by Fazio and Palmer, horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking trails. When you need to unwind, afterward, visit Turtle Bay's Nalu Kinetic Spa, or one of its two swimming pools.