Best Apartments and Vacation Rentals in Oahu from Waikiki to the North Shore [2024]

Aloha! Looking for the best apartments and vacation rentals in Oahu? You’ve landed on the right page. We reviewed the vacation rental listings – read the reviews and checked the photos to compile this list of well-located houses and apartments with excellent amenities perfect for your stay in Oahu.

Whether you’re looking for a chic penthouse suite in Waikiki or a sprawling house with beach front on the North Shore you’ll find your perfect stay among these wonderful properties in Oahu. So get ready to book so you can move your trip planning onto booking activities and deciding what to pack. Oahu is waiting!

Waikiki

Booking a vacation rental in Waikiki offers those taking a vacation on Oahu the ultimate in freedom and flexibility. The properties listed here have kitchen facilities for self-catering, yet are just steps away from shops, restaurants and beaches. As well as the amenities within the apartment, guests also have access to the swimming pools and other shared facilities of each complex. The following properties are all located in Waikiki’s most popular areas.

Aston Waikiki Beach Tower – sleeps 4 – 6

These sleek, modern studios are within a stone’s throw of Waikiki’s famous beach and Waikiki’s famous Bird Tree. There is a range of restaurants and shops nearby. Free allocated parking, a full kitchen and balconies are included. Inside, the studio has WiFi, air-conditioning and cable TV. Shared amenities at the apartment complex include a pool, hot tub, access to barbecue grills and an open-air dining area. Yoga classes are also available.

Marbella Lane – large studio, sleeps 5

Marbella Lane is a spacious and stylish studio apartment with a large balcony, located in a peaceful yet central part of town, minutes away from Hawaii Convention Center. There are ocean and Ala Moana beach park views from this fifth floor property, and guests can walk to everything Waikiki has to offer.  Kahanamoku Beach is just steps away, and popular with sunbathers as well as surfers, swimmers and paddle boarders. Easy self-check-in is available and there is a full kitchen. with plenty of eateries within walking distance.

Waikiki Beach Tower – 2 beds, sleeps 8

This seaside apartment is ideal for those who want to immerse themselves in Hawaiian beach life, as it offers panoramic views over the ocean from all aspects. Facing Waikiki beach, the suite has a fully equipped kitchen plus two bedrooms. Various amenities are provided, including popcorn maker, a 60″ TV, guest robes and a washer and dryer. Guests can also use shared facilities including swimming pools, a terrace, fire pits, BBQs, pool table and exercise equipment. Private parking is also available.

Diamond Head

Home to some of the best apartments and apartments and vacation in Oahu, Diamond Head is a more tranquil part of Waikiki. Staying here offers guests stunning views over Diamond Head and the Oahu coastline, as well as easy beach access. The area is just a short stroll from all the amenities of Waikiki, including restaurants, shops and entertainment.

Makai in the sky suite – 1 bed, sleeps 4

This 1 bed condo offers unparalleled views over the ocean to enjoy watching surfers and sunsets. Kaimana Beach and Kapiʻolani Regional Park are just steps away. The stylish, air-conditioned studio offers WiFi, full kitchen, washing machine and balcony, plus the bathroom has a jacuzzi bath.

Beach chairs, wave boards and parasols are provided and on-site parking is available.

Luxury Condo – 1 bed, sleeps 4

Close to Diamond Head, this Kai Beach luxury apartment has one bedroom. The property is very close to Waikiki Beach and comes complete with parking and access to a large shared pool, hot tub and BBQ area. Other useful, family-friendly facilities include washing machine, dryer and dishwasher as well as a mini-mart and children’s play castle in the building. In the quieter part of Waikiki, this apartment is perfect for those who want to relax on vacation while enjoying the Hawaiian surf, dining, sunsets and nightlife.

Lotus Honolulu Penthouse Suite – 2 beds, sleeps 6

Bright and breezy in style, this 2 bedroom penthouse suite has lovely ocean and mountain views. Perfect for families, the apartment is close to both the Honolulu Zoo and Waikiki Aquarium and comes with fully equipped kitchen, 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The apartment is the penthouse in a hotel with the newly opened restaurant ‘Arden’, offering contemporary Hawaiian cuisine. It is just a two-minute walk from the beach with excellent snorkeling.

North Shore

Head to the North Shore of Oahu to sample a more relaxed take on the Hawaiian beach lifestyle. This laid-back area is hugely popular with surfers, and famous for its beach breaks and breathtaking sunsets. Find out more in this guide to Oahu’s North Shore. This area is definitely one of the best for anyone seeking beach house rentals in Oahu.

Haleiwa Cottage – 3 bed, sleeps 6

This charming house is positioned within the peaceful North Shore beach community of Haleiwa, just 600 meters from Haleiwa Alii Beach. This stunning vacation home comes with its own private lanai and garden for outdoor relaxation. The cottage has a well-equipped kitchen with full-sized appliances, coffee maker and dishwasher, and the living areas offers comfortable sitting and dining spaces. The two bathrooms include a shower and bath. 

Garden Studio – 1 bed, sleeps 2

Also in tranquil Haleiwa, this delightful studio offers a tropical, contemporary style. This garden studio is in a quiet residential area not far from the beach and has access to a pool and a large garden. The studio itself has a private entrance and sun terrace.

The property offers a parking space and bike rental and the well-equipped kitchen makes self-catering simple. There is also a TV, WiFi and a washing machine. Head off for snorkeling and diving nearby.

NorthShore Haven Condo – 1 bed, sleeps 6

If you want to get away from the crowds but have the beach and local restaurants nearby – this Turtle Bay Condo could be for you. With access to amenities including a tennis court and a clubhouse and nearby golf course and stables, it’s the perfect base. The apartment decor has a bright, beachy vibe and offers WiFi, TV, a well-equipped kitchen, two bathrooms and a spacious terrace.

Downtown Honolulu and Ala Moana

If you like to be close to the action, then booking an apartment or Airbnb in the Honolulu downtown or Ala Moana areas might suit you best. This area offers lots of shopping and dining options, and is also the epicenter of Hawaii’s famous street art scene.

Downtown apartment at Kakaako – 2 beds, sleeps 4

This generously sized apartment has full-length windows and a balcony. It features two bedrooms, a living room, a flat-screen TV, well stocked kitchen and two bathrooms with jacuzzi bath. 

It is centrally located and the complex has a pool and hot tub as well as an outdoor fireplace and a picnic area. 

Ala Moana Studio – 1 bed, sleeps 4

This simple but stylish studio offers a balcony, air conditioning, free WiFi and flat-screen TV. Parking is provided and there is a rooftop pool. This compact studio is close to many amenities and Ala Moana Park and Beach are just a stone’s throw away. This Ala Moana property is also close to the Ala Moana Mall and the fashionable Kaka’Ako district. 

Ala Wai Blvd apartment – 2 beds, sleeps 5

This two-bedroom apartment enjoys an elevated position, so guests can savor those beach views by day and sunset vistas each evening.

Both the apartment itself and the complex offer some superb facilities. In the apartment, you will find a spacious balcony, well-equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and there are two bathrooms with jacuzzi bath. The complex also provides a pool, restaurant, 24-hour front desk, on-site parking and a sauna.

Ko Olina and west side

The western side of Oahu is perfect for those seeking a restful setting – as well as any wildlife fans. Protected seals and turtles are resident in this area, while the beaches offer holidaymakers the chance to surf, sunbathe, swim and snorkel.

Spacious with Ocean View – 2 bed, sleeps 6

Stay at this spacious apartment a few steps from Makaiwa Beach Park and you can enjoy not only the property’s lush garden and your own private balcony with a sea view, but the complex has a private beach area.

The complex also offers a range of amenities, including a  swimming pool and on-site parking. This two-bedroom apartment has a fully equipped kitchen, air conditioning, WiFi, workspace, TV, dishwasher and washing machine making for a comfortable, relaxing stay.

Lush garden villa – 2 bed, sleeps 4

The Hawaiian Islands are famed for their coastline, and this lovely villa sits next to one of the nicest of all. Guests who stay here can enjoy surfing, paddle boarding, bodyboarding and snorkeling in this lovely tropical setting.

Inside the villa is everything you need – including kitchen with dishwasher, TV, WiFi and two bathrooms. The complex at Ko Olina Beach Villas Resort also gives you access to a shared pool, bar, BBQ area, parking and an electric vehicle charging station.

Ko Olina Beachfront apartment – 2 beds, sleeps 6

This generously sized apartment offers 1400 square feet of space and is situated just 300 meters from Ko Olina Lagoons. This 5th-floor apartment has a terrace with great sea views.

There are two bedrooms, the modern, fully equipped kitchen has modern appliances including a dishwasher and coffee machine, while air-conditioning and heating ensure a comfortable environment in all seasons. The stylish and welcoming complex offers great facilities with a restaurant, swimming pool, hot tub, parking and gym on-site for the use of guests.

Windward Coast

Choose to stay in the Windward Coast area if you prefer a natural, peaceful setting for your vacation. Highlights of this area include the Valley of the Temples, Kahana Bay, Kualoa Ranch and Mokolii Island. Kailua town and beach make the perfect base for a vacation on the Windward Coast.

Kailani Loft – 1 bed, sleeps 3

This charming loft is in the serene setting of Coconut Grove – convenient for the town of Kailua as well as the local coastline. It is ideal for active couples or solo travelers, with nearby walking and running trails or borrowing one of the beach cruisers available for exploring. The spacious apartment comes complete with air conditioning, TV with streaming services, full kitchen and a balcony with mountain views. 

The apartment has a private entrance and a patio that can be used for outdoor dining or relaxing al fresco. Free parking is available on the premises, and there is easy access to the LikeLike and Pali highways and H3 Freeway.

Waimanalo Holiday Home – 2 beds, sleeps 8

Close to Waimanalo Beach is this semi-detached vacation home that can accommodate up to 8, perfect for a larger family getaway. There is plenty of space inside and out, and the list of amenities offered includes a dishwasher, WiFi, washing machine, dryer, air conditioning and TV with cable channels. There is a covered lanai with a barbecue and a hot tub to enjoy. 

The grounds have a Koi pond and waterfall as well as free parking. Guests feeling adventurous can utilize the provided kayaks, surfboards, snorkeling gear, and boogie boards and for those just looking to relax, there are coolers and beach chairs for chill time on the nearby white sand beach.

Sunshine Cottage – 1 bed, sleeps 2

For those looking for the perfect couple’s beach retreat, we may have saved the best until last with stylish and comfortable Sunshine Cottage. This bright and airy beach cottage sits just steps from Kailua beach and 500 meters from Lanikai Beach.

A mix of modern design mingles with Hawaiian tradition in  the charming open-plan living space. 

Featuring private parking and a private entrance, this air-conditioned holiday home has a well-equipped kitchen including dishwasher and a coffee machine, TV and WiFi. There is a private lanai in a garden setting and a BBQ.

The Kalapakai neighborhood market by the beach is a couple of minutes walk for coffee and snacks. As well as long walks on the stunning sandy beach, there are activities such as snorkeling, kayaking and paddle boarding. The property is also convenient for the Mid Pacific Country Club and Buzz’s Steak House – favorites of former president Barack Obama.

Vacation rental rules in Oahu

There are strict rules in force throughout Hawaii regarding vacation rentals, and thus an agreement exists between Airbnb and the local government. The idea is to assist those Hawaiian residents who rely on their rental income while clamping down on illegal properties. For guests, this ensures that apartments and Airbnbs are listed in a clear and legal way. To this end, rentals in some areas can only be booked for a minimum stay of 30 days – such as the very last property listed in this guide.

Which Oahu Apartment or Vacation Renal will you choose?

As you can see, Oahu offers a huge and exciting range of accommodation options. Whether you would prefer a high-rise apartment with panoramic city and coastal views or a tranquil villa close to local wildlife or world-class surfing beaches, booking the right property can make your stay on this tropical island a truly memorable one. Just make sure you book in good time to secure the perfect apartment or vacation rental in Oahu, Hawaii.

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