{"id":760,"date":"2017-03-14T07:23:05","date_gmt":"2017-03-14T07:23:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/stories\/oahus-best-kept-secrets\/"},"modified":"2022-08-08T23:22:30","modified_gmt":"2022-08-08T23:22:30","slug":"best-kept-secrets-in-oahu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/stories\/best-kept-secrets-in-oahu\/","title":{"rendered":"Oahu\u2019s best kept secrets"},"content":{"rendered":"

Think there\u2019s nothing new to discover in Waikiki? Think again, friends. From Hawaii accommodation<\/a> <\/span>that is off the beaten track, to attractions even \u00a0locals don\u2019t even know about, here\u2019s your guide to Oahu\u2019s hidden gems.<\/span><\/p>\n

Aqua Waik\u012bk\u012b Pearl<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re the kind of traveller who loves a bargain, this hotel is for you. With a long list of possible deals, discounts and upgrades available to guests, Aqua Waikiki Pearl<\/a>\u00a0is right in the heart of the Waikiki beach district but it\u2019s a few streets back from the beachfront so it\u2019s one of the more affordable properties. The major upside is that the less you pay for your Oahu accommodation<\/a>, the more greenbacks you\u2019ll have to spend exploring the neighbourhood.<\/p>\n

Waikiki Parc Hotel<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019d rather blow your budget on dining, the Waikiki Parc Hotel<\/a> is an ideal place to stay because it\u2019s near some of Waikiki\u2019s top dining establishments such as Roy\u2019s Waikiki Beach. While the hotel itself is tucked away in an unassuming side street, it\u2019s also a five-minute stroll to Kalakaua Avenue where you\u2019ll find the Island Vintage Shave Ice stand. You can thank me for this tip later when you\u2019ve fallen in love with this rainbow-coloured delicacy.<\/p>\n

Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Feel like getting a little wild? The Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel<\/a> is the hotel closest to Honolulu Zoo. Most visitors don\u2019t even know the zoo is there, which is crazy considering it sits on 42 acres and is home to 905 different animals from the tropics including Komodo Dragons, orangutans, elephants, primates, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and a variety of African animals. What even less people seem to know is there\u2019s a botanical garden on-site that\u2019s home to a variety of plant species endemic to the Polynesian region.<\/p>\n

Holiday Inn Resort Waikiki Beachcomber<\/strong><\/h2>\n

You want to stay in the absolute heart of Waikiki? Look no further that the Holiday Inn Resort Waikiki Beachcomber<\/a>. It\u2019s easy to miss because it\u2019s surrounded by some of Hawaii\u2019s most famous hotels, but if what you\u2019re looking for is proximity without the price tag, you\u2019re going to love this place. It\u2019s also right next door to the recently re-opened International Market Place, another great place to bag a bargain.<\/p>\n

Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa<\/h2>\n

Like to chill? Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa<\/a>\u00a0is a safe distance from the hectic hustle and bustle of some of the other Hawaii hotels<\/a>, but still super close to the beach. What\u2019s more, it’s right on the doorstep of two of Waikiki\u2019s most popular surf schools: Hans Hedemann which is about a block away and Kai Sallas\u2019 which is in the resort itself, so you\u2019ll have no excuse not to hang ten like a pro.<\/p>\n

Three Oahu secrets that even locals don\u2019t know about<\/h2>\n
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  1. Byodo-In Temple<\/a><\/strong> – This temple is a non-denominational Buddhist temple, where anyone of any faith can worship and enjoy its beauty. There is a beautiful pond in front of the temple with black swans and a lot of koi fish. It’s a great place to meditate.<\/li>\n
  2. Ai\u2019 love Nalo<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 This is a \u2018local\u2019s only\u2019 vegan restaurant which specialises in local food.<\/li>\n
  3. Makapu\u2019u Beach<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 It\u2019s a little way out of Waik\u012bk\u012b but this beautiful beach is well and truly out of the tourist area.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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    O’ahu Gems – a photo list by Trover<\/a>