Oahu
Shangri-La, Doris Duke’s Foundation for Islamic Art, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii
Oahu is home to Hawaii’i’s capital, Honolulu, and highlights of the city include the iconic Waikiki Beach, Chinatown, Pearl Harbor, the luxe Ala Moana shopping center, and the North Shore, a surfer’s paradise. Here is our guide to the island.
STAY
FOUR SEASONS RESORT AT KO OLINA The beachfront island resort sits on Oahu’s wild and rugged western coast with vast ocean views. Located next to the Ko Olina Golf Club, the hotel includes restaurants and the Naupaka Spa & Wellness Centre. 92-1001 Olani St, Kapolei; fourseasons.com/oahu
THE RITZ CARLTON O’AHU URTLE BAY A scenic drive through pineapple plantations lands you at Turtle Bay resort overlooking Kuilima Cove, 5 miles from the Banzai pipeline. 57-091 Kamehameha Hwy, Kahuku; turtlebayresort.com
ALOHILANI RESORT WAIKIKI BEACH Across the street from Waikiki Beach, the ‘Alohilani has a Morimoto restaurant, aquarium, pool, tennis courts, and batting cages. 2490 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu; alohilaniresort.com
HALEKULANI HOTEL One of the oldest hotels in Honolulu, and still one of the best. Lewers Lounge overlooks Diamond Head Bay and serves up lychee martinis. Don’t miss the Poha Berry Popovers at Orchids Sunday Brunch. 2199 Kālia Rd, Honolulu; halekulani.com
SURFJACK HOTEL & SWIM CLUB An understated hotel with a laid-back vibe featuring mid-century furniture and modern art. The hotel is also home to an excellent restaurant helmed by local chef hero Ed Kenney and Olive & Oliver, a smaller outpost of the Oliver boutique that’s outfitted with a sweet little coffee bar serving Café Vita espresso and cold brew. 412 Lewers St, Honolulu; surfjack.com
ROYAL HAWAIIAN Honolulu’s pink hotel. Stay in the historical section with a view of the beach, and book dinner at Azure. 2259 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu; royal-hawaiian.com
THE MODERN A minimal, contemporary hotel with a firework display every Friday. 1775 Ala Moana Blvd; hilton.com/en/hotels/hnlmogv-hilton-vacation-club-the-modern-honolulu
ESPACIO THE JEWEL OF WAIKIKI Waikiki has long been an iconic destination, given its surfing hot spots, celebrated beach backdrops and history as a playground for Hawaiian royalty. Tucked in this coveted neighborhood sits ESPACIO The Jewel of Waikiki, an ultra-exclusive, residential-style boutique hotel with only nine suites for visitors to make the best of Waikiki’s city and beach life while ensconced in meticulously curated luxury. 2452 Kalākaua Ave; espaciowaikiki.com
DRINK | DINE
THE SUNRISE SHACK A Crayola-yellow snack stand opened by professional surfer and model, Alex Smith. sunriseshackhawaii.com
PUPUKEA GRILL By Shark’s Cove— order the coconut quinoa curry with spicy ahi poke or an acai bowl. 59-680 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa; pupukeagrill.com
HALEIWA JOE'S In Haleiwa, order their signature Mai Tai called the Outside Double Up, served in a fishbowl. haleiwajoes.com
DA COVE HEALTH BAR The best acai bowl on the island! 3045 Monsarrat Ave #5, Honolulu; dacove.com
BANZAI SUSHI BAR Japanese restaurant with an outdoor patio. 66-246 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa; banzaisushibarhawaii.com
HALEKULANI ORCHIDS RESTAURANT Have dinner and stay for the Luau show. halekulani.com/dining/orchids
LEI LEI’S BAR & GRILL A restaurant in the Ritz Carlton on the north shore built on a golf course, surrounded by greenery. The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay; 57-049 Kuilima Dr, Kahuku; leileisbarandgrill.com
MORIMOTO Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto serves up fresh fish and a delicious spicy jalapeño mojito in the Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach. 2490 Kalākaua Ave; morimotoasiawaikiki.com
MINA’S FISH HOUSE Chef Michael Mina claims to be the only place with a fish sommelier in Ko Olina. Located in the Four Seasons. 92-1001 Olani St, Kapolei; fourseasons.com/oahu/dining/restaurants/minas_fish_house
KONO’S With locations in Haleiwa and Kailua, Kono’s serves up pulled pork with their famous hot sauce on the side (and also available for purchase). konosnorthshore.com
GIOVANNI’S A shrimp truck with multiple locations on the North Shore. Line up and order the garlic butter shrimp served with white rice, and enjoy on the nearby picnic tables. giovannisshrimptruck.com
KOA PANCAKE HOUSE A classic Hawaiian breakfast— spam, pancakes, and fried rice. koapancakehouse.com
HELENA’S HAWAIIAN FOOD Don’t be intimidated by the strip mall location— we promise the pulled pork is worth the less-than-scenic locale. 1240 N School St; helenashawaiianfood.com
ROY’S KO OLINA The original location of the chain of upscale Hawaiian restaurants seen stateside. Order the Misoyaki Butter Fish and their signature chocolate souffle for dessert. 92-1220 Aliinui Dr, Kapolei; royyamaguchi.com
MONKEYPOD KITCHEN Pro-tip: Order a pie when you sit down in order to make sure they don't run out at this restaurant in Ko Olina. 92-1048 Olani St, Kapolei; monkeypodkitchen.com
MATSUMOTO SHAVE ICE Fans line up for. this famous shaved ice spot in Haleiwa— order the condensed milk on top. 66-111 Kamehameha Hwy #605, Haleiwa; matsumotoshaveice.com
EGGS N THINGS A popular spot for omelets, crepes, and our personal favorite— macadamia pancakes. eggsnthings.com
LEONARD’S BAKERY Home of pao doce and malasadas (Portuguese donuts). 933 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu; leonardshawaii.com/home
TED'S BAKERY Famous for cream pies and plate lunches on Sunset Beach. 59-024 Kamehameha Hwy; tedsbakery.com
KONA BREWING CO. A brewery with local beer and an excellent pulled pork platter. 74-5612 Pawai Pl, Kailua-Kona; konabrewinghawaii.com
HAWAIIAN CROWN CAFE & PLANTATION The family-owned company is one of the last commercial farms on the island with a cafe that serves a delicious acai bowl with fresh pineapple, macadamia nuts and cacao nibs. 2500 Kalākaua Ave APT 2406
VERANDA AT THE BEACHOUSE Outdoor high tea is served at the Surfrider Hotel in Waikiki. 2365 Kalakaua Ave, Moana Surfrider; marriott.com
TOMMY BAHAMA Cheesy Hawaiian shirts aside, the restaurant atop the store serves fresh seafood and tropical cocktails. 298 Beach Walk, Waikiki; tommybahama.com
DUKE’S Albeit popular with tourists, this Waikiki spot is a classic. Order the surf 'n' turf, a tiki-inspired cocktail with an umbrella, and the famous Hula Pie. 2335 Kalakaua Ave, Waikiki; dukeswaikiki.com
AZURE An upscale, oceanfront restaurant in the Royal Hawaiian Hotel with Spanish-Moorish decor. 2259 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu; royal-hawaiian.com
ISLAND SNOW This shaved ice gives Matsumoto's a run for their money. They even have a wedding cake flavor. islandsnow.com
TONKATSU TAMAFUJI A lively Japanese restaurant drawing crowds for house-special breaded pork entrees, chicken and pork katsu. 449 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu; tamafuji-us.com
GINA’S BBQ A family-owned restaurant serving traditional & Hawaiian-style Korean meats, including plate lunches. 2919 Kapiolani Blvd, Diamond Head; ginasbbq.com
SUSHI II Inventive rolls, deep-fried fish, and an omakase menu offered in an unassuming strip-mall nook. 655 Ke’eaumoku St, Honolulu.
GOOFY CAFE A casual eatery serving Hawaiian cuisine in breezy, surfer-themed environs. 1831 Ala Moana Blvd, Waikiki; goofy-honolulu.com
HAMADA GENERAL STORE A popular spot for take away Hawaiian plate lunches. 885 Queen St, Honolulu; hamadageneralstore.com
MOUNTAIN MAGIC SHAVE ICE Another popular choice for Hawaiian shaved ice with a location in Waikele Center and Makaha Marketplace.
UNCLE CLAY’S HOUSE OF PURE ALOHA Bright, casual shop for all-natural Hawaiian shave ice made using locally sourced artisanal syrups. 820 W Hind Dr, Honolulu; houseofpurealoha.com
OPAL THAI Family-owned Thai kitchen with an upbeat, convivial atmosphere & customizable fare. 1030 Smith, Honolulu.
ARTS | CULTURE | ACTIVITIES
SURF The world-famous Bonzai Pipeline for experienced surfers or Waikiki for beginners, especially Queens Surf Break.
BEACHES Sunset Beach is a beautiful spot at sunset and great for spotting turtles. Lanikai Beach has a coral reef ideal for snorkeling.
MAUNAWILI FALLS HIKE This hiking trail in Kailua is almost entirely covered by flora in a lush forest and leads to a swimming hole that features a waterfall— perfect for brave cliff jumpers.
KUALOA RANCH A 4,000-acre nature retreat offering ATVs, a zip-line, beaches & tours of Hollywood film locations including Jurassic Park and Lost. Kaneohe; kualoa.com
DOLE PLANTATION Outside of Disneyland, the only place to savor the whipped pineapple ice cream treat. 64-1550 Kamehameha Hwy, Wahiawa; doleplantation.com
IOLANI PALACE The opulent Iolani Palace was the royal residence of the Hawaiian monarchy until Queen Liliuokalani was forced to abdicate her throne in 1893. 364 S King St, Honolulu; iolanipalace.org
WAIMEA VALLEY A historically significant place in Hawaiian religion, including several stone terraces and walls constructed during the time of the Hawaiian monarchy. Haleiwa, HI; waimeavalley.net
SHANGRI LA MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC ART, CULTURE, AND DESIGN Doris Duke’s former home turned museum and Islamic Art Foundation near Diamond Head outside Honolulu. 4055 Pāpū Cir, Honolulu, HI 96816; shangrilahawaii.org
MANU KAI WAIKIKI CATAMARAN A scenic boat tour offering snorkeling and sailing. 1025 Ala Moana PIER F Slip F22; snorkelmanukai.com
HO’OMALUHIA BOTANICAL GARDEN A botanical garden with lush, tropical, exotic flora and fauna. 45-680 Luluku Rd, Kaneohe; honolulu.gov/parks/hbg
MAKAPU’U POINT LIGHTHOUSE LOOKOUT TRAIL A 2.5 mile RT hike near Waimea that features beautiful wild flowers. Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail, Waimanalo, HI; dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/hiking/oahu/makapuu-point-lighthouse-trail
LANIKAI PILLBOX (KAIWA RIDGE) TRAIL Kaiwa Ridge (Lanikai Pillbox) Trail is a 1.8 mile hike near Kailua that features beautiful wild flowers. We recommend heading out at sunset!
MANOA FALLS You might recognize scenery in this 1.6 mile hike from Jurassic Park, which was filmed here.
SHOP
ALA MOANA The largest open-air shopping center in the world. 1450 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu; alamoanacenter.com
SPA
LATHER SPA AT THE MODERN Relax with a deep tissue massage using essential oils at The Modern Hotel. 1775 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu; lather.com/pages/lather-spa-at-the-modern-hotel-honolulu
NAUPAKA SPA AT THE FOUR SEASONS Try the traditional Naupaka Lomilomi Massage or a Hulali Hawaiian Healing Facial at the Four Seasons Spa in Ko Olina. 92-1001 Olani St, Kapolei; fourseasons.com/oahu/spa
HALEKULANI SPA This Waikiki Spa offers an aromatherapy massage starts with an invigorating slap on the soles of your feet with coconut sticks. Every guest leaves with a fragrant, densely packed ball of turmeric, tamarind leaves, and lemongrass in cheesecloth that can be used to relieve future knots. 2199 Kālia Rd, Honolulu; halekulani.com/spa-and-wellness/spa