I created a Free Waikīkī Map with our future guests in mind, but whether you’re staying in one of our vacation rentals or not, we hope you’ll find it useful for pre-planning your best stay in Waikīkī.
The map divides Waikīkī into four sections. Here’s my take on the different areas of Waikīkī and the pros of staying in each one.
- Waikīkī Area I: Gateway to Waikīkī
- Waikīkī Area II: Entertainment Hotspot
- Waikīkī Area III: Heart of Waikīkī
- Waikīkī Area IV: Quiet End of Town
Waikīkī Area I: Gateway to Waikīkī
Far west of Waikīkī spanning from Ward Village and Kakaʻako to Ala Moana Center, Ala Moana Beach Park and Ala Wai Yacht Harbor.
- Most accessible hotels and resorts to and from the Honolulu’s Airport
- The closest area to key shopping hotspots including Ala Moana Center, Ward Village Shops, and big-box brand stores like Walmart and Target
- Best access to Ala Moana Beach Park and Magic Island lagoon, a locals recreation area that’s also great for jogging
- A nice marina atmosphere with harbor views (rather than beach frontage)
- It’s a comfortable walking distance to Hawaii Convention Center
- Relatively close to Kakaʻako, a cool neighborhood full of street art, cafes and restaurants, bars and breweries, and boutique shops
- Home to Hilton Hawaiian Village, a destination in itself where guests and non-guests can explore over 70 retail shops and 20 food outlets on-property
- Close to Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon, while situated at Hilton Hawaiian Village it’s actually a public lagoon for everyone to enjoy
- Fishermen will appreciate its proximity to Keawalo Basin where fishing charters depart from
- Honolulu Farmers Market (Wed 4-7pm) and Kakaʻako Farmers Market (Sat 8am-12pm)
- Food Pantry on Hobron Lane is a grocery store in Waikīkī within walking distance
- For a list of Hotels located in each Waikīkī AREA please download the Free Waikīkī Map
Waikīkī Area II: Entertainment Hotspot
- Where the main Avenues of Kalākaua and Kuhio begin to fork, this area features the Waikiki Beach Walk entertainment precinct.
- Waikīkī Beach Walk, a two-level open-air mall that offers a free entertainment program with weekly activities, markets and live music nightly
- Free ukulele lessons at The Ukulele Store and great one-of-a-kind local boutiques like Mahina, Noa Noa, Island Sole and more
- Best access to Fort De Russy Beach Park, a great hangout thanks to its oceanfront grasslands and BBQ grill facilities
- Includes Luxury Row with lots of high-end retail stores
- It has Waikīkī’s main pharmacy (chemist) called Long’s Drugs incorporating a Minute Clinic (doctor) on-site
- Home of the Waikīkī Shore, Waikiki’s only beachfront condos (apartments)
- Offers Waikīkī’s widest strip of sand at Duke Kahanamoku Beach
- Lewers Street is dominated by Waikiki’s late-night pubs including Kelley O’Neil’s and Bacchus Waikiki
- Find one of the best restaurant streets in Waikīkī, Beach Walk, with Tommy Bahama’s and Hard Rock Cafe
- Listen to live Hawaiian music nightly at Kani Ka Pila Grille at Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort
- Home to Waikīkī’s only 24-hour restaurant Denny’s on Lewers Street
- Everything you need can be found within a short walk
- For a list of Hotels located in each Waikīkī AREA please download the Free Waikīkī Map
Waikīkī Area III: Heart of Waikīkī
- The true “heart” of Waikīkī with the Royal Hawaiian on one side, and Moana Surfrider and Duke Kahanamoku statue on the other.
- This is where Waikīkī began, an area rich in history and nostalgia
- The first hotel built in Waikīkī, Moana Surfrider, anchors this section
- Home to Waikīkī’s most iconic hotel, The Royal Hawaiian, a romantic area to roam around
- Marking what is considered the center of Waikīkī is the Duke Kahanamoku statue
- Find some of Waikīkī’s largest hotels are here including Sheraton Waikiki (1600+ rooms), Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort (1200+ rooms) and Sheraton Princess Kaiulani (1100+ rooms)
- Waikīkī’s most concentrated area of hotels and resorts
- This section of Kūhiō Avenue and side streets are dense with restaurants, bars and retail shops
- Discount shopping opportunities at Duke’s Marketplace, Nordstrom Rack and Ross Dress for Less
- Houses the reimagined International Market Place with a 160-year-old Banyan Tree, 100+ stores, and a restaurant-filled “Grand Lanai” balcony
- This is where the most popular Waikīkī beaches reside
- For a list of Hotels located in each Waikīkī AREA please download the Free Waikīkī Map
Waikīkī Area IV: Quiet End of Town
- The quieter east side of Waikīkī by the rock wall extending to the “Gold Coast” local strip, close to Kapiolani Park and Diamond Head.
- Home to Kūhiō Beach Park featuring a rock wall that creates a protected ocean pool (ideal for kids)
- This is where locals come to swim because these far east beaches are less frequented
- Kapiolani Park, Honolulu’s “central park”, is on your doorstep
- The location of Honolulu Zoo and Waikiki Aquarium, family-friendly attractions
- Home of the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial, once an ocean water public swimming pool (sadly, now dilapidated)
- Waikīkī’s hostels are close together around Lemon Road
- Hula’s, Waikīkī’s most well-known gay bar and an excellent spot for dancing daily from 9pm!
- Walking distance to Monsarrat Avenue, a trendy local street with tonnes of eateries and boutiques
- Direct access to Kapahulu Avenue, nicknamed the “foodie street” with fantastic local eats
- You’ll find quite a few food trucks dotted around this area
- Awesome fine dining restaurants along the “Gold Coast” including Hau Tree and Michel’s at the Colony Surf
- For a list of Hotels located in each Waikīkī AREA please download the Free Waikīkī Map
