How about a trip to Hawaii, one of the pearls of the Pacific? To guide you in your search, here’s where to stay in Hawaii!
An archipelago of 137 islands in the North Pacific Ocean, 5,713 kilometers southeast of Hokkaido(Japan) and 3,792 kilometers from the coast of California, Hawaii is a tropical state in the United States, the only one outside the North American continent.
Famous for having been the scene of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 (in Honolulu, marking the start of the United States’ involvement in World War II), Hawaii has a population of around 1,360,000, mainly distributed in the urban area of the capital, Honolulu. Many nationalities make up the Hawaiian population, including Filipinos, Japanese and natives (representing 22% of the population). Because of its position – in Polynesia, in Oceania, between Asia and America – Hawaii is a crossroads of traditional, Asian, Western, Maori and Polynesian cultures.
Its volcanoes and tropical beaches are a major draw for visitors: 8.9 million tourists visited the archipelago in 2016. But where to stay in Hawaii? Which island to stay on in Hawaii? Here’s a rundown of the archipelago’s best pied-à-terre.
Hawaii Island
Photo credit: Flickr – VaqueroFrancis
Hawaii is the archipelago’s largest island, named Big Island to avoid confusion with the state’s name, and is home to over 200,000 people. Hawaii is a volcanic island with two extinct volcanoes, peaking at 4,205 meters above sea level on Mauna Kea.
There are numerous accommodation options on Hawaii: stay in Volcano to discover Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the beaches (Papakolea, for example) in the south of the island, in Holualoa and Waikoloa Village to discover the beaches of the west, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, or stay in Hilo, the largest town, to visit the east.
Find a hotel on the island of Hawai
Find an Airbnb on Hawai Island
Maui Island
Photo credit: Flickr – Mariano Mantel
The second-largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago, Maui has a number of must-see towns for accommodation in Hawaii: from Kapalua to Kaanapali, via Lahaina in the west – a whaling town – for beaches, and Kahului in the northeast for being in the city.
Stay in Wailea, between the ocean and the mountains, discover the beaches, climb Mount Haleakala – East Maui Volcano, at 3,055 meters above sea level, or take a helicopter tour of the island.
Find a hotel on the island of Maui
Find an Airbnb on the island of Maui
Oahu Island
Photo credit: Flickr – Jason Jacobs
Hawaii’s third-largest island, Oahu is home to nearly a million inhabitants, the capital Honolulu, the Wai’anae and Ko’olau volcanoes, the Pearl Harbor memorial and sublime beaches. Staying in Oahu is an unforgettable nature, culture, history and beach trip in Hawaii.
The main cities to stay in Oahu are Honolulu, Kailua, Kaneohe, Pearl City, Waimanalo and Kaaawa. Honolulu has many hotels where you can stay, allowing you to visit Diamond Head Crater, Waikiki Beach and Hanauma Bay.
If you choose to stay in Honolulu, a hike to Manoa Falls and a visit to Pearl Harbor are not to be missed. On site, discover the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum and the Battleship Missouri Memorial, an immersive dive into the lives of the young American soldiers who were attacked by surprise by the Japanese on the morning of December 7, 1941.
Find a hotel on the island of Oahu
Find an Airbnb on the island of Oahu
Kauai Island
Photo credit: Flickr – Alex Schwab
Known as the Garden Isle , the island of Kauai is home to Waimea Canyon, nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Mount Waialeale, culminating at 1,569 meters above sea level, promises to be one of the wettest places on earth.
Most of Kuai’s hotels are located on the southeast coast, between Lihue and Kealia. There are many bars and restaurants here. In the north, you can also stay in Princeville and Hanalei to explore the island’s north coast, hike in the central forest reserves or stroll along Hanalei Bay, a wide stretch of sand by the sea.
Find a hotel on the island of Kauai
Find an Airbnb on the island of Kauai