Oahu Travel Guide
WHERE: OAHU, HAWAII
WHEN: FEBRUARY 2017
STAYED: FOUR SEASONS RESORT OAHU
INSTAGRAM: #ALOHALADYH
It’s true that every Hawaiian Island is different and offers a unique experience. We chose Oahu as our tropical destination because I knew we could find luxury accommodations, and also be just a short drive from the island vibe of the North Shore. We felt that would be the perfect combination for our babymoon. Hawaii is gaining a lot of traction right now, as most other tropical locales are dealing with the ZIKA virus, something that we definitely did not want to mess with as we expect the arrival of our baby girl this spring. The Oahu air, the sweet mocktails, and the gorgeous sunsets were just what we needed before our baby joins us this Spring.
Stay
We stayed at the Four Seasons Ko’olina on the West side of the island. I had multiple requests for a review of this hotel. Any Four Seasons comes with a higher price tag, however, I would highly recommend this place as well worth the money. The property is beautiful, and we kept saying this would be a great place to go back with our baby. The resort is very kid friendly, with a perfect lagoon for kiddos to swim in the ocean. Typically we prefer more quaint hotels with private beaches, and while this beach did not blow me away, is it perfect for anyone traveling with little ones.
When we travel, we usually work for 2-3 hours in the morning, workout, have breakfast, then spend the afternoons at the beach/poolside or exploring. We spent most of our afternoons relaxing at the adult pool that overlooks the ocean. The staff there is very friendly and they were so kind to this mama-to-be, bringing me great mocktails and fresh fruit throughout the day.
The rooms at this resort are luxurious, full of nice touches, and have great views of the ocean. They also offer daily resort activities. My favorites were making Lei’s and sunrise yoga.
Now, let’s talk restaurants. This resort has it going on. We actually ate at all of the restaurants on the property. That is quite unusual for us, as we typically venture to outside places for dinner and to see the local atmosphere. We had dinner at Noe, their Caprisian inspired restaurant, and it was a wonderful meal full of food that brought back memories of the Amalfi Coast. La Hiki is their Asian restaurant, where fine dining meets tasty Asian street food. And last but not least is The Fish House, beautifully overlooking the lagoon with delicious and freshly prepared seafood. And, I must not leave out the amazing breakfast..OMG! When you book your stay, opt for the included breakfast buffet. I’m not sure if it was my pregnancy hunger or not, but I was obsessed with the breakfast spread. They had fresh green juices, chia seed pudding, eggs, waffles, and so much more. I don’t normally eat a large breakfast before a beach day, but this was certainly the time to indulge.
If you are looking for less of a resort feel and more of a beach vibe during your stay, look for a resort on the North Shore. If you are looking for more a busy and party scene, Waikiki is your spot. But, if you want to be at a great resort, Ko’olina is the place for you. There are several other resorts here in addition to the Four Seasons.
Do
The North Shore. I’m sure you’ve all heard of the epic surfing on the North Shore. We took a day trip up North, and it was by far the best day of the vacation. The North Shore has the best island vibe and laid back atmosphere. They have many beautiful beaches, amazing food trucks, and roadside fruit stands. Here are the best FOOD TRUCKS and roadside stops we found:
Sunrise Shack: Serves organic and fresh fair, bullet proof coffee and acai bowls.
North Shore Tacos: Amazing fish tacos and delicious pineapple drinks.
Big Wave Shrimp: Fresh sauteed shrimp, so good.
Pupukea Grill: Poke Poke Poke
One of the best features of the North Shore are the beautiful, pristine BEACHES. Here are a few that we found and loved!
Sunset Beach
Bonzi Beach
Papailoa Beach: Watch the sunset here
When visiting the North Shore, venture into the surf town of Hawalawi. This cute town, is full of surf shops and good restaurants. Here are a few places you do not want to miss:
Bonzi Sushi
Haleiwea Bowls
Matsumato Shaved Iced
Golfing: Oahu is home to many beautiful courses. I knew that if Oahu was our destination, we had to make time to play Ko’olau. This course is straight out of Jurassic Park. I played here during my college golfing years and knew I had to take Nick here. It is a magical property!
Eats
I have already named so many good places to eat between the Four Seasons and the North Shore. However, Waikiki has many great options as well. My favorite is the Royal Hawaiian. This beautiful pink historic hotel is a classic Hawaiian experience. Their restaurant Azure is romantic and delicious. The entire menu consists of fresh fish, beautiful salads, and an extensive wine list.
The other spot we dined at in Waikiki was at Nobu. The sushi here never disappoints. It was challenging being pregnant and not eating all the amazing raw fish, however, they had a few beautiful options for me as well.
Aloha Hawaii…hope to see you soon.
