Hawaii is a special place that we love to visit. Not only is Suzi from Hawaii, but we find it to be the best place to relax when we’re in need of a vacation. We recently spent 2 weeks in Hawaii, splitting our time between Oahu and the Big Island (aka the Island of Hawaii). This post refers to our last weekend in the islands, when we spent 2 nights in Waikiki.

For our first night, we arrived so late at night that we weren’t able to do much. Thus, this post and the video below highlight our main itinerary that we did during our 24 hours in Waikiki. Check out a video recap below (or click here), plus a room tour of our Alohilani Resort hotel room.

Accommodations

Waikiki Beach is a long strip with tons of accommodations opens. Beachside hotels both with and without views are abound. However, if you’re on a budget, there are plenty of budget-friendly options as well, but they tend to be further away from the beach.

For this trip, we were fortunate to stay at the Alohilani Resort. Located just a block away from the beach, the Alohilani was formerly known as the Pacific Beach Hotel. Two years ago, it received a massive renovation and is now known as the Alohilani.

This gorgeous resort is made of two large towers, plus a central building where you’ll find an outdoor saltwater infinity pool and a large 2-story Oceanarium full of tropical fish.

Itinerary

10:30am & 2:30pm

The Oceanarium is the two-story aquarium located on the main floor of the Alohilani Resort. Even if you’re not a guest, you can enter the lobby and watch the twice-daily fish feeding. Grab a coffee or drink from the bar if you feel like lounging on the comfortable seats, and enjoy the view!

3:00pm

Officially, you can check into your room at 3:00pm. If you get there early, the front desk will hold your luggage for you if you prefer to explore. Some ideas to kill time before check-in: go shopping on the Waikiki strip, or keep your swimsuit out and take a dip in the saltwater infinity pool or grab a cocktail and some food at Swell Pool and Bar.

6:00pm

Enjoy sunset from your room or the infinity pool, and then get ready for dinner. The Alohilani has several restaurants on their lower floors, including two by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto: there’s Morimoto Asia, and his ramen-centric restaurant Momosan. We opted for dinner at Momosan and were surprised to find that ramen wasn’t the only star on the menu. There’s also a hearty appetizer menu including amazing duck fat fries and a selection of grilled meats. Don’t forget the sake, and be sure to try some of Morimoto’s exclusive sakes.

8:00pm

After dinner, head up to the pool deck on the fifth floor and tune into the video wall. This projection takes over the beach-side tower and is fun to enjoy at night. Snag a table by the fireplace and order some drinks or appetizers from Swell Bar. Or bring your swimsuit for a late-night dip — the pool is open until midnight! Afterward, retreat to your room and rest, or hit Kalakaua avenue for late-night bar hopping or clubbing.

The Next Day

6:00am

Sunsets are typically more stunning than sunrises in Hawaii, but it’s still a great idea to get an early start. Rise before the sun, grab a cup of coffee, and watch Waikiki Beach come to life. You’ll likely see runners getting an early workout in, folks with metal detectors scanning the shores, and surfers paddling out to catch the best waves of the day.

6:30am

Diamond Head is a nearby extinct crater that is popular for hiking at all times of the day. Beat the heat and get up there as soon as possible in the morning. You can walk to the starting point from Waikiki, or hitch an Uber for about $9.00. Get here when it opens at 6:00am if you want to watch the sunrise from the summit.

8:00am

When you’re done hiking Diamond Head, take a leisurely stroll back to your hotel. Stop by Da Cove for a cup of coffee, some breakfast, and a cup of calming awa (or kava).

9:00am

Since check-out is at 11:00am, you still have time to squeeze in one last swim! Take your pick — swim in the ocean, or at the fifth-floor infinity pool. If you need coffee or a snack, dine at the poolside Swell Bar.