The ultimate insider's Oʻahu guide

The difference between seeing Oʻahu and feeling it often comes down to who’s behind the wheel and which direction they are steering you.

On Oʻahu, the difference between seeing the island and feeling it often comes down to who’s behind the wheel. Beyond the gloss of Waikīkī and hubbub of Honolulu, daily life on the third largest Hawaiian island takes shape between the mountain and ocean, taro fields and tiki bars, sunrise hikes and late-afternoon pau hana (happy hour). So there’s no one better to ask for an Oʻahu guide than the locals.

Few people understand that rhythm better than Dustin and Tammy Kalei, founders of Executive Chauffeur Hawaiʻi, who share lesser-known local experiences that visitors might not discover on their own.

Oʻahu restaurants and bites

Lowkey bites

Da Cove Health Bar and Cafe is a must stop for its acai bowl with pa’i ‘ai (poi) and ahi (tuna) bun. For tasty baked goods and lighter lunches, Liliha Bakery, Andy’s Sandwiches & Smoothies and Minasa Hawaii are top of the list.

Heartier meals

couple eating Seven Brothers on the beach in o'ahu — Get a real Hawaiian-style plate lunch at Seven Brothers. (Credit: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority)

For a plate lunch that feels true to Hawai‘i, Seven Brothers, Da Bald Guy food truck at Kahuku Sugar Mill and Kolohe Cafe are the picks. For dinner, Haleiwa Joe’s Haiku Gardens is a favourite. Set in the backstreets of Kāneohe, it draws families and long-time locals for generous plates of prime rib and fresh fish. It’s unfussy and iconic.

Local food culture

Kō Hana Rum barrels — Taste a drop or two at Kō Hana Rum.

Dive into Hawai’i’s food culture at working farms and producers like Kamananui Cacao Orchards, which connects cacao to culture; and Kō Hana Rum, which preserves heirloom sugarcane. Kahuku Farms and Waimea Botanical Gardens also show how food and culture intertwine.

Oʻahu guide

Morning

Lē‘ahi (Diamond Head) on o'ahu — Lace up for the Lē‘ahi (Diamond Head) hike. (Credit: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority)

The day begins at Downtown Coffee Honolulu, where the city’s past and present sit side by side. It’s Dustin and Tammy’s favourite place to caffeinate. This homegrown coffee shop in the heart of Downtown reflects Honolulu’s transition from a 19th-century port town to a modern city. Dustin recommends ordering the lilikoi (passionfruit) pastry with your coffee. Breakfast at Bogarts is another must.

From there, lace up for the Lē‘ahi (Diamond Head) hike, then refuel at Diamond Head Grill on ahi and eggs. Head east for a swim at Hanauma Bay before the crowds arrive (book a timed entry in advance), or cruise 30 minutes away to Kailua Town. For the perfect day trip, Dustin recommends starting near Waikīkī, moving toward the east end and then cutting through the middle of the island. “Do a figure eight before ending near the North Shore, then end near the north-east of the island before heading back to Waikīkī," he says.

Afternoon

the view from Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout on o'ahu — Look over the island from Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout. (Credit: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority/ Tor Johnson)

Oʻahu softens in the sun-washed light of the afternoon. This is the time to drive with the windows down, music low, and stop in for poke bowl at Maguro Spot. Think chilled ahi, bold flavours and that effortless island pace where no one is rushing but everything flows. That’s the local Oʻahu.

Dustin says a scenic spot like Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout always surprises first-timers, where the full scale of the island is on display. Depending on energy levels, afternoons might be time for a swim or a gentle drive before heading back for an evening activity. Tammy always recommends visitors check out Chinatown.

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Evening

chef at Nico’s Pier 38 — Enjoy dinner and drinks at Nico’s Pier 38.

Locals reclaim the outdoors as the heat drains from the day. The perfect evening might include a bike ride through Ala Moana Beach Park, a game of pickleball and a dip in the ocean to unwind. To avoid the tourists, Dustin and Tammy head to Kahala, where the traffic on the beach thins to a trickle of locals.

When it’s time for a drink, Nico’s Pier 38 is Dustin and Tammy’s go-to. It’s a waterfront spot that locals quietly keep in their back pocket. Find harbour views, a solid bar, sunset drinks, island breezes and an easy end to a perfectly paced Oʻahu day. Dustin also suggests going to Monkeypod Kitchen for dinner followed by after-dinner drinks at live music spot, Hideout. Or head 30 minutes out of Waikiki to look around Maunawili Night Market.

Oʻahu accommodation

Find a more grounded O‘ahu experience, book into The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay or Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu at Ko Olina on the western side of the island, trading crowds for coastline. While Paradise Bay Resort in Kaneohe is for those who want to feel more connected to everyday life.

Closer to town, favourites like Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club, The Laylow Waikīkī, Autograph Collection and Kaimana Beach Hotel offer a more boutique stay without compromising on location.

Start planning your O’ahu adventure at gohawaii.com.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

Sun, surf & soul: The ultimate insider’s guide to Oʻahu