The natural beauty and "aloha spirit" of Hawaii make it an ideal getaway for couples. However, it's important to remember that the tropical paradise found at most hotels on Oahu can also include kids kicking sand in your face at Waikiki Beach. Finding a real romantic hotel in Oahu can be a bit of a challenge, so Oyster reporters scoured the shores to find the very best.
A 10- to 15-minute drive from Waikiki, on the nearly isolated beach of a posh Honolulu suburb, the intimate Kahala Hotel has been the island's premier romantic choice since it opened in 1964. Even Liz Taylor and Richard Burton honeymooned here, hiding from the paparazzi in a private cabana. And if you're not sold on the side-by-side massages, just take a look at "Kissing Point".
The flamingo-pink, 1927 iconic Royal Hawaiian is a popular, bustling hotel, but couples looking to focus on romance will find no shortage of ways to privately pamper themselves. Couples can dine in an enclosed cabana on the beach at Azure Restaurant, or book a private beachfront (or poolside) cabana during the day. In the afternoons, the hotel provides complimentary limo rides for travel within a one-mile radius of the hotel.
With minimalist architecture, beautiful grounds with hanging flowers, and a beachfront location, the Halekulani offers a soothing, whitewashed oasis smack in the center of bustling Waikiki. The hotel's flagship restaurant, La Mer, is one of the island's most romantic (and most expensive), but you can also arrange for this fine French cuisine to be served to you by candlelight, on your own private balcony. But the best part about this hotel: ocean views, right from your deep-soaking tub.
The 1901 plantation-style oceanfront Moana Surfrider offers a dose of historic charm on one of the nicest -- albeit most congested -- stretches of Waikiki Beach. Super-luxe beds have high thread-count linens, the enormous spa is among the island's best, and guests can listen to live music every night beneath a sweeping banyan tree in the outdoor courtyard. But if you require peace and quiet on your romantic getaway, look elsewhere.