The Royal Hawaiian

The Royal Hawaiian resort hotel is the most beautiful pink pastel building, even though I have never stayed with them I always make a point to visit the grounds and stop by for a drink at their bar. I also love walking around to look at old photos and window shop their little boutiques.

Oahu Hawaii Travel Guide

This was my second trip to Oahu, and I wanted to share a few of my favorite things to do on the beautiful Hawaiian island. A couple touristy ideas and a few local spots to check off your list if you ever decide to visit!

Waikiki

Even if you aren't staying at this hotel, you have to make a point to stop by The Royal Hawaiian for drinks, you will be surrounded by beach views and hundreds of pink umbrellas... Lookout for tomorrow's post where I will be sharing more photos from my visit to the Royal Hawaiian. Right next to this destination is another classic hotel, actually the very first one in Hawaii. The Moana Hotel is extremely charming, you really feel transported back in time while visiting. I love walking around the hotel's personal museum collection of old photographs and artifacts, you can find this area right by the entrance and up the main staircase. Afterwards you might like to sip a cocktail or two outside under their iconic banyan tree.

Honolulu

You can't leave the island without trying one of their famous pastry dishes: the malasada. My favorite spot to grab these portugese donuts is the infamous Leonard's Bakery. They always have a special flavor of the day, but I loved the original and the cinnamon sugar ones by far. You can also find other pastries and iced coffee here if you want to pick up a breakfast picnic to take with you!

Kailua

Some of the best local coffee on the island can be found at Kalapawai Market. Since we were staying close by, our early morning ritual was walking along the beach with our iced coffees and lattés from this spot. The surf shop Island Snow doubles as one of the best shaved ice destinations in Oahu, not only is each bite pure powder, but their flavor selection has all the classic Hawaiian fruits. My go-to daily order was a small shaved ice with two scoops of ice cream, wedding cake and lilikoi flavoring with a snow cap on top.

Around town

Be on the lookout for fresh pineapple frozen yogurt from the Dole farm as well as coconut stands!